You might have cleared the entrance exams for a good MBA program. And you might be thinking that the worst part is over. But wait, there’s more to come.
You still have to clear the personal interview (PI) section, which is one of the most crucial parts in the MBA admission process for almost all reputed colleges around the world. It gives the selection board a chance to assess the thinking clarity and the suitability of the candidates for the specific role and gives them an opportunity to showcase their skills and abilities.
Not only on-campus programs, but their reputable online counterparts also require you to appear for a personal interview.
If you are looking for common questions asked in the interviews of MBA admission tests, we are going to discuss the same here.
Tell me about yourself
This is one of the very first and the most commonly asked questions in the majority of MBA entrance interviews, though it may be disguised as “walk me through your resume.” Though as simple as it appears to be, while answering this question you must bear in mind that the interviewer already has your resume. So this is an excellent opportunity for you to highlight such information, accomplishments, and abilities related to your personality which are not already present in your resume.
Why do you want to pursue an MBA/get a post-graduate business degree?
We all know why anybody would want to put so much time, effort and money into an MBA, or any other course for that instance. To get a good paying job that settles the debts and pays the bills, obviously! But to be brutally honest about your concern for monetary benefits may not be such a good idea. On the other hand, stating utopian aims like the eagerness for knowledge and personal development might make you sound like a philosopher.
The best way to go about it is to strike a healthy balance between ambition and practicality. You can say that you are expecting good monetary returns, but do add to it an aspect of the benefits of good business knowledge and how a good course would enhance your personality.
Why did you choose this college/university?
Such questions require a thorough understanding and knowledge about what the college has to offer, and the specifics that make it different from other colleges. You should confidently state what motivates you to join that particular college, and how the work culture of the college aligns with your strengths and personality.
To successfully execute this, you might require to spend a few hours researching about the college, and it’s working, and then drafting an answer about how it aligns with your skills and future ambitions.
What are your short and long term goals?
Such type of questions has a purpose of knowing whether you are a day-dreamer, or you have certain fixed goals for the later phases of your life, with clearly defined ambitions and objectives. Nobody (including the interviewer) knows about the future, but answering these questions with an attitude of determination and confidence, will show that you are pretty sure about your ability to achieve your goals, howsoever grand they may sound.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
While mentioning your strengths, you can effectively put up your case by highlighting how your strengths are in line with the challenges and demands of the management sector. Have more than one ready, just in case the interviewer becomes curious to know more about them.
Weaknesses are not be stated in a way that makes you look like a complete loser. In fact, they should be carefully worded to disguise them as possible areas of improvement, and avenues for future growth.
While preparing for such questions, you are advised to prepare a rough draft of your answers, consisting of main keywords. You should practice executing the answers in front of a mirror to pay attention to your mannerisms. You can also voice-record your answers when you practice to get an idea about how you really sound and make corrections on pronunciation, accent, etc. wherever necessary.
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