MBA Interview Question and Answers - MBA Interview FAQs

With well-known alumni of this college such as <name a few>, I would be honored to pursue my MBA degree from this reputed B-School.

How To Prepare The Answer: You should research everything about the institute you are applying to such as curriculum, faculty, placements, and alumni. You should know the college inside out in order to give a genuine and impressive answer.

4. Why is there a gap in your educational/professional life?

This is a conditional MBA interview question, i.e. this question would be asked only if the interviewers see a significant gap in your resume. The best way of tackling this is, to be honest with the panel. If your gap is between your class 12 and graduation, then you can simply say you were involved with the family business or were exploring your hobbies to find your career path. However, if your gap is after graduation, you can cover up by saying that you were focusing on entrance exam preparation and hence took a break.

Additionally, you can always say that you were involved in social activities near your place, you were involved with some assignments, doing some certificate courses and internships of short duration.

5. What has been your most challenging/rewarding academic experience so far?

This is one question of the MBA Personal Interview, where the panelists check if you have the presence of mind and the ability to perform under pressure. So think for a minute before answering.

Alternative To This Question: Walk us through an instance where you excelled in a role given to you.

General Answer: If you choose to talk about a challenge you faced, you should describe the challenge, keeping your focus on how you overcame it and turned it into a successful experience. While, if you decide on talking about a rewarding situation, explain how it was rewarding and what experience you gained from it.

How To Prepare The Answer: Widen your view, you can even mention a social service you organized in your locality or society, or maybe an event you organized in your school. And always appreciate the help you received from others, this will help you look like a team player.

6. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This is again a trick question asked multiple times in an MBA Interview. The motive behind this question is to check how humble you are. Choosing the strength to talk about is easy. However, you must choose 2-3 strengths that you feel, set you apart from other candidates, and ensure you do not go overboard while describing them. You don't want to come across as over-confident. On the other hand, pick up 1-2 weaknesses and make sure you’re able to heal from the blow by leading the discussion back to a positive.

Alternative To The Question: Tell Us About Your Shortcomings And How You Can Overcome Them?

General Answer: I am not only a hard worker but also a smart worker, I tend to spend my spare time learning new things or new ways of doing the things we do right now through videos and written articles. I am a quick learner and a people person.

Coming to my weaknesses, I would say my relative inexperience is a drawback considering I'm a fresher and don't know how the industry works right now. However, rest assured that I will do everything to learn as quickly as possible.

How To Prepare The Answer: Don't go overboard while discussing your strengths and be honest when discussing your weaknesses. You shouldn't try to disguise a strength as a weakness as the interviewers will be able to tell easily. if you are honest and comfortable with your weaknesses, that goes a long way in impressing the interviewers.

7. What are your short-term and long-term goals?

Keep in mind that your short-term goals should be solid and attainable while your long-term goals should match your personality and do justice to your passion. Also, to appropriately answer this MBA Personal Interview question, you must include some business and career-oriented goals to depict that gaining an MBA degree plays a major role to achieve your goals.

Alternative To This Question: What Do You See Yourself Doing After 5 Years From Now?

General Answer: I would like to get placed in a top MNC in their Marketing Department and want to work as a Social Media Marketing Manager. I want to learn skills such as Google Adwords, Affiliate Marketing, and Traditional Marketing to name a few.

Deep exposure to these domains will prepare me for better career opportunities in the next 3 to 5 years.

How To Prepare The Answer: To answer this question you need to be honest with your goals. The goals should be clear and they should convey to the interviewer what you want to do in your life and how an MBA helps you in that.

8. What kind of a leader are you? Can you explain your leadership experience with an example?

Here the interview is interesting to know about your leadership skills-this is common among MBA interview questions. Describe different forms of leadership experiences you’ve had, from leading a team to taking the moral high ground to make a positive impact. But remember to maintain a sense of humility in the conversation.

Alternative To This Question: Walk us through an instance where you led a team.

General Answer: I have been an active participant in the organizing of events at both school and college. I have led a team on many occasions, and my most memorable experience was heading the marketing team in my college fest. With the support of my team, I was able to get a lot of sponsorships from local brands and businesses for the event which turned out to be a huge success.

We also had to manage the celebrity visit for the fest along with arrangements for their hospitality. I'm really proud that we were able to conduct all of this within the deadlines specified. As a leader, I never imposed my ideas on the team, I gave everyone the required creative freedom to be able to implement their own ideas. Obviously, I can't thank my whole team enough for their support and it wouldn't have been possible without them.

How To Prepare The Answer: Try to specify what your managerial or leadership traits are, whether you are a hands-on leading from the front kind of person or a more laid-back person who lets everyone get on with their jobs and manages from the background.

9. Describe a professional failure and how you overcame it.

Whenever you face an MBA Personal Interview Question that needs you to describe a failure/weakness, make sure you pick something that is legitimate. The interviewers do not expect you to be perfect. Mention a failure and then focus on how you overcame it. Make sure you end such questions on a positive note.

Since this is a really personal question, we leave it to you to decide what you want to tell the interviewer. Remember, there is no wrong answer. As long as you are honest and truthful, that is what matters.

10. Do you have any questions for me?

This question concludes the interview. Questions to ask the MBA interviewer include asking about the program, the faculty, any way you can improve, and by when you can expect a reply. Asking questions is a great way to let the interviewer know that you are proactive and have put in the effort to know more about both the college and the program.

Try to ask at least 2-3 questions for the best impression.