What do you do when the MBA admissions interviewer asks you whether 3,599 is a prime number? (Besides trying not to break into a cold sweat.) Or, whether the government should apply tariffs based on a product’s environmental sustainability? Or how the pandemic has influenced the impact you’d like to make in your community? Now imagine that this is happening over Zoom, where you cannot necessarily read the body language of your interviewer!
The above are real questions posed by top 10 schools to recent Fortuna Admissions clients. As interview season gets underway, my colleagues and I are running candidates through the paces in mock interviews – from HBS to the Wharton Team-Based Discussion (sign up for dedicated interview prep with one of Fortuna’s former MBA admissions gatekeepers).
As Wharton’s former head of admissions, I can assure you tough questions aren’t motivated by schadenfreude. (Although in the case of the prime number, our client had a first-time alumni interviewer who may have been a bit overeager.) I’ve certainly thrown a curveball question to shake an overly rehearsed candidate from their script or to deepen the conversation. As the purpose of the interview is to get a stronger sense of who you are and how you think, your authenticity and professional presence is key.
So how can you prepare to handle the tough questions? Read on for top tips and insights from my Fortuna colleagues on 10 tough questions you should be prepared to encounter.
Every school wants to know they’re your first choice. But under this question is a subtle test of your deep understanding of this school’s culture, values, and unique offerings. “Of course, they also know that you’re applying to other programs – they expect that and it’s a sensible thing to do. But to win their acceptance, show them the love,” says Fortuna’s Amy Hugo (former LBS manager of admissions and recruitment). “This means going the extra mile to prove you understand a school’s unique culture and values, and that you’ve given considered thought both to how you’ll contribute to their community what you hope to gain from it.”
At the same time, you want to show the reasoning for why you’re applying to other programs in the context of why this school is still number one says Fortuna’s Karen Hamou (CBS alum and former Deloitte recruiting lead). For example, if you’re interviewing with Columbia, Karen advises to contextualize in this way: “Given my interest in doing my MBA in NYC, I am also applying to Stern. While Stern could also provide me with a strong finance education, CBS remains my #1 choice due to its unique value investing program.” This helps to set up your thinking as well as cement your choice in your interviewer’s mind.
Point of view questions like this are an opportunity to show that you are informed about the business world and macroeconomics. Just take your time to answer and avoid something too ambitious or complex. In the time leading up to your interview, stay current on news sources like the Economist, Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. This can be a great opportunity for you to link your news interests to industries related to your career goals.
This question invites you to consider the circumstances and pivot points that shaped you into an ever-wiser human being and the challenges you’ve faced and overcome along the way. Says Fortuna’s Caroline Diarte Edwards (former INSEAD head of Admissions), “What’s most compelling to the admissions committee on the topic of failure is what you’ve learned from your experience, whether you’ve had to face your fears, and whether you’ve demonstrated the grit and persistence to bounce back and forge ahead with new awareness.”
In her article on HBS essay advice, Fortuna’s Karla Cohen affirms that some of the best essays she’s ever read open with an applicant’s story of a failure and how it has shaped them, creating credibility through their introspection and authenticity. “From my perspective, if you are never making mistakes, you aren’t working hard enough,” says Karla.
Like the question of a failure, frame a weakness example in a way that allows you to demonstrate growth. For example, describe what initiative you’ve taken to work on overcoming the weakness and what you have learned from this experience. One way to talk about a weakness is to provide a situational weakness (as opposed to a character weakness). For example, instead of saying “I am a perfectionist,” you may want to talk about how you are learning to build in time to allow for extra review with a deliverable so that it’s up to your standards. However, be careful not to sidestep the question. Showing humility and self-awareness is critical. Schools are not expecting you to be perfect; they want to know that you are able to learn and grow during your experience on their campus.
Similarly, if there is a red flag in your profile – for example, a record of disorderly conduct in a regrettable undergrad moment – expect to be asked about it and prepare to answer in a straightforward and reflective way. After all, an invitation to interview is a signal that the school believes in your potential, but there might be one issue that they want to clarify. Answer in a matter-of-fact tone, take your time, and don’t get defensive. As Jessica says, “How you choose to frame your challenges and upsets as opportunities and learning lessons can make all the difference.”
It’s also not uncommon to be quizzed on something your interviewer finds intriguing in your application, such as undergraduate education paths in your country. Left-field questions can be an interviewer’s way to stay engaged in the conversation or satisfy a curiosity. (It can also be a sign your interviewer is not an expert at interviewing; this can happen more often with a second-year student or alumnus.)
Finally, keep perspective, and try to enjoy the challenge. Last year, several Fortuna clients faced questions related to politics, the pandemic and, Black Lives Matter (read my related article on tips on responding to tricky MBA interview questions for more on these themes.)
Instead of getting thrown off by tough questions, embrace the spirit of the conversation. Focus on articulating clear and concise answers, and, more importantly, frame the interview by remembering to proactively insert your key selling points. Most of the time, unexpected questions are deployed to elicit more honesty, clarity, and substance, which makes the conversation more interesting for both of you.
Judith Silverman Hodara, is a Co-Founder & Director at MBA admissions coaching firm Fortuna Admissions and former Wharton acting head of Admissions. You can sign up for MBA Interview Prep with one of Fortuna’s former MBA Admissions gatekeepers – from HBS- or MIT-specific prep to one of our mock Wharton TBD sessions starting Oct. 31, 2021.
Helpful For MBA And EMBA Mock Interviews [Ep 6] (Tips for 2020)
Another aspect of the interview is that it can be the foundation for a future relationship. You always remember who you interview (and who interviewed you) so this is often the beginning of an ongoing connection with the student. I want them to feel like they can come back and talk to me throughout the program.
