Unconventional B school interview questions you should prepare for!

Type of question

Motto of the question

Sample Answer Reference

1

Give me your elevator pitch in 30 seconds.

To arouse curiosity and interest in your profile

"I’m Ravi Arora. I have been working as an analyst at a small start-up for the past two years, helping the organisation analyse its data models. I want to pursue an MBA so that I can take up a leadership role as a project manager in a multinational or a corporate organisation in the next 2–3 years."

2

Which other schools are you applying to?

To understand the logic of applying to the certain B-School

“I am applying to JAIN CMS B-School because I am intrigued by their scholarship programmes, strong alumni network, and overseas internship opportunities.”

3

If you’re progressing so quickly in your role, why do you need an MBA?

To understand the actual reason behind your MBA application

"Doing the MBA will help me get more than a 50% hike in my respective field, and I can take up leadership roles in big corporations too. In the next five to ten years, I am planning to lead a company as a senior vice president or a CEO."

4

What’s your backup plan if you don’t reach your post-MBA target role?

To understand if you have a contingency plan to back you up in course of unfavourable conditions

"I’ve got a strong network in my current field, so even if it fails, I will move back into the same field but in a different organisation, and with time, I will move to a senior role."

Or

I’ve always been passionate about having my own start-up, so if it fails, I will become an entrepreneur and give it a try!

5

Tell me about an ethical dilemma you faced.

To understand if you are ready to take up challenges in the future and can build strong employer-employee mutual trust and respect relationship.

"I’ve been on good terms with a colleague from my past organisation and trusted him or her with everything. However, when I learned that he or she was passing on confidential information to a competitor company, I asked him or her to surrender immediately. However, when he stopped taking my advice, I was forced to inform the upper management of his disciplinary action.

Question

Brief Context

Link to know in detail

1

The Russia-Ukraine War

The Russia-Ukraine war refers to the ongoing military conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which began in February 2014, thereby resulting in the deaths of several thousands of people, and has caused significant damage to infrastructure and the economy in the affected regions.

https://insideiim.com/russia-ukraine-war-explained

2

Union Budget 2022

Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, the Minister of Finance of India, presented the 2023 Union Budget of India on February 1, 2023. This was the fourth budget of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government's second term, focusing on youth development and the creation of a strong and stable macro-economic environment.

https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/bh1.pdf

3

The Beijing Olympics Controversy

The Beijing Olympics Controversy refers to the series of controversies that took place during the 2008 Summer Olympics that were hosted in Beijing, China. The hosting of the Olympics in China sparked debate about political freedom, human rights, and China's policies towards Taiwan and Tibet.

https://insideiim.com/beijing-olympics-controversy

4

The ABG Shipyard Fraud

ABG Shipyard was one of the leading shipbuilders in India and was caught up in a major fraud case in 2017. They were accused of syphoning off funds worth more than Rs 11,000 crore (approximately USD 1.5 billion) through fraudulent activities, such as inflating the value of contracts and forging documents.

https://insideiim.com/abg-shipyard-fraud-current-affairs

5

The LIC IPO

The LIC IPO is India’s largest IP offering, and 10% of the shares are being reserved for eligible policy holders. The plan is to sell 316.25 million shares, or 5% of the total equity base. The total equity base of LIC is 6.32 billion shares. 35% of the shares are to be reserved for retail investors, and discounts are to be provided to LIC employees.

https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/lic-ipo-news/

https://www.gktoday.in/lic-indias-largest-initial-public-offering/

Question

Sample Answer Reference

1

What extra-curricular activities have you been involved in?

During my undergraduate years, I was an active volunteering member for a non-profit organization that was working to provide free aids and resources to under-privileged youths interested in sports.

2

How have your extra-curricular activities helped you develop as a person?

Active involvement in extracurricular activities has helped me to develop my leadership, communication, and team-building skills, as I have learned how to communicate with my team members effectively and build a strong team bond.

3

What leadership roles have you taken on in your extra-curricular activities?

I have been working in the employee engagement department for the past two years and have taken initiatives to organise team building activities and exercises such as games, debates, and other events with the employees. 

4

What extra-curricular activities do you plan to participate in while in business school?

While in business school, I plan to participate in art and craft, plays, sports clubs, and community service committees. I also hope to participate in networking events to build my professional network on a grand scale.

5

How do you balance your extra-curricular activities with your academic and professional responsibilities?

