Lawana911
R3 applicants who completed alumni interviews - could you pls share a short debrief on how was the experience and any key things to know?
Lawana911I had been INSEAD MBA interviewer for 3 years, and I hope I can provide some helpful tips.
No two INSEAD interviews are the same or follow a fixed pattern (irrespective of the Rounds). INSEAD does not provide guidelines to the interviewers before the actual interview, and it completely rests with the interviewers how they want to drive the conversation. However, after the interview, the interviewers submit an extensive questionnaire report on your performance based on various factors.
As much as possible, it is a good strategy for you to take the driver's seat and smartly drive the conversation toward your strong areas.
Here are some tough but common questions you may encounter and should prepare for. You can be candid about other unexpected questions as they will mostly gauge your personality type.
1. Tell me about yourself/ brief introduction /elevator pitch
2. (My favorite) How would you say you have shown incremental progression in your career? What have you learned with each job role? (If you haven't had many job changes or received many promotions, definitely expect this one. If you don't get asked, its a good idea to still talk about your own growth progression)
3. What is your motivation behind choosing your line of work/ your current career path?
4. What is your motivation behind applying to INSEAD and why? What are your goals? What is the motivation behind your long-term goals? You may not get much time at INSEAD to figure your goals. How well have you researched them? (show that you have networked)
The interviewer may further probe your knowledge about your current or target industry.
5. How will you navigate cultural conflicts or culture shock at INSEAD, where no two people in your study group will be from the same country? Give examples of situations where you may have faced conflicting opinions or conflicting cultural practices. How did you manage? What did you do? What did you learn?
6. Have you managed subordinates/stakeholders directly or indirectly? What is your management style? Give anecdotal examples.
7. How will you contribute to student life and clubs and activities at INSEAD (address this even if the interviewer doesn't ask)?
8. What do you do when you are not working?
9. Achievements and failures, strengths and weaknesses (always provide anecdotal examples and subsequent reflections/ learnings)
10. Do you have any questions that you would like to ask?
Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex MBA admissions interviewer)MBAGuideConsultingLinkedIn |WEBSITE:
https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email-
mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com