MBA INTERVIEWS:

Mingshen Chen, Professor

Department of Finance,

National Taiwan University

Why MBA (or other) programs interview?

• To verify candidates’ credentials,

• To look at candidates’ qualitative characteristics, and

• To verify candidates’ communication skills, especially English proficiency for international students.

MBA INTERVIEWS:  

• For some schools, you can choose whether you want to be interviewed.

• Who Should decide to take Interview?

• For some schools, you can choose to be Interviewed by an admissions officer or by an alumnus.

Who will conduct MBA interviews and how?  

• On campus interview, such as UNC.

• Admission Officers conduct Interviews in Asia, such as MIT does it in HK.

• Interviews with an Alumnus in Taiwan, foreigners or locals, U Penn and Indiana.

• Phone Interviews for international students.

Typical Interview Questions

• Phase 1 - Your Upbringing and Undergraduate Experience

• Phase 2 - Work Experience Since Leaving College

• Phase 3 - Career Goals & MBA Plans

• Phase 4 - Your Turn to Ask Questions 

Phase 1 - Your Upbringing and Undergraduate Experience

• What was your major? Did you like it?• Do you think your grades are an accurate

reflection of your ability?• Did you work as an undergrad?  (This is

important because it may help to explain why your GPA isn't 4.0)

• What was your biggest achievement in college?• How were your activity records and volunteer

work during your college time?

Phase 2 - Work Experience Since Leaving College

• What was your first job out of undergrad?

• Have you been promoted?

• Have you ever supervised employees?

• Have you switched firms?  If so, why?

• What was your biggest achievement, or biggest setback at work?

Phase 3 - Career Goals & MBA Plans • Be sure to mention a career goal that actually

requires (or benefits from) an MBA.• Be able to answer the question, "Why do you

need an MBA at the current stage of your career?"

• Be able to answer the question, "Why do you need an MBA from this school?“

• Be able to provide a specific and meaningful career path after MBA. Don’t say something like I will contribute what I learn to my country.

Phase 4 - Your Turn to Ask Questions 

• Prove that you are serious in getting into the program.

• Prove that you know what you are applying.

• Prove that you have done your research on their program.

A Few Tips on the MBA Interviews

• 1. Prepare your answers ahead of time. 

• 2. Dress formally.

• 3. Be serious, but humorous.

• 4. Whenever possible, interview with someone of the opposite sex. 

• 5. Get to know what is the mascot or nickname of the school.

Final Reminders

• Do your research, be familiar with the program, be familiar with the campus environment and activities.

• Talk to someone from the university, get to know what is important for the university.

• After the interview, don’t forget to write a thank-you note, to refresh his/her memory.