MBA INTERVIEWS:

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MBA INTERVIEWS

• Mingshen Chen, Professor
• Department of Finance,
• National Taiwan University

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 

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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?

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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?

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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. Dont say something like
  I will contribute what I learn to my country.

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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.

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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.

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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, dont forget to write a
  thank-you note, to refresh his/her memory.