Reflections of an MBA applicant

1. Walk through your resume. I weaved my post MBA goals here itself.
2. Why Wharton
3. What will you like to be remembered as post Wharton?
4. Which activities you will like to do outside of class?
5. What will your current team mates describe you as?
6. A personal weakness?
7. Weakness in application?
8. Biggest success!
9. How do you define success?
10. Quite a few questions about the EC stuff I had done/was doing. Like what do you do in this activity? Why did you do that? Do you still do this?
11. Any questions for the interviewer. And before I asked any questions, she told me about her background and what she was interested in at Wharton etc… That was really appreciated as then I could choose appropriate questions!

Overall, I feel it went well. Could I have done better? No doubt! There were times when I felt stuttering, and red in the face, something I could have avoided had I prepared a little more for the interview! I also rambled a little too much and my eyes were popping out because of the well known reasons ;) But I rather not sweat over it and enjoy my time in Bangalore.

She also talked about my flight plans and I thanked her for rescheduling the interview; that again was a nice touch on her part!

Addition: Thanks to Aregon for the comfortable talk which helped me clear my mind from work and concentrate on Iview! And also for the help in travel plans :-)

Preparation For MBA Interviews

Because communication skills are such an integral part of effective management, some schools include personal interviews as part of the admissions process. Some tips to help you prepare for an interview:

o Review your application; the interviewer is likely to ask specific questions about it.
o Be ready to provide examples and specifics and to elaborate on info on your resume and application.
o Be open and honest.
o Ask questions, since the interview is as much an opportunity for you to learn about the school as for the school to learn about you.
o Follow proper business decorum.
o Watch your nonverbal clues, such as eye contact, posture, and fidgeting.
o Be courteous to the administrative staff, since how you treat them can have an impact (positive or negative).

Some Frequently Asked Questions on Interviews :

"Tell us about yourself"?

In an interview how does one handle the question "Tell us about yourself?".

An often asked opening question. Perhaps the most frequently asked question across interviews. Your opening statement needs to be a summary of your goals, overall professional capabilities, achievements, background (educational and family), strengths, professional objectives and anything about your personality that is relevant and interesting. This question represents an opportunity to lead the interviewer in the direction you want him to go e.g., your speciality or whatever else you may wish to highlight.

Your intention should be to try subtly convincing the interviewers that you are a good candidate, you have proved that in the past and have a personality that fits the requirement.

Remember that the first impression you create will go a long way in the ultimate selection. Keep in mind, most candidates who are asked this question just blurt out their schooling, college, marks and qualifications. All this is already there in the CV. Why tell the interviewer something he already knows?

A final word on approaching this question. Once you have said what you have to say - shut up. Don't drone on for the sake of speaking for you just might say something foolish. Sometimes interviewers don't interrupt in order to give the candidate the impression that he has not spoken enough. This is just a stress/error-inducing tactic. Don't fall for it, especially if you feel you have spoken enough. In case the pause gets too awkward for your liking, just add something like, "Is there something specific that you wish to know about me?"

Is it better to have a longer selection interview or a shorter one?

The length of an interview in no way is an indicator of how well an interview went. This is especially so when there are a number of candidates to be interviewed, like in the Civil Services interview or the MBA entrance interview. In the past, a number of candidates have reported varying lengths of interviews. Nothing positive or negative should be read into this. An interview is only a device whereby the panel seeks information about the candidate. Information that will help the panel decide whether or not the candidate should be selected. If the panel feels that it has gathered enough information about the candidate in 15 minutes of the interview commencing and that it has no further questions to ask the interview will be terminated in 15 minutes. If on the other hand the panel takes an hour to gather the information required to take a decision the interview will last for an hour. In either case the decision could be positive or negative. It is a fallacy to believe that interview panels take longer interviews of candidates whom they are more interested in. No panel likes to waste its time. If an interview is lasting longer than usual then it only means that the panel is seeking more information about the candidate in order to take a decision.

In the MBA entrance interview how do I justify my decision to pursue the MBA programme?

When you are asked this for God's sake don't tell the panel that you are looking for a"challenging job in a good firm with lots of money, status and glamour". That is the first answer that most candidates think of. Unfortunately, it is the last answer that will get you admission. In the answer to a direct question on this subject you must convey to the interview panel that you have made a rational and informed decision about your career choice and your intended course of higher study. There are broadly four areas which your answer could touch upon:

Career Objectives : You could talk about your career objectives and how the two year MBA programme will help you achieve them. This implies that you have a clear idea of what your career objectives are and how you wish to achieve them. For example, you may want to be an entrepreneur and wish to set up your independent enterprise after doing your MBA and then working for a few years in a professionally managed company. You could explain to the panel that the MBA programme will provide you with the necessary inputs to help you run your business enterprise better. But then you must be clear about what the inputs you will receive in the MBA programme are.

