Are you applying for an MBA? Are you preparing for the MBA interview round? Here are some frequently asked questions based on leadership and teamwork to help you prepare effectively. Before we begin, let us take a look at the importance of MBA interviews.

Importance of MBA Interviews 

The MBA interview is the most crucial aspect of the MBA selection process. It is also the final round of the MBA selection process. You qualify for the MBA interview round if you have performed well in the entrance exam and the group discussion round. The MBA interview provides you with an opportunity to engage with the admissions committee of the university of your choice. 

While they might already have your academic records, certificates, and resume in hand, the interview is a chance for you to showcase your strengths in person. This is your chance to promote yourself. Additionally, you can use the MBA interview to address any gaps in your academic records or resume to the admissions committee. This will depict your not only honesty but also your dedication towards pursuing an MBA degree. All in all, the MBA interview can make or break your chances of getting into the business school of your choice. 

How Can You Prepare for an MBA Interview?

Now that you are aware of the importance of MBA interviews and how crucial they are to you getting into your dream business school, you need to formulate a strategy to prepare for them. To start with, you have to research how MBA interviews are conducted by various universities. Each university has its own approach when it comes to personal interviews. You need to identify how your preferred university conducts its MBA interviews and acquaint yourself with the same. 

Once you are familiar with the interview format, you can proceed to look up some commonly asked MBA interview questions. You need to begin formulating answers to these commonly asked interview questions. You can either head over to the official MBA website to have a look at the questions listed by the GMAC or you can head over to the university websites. Some of the universities publish transcripts of the MBA interviews they have conducted. This will help you get an idea of the questions asked. 

The next step is to practice delivering your answers. It is not enough to be familiar with the MBA interview questions, you need to practice delivering your answers accurately and confidently. Since the MBA interview is a crucial aspect in deciding if you are an eligible MBA candidate or not, you need to take it seriously and practice well. An easy way to do that is by taking up mock interviews. You can ask a trusted professor, colleague, friend, or family member to help you by conducting a mock interview. 

Last but not the least, the key to acing your MBA interview is to be candid and confident. You need to plan and practice so that you are confident on the day of the interview. The interview is a chance for the admissions committee to get to know you beyond your academic records and resume. Hence, try to be as candid as possible. Additionally, be true to yourself when attending the interview, stick to your values and beliefs. 

Top FAQs Based on Leadership and Teamwork

We have listed the importance of MBA interviews and how you can prepare for them. We will now list some commonly asked MBA interview questions based on leadership and teamwork. Here are the top frequently asked questions based on leadership and teamwork: 

• What leadership qualities do you possess? 
• What is your greatest strength? 
• What is your greatest weakness? 
• What causes a leader to fail? Elaborate and give examples. 
• Describe your relationship with your team members. 
• Tell us about a project you led. 
• Describe an incident where you have demonstrated leadership skills. 
• How would you describe your leadership style? 
• How do you make sure the team stays connected? 
• How do you motivate your team? Elaborate. 
• Do goals help you become a better leader? If so, how?
• If there is a difference of opinion amongst your team members, how do you handle it?
• What is the difference between a team leader and a team manager?
• What was a difficult decision you had to make as a team leader? What was the motive behind that decision? 
• What are some challenges you have faced as a leader? How did you tackle these challenges?
• What strives you to become a better leader?
• Describe a team experience that you found rewarding. 
• How often do you interact with your team members?
• Have you faced any difficulties working with your manager? If so, how have you handled these issues?
• Describe a time when you disagreed with a peer or colleague. How did you tackle the situation?
• Have you been part of a team project that has failed? If so, how have you encouraged your team members?
• As a leader, how do you delegate responsibilities to your team members?
• Have you been part of a successful team? If so, how have you contributed to the success of the team?
• Is competition amongst team members healthy? Why or why not?
• What is a leader’s biggest asset?
• As a leader, how do you measure success and failure? 
• Describe a time when you have depicted leadership qualities when you did not hold the title of a leader. 
• As a leader, how would you initiate change in your organisation? 
• Have you contributed to any significant changes in your organisation? If so, how did you contribute to the same?
• As a leader, how would you communicate your team’s difficulties to management?
• How would you liaise disagreements between your team and the management?
• How would you go about praising a team member in public?
• How would ensure commitment amongst your team members? 
• How would you let a team member know that they have made a mistake? 
• How would you lead through change? 
• How would you set an example for your team members? 

We trust that you are now aware of the importance of MBA interviews, how you can prepare for them, and the top frequently asked questions based on leadership and teamwork. All you have to do now is begin preparing for your MBA interview to get into your dream university. So, start prepping now and ace the MBA interview.

All the best!