How to Master An MBA Interview

An MBA admissions interview has two sides to it. On one side, it provides an opportunity for AdCom to observe first hand a candidate’s personality, leadership traits and drive for pursuing an MBA. On the other hand, it gives the applicant a chance to tell his or her story beyond the essay and application.The best strategy for any interview is to be yourself and well prepared. Consider the following tips to help you master your MBA interview.Develop Key Areas to DiscussThe key to any successful interview is to come prepared. By adequately preparing yourself, you will be confident and comfortable in giving natural and informative answers. Ahead of time think through your journey up until this point and be ready to answer anything that the admissions council might get hung up on. For example, if you made a career change or have any gaps in your work history you want to have direct answers that provide a brief explanation, all awhile conveying your story in the right light.Prior to your interview, it is helpful to focus on 5 key areas that you want to communicate during your interview. Doing this ahead of time you can ensure that you don’t miss anything or spend too much time on any single subject. It is helpful to make a mental checklist of the main topics you want to deliver, and as the interview progresses you can check off each topic.Lastly, research your target program thoroughly. Often programs will even put together an interview preparation guide for you on their website including the materials or topics they will cover.Practice InterviewsIt is easy to tell if someone is genuine in his or her answers, or if they are just telling you everything you want to hear. Work with your admissions coach on mock interviews and practice answering common questions. Practice interviews will help you become comfortable in your answers without struggling to find the right wording.Typically the interview will last around 45 minutes. Although longer or short interviews are common, you want to plan accordingly. Engage the interviewer, be enthusiastic and provide clear concise answers to create the right tone.Stay on topicSimilar to the word count in your essays, you want to keep your verbal responses relatively short. Try to avoid rambling or venting about a specific topic. Use your answers as a platform to open windows of conversation. Think of each answer you give as an opportunity to guide the conversation into other topics.Ask QuestionsThe in-person interview is not only your chance to answer questions, but this is a time for you to learn more about the program (beyond the resources that are available to you.) Take this opportunity to discuss special interests or ask questions that are related to your professional goals and future MBA experience.