10 Simple MBA Interview Questions You’ll Be Asked
If you have progressed into the MBA interview stage, give yourself a pat on the back. You’re one of the few who have passed the initial stage. But don’t put your feet up just yet, you still have to face the mountain of MBA questions.
The key part of preparing for your MBA interview is understanding its purpose and convincing the interviewer you’re perfect for the program. You need to know your goals, present and future self and how will this MBA help you in your future. Reread your application to fully familiarise what you have written. You also need to know your interviewer’s goals; assess your communication skills, and ambitions and inform the admissions team if you are fit for the program.
What to expect during an MBA interview
Your MBA interview starts as soon as you step outside your front door and ends as soon as you arrive back home. You will never know if you travel alongside your interviewer, admissions team or a member of the institution.
Being prepared for the sort of questions you’ll likely receive will ultimately pay off. Your answers will flow better and struggle less to find the response. If you pay attention to the questions asked, you can read which educational aspects or values are most important to the interviewer.
MBA interviews typically last between 30-45 minutes. There is no standard structure to an MBA interview, so be aware of how the institution conducts interviews. You should be able to adapt as the interviewer can abandon questions and spring new ones whenever they feel necessary.
Ace your MBA interview questions
Purpose of asking questions
The purpose of the questions is to help the interviewer and admission committee to distinguish you from other applicants. Without the interview, the MBA process would be less personal and could potentially miss excellent students who appear differently on paper.
The simple task of asking a question can be enough to tip your application over the line. Those questions should help picture you as a motivated professional rather than another student. However, the questions the interviewer may ask depend on the program and the institution. You can never really expect the exact question they will ask you, but you can practice by the example of being asked a broader question – which you can tailor to the question they ask.
Possible MBA interview questions you may be asked
Question 1:
- Tell me about yourself?
This is the most common question you’ll face in an interview. And this open-ended question can trip you into a bottomless pit. Instead, keep the answer within a couple of minutes and focus on your education, work experience, accomplishments and career goals.
Question 2:
- Why do you want to pursue an MBA? (Why now?)
Explain your motivation for pursuing an MBA degree and why now is the right time for you. Describe what an MBA can help you achieve and why it’s part of your plan. How hard is an MBA?
Question 3:
- Why are you interested in this school or program?
By this stage, you should have done your research into the school and program. You need to list all the reasons you feel the school/program is suited to you – you can mention the facilities, reputation, peers, course variations, and student activities. You want to express the school is the top choice for you.
Question 4:
- What are your short-term and long-term goals?
The interviewer wants to understand how well your goals align with the vision of the school and whether or not the program can help you with your aspirations. They will also want to understand the scope of your ambitions and vision to show them if you are the kind of candidate you are, and what type of alumni you could become.
Question 5:
- What are your best achievements as a leader?
This question is important for MBA candidates as it highlights your suitability for business education. Interviewers are looking for future leaders, who demonstrate the ability to lead teams, work with people and achieve results.
Question 6:
- If you’re admitted to our program, what do you think your biggest challenge will be?
You need to demonstrate awareness of the demands of the MBA program and you’re ready to face them. Be honest, explain how you will address the challenge and show that you’re managing time and resources wisely.
Question 7:
- How would your colleagues or supervisor describe you?
You should aim to highlight personal and professional characteristics that will indicate what kind of student and classmate you’ll be. Remember, the supervisor [or manager] is most likely the one who wrote your recommendation, so the interviewer will already know what they said. Don’t make something up. Paint a clear picture of what you are really like.
Question 8:
- How would you take advantage of the resources we provide?
This will give you the chance to show the interviewer what you know about their business administration program and how you intend to use your knowledge and skills to develop your career. Show the interviewer what you know about their program and how it will help you.
Question 9:
- What other schools/programs are you applying to?
The interviewer might ask this to view what your process of school or program selection consists of. While schools like it when you apply for their program, they expect you may have applied for multiple programs. This is a good opportunity to make it clear why their program is your top choice and explain the qualities you have considered for making it your top choice.
Question 10:
- Do you have any questions for me?
You will definitely be asked this question – and you definitely should! You want to show you’re serious about joining the program. This is an opportunity to receive any advice, ask open questions and most importantly, create a conversation bond between you and the interviewer. To know which type of question you should be asking, follow the image:
Other questions you may be asked
- Tell me about a time you failed?
- Discuss a time when you were a leader?
- What do you like most about your current or previous role?
- What has been our most challenging or rewarding academic experience so far?
- What are some of your strengths/weaknesses?
- What do you hope to achieve with an MBA?
- How would someone describe you?
- Do you think your grades are an indication of your academic achievement?
- How will you contribute to the MBA class?
- What courses do you intend to take?
- Where do you see yourself in x years?
- What specific skills would you want to develop after successfully attaining your MBA degree?
- How do you see your industry evolving in the next x years?
At Lendwise, we understand the importance of an MBA. It can help you advance your career, earn a higher salary, and achieve your professional goals. But we also know they can be expensive.
We also understand that everyone’s journey is different. Whether you’re applying for a part-time or full-time MBA, the loan can help you achieve your goals. When you’re ready, you can *apply online. We’ll help get on the path to success.
Representative Example: Assumed borrowing of £30,825 over 120 months at 12.73% APR representative. Monthly cost of £509.26. Total amount repayable of £61,199.65. Interest rate of 11.62% p.a.(fixed) and total fees of £925.00. Available for loan amounts between £5,000 – £100,000.
(Representative Example date: October 2024)
*Credit is subject to status and loan approval is not guaranteed. Over 18’s only. T&Cs apply.
