My interviewer started by setting a very clear agenda for the 1 hour call (45 min interview + QA) and gave a detailed introduction of his own background. The atmosphere was professional and quickly became conversational. He was taking notes, but maintained strong eye contact and engagement.
Questions:
- Walk me through your resume/Tell me about yourself.
- Follow-up: What specific skills did you have to learn when you transitioned to…? What were the difficulties?
- Short-term and long-term goals?
- Follow-up: pressed slightly on the logic of pivoting and wanted to understand why my post-MBA choice was a necessary step.
- If you don’t do an MBA, what would your path look like?
- TMAT you had to solve a difficult problem.
- TMAT you made a mistake. How did you handle it?
- What are 3 things you would like to Start, Stop, and Continue doing?
- Anything else?
Advice for future interviewees:
– Know your Why: Be ready to defend your career aspirations logically. If your path isn’t standard, they will probe to ensure you have thought it through.
– Be a person, not a robot: The interviewer explicitly mentioned that he appreciated learning who I was as a person (hobbies, interests) beyond the resume.
– Prepare thoughtful questions: If the interviewer is a student, ask about their personal experience, specific classes, or the social culture.
