MBA Interview Preparation & Coaching
If you are fortunate enough to have received an invite for an MBA admission interview, you should waste no time preparing for the same. It means that you are now so much closer to the end of the selection process—and your goal. The first question that will come to your mind is—how to prepare for MBA interviews and from where to get MBA interview coaching? Begin your MBA interview prep by making a list of MBA interview questions that you may be asked and look for their answers on school websites and the Internet. There is a plethora of information available out there! All you need to do is type how to prepare for MBA interview in India and hit enter! However, after spending a few wasted days looking up conflicting information, and confusing subjects like MBA interview behavioral questions, a lot of sensible people opt for someone who offers good admission consulting in business school interview prep including mock interview for MBA students.
At PythaGURUS, we offer MBA interview coaching to help you prepare for your interview and increase your chances of success.
MBA Interview Preparation at PythaGURUS – A Snapshot
Keep your Calm
Keep in mind that interviews for MBA programs are like a dialogue and the admissions interviewer can also be an alum. So stay relaxed throughout, exhibit positive body language, and if you do not understand something, do not hesitate to ask for clarification.
Ask Insightful Questions
Try not to sound as if you are reading from a script—be natural and at ease. Asking questions, especially insightful questions, is actually a good way to turn the interview into an interactive conversation, especially for tricky MBA interview questions at top B schools. Knowledgeable people love answering questions (within reasonable limits of course!), so be well-prepared with questions about clubs or activities that your interviewers are/were part of as students or alum.
Highlight your Strengths
An interview is also a great opportunity for you to highlight why you are a great fit for that school—and in what ways your ethos matches the school’s ethos. Prepare accordingly, practice in front of a mirror.
Showcase your Interests to Standout
Talk about your interests, about the activities you can initiate—for example if you are a decent cook, you can talk about arranging a face-to-face or online cooking demonstration for the food of your ethnic region that an international community would be able to enjoy or if you are an art and craft aficionado, then you can talk of holding a step-by-step ‘how-to-make’ with easily available and common items. The interview often gives insight to the interviewer as to what kind of classmate you will turn out be, so it is good to talk about other things besides academics. Nobody likes boring people.
The Most Common Questions Asked in MBA Interview and How to Handle Them!
The 3 most common B school interview questions and answers are given below for you:
MBA Interview Question
1: Tell me about yourself
How to Answer: It is best to keep this self introduction for MBA interview brief and to the point. They do not want to know about your childhood, family, life story and so on. For answering this, it would be a good idea to run the interviewer through your resume. Begin from your college years and mention the high points; then move on to your professional career. Summarize your responsibilities in each role along with your achievements and do not forget to explain your motivations for each role that you assumed in the course of your professional experiences. If possible, it would be a good idea to talk briefly about your extra-curricular activities. If the interviewer asks you to say something about yourself which is away from the resume, then you can go ahead and give your personal story—your childhood, family, and personal anecdotes.
MBA Interview Question 2: Why are you interested in this school or program?
How to Answer: This is a good opportunity for you to go over your short-term and long-term career goals and what knowledge and skills you are lacking as of now for future success which can be filled admirably by the specific school that you are interviewing for. You should be highly conversant with that particular school’s courses and its professors of repute, along with the industry-specific advantages and clubs that are available and be prepared to go over these with the interviewer to underscore why this school is crucial for your career goals. Networking with alums and others during the application process plays an important role in your information and knowledge about the school.
MBA Interview Question 3: Is there anything else you’d like to say?
How to Answer: This is another of the common MBA admission interview questions which gives you an additional opportunity to engage further with the interviewer and must be utilized even if you feel that the interview has gone very well and you have covered everything possible. You can use this open-ended question to explain how you would contribute to the peer group and be an asset to the class. Think beforehand about what all you can mention to improve your chances of an admit. Be careful not to fake it—relax and be your natural self with the admissions officer.
FAQs Related to MBA Interview Preparation and Coaching
1. How can I practice for an MBA interview?
- Practice speaking in front of a mirror about your accomplishments. Give examples.
- Since essays have word limits, this is a wonderful opportunity to give a more in-depth description about yourself. Get to know yourself inside-out so that there is no fumbling or ambiguity about your education and career highlights!
- Avoid business jargon totally. Be down to earth and practice speaking in a manner as if you are already in your MBA class with so many diverse people out there.
- A great option is to enrol with a known MBA admissions consultant like PythaGURUS who conduct MBA mock interview for MBA students.
2. Do all MBA applicants get interviews?
Not at all! An invite for interview is a clear signal that the school thinks you have potential! But there is no space for complacency because there is highly intense competition for the few seats available, and the interview is a very important end towards that admit you have been seeking single-mindedly!
3. What should I ask an interviewer during an MBA interview?
If you do not understand something, do not hesitate to ask for clarifications. Additionally, asking insightful questions is actually a good way to turn the interview into an interactive conversation.
4. Are mock interviews for MBA students useful?
Oh yes! Absolutely! When we first conduct our one-to-one mock interviews, even seasoned resume holders are at a loss in the beginning!
5. What are the most common MBA admission interview questions?
- Tell me about yourself
- Why do you want to receive an MBA? Why now?
- Why are you interested in this school or program?
- Tell us about a time when you were a leader.
- What do you like most about your current work?
- What kinds of changes would you make at work if you could?
- How would your colleagues and supervisor describe you?
- What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?
- What is your greatest strength?
- What are your short-term and long-term goals?
- Do you have any questions for me?
- Is there anything else you’d like to say?
