How to: interview well

Congratulations, you have made it to the second stage of your MBA application process - the interview. Interview invitations are a positive indication, regardless of when you receive them. Interviewers are typically either school alumnus, or admissions committee personnel. Generally, the interview process will include a limited number of questions that are relatively easy to predict and prepare for.

Prepare Yourself

As preparation to the interview, you should take several actions. Ideally, you should have performed some of these actions while you were selecting your desired school. Nevertheless, if you have yet to perform the following, make sure to do so prior to your interview.

• Perform intensive research of your selected program, school, and local environment.
• Speak with alumni and current students.
• Ascertain which questions your future interviewer usually asks.
• Review your application material and be prepared to answer any relevant questions.
• Phrase your answers in short paragraphs.

Ask The Questions

Preparatory conversations with alumni and current students are of utmost importance, yet many applicants find it difficult to prepare a good list of questions. We have compiled several questions that may assist you during preparation for your interview.

• Describe a typical day at School.
• How have you gained from attending School?
• How is School better than other schools?
• How would you rate the strength of School's alumni network?
• Have you ever utilized School's alumni network?
• What did you feel required improvement at School?

Typical Questions

Interviews are generally standard in form, designed to be another selection tool for admission committees. Therefore, interview questions are recurring, and some schools have not changed interview questions for several years. The following questions cover fundamental issues which you should prepare answers for:

• Why pursue an MBA?
• Why study an MBA now?
• Why did you choose this specific School?
• Walk me through your resume - classic alumni opening question.
• Walk me through your application - generally asked by Adcom.

During the Interview

The most important thing to remember is - you are one of several dozens, or hundreds of applicants the person in front of you has interviewed. Make every effort to stand out from the crowd - be interesting. Keep your answers short, memorable, and unique. The interview will most probably be your final chance to influence the decision of acceptance to your selected school.