{"id":50496,"date":"2020-11-18T09:23:34","date_gmt":"2020-11-18T16:23:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/2020\/11\/mit-sloan-interview-tips-example-behavioral-questions\/"},"modified":"2020-11-18T09:23:34","modified_gmt":"2020-11-18T16:23:34","slug":"mit-sloan-interview-tips-example-behavioral-questions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/mit-sloan-interview-tips-example-behavioral-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"MIT Sloan Interview Tips + Example Behavioral Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The MIT Sloan interview, like <\/span>the Sloan application<\/span><\/a>, is unique among elite business schools. <\/span><\/h2>\n

For one, it\u2019s the only M7 program besides rival HBS<\/a> in which the interviewer \u2013 who is a member of the admissions committee \u2013\u00a0will have reviewed your entire application. Applicants invited to interview are also required to respond to two pre-interview questions \u2013 the first around diversity and inclusion and the second related to how you make data-driven decisions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a Fortuna Admissions coach who is seasoned at preparing candidates for the MIT Sloan interview (among others), I can affirm that its admissions committee operates from the belief that past behavior is the best predictor of future performance. With behavioral type questions, you can expect to be asked <\/span>very<\/span><\/i> specific examples of what you did, why you did it, what was going through your mind at the time, what was the impact on others, and what was the final outcome. Responding effectively means being able to go beyond what you\u2019ve done or accomplished to convey the attitudes, behaviors, and skills that guided your actions and decision-making.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before diving into your prep strategy, I\u2019ll cover what to expect from your MIT Sloan interview in terms of format, tone and style, then outline what the admission committee is looking for, with sample behavioral questions collected from recent MIT Sloan interview candidates by my colleagues at Fortuna Admissions.<\/span><\/p>\n

What to Expect from MIT Sloan\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Like the Stanford GSB interview, the MIT Sloan admissions committee conducts application-based, behavioral style interviews, which can range from 20 minute to two hours long. Typically it runs about an hour, and given this year\u2019s virtual format, I wouldn\u2019t anticipate longer than 60 minutes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The interview will be a conversation, and you can expect the interviewer to be pleasant. But don\u2019t be fooled by the collegial vibe \u2013 MIT Sloan\u2019s line of questioning requires your thorough and thoughtful preparation. The key to success is not just thinking about answers to standard questions (why the MBA, why this school \u2013 although both are important to MIT Sloan), but coming up with specific, substantive \u2013\u00a0yet succinct \u2013\u00a0situational examples.<\/span><\/p>\n

What MIT Sloan is Looking For<\/b><\/h3>\n

Ability to build relationships, influential leadership, drive and motivation \u2013 these are competencies that MIT Sloan is screening for, and you can expect to be asked for concrete examples that speak to these core traits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Fortuna\u2019s Karen Hamou<\/a> says in her 7-minute video on how to prepare for the Sloan interview (below), you can expect the interviewer to pump you for additional detail, and to take lots of notes. As such, it is essential you make your stories clear and concise. Be specific and describe one event, and avoid theorizing or speaking in generalities \u2013 MIT wants to know how you actually behaved, not how you would behave in a certain situation.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Tips on How to Prepare<\/b><\/h3>\n

You\u2019ll want to prepare by identifying a handful of stories that can be used interchangeably, such as a time you\u2019ve resolved a team conflict, mentored someone, or handled a challenging client. That said, the interview reflects what\u2019s important to the interviewer (verses to you), so you may not have the chance to deliver prepared stories. Expect follow up questions that probe for ever more granular levels of detail; some candidates were even asked to recreate a specific conversation within a given scenario.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To this end, think about recent, positive situations involving work experience, leadership, professional relationships, teamwork and planning. Remember: It\u2019s not a blind interview, so focus on examples that aren\u2019t already in your application.<\/span><\/p>\n

Map out your examples to make sure you can set the scene and get to the point quickly\u2014 and remember to go from big picture to detail. I recommend using a technique such as STAR (Situation\/Task\/Action\/Result) or CIA (Context\/Action\/Impact) to make sure you do not forget pieces of the story.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, \u2018why MIT\u2019 is a question posed to nearly all candidates and an important one to MIT; you\u2019ll want to demonstrate a deep understanding of the school\u2019s mission and ethos in your answer. You may also be asked to introduce yourself or describe your background, so have your <\/span>MBA elevator pitch<\/span><\/a> at the ready.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Example Behavioral Questions Reported by Recent MIT Sloan Candidates<\/b><\/h3>\n