Value Addition : That brings us to the second area that your answer should touch upon. What is the value you will add to yourself during your two year study of management. Value addition will essentially be in two forms knowledge and skills. Knowledge of the various areas of management e.g. marketing, finance, systems, HRD etc. and skills of analysis and communication. You will find it useful to talk to a few people who are either doing their MBA or have already done it. They will be able to give you a more detailed idea of what they gained from their MBA.

Background : Remember, there must be no inconsistency between your proposed study of management and your past subject of study or your past work experience. If you have studied commerce in college then management is a natural course of higher studies. If you are an engineer this is a tricky area. You must never say that by pursuing a career in management you will be wasting your engineering degree. Try and say that the MBA course and your engineering degree will help you do your job better in the company that you will join. But then you should be able to justify how your engineering qualification will help.

Opportunities and Rewards : You could also at this stage mention the opportunities that are opening up in organizations for management graduates. Highlight with examples. At the end you may mention that while monetary rewards are not everything they are also important and MBAs do get paid well. You must not mention these reasons as your primary motivators even if that may be the case.

What to Expect ?

In general, B-school interviews are not formulaic. The focus can range from specific questions about your job responsibilities to broad discussions of life. Approach the interview as a conversation to be enjoyed, not as a question-and-answer ordeal to get through. You may talk more about your hobbies or recent cross-country trip. This doesn't mean that it won't feel like a job interview. It just means you're being sized up as a person and future professional in all your dimensions. Try to be your witty, charming, natural self. Interviews are conducted by students, faculty, admissions personnel and alumni. Don't dismiss students as the lightweights; they follow a tight script and report back to the committee. However, because they're inexperienced beyond the script, their interviews are most likely to be duds. You may have to work harder to get your points across.

How to Prepare ?

Prepare for the interview in several ways: Expect to discuss many things about yourself. Be ready to go into greater depth than you did in your essays (but don't assume the interviewer has read them). Put together two or three points about yourself that you want the interviewer to remember you by. Go in with examples, or even a portfolio of your work, to showcase your achievements. Practice speaking about your accomplishments without a lot of "I did this, I did that." Finally, be prepared to give a strong and convincing answer to the interviewer's inevitable question: "Why here?"

Self Awareness

1. How would you describe yourself ?
2. Tell me about yourself ?
3. How do you think a friend or professor who knows you would describe you?
4. What motivates you to put forth your best effort ?
5. How do you determine or evaluate success ?
6. What academic subjects did you like best ? Least ?
7. What led you to choose the career for which you are preparing ?
8. What personal characteristics are necessary for succeeding in the career that you are interested in ?
9. What is your philosophy of life ?
10. Why have you switched career fields ?

Weaknesses / Negatives

1. What major problems have you encountered and how have you dealt with them ?
2. What have you learnt form your mistakes ?
3. What do you consider to be your greatest weakness ?
4. Did you ever have problems with your supervisor ?

Skills / Abilities / Qualifications

1. What do you consider to be your greatest strength ?
2. Are you creative ? Give an example.
3. What qualifications do you have that makes you think you will be successful ?
4. In what way do you think you can make a contribution to society?
5. Why should we take you ?
6. What are your own special abilities ?
7. Why should we take you over another candidate ?
8. What is your managing style ?
9. Why do you want to join this institute ?
10. What do you know about our institute ?

Values

1. What is your attitude towards working hard ?
2. What part does your family play in your life ?
3. What are the most important rewards you expect in your career ?
4. What is more important to you : money offered, or the type of job ?
5. Do you enjoy independent research ?
6. In what kind of a work environment are you most comfortable ?
7. How would you describe the ideal job for you ?
8. What two or three things are most important to you in your job ?
9. Do you prefer working with others or all by yourself ?
10. How do you like to work ?
11. Under what conditions do you work best ?
12. What is the highest form of praise ?

Experience

1. In what part-time or summer job have you been most interested ?
2. Tell me about your experience.
3. What jobs have you held ?
4. How did your previous employer treat you ?
5. What have you learnt from some of the jobs that you have held ?
6. What jobs have you enjoyed most ? Least ? Why ?
7. What have you done that shows initiative and willingness to work ?
8. Describe your current job.
9. What did you like least about your last job ?
10. What did you like most about your last job ?

Goals / Objectives

1. What are your short-term and long-term goals and objectives ?
2. What specific goals other than those related to your occupation have you chosen for yourself for the next 10 years ?
3. What do you see yourself doing 5 years from now ?
4. What do you really want to do in life ?
5. How do you plan to achieve your career goals ?

