Have you ever wondered how someone gets into a top B-school with a percentile marginally higher than the cut-off while someone with a 99+ percentile fails to secure a spot in their desired college? You guessed it right; the difference lies in the interview, which is the final step of the selection process. While preparation is essential, ensuring it is in the right direction is equally important for your selection. One of the most common questions you’ll face is how to answer "Tell me About Yourself" and "Why MBA". In this article, we'll talk about how to prepare for the most crucial step, PI, in the selection process.
Common MBA PI Questions: "Tell Me About Yourself" & "Why MBA?
Get your basics right: Generally, some interview questions are asked as a rule of thumb. Correctly answering these questions sets the tone for the rest of the process. Some of the behavioural questions usually start along the lines of "Tell me something about yourself". Now, this question offers a golden opportunity for the candidate to leave an impression on the interviewer. You can include hobbies or anything interesting to catch the panel's attention, setting you apart from other candidates. Ensure your answer is crisp and doesn't exceed the 60-90-second limit.
Another frequently asked question is, "Why an MBA?". The answer to this question depends on person to person. If you're a fresher, you should base your career on the projects and internships you have undertaken. You can also describe your graduation stream as a stepping stone for your MBA. For someone with work experience, the answer should revolve around your professional journey and emphasizing the skills and knowledge an MBA provides, such as leadership, problem-solving, networking, and a broader understanding of business functions.
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Common Questions Asked in an MBA Interview
I'll share the list of basic questions that are generally asked in a B-school interview. A basic understanding of these questions would increase your chances of admission into your desired B-school.
- Why did you choose this business school?
- How does this role align with your short-term and long-term goals?
- Describe a situation where you successfully led a team.
- How do you prioritize tasks when working with a group under tight deadlines?
- One common thing to both cohorts is the value you'll add to the batch. Interviewers are usually keen on this aspect, as having a diverse batch with different backgrounds increases the quality of learning.
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General Knowledge: Awareness of current affairs is a vital aspect that helps demonstrate a holistic, well-rounded personality. You can start by reading the newspaper daily to keep yourself updated. It'll help you keep track of national and global events and how they shape the business world. Demonstrating this shows your keenness towards gaining knowledge and knowing about things.
Be confident: Saying it is easy while doing it is not. Before we start discussing how to do it, we need to understand why it is essential. MBA paves the way for future business leaders and managers, and making confident decisions is crucial. That's why candidates are judged during their PI on this. One can gain confidence by practicing and getting the basics right. One way to do this is to practice talking with someone or in front of the mirror like you're in an interview and analyze your demeanor and how you answer questions. It'll also help you become more fluent while answering questions.
Read, Read, Read: I can't emphasize this one enough. B-school professors love students who read a lot. Reading novels, articles, and newspapers not only helps in gaining an understanding of different subjects but also helps in forming your own opinion. It can also become a talking point in your interview. Reading as a habit also helps identify your area of interest, e.g. psychology, fiction, satire, history, drama, etc.
Smile: Entering a room with a smile on your face calms people around you. It shows a happy person who can efficiently work in team settings and generally has a positive attitude. Trust me, having a smile on your face goes a long way in displaying you as an optimistic person who can face challenges without losing their calm.
Brush up your academics: One of the significant complaints or regrets by candidates, when they come out of the interview is that they're unable to answer some academic questions as they studied the subject long ago. Therefore, revising your graduation subjects and how they'll help you further in your MBA is a good idea. Answering these questions correctly helps strengthen your case that you're a serious and hardworking aspirant, not just someone who got there by fluke.
In the end, the most essential thing you can do While preparing for your PI is to be calm. Those who remain calm while there is chaos outside stay till the end. Remember, while this is a crucial step for your professional journey, it is not the end world. Taking it as such will help alleviate the pressure to perform and help you give your best. At last, it is just a conversation between you and a set of people who want to know why they should select you. You're there because they see you as a viable candidate. So keep these in mind, clear your mind from other thoughts, and focus on giving your best.
I hope these tips were helpful to you. I hope to see you all at the top B-school this year. All the best!!
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Comments
neha verma
helped me a lot! thank you
24 Jan 2025, 04.05 PM
Ankit Yadav
Most important questions
28 Jan 2025, 03.34 PM