12 Essential Questions to Ask Your MBA Interviewer

The MBA interview process is a pivotal point in the MBA application cycle. It gives MBA programs insight into each applicant’s character, ambitions, and future impact on the business world. Your performance during this interview has the potential to open the door to achieving your career goals and plays a crucial role in gaining admission to top business schools.

However, the questions asked in an MBA interview aren’t all one-sided. During the interview process, applicants are given the chance to stand out by asking questions of their own. Whether you’re applying to a full-time or part-time program, asking the right types of questions during your MBA interview is an essential part of a successful interview. 

The Importance of MBA Interviews

Prior to the interview, each applicant’s personality, passions, and potential are no more than words on paper. The interview process gives applicants the opportunity to bring these words to life and showcase to the admissions team exactly why they are the ideal fit for the program. 

Admission into top business schools is a highly competitive process. These programs have a high number of applicants and only a limited number of spots to offer. The MBA interview process is a key tool that these programs use to narrow down a wide pool of applicants. It provides a platform for the admissions committee to establish a personal connection with applicants and offers applicants the opportunity to demonstrate their soft skills such as communication, interpersonal abilities, and professionalism. 

The personalized nature of the MBA interview makes the process even more crucial by helping applicants differentiate themselves from the competition. These interviews can be conducted by a variety of individuals, including admissions officers, alumni, and even current students. 

12 Thoughtful Questions to Ask Your MBA Interviewer

When MBA interviewers allow you to ask your own questions as the candidate, you are being given an opportunity to showcase your genuine interest and fit for the school. It can be challenging to think of these questions in the moment, so here’s a list of ones you can consider using.

Questions About The MBA Program

• What distinguishes your MBA program from others? 

Why it’s a good question: This question demonstrates your interest in understanding the unique aspects of the program. This also indicates that you are looking for a program that aligns with your specific goals and values.

• How do your MBA students benefit from the school’s career management resources?

Why it’s a good question: This question shows your proactive approach to career development and highlights your awareness of the importance of robust career management resources.

• Can you provide examples of post-MBA career paths of your current students and alumni?

Why it’s a good question: This question showcases your interest in the program’s track record of success and provides insights into potential career trajectories after graduation.

Questions About The School’s Culture and Values

• What do you think makes this school a dream school for many applicants?

Why it’s a good question: This question signals your interest in the unique aspects of the school’s culture and reputation, demonstrating that you are seeking a strong fit for your educational journey.

• How can I get involved in on-campus activities and clubs?

Why it’s a good question: This question reflects your interest in engaging with the school community beyond academics, demonstrating a commitment to holistic personal and professional development.

• What are the school’s long-term goals for its MBA students?

Why it’s a good question: This question indicates your interest in the school’s commitment to the long-term success and satisfaction of its MBA graduates.

Questions About The Interview Itself

• Can you share insights into the admissions committee’s evaluation process?

Why it’s a good question: This question demonstrates your desire to understand how you will be assessed, signalling a proactive approach to preparing for the interview.

• What are the most common mistakes applicants make during interviews?

Why it’s a good question: This question reflects your commitment to avoiding common pitfalls, showcasing your dedication to presenting yourself in the best possible light.

• Could you provide specific examples of questions frequently asked by your interviewers?

Why it’s a good question: This question reveals your preparation mindset, demonstrating a proactive approach to familiarizing yourself with the interview process.

Questions About The Interviewer’s Background

• How does your professional experience relate to your role in the admissions team?

Why it’s a good question: This question reflects your interest in understanding the unique perspectives and expertise that the interviewer brings to the admissions process, showcasing a thoughtful approach to the interview.

• What advice can you give to prospective students from your own journey as an MBA grad?

Why it’s a good question: This question demonstrates your interest in personal insights and showcases your eagerness to benefit from the interviewer’s own MBA experience, highlighting a commitment to continuous learning.

• How do alumni interviewers contribute to the admissions process?

Why it’s a good question: This question shows your awareness of the diverse roles within the admissions team and highlights your interest in understanding the specific value that alumni bring to the interview process.