Education

1. How has your education prepared you for a career ?
2. Describe your most rewarding college experience.
3. Why did you select your college or university ?
4. If you could, would you plan your academic study differently ?
5. Do you think grades are a good indication of your academic achievement ?
6. What have you learnt from participation in extracurricular activities ?
7. Do you have plans for continuing your studies ?
8. Why did you pick your programme ?
9. What courses did you like best and why ?
10. What courses did you like least and why ?
11. How has your college experience prepared you for this job ?
12. How did you pick your dissertation ?
13. Describe your dissertation process.

Salary

1. What do you expect to earn in 5 years ?
2. What did you earn in your last job ?

Interests

1. What are your outside interests ?
2. What do you do with your free time ?
3. What are your hobbies ?
4. What types of books do you read ?
5. How interested are you in sports ?
6. How did you spend your vacations in school ?

General

1. What qualities should a successful manager possess ?
2. Describe the relationship that should exist between a supervisor and a subordinate.
3. What 3 accomplishments have given you the greatest satisfaction ?
4. If you were taking a graduate for this institute, what qualities would you look for ?
5. What can I do for you ?
6. Tell me a story.
7. Define cooperation.

Stress Questions

1. What causes you to lose your temper ?
2. How often have you been absent from school, work or training ?
3. Have you ever had trouble with other people on the job ?
4. Can you take instructions without getting upset ?
5. Don't you feel you are a little to old/young for this job ?
6. How does your family like you being away on business trips ?
7. With your background, we believe that you are overqualified to join this institute.
8. You haven't had sufficient experience in this field.
9. Our experience with women on this job has not been good.
10. What would irritate you most if I as a manager did it ?

Influencing Others

1. Tell me about the time you were most persuasive in overcoming resistance to your ideas or point of view.
2. Tell me about the last time someone made an unreasonable request of you.
3. Describe the most disappointing and frustrating experience in gaining the support of others for an idea or proposal.

Interpersonal Skills

1. Describe a situation where it was most important for you to display tact and diplomacy.
2. Tell me about the last time you had a clash or disagreement with someone at school/college/workplace.
3. Tell me about a time when you felt most frustrated and disappointed at a person with whom you had worked.

Personal Adaptability

1. Tell me about the last time you were criticized by a supervisor or a professor.
2. Tell me about the time when you felt most pressured or stressed at work/ school/internship.
3. Tell me about the time when you felt most frustrated at your school/workplace.
4. In what aspects of your work/internship do you have the most confidence in your abilities.

Communication Skills

1. Tell me about the time when you felt best about your ability to draw out or solicit information from another person.
2. Tell me about the time when you had to work your hardest in order to fully understand what another person was saying to you.
3. Describe the last time when someone at school/work misunderstood what you were trying to communicate.

Motivation

1. Tell me about the most long term, sustained extra hours of effort that you put into your work/college/internship.
2. Describe a time when you felt most frustrated or discouraged in reaching your goals or objectives.
3. What do you feel has been your most significant work/school/internship related achievement within the past year or so ?
4. Describe the last time you did something well which went beyond the expectations in your work/internship.

Administrative Skills

1. Tell me how you go about organizing your work and scheduling your own time.
2. What do you do to ensure that your goals and objectives are met in a timely way ?
3. Describe the most extensive planning that you have ever done.

Problem Solving and Decision Making

1.Tell me about the most difficult problem that you faced in your work/school/internship ?
2.Tell me about the last time you made a decision that backfired.
3.Tell me about the time when you regretted most not getting advice before you went ahead ?

Conflict Management Skills

1. Tell me about the last significant crisis situation that you faced in your work.
2. Tell me about a time when you were most persuasive in overcoming resistance to your ideas.
3. Tell me about the time when you had a disagreement with someone at work.

Number 7 - MBA INTERVIEWS:

Before you get all bent out of shape, let me explain. I agree that the interview can be a critical part of the admissions decision and should not always rank dead last in order of importance. But its importance varies dramatically from school to school. At some schools, your interview can make the difference between being accepted and spending another year riding your desk 60 hours a week. At others, though, it's meaningless and deserves to be listed last.

You may know that some schools are very aggressive about interviewing candidates. Kellogg, for instance, is terrific about it. The school has long set the standard for interviewing. And not only does UNC - Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler) require an interview of U.S. applicants, but it requires that the interview be conducted on campus. (Crazy, huh?) So the interview can be important at some schools and, at those schools, I certainly would not list it last.

Stanford, on the other hand, would just as soon give you the finger as interview you. (Okay, I know that Stanford started interviewing some applicants this year, but it was a funny line and I had to use it.) So interviewing can be meaningless at some school or it can be significant. It all depends on the school and your personal situation.