The interview is more a conversation about their career journey, goals, and how they made the decisions in life that helped get them to this point. I try to dig deeper to see how they fit into a team setting because that is critical for success in our program. And I look for how they will share their knowledge and experience in the classroom, as that creates a richer educational experience and is part of what makes Wharton’s EMBA program unique.
We have a director of entrepreneurship and a director of career management. They work closely together to reach out to companies and get inside access for our students to understand the startup market and see what it’s like to work in that environment. Our students also organize their own Entrepreneurship Conference every year.
The EMBA Council was created 30+ years ago to serve the growing market of executive MBA programs. The goal is for schools to work together to ensure high standards. We share knowledge and information for the benefit of students. Through its programs and services, the Executive MBA Council advances executive education worldwide.
Intellect and academic horsepower. They have to be able to do the work. I also look at how the program will fit into their life. Are they in a good place to take on this additional full-time equivalent educational experience? It will take them away every other weekend from home and family and create more work during the week. There is never a perfect time, but is this the right time? Have they done their homework and made sure that the people who care about them personally and professionally are on board with this commitment? The students who tend to have the most challenges in our program usually don’t have great levels of support. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity so we want students to get the most out of it as possible. If they’re overwhelmed by other commitments, they won’t be able to enjoy the journey here.
“Tell me a little about yourself.”
This question seems simple, and so many people do not prepare for it, but in fact, it is very important. Here is the most important principle: do not dump the entire history of your career (and especially your personal life). Prepare a short and convincing answer that will implicitly show exactly why you are the right person for the program. First, tell your interviewers about two or three specific achievements or projects that present you in the most favorable light, and then explain how this experience will help you in your new place. In general, the interviewer wants to see how you demonstrated leadership and development, not just the jobs you have undertaken, but also why. It is especially important to touch on the business or management, integration, and cooperation skills you possess.
You might hear another question about your job responsibilities, such as “Describe the core responsibilities that you held in your last position.” In this case, you must demonstrate how you are able to cope with professional tasks. The interviewer needs to understand how well you are used to solving problems and finding out whether this method is suitable for working with the company’s teams. For example, you can demonstrate project management skills (how you successfully brought a project to completion by coordinating several areas) or the ability to confidently and effectively bring a team together. And remember: “the best stories include enough detail to be believable and memorable. Demonstrate how you have shown leadership in any situation and how it reflects your leadership experience and potential.
Every school wants to know they’re your first choice. But under this question is a subtle test of your deep understanding of this school’s culture, values, and unique offerings. “Of course, they also know that you’re applying to other programs – they expect that and it’s a sensible thing to do. But to win their acceptance, show them the love,” says Fortuna’s Amy Hugo (former LBS manager of admissions and recruitment). “This means going the extra mile to prove you understand a school’s unique culture and values, and that you’ve given considered thought both to how you’ll contribute to their community what you hope to gain from it.”
In her article on HBS essay advice, Fortuna’s Karla Cohen affirms that some of the best essays she’s ever read open with an applicant’s story of a failure and how it has shaped them, creating credibility through their introspection and authenticity. “From my perspective, if you are never making mistakes, you aren’t working hard enough,” says Karla.
This question invites you to consider the circumstances and pivot points that shaped you into an ever-wiser human being and the challenges you’ve faced and overcome along the way. Says Fortuna’s Caroline Diarte Edwards (former INSEAD head of Admissions), “What’s most compelling to the admissions committee on the topic of failure is what you’ve learned from your experience, whether you’ve had to face your fears, and whether you’ve demonstrated the grit and persistence to bounce back and forge ahead with new awareness.”
It’s also not uncommon to be quizzed on something your interviewer finds intriguing in your application, such as undergraduate education paths in your country. Left-field questions can be an interviewer’s way to stay engaged in the conversation or satisfy a curiosity. (It can also be a sign your interviewer is not an expert at interviewing; this can happen more often with a second-year student or alumnus.)
Judith Silverman Hodara, is a Co-Founder & Director at MBA admissions coaching firm Fortuna Admissions and former Wharton acting head of Admissions. You can sign up for MBA Interview Prep with one of Fortuna’s former MBA Admissions gatekeepers – from HBS- or MIT-specific prep to one of our mock Wharton TBD sessions starting Oct. 31, 2021.
Motives
One of the underlying concerns for EMBA admissions officers is whether your motives justify your inclusion in the EMBA program. The interviewer might look for answers that include more narrowly defined objectives. You might be asked, “What are your personal and professional motives for getting an EMBA?” Professionally, you want to reiterate the development you plan to make from front-line work in your profession to more active leadership roles. Personally, you may talk about your desire to support your family and to take on work that is more critical and with more responsibilities. It won’t be enough if you respond with just common phrases like “I am attracted to growth prospects, interesting work, a solid firm…” You must give more serious and concrete reasons like your desire to apply your skills and experience where they can give the greatest return and will be appreciated, and your attraction to working in a strong team of professionals, possibly by giving examples.
FAQ
How do I prepare for an EMBA interview?
- Practice speaking about your accomplishments. …
- Be ready to go into greater depth than you did in your essays (but don’t assume the interviewer has read them).
- Prepare two or three points about yourself that you want the interviewer to remember you by.
What questions are asked in an executive MBA interview?
- Tell me about yourself. …
- Why do you want to receive an MBA? …
- Why are you interested in this school or program? …
- What has been your most challenging or rewarding academic experience so far? …
- Discuss a time when you were a leader. …
- What do you like most about your current work?
What are MBA interviewers looking for?
Accepted students in the full-time program bring an average of four years of work experience, while students in the EMBA program have an average of 12 years of work experience.
How much experience do you need for an EMBA?
Accepted students in the full-time program bring an average of four years of work experience, while students in the EMBA program have an average of 12 years of work experience.