Preparing for the MBA Interview

When preparing for your interview, thorough research is a must. Each school’s website is the ideal place to start. You can use program websites to familiarize yourself with the program’s structure and their offerings. Make special note of information on the school’s mission, values, culture, and unique features, and use these details to tailor your interview answers and questions to the specific program. Beyond looking at program websites, there are a wide range of other factors to consider when preparing for MBA interviews. These include:

Building a Personalized Interview Strategy

The MBA interview is your chance to stand out from the crowd, so your strategy should reflect that. Take time to consider your unique strengths, experiences, and weaknesses to create an interview strategy that best showcases your potential. Be sure to articulate your future career goals and the steps you intend to take to achieve them.

Share your past professional experiences and the lessons learned from them. Use your interview as an opportunity to highlight how the MBA program aligns with your unique aspirations. Consider asking a mentor for advice on which strengths you should emphasize during the interview.

Understanding Different Interviewer Types

Throughout the MBA interview process, you may encounter a variety of interviewer types. Interviews may be conducted by alumni, admissions officers, or current students. Each interviewer is able to share their own unique insights into the program while evaluating whether or not each candidate is the right fit.

They may also each have a different set of expectations for interviewees. Being able to tailor your responses to resonate with your interviewer’s perspective and expectations is a crucial component of interview success. 

Practicing Responses

Practicing responses to common interview questions is one of the most important steps in interview prep. You should be ready to discuss your career goals, short-term and long-term plans, and how the MBA program fits into your aspirations.

You should anticipate questions regarding your personal statement and prepare answers to the most likely questions.

Mock Interviews and Feedback

When your interview prep is nearly complete, conducting mock interviews is an ideal way to make sure you’re ready for the real thing. Mock interviews provide the opportunity for applicants to refine their responses and build confidence. Consider seeking out friends, mentors, or professionals for help conducting mock interviews.

The Interview Process

When sitting down for an MBA program interview, you may be faced with a variety of interviewer types. MBA interviews are commonly led by alumni of the program, admissions officers, and current students. These interviews can also take on a variety of forms. Some programs hold interviews in person off campus, while others opt for on-campus or even virtual settings. 

MBA applicants should be prepared for these variations in the interview process, as the details may change depending on the school and the interviewer’s preferences. While MBA program interviews can look quite different from program to program, they all follow a fairly similar pattern. 

Duration and Structure 

MBA interviews can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or more, so you should be prepared for both ends of the spectrum. The interview structure typically includes a mix of questions about your background, professional experience, career goals, and how well you may align with the program. This combination of questions allows interviewers to gain a holistic picture prior to evaluation.

Evaluation Criteria

Interviewers evaluate applicants based on several criteria. Looking beyond numbers on paper, they take into account your interpersonal skills, professionalism, and alignment with the school’s values. 

Handling Unexpected Questions

While practicing answers to common questions is a key part of interview prep, it is also important to expect the unexpected. Interviewers often use unexpected or challenging questions as a way to assess a candidate’s ability to think on their feet. To handle these questions with composure, stay calm and take a moment to think before responding.

Follow-up Questions

After your initial answer, follow-up questions from your interview are highly likely. These questions typically dive deeper into your response so providing specific examples to support your answers is crucial. Examples add substance and provide credibility to your answers.

Wrapping up the Interview

At the end of the interview, expressing gratitude to your interviewer is paramount. It showcases professionalism and leaves interviewers with a lasting impression. Thank the interviewer for their time, insights, and the opportunity to discuss your candidacy.

Also take a moment to reiterate your genuine interest in the MBA program. Briefly summarize the reasons you’re excited about the school and how the program aligns with your career goals. Before closing, inquire about the next steps in the admissions process. Ask about the expected timeline for hearing back about your application status and if there are any follow-up actions you should take.

Final Thoughts

MBA interviews are one of the most crucial components of the MBA application process. Preparing for the questions you’ll be asked is key, but asking the right questions yourself is equally important. If you’re looking for an MBA program that prioritizes experiential learning, cultivates strong leadership skills, and offers a dynamic and collaborative community, consider Crummer.