Who Should and Who Shouldn't Interview?

If you think you're a bad interviewer, stay home. Let your application do the talking for you. I've had a lot of people who I thought were bad interviewers in my GMAT classes. They come in with good work experience and great undergraduate GPAs. I can see from their practice tests that they will end up with a strong GMAT score, but I'm afraid they will do more harm than good if they meet with their schools. I've never found a subtle way to break that news to them: "Al, you're a bright guy, but you're also a dork. Don't interview."

So it's up to you. If you feel you're not a good interviewer, stay home. But if you feel comfortable meeting new people, then go for it. A lot of applicants have to meet new people daily as part of their jobs, so they get very good at interacting with strangers. Those people should always interview.

Should I Interview with an Admissions Officer or an Alumnus?

It's best to interview with someone on the admissions committee, but that isn't always possible. You shouldn't worry too much, though, if you end up having to interview with an alumnus or even a current student. That person will write up a report that will go into your file. Just try to get along with your interviewer.

A Few Pointers on the Interview

1. Whenever possible, interview with someone of the opposite sex. (Don't make me explain why.)

2. Dress formally unless your interview is with an alumnus and the situation calls for casual clothes. I live in L.A., and a lot of my students have met their interviewers at beachfront cafes on Saturday mornings. Situations like that call for casual clothes.

3. Relax! Don't come off as stiff and overly formal. You want your interviewer to like you, so treat him or her like a friend.

4. Prepare your answers ahead of time. (See section below for common questions.)

Typical Interview Questions

The questions asked by admissions people at different schools are often surprisingly similar. My students interview all over the country, but they all come back with the same basic list of questions. Virtually all of the interviewers cover the same topics. (Which makes sense, if you think about it.)

There is a little variation, but the basic interview process goes as follows.

Phase 1 - Your Upbringing and Undergraduate Experience

Be sure to prepare a brief outline of your upbringing before going to your interview. (Don't bring it with you.) It's easy to get lost and ramble into a long pointless diatribe when talking about your upbringing, so make your replies short and to the point.

They will generally ask a number of questions about your undergraduate experience.

• What was your major?

• Did you like it?

• Do you think your grades are an accurate reflection of your ability?

• Did you work as an undergrad? (This is important because it may help to explain why your GPA isn't 4.0)

Phase 2 - Work Experience Since Leaving College

You need to know your whole work history before walking into the interview. Look up the approximate dates of promotions or job transfers. The questions go something like the following:

• What was your first job out of undergrad?

• Have you been promoted?

• Have you ever supervised employees?

• Have you switched firms? If so, why?

Phase 3 - Career Goals & MBA Plans

This is the part of your story that has to hold together. If they ask about career goals and you tell them something that is completely inconsistent with your experience, you're going to be in trouble.

• Be sure to mention a career goal that actually requires (or benefits from) an MBA.

• Be able to answer the question, "Why do you need an MBA?"

• Be able to answer the question, "Why do you need an MBA from this school?"

Phase 4 - Your Turn to Ask Questions

Be sure to study the school before interviewing so you can ask informed questions about it. Knowing specific details about the program should convince the interviewer that you are serious about attending his school.

A Final Note of Encouragement on The Interviews

I know it's tough going through all the interviews. After two or three you begin to feel like a piece of meat. Just remember that everyone has to go through the same process. Below I'll post one of my favorite e-mail messages. I got it from one of my students just hours after he had a particularly bad interview at a top-10 school. Pardon the language, but I think it will help to put things into perspective.

Interview Preparation

Some schools offer applicants the chance to interview with admissions reps at regional locations throughout the US. The interviewer is usually an admissions committee member who travels throughout the country or an alumni of the school who lives nearly. The benefit of a remote interview is that the candidate does not have to invest the time and money in a visit to the school. Unfortunately, we feel the drawbacks of regional interviews far outweigh this financial advantage. Whenever possible, plan to visit the school for the full tour and series of on-site interviews.

A school visit is your best opportunity to see the facility, interact with faculty and students and impress multiple members of an admissions committee. You will see first-hand whether this is the right place for you and whether you will fit in. Being on campus also allows for a natural conversational flow about the program, equipment, class size, resources, etc., that is hard to establish off-site.

Once you have been invited for the interview, here are the important steps to take in preparation:

a) Confirm your interview via telephone and make sure you have proper directions

b) Confirm exactly who you will be speaking with and their professional titles. This will allow you to research their background and specialty area, which they will likely enjoy talking about. Be prepared for questions about the interviewer's specific area of interest.

Try to identify free blocks of time in your interview schedule to see the library, the computer area and classrooms. The interview is a two-way street, and you should invest every available minute checking out the school to determine if it is the right place for you. Plan to tour the town after the interview to get a feel for housing, recreation and living costs. If you are accepted, you will want to know right away whether this is a good school for you.

c) A week or so before the interview, send a copy of your resume to each person you are scheduled to meet. Bring along another copy with you to give to each person on the day of the interview. This can be a godsend if your file gets lost or if you are unexpectedly sent to interview with someone you didn't expect.

d) Arrive at the interview on time and properly dressed. For this occasion, conservative is best. The ONLY acceptable attire is a formal suit for both men and women, well-fitted and in a conservative color. Make sure your clothes are clean, neat and pressed and that your grooming is exceptional. For women, this means well-styled hair, no excessive perfume, makeup or jewelry. For men, wear a conservative tie, dress shoes and no jewelry other than a watch and wedding ring.

This may seem obvious, but we have seen many otherwise qualified candiates blow their chance for admission by wearing ridiculous clothing to the interview. We've seen short skirts, purple hair and sandals in the middle of winter. My last applicant had two visible tattoos and several body piercings in places I didn't know could be hygienically pierced. From the moment he walked in the door, regardless of what he had to say, I couldn't get past his own immaturity and poor judgment.

Your job at the interview is to convince a seasoned group of business school professors that you are a future member of their ranks. Step one is looking the part and respecting the professional dress code. Bear in mind, corporations that recruit from Ivy League MBA programs have strict rules for behavior and conduct. Candidates who don't have the sense to try to fit in before they are admitted don't have a chance of surviving the rigid training program.

d) Review as much information as possible on your formal application. Your interviewers will review your file before speaking with you and jot down notes for possible interview questions. Re-familiarize yourself with your grades, essays and research topics so they will be fresh in your mind before the interview. At the very least, be prepared to discuss your three most significant:

i) accomplishments and what they mean to you
ii) personal attributes of which you are most proud
iii) abilities that will make you an excellent leader

Whenever possible, incorporate these strengths into your answers. Also be prepared to discuss your weaknesses. Most applicants naively think that they don't have any shortcomings and are blindsided by these questions. Although it's difficult to talk about possible deficiencies, your job at the interview is to recognize questionable points in your background and to discuss them confidently and directly.

e) Learn as much as possible about the particular business school and its program. The more information you have, the better you can anticipate typical questions and ask intelligent ones yourself. Be ready for the inevitable questions about why you want to attend that particular business school. Don't say something lame like it's location or low tuition; you'll sound limited and shallow. Focus instead on the school's excellent faculty and their reputation for finance. Know what areas of research they are famous for and the companies that employ their graduates. Read every bit of material you can find about the particular school and be prepared to customize your answers to reflect its strengths.

What You'll Be Asked

You should be prepared for these potential areas of questioning:

* your childhood, personality, family, college life, hobbies, sports and outside interests
* your professional and leadership experience
* your career goals, political views and breadth of business knowledge
* your motivation to obtain an MBA; why now, why our school

Be prepared for a wide range of questions, from casual inquiries about your family to probing questions about ethical/legal issues. Also be prepared for general questions about current events and items of interest in popular culture. Nothing is more disheartening than interviewing an "academic genius" who doesn't know who the Vice-President is.

Tips to Asking & Answering Questions Effectively

1) Keep your answers short, but informative. Be prepared to offer a 4 to 6 line answer to every question. This is enough to share a few thoughts and to stimulate further discussion if the interviewer desires. Try to avoid simple yes and no answers or responding in monosyllables. Show interest in the questions and sincere thought in your responses.

2) Avoid sounding self-centered. Cite your achievements, but demonstrate an appropriate level of humility. When discussing professional accomplishments, acknowledge the help and support of your teammates, mentors, teachers and role models.

3) Don't reveal insecurities. Accentuate the positive and don't dwell on the weaknesses in your background or application. Don't give any indication that you aren't willing and able to meet the rigors of business school. Your job on the interview is to convince them you are the right candidate: they won't believe it if you don't sound sure of yourself.

4) Watch your tone. You'll certainly be asked a few stressor questions that are designed to test your ability to handle conflict. Don't get defensive. Your tone can be revealed in both the words you choose and your voice. Practice responding to difficult questions with a friend before the big day. It will help.

5) Listen carefully to the interviewer, no matter how nervous you are. Too many candidates ask questions at the end of their interviews on topics that we've already covered. Although you'll be stressed during the interview, this isn't acceptable. It simply confirms that you weren't listening, which is the kiss of death for a business school applicant.

Questions You Should Ask the Interviewer

Successful candidates always ask questions at their interviews. In fact, the questions you ask reveal more about your suitability for business school than anything else. Here's what your questions tell us:

a) How seriously you are thinking about the pragmatics of business school and how well you understand the school's expectations
b) What is important to you: your own expectations
c) Your ability to connect general information to the school's particular reality
d) How much research you did about the particular school
e) Your common sense and intellectual curiosity
f) Your energy level and communication skills
g) How well prepared you are (and will be in the future) for a business meeting
h) Your maturity level

General Rules for Asking Questions

a) Only ask about topics you genuinely care about. You want to appear sincere and interested, not desperate for something to say.

b) Research the topic thoroughly before mentioning it so that you can engage in a subsequent discussion. Prepare for your interview just as you would for an exam.

c) Make sure the answer isn't obvious or has already been answered.

d) Ask the appropriate person. Faculty members can offer a better perspective on certain issues than business students and vice versa. Asking the department head about the social life on campus will be fruitless and embarrassing.

e) Watch your tone of voice and your body language. Many nervous applicants are unintentionally rude when they ask questions, which automatically puts off the interviewer. Be gracious and diplomatic in how you phrase your questions and reply to responses.

Our business school admissions guide includes over 300 questions that are commonly asked at MBA interviews, along with an explanation of why each question is asked and how savvy candidates answer them. We also include over 50 targeted questions for YOU to ask the interviewer that show your maturity, motivation and judgment. Your business school interview is your one-chance-in-a-lifetime to attain your professional dreams. Before you go, take advantage of our comprehensive guide to ensure your success.

We also offer a professional mock interview service for MBA candidates. Before the actual event, have a dry run with an admissions officer, who will offer constructive suggestions to improve your performance.

Conclusions: Our Best Tips for Interview Success

1) Prepare for the interview extensively: review your application, learn about the school, and prepare answers for the typical questions

2) Practice answering questions aloud before the interview until you can handle all types of questions confidently

3) Walk into the interview with an air of confidence and professionalism. Offer a firm handshake and a professional demeanor

4) Listen carefully to the interviewer's questions and answer accordingly. Don't babble incessantly about a related topic or answer the question you wish he had asked

5) Be yourself. If your answers are ambiguous or inconsistent, the interviewer will likely consider you a poor candidate. Don't send out any unnecessary warning signs.

Your success will ultimately depend on your ability to sell yourself to the interviewer. (S)he is seeking the following traits:

Maturity	Communication Skills	Honesty	Motivation
High Energy Level	Confidence	Pride	Initiative
Listening Skills	Sense of Humor	Analytical Skills	Leadership Potential

If you have them, flaunt them! They will open the door to a wonderfully challenging, yet satisfying business career.

MBA Style magazine Interview Questions

Tell me a joke.
Why should I hire you?
What are your strongest abilities?
How do your skills relate to our needs?
What are you looking for?
What would you like to know about our firm?
Tell me something about yourself?
What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?
Where do you want to be in 5 years?
Why do you want to work for us?

Where did you grow up?
What does "success" mean to you?
What does "failure" mean to you?
What are your three major accomplishments?
What if I told you that you'd work very hard, but recognition of your contributions would be nil?
What have you disliked in your past jobs?
What kinds of people do you enjoy working with?
What kinds of people frustrate you?
How long before you can make a contribution?
In the past year, what have you been dissatisfied about in your performance?
How long a commitment do you plan to give me?
What is your ideal job?

What can you tell me about your past bosses?
Which is more important to you: money or the type of job?
What have you learned from your activities?
Were your extracurricular activities worth the time you put into them?
What qualities should a successful manager possess?
What two attributes are most important in your job?
What major problem have you encountered and how did you deal with it?
What have you done that you consider creative?
Who do you admire? Why?
Why are you interested in our company?
What interests you about our company?
What do you get passionate about?

What courses are you taking?
Why did you choose the school that you are attending?
Have you ever managed a conflict? How?
Describe to me a recent (marketing campaign / finance deal) you like?
What concerns you about our company?
What are the most important attributes of a good manager?
Do you have these attributes (of a good manager) ?
What stocks do you recommend? Why?
Should I buy stock in Netscape?
Where are interest rates going in the next 3 months?
How many new highs did the Dow reach last year?


Questions you should ask the recruiter
What are your company's strengths and how do you capitalize on them?
What are your companies weaknesses and how are you dealing with them?
What changes do you anticipate in the industry?
What risks will your company face due to industry changes?
What are the best opportunities at your firm for new hires?
How have you strategically responded to the competition?
What legislation is pending that will affect your firm?
Where will the major sources of your business be in the next 5 years?
How is worker performance measured and reviewed?
Do you have a mentor program? How about formal training programs?
What is your company's management style?
What challenges are facing this company? Do you think your company is reacting to them?
Why do people leave?
Why have you stayed with the company?
Describe my initial assignments?
If you hire me, what are the three most pressing issues you need resolved?


Some ILLEGAL Questions (in the USA)
What political party are you affiliated with?
Are you a member of the local country club?
Do you go to church regularly?
Are you currently married? Are you divorced? What is your sexual orientation?
What are your outstanding debts?
What charities are you involved with?
Do you drink?
Do you have a boyfriend?
Your last name is _______. What kind of name is that?
Do you have a girlfriend / boyfrend / Are you planning to have children?
Do you have a physical disability?
Do you have any health problems?
Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
How many children do you have?
How old are you?
This is a Christian company. Do you think that you can be happy working here?
What does you father/mother do for a living?
What is your first language?
What is your IQ?
How much do you weigh?
What's your religion?


Interview Questions submitted by our readers
1. It is the 15th Century. How do convince the Pope that the Earth is round? (from Cornell)
2. If I gave you an elephant, where would you hide it? (from Cornell)
3. What do you think of Chiat / Day's concept and application of a virtual office?
4. Why are soda cans tapered on the top and bottom?
5. How much RAM does a PC need to run Windows95?
6. Why are soda cans tapered on the top and bottom
7. You are in a boat on a fresh water lake. In your hand is a rock. You throw the rock into the lake. How is the lake's water level affected?
8. If it rained music, what would grow?
9. Describe your best friend and what he or she does for a living.
10. In what ways are you similar or different from your best friend?
11. Are you a happy person? Should Prozac be added to the water supply?
12. According to JRM, Jr., a fast growing software company asked this question... You have a wealthy aunt who weighs 300 pounds. Tell me how you would redesign her toilet.

Are you missing an Earring?
The 30-Second Details Check Before the Interview

Susan Bixler, author of The Professional Image recommends that job candidates perform a 30-second detail check in front of a mirror prior to any interview. For maximum impact, she writes, the detail check provides the reassurance to concentrate on people and on matters at hand. We don't need to wonder about a broken zipper, lunch remnants on our tie, or a run in our hosiery.

To perform the detail check, start from the top of your body and work down. Check you hair, teeth, makeup, and earrings. If you lost the back to your earring, borrow one or use the back of a pencil eraser. Secure your scarf, straighten your tie; check for dandruff, stains, and open buttons. Then check your belt, zipper, hosiery, and shoes. Are your shoes shined?

Paying Attention

During the interview, remember to be an active listener, pay attention, and ask good questions. You should show respect to the recruiter, answer clearly, and keep your enthusiasm high. Exhibit good posture and maintain eye contact. When shaking the hand of a recruiter, use one firm squeeze and do not break eye contact. Susan Bixler recommends that if the recruiter doesn't extend his or her hand, the candidate should wait one beat, and immediately extend his or her hand. This shows a high level of confidence and business awareness.

Get Rid of that Chewed up Pen

Get rid of any chewed up pens and invest in a nice pen for your interviews. Both men and women should bring a nice pen into their interviews for note-taking.

Clean Nails

You don't have to get a manicure, but if you're interviewing between classes, check your nails. You need to maintain a well-groomed appearance during your interviews.

Name Tags on The Right, Not The Left

If you have to wear a name tag, wear it on your right lapel, not your left. Although 95% of America probably would naturally put their name tag on their left, Senator Bob Dole will tell you that it's better on the right. Why? Because if your name is on the left lapel, the person you meet has to shake your right hand and turn their head right to read your name off your left lapel. However, it's a much smoother move for the person you are meeting to shake your right hand and see your name on your right lapel. Try it out, and you'll see what we mean.

Interview Checklist

Before you interviews, make sure that you've done the following
(1) Can you exceed the position's initial requirements
(2) Are you ready to explain your past successes (have them memorized)
(3) Do you know the company's culture. Does your image, traits, personality fit in.
(4) What can you tell the recruiter that would boost his bottom line.
(5) Have you done your homework on the company. It's past sales, top products, industry outlook, strategy, goals.
(6) Remember to be confident and maintain your composure.

Interview Horror Stories

The recruiter asks: What is your greatest weakness? The MBA responds: Kryptonite.
The recuiter from a tobacco company asks: Do you mind if I smoke? The MBA responds: Yes, I mind. I am allergic to cigarette smoke

Notes from recruiters
1. Candidate said he was so well-qualified [that] if he didn't get the job, it would prove that the company's management was incompetent.
2. Stretched out on the floor to fill out the job application.
3. Brought her large dog to the interview.
4. Chewed bubble gum and constantly blew bubbles.
5. Candidate kept giggling through serious interview.
6. She wore a Walkman and said she could listen to me and the music at the same time.
7. Balding candidate abruptly excused himself. Returned to office a few minutes later, wearing a hairpiece.
8. Applicant challenged interviewer to arm wrestle.
9. Asked to see interviewer's resume to see if the personnel executive was qualified to judge the candidate.
10. Announced she hadn't had lunch and proceeded to eat a hamburger and french fries in the interviewer's office.
11. Without saying a word, candidate stood up and walked out during the middle of the interview.
12. Man wore jogging suit to interview for position as financial vice president.
13. Said if he were hired, he would demonstrate his loyalty by having the corporate logo tattooed on his forearm.
14. Interrupted to phone his therapist for advice on answering specific interview questions.
15. Wouldn't get out of the chair until I would hire him. I had to call the police.
16. When I asked him about his hobbies, he stood up and started tap dancing around my office.
17. Had a little pinball game and challenged me to play with him.
18. Bounced up and down on my carpet and told me I must be highly thought of by the company because I was given such a thick carpet.
19. Took a brush out of my purse, brushed his hair and left.
20. Pulled out a Polaroid camera and snapped a flash picture of me. Said he collected photos of everyone who interviewed him.
21. Candidate asked me if I would put on a suit jacket to insure that the offer was formal.
22. Said he wasn't interested because the position paid too much.
23. While I was on a long-distance phone call, the applicant took out a copy of Penthouse, and looked through the photos only, stopping longest at the centerfold.
24. During the interview, an alarm clock went off from the candidate's brief case. He took it out, shut it off, apologized and said he had to leave for another interview.
25. A telephone call came in for the job applicant. It was from his wife. His side of the conversation went like this: "Which company? When do I start? What's the salary?" I said, "I assume you're not interested in conducting the interview any further." He promptly responded, "I am as long as you'll pay me more." I didn't hire him, but later found out there was no other job offer. It was a scam to get a higher offer.
26. An applicant came in wearing only one shoe. She explained that the other shoe was stolen off her foot in the bus.
27. His attache [case] opened when he picked it up and the contents spilled, revealing ladies' undergarments and assorted makeup and perfume.
28. He came to the interview with a moped and left it in the reception area. He didn't want it to get stolen, and stated that he would require indoor parking for the moped.
29. He took off his right shoe and sock, removed a medicated foot powder and dusted it on the foot and in the shoe. While he was putting back the shoe and sock, he mentioned that he had to use the powder four times a day, and this was the time.
30. Candidate said he really didn't want to get a job, but the employment office needed proof that he was looking for one.
31. He whistled when the interviewer was talking.
32. Asked who the lovely babe was, pointing to the picture on my desk. When I said it was my wife, he asked if she was home now and wanted my phone number. I called security.
33. She threw-up on my desk, and immediately started asking questions about the job, like nothing had happened.
34. Pointing to a black case he carried into my office, he said that If he was not hired, the bomb would go off. Disbelieving, I began to state why he would never be hired and that I was going to call the police. He then reached down to the case, flipped a switch and ran. No one was injured, but I did need to get a new desk. (purported to have appeared in The Wall Street Journal 1989)

MBA Admissions Interview: Tips, Sample Questions, Feedback

This section of the site has nothing to do with the written word and everything to do with the spoken word: MBA admissions interviews. As the competition for admission continues to intensify, more and more schools are interviewing more and more MBA applicants. We invite you to review the tips and sample questions and are very happy to share the responses in our MBA Interview Feedback Database. Hear directly from those who have already interviewed at top schools from around the world.

Here MBA interview veterans share their experiences, and novices can benefit from their predecessors' insights. To use our Interview Feedback Database — a recent and unique addition to our site — peruse the links that appear directly below.

• Questionnaire
  If you have been interviewed, please take a few minutes to share your experience by completing our brief questionnaire.
• Responses
  And if you are going to an interview, check out the responses of those who preceded you. You may glean some interesting pieces of information. Please remember to come back and share your experiences after you interview.

We also want to give credit where credit is due. After viewing a similar site (Graham Redgrave's Medical Interview Feedback Page) set up for medical students, Accepted.com decided to establish this section of its site as a resource for applicants preparing for interviews at business schools. Thank you Graham Redgrave, the medical site's webmaster, for setting a great example!

MBA Admissions Interview Tips and Questions

For additional interview planning, strategies and tips, keep on clicking to plunge into some powerful information. Here you'll discover frequent interview questions, admissions and interview tips, and more.

• Sample MBA Interview Questions
  Review the questions posed to a group of applicants during their interviews and discover twenty-five plus questions that you may expect to hear when you face your MBA interview.
• MBA Admissions Interview Tips
  Whether its general or specific interview advice that you seek, you'll find the answers here. With seventeen indispensable tips, this page is recommended reading for all MBA applicants.