I use my time management and team-building skills to balance my extracurricular activities with my academic and professional responsibilities. I do this by prioritising my time, setting realistic goals, managing my schedule effectively, and communicating regularly with my teammates and peers to ensure that we are all on the same page.

Question

Sample Answer Reference

1

Can you describe a time when you had to lead a team to accomplish a challenging goal?

I was working as the senior intern during my summer internship in digital marketing last year, wherein I was given the responsibility to lead a team of interns to develop and execute a social media campaign for a new product launch. Although, there were several challenges pertaining to deadlines, team miscoordination and limited resources, we delegated our tasks effectively, communicated frequently within the team, and motivated them to work together towards our shared objective.

2

Can you describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult team member, and how did you handle the situation?

During my summer internship in the field of digital marketing, we were assigned a team member who was supposed to post the content across all the social media channels. Despite the content being given, he or she constantly missed his or her timelines, thereby impacting the achievement of our weekly goals. To address the situation, I and my trainer first approached him or her privately to understand his or her challenges and the root cause of the problem. We then collaborated with the rest of the team to adjust our project plan and redistribute tasks to ensure that each team member could contribute in a meaningful way.

3

How do you motivate and inspire your team members to achieve their best work?

I motivate and inspire my team members by establishing a clear and compelling vision for our shared goal. Following this, I try to understand their individual strengths and weaknesses and provide them with the support and resources they need to excel in their task. I also try to establish a positive and collaborative work culture and attitude where everyone has the freedom to pitch in their ideas and opinions.

4

What leadership style do you most identify with, and how do you apply it in your interactions with others?

I mostly identify with a transformational leadership style, which is all about motivating and inspiring the team members to reach their full potential. I like to provide frequent feedback and recognition to my teammates, set a clear vision for the team, empower them with resources and decision-making authority, and provide the required support and resources to help them achieve their goals.

5

What is your approach to conflict resolution in a team setting?

In a team setting, it is imperative that conflicts can happen anytime and between anyone, so my approach to resolving them would be to acknowledge the issue and understand the perspective of each party involved in it. I would then work collaboratively with them to find a mutual solution that could address the problems of both parties respectfully.

S.N

Question

Sample Answer Reference

1

What inspired you to pursue an MBA program?

I have always been interested to work in the corporate sector and take up various challenging roles in the industry. However, the passion should be backed up with adequate knowledge, skill enhancement and guidance – all of which I could find in an MBA program from a reputed business school of the country.

2

What are your short-term and long-term career goals, and how do you see an MBA helping you achieve them?

For my short-term goals, I would like to move to a senior position in my current organization or any other organization, for that matter. If you ask me about my long-term goals, then I aspire to take up leadership roles in an organization like a CEO or Vice President, etc. I can also become an entrepreneur and start my own business if everything goes well. The MBA program will impart strategic thinking, critical reasoning, leadership, time management and communication skills which will help me to achieve my desired gaols.

3

How do you think an MBA will complement your existing skill set and background?

Since I have worked in different business roles, I have gained diverse experience with different segments of a business such as operations, finance, marketing, etc. I think that pursuing my MBA from your reputed college will allow me to develop a more comprehensive understanding of these areas, and provide me with a more strategic and global perspective on business operations.

4

How do you envision your future career after completing an MBA program, and what impact do you hope to make in your field?

After completing an MBA program, I hope to land up in a senior or a leadership role within my current organization or in a similar company. I also wish to apply the knowledge and skills to make data-driven decisions and contribute to the broader business community through mentoring and volunteering.

Question

Sample Answer Reference

1

Can you describe a time when you worked effectively as part of a team to achieve a common goal?

During my previous job, I was part of a team responsible for developing and launching a new website for a leading healthcare company. We had a diverse team with members who had experience in different fields such as content creation, web development, SEO, etc. We worked together, divided our individual goals and tasks, communicated at daily intervals, and worked like one team to achieve our target within the desired timeline without compromising on the quality of the work.

2

What strategies do you use to ensure that all team members are actively engaged and contributing to the team's success?

Teamwork is all about mutual trust and respect for each other. Therefore, to ensure all the team members are actively engaged, I try to understand their individual goals and objectives and how the organisation’s goals can align with theirs. I communicate with them every now and then and empower them with decision-making authority so that they can make informed choices and build their confidence.

3

How do you establish trust and build strong working relationships with your team members?

I establish trust and build strong working relationships with my team members by being open and honest in my communication, actively listening to their ideas and concerns, and demonstrating my commitment to our shared objectives. I also make sure to follow through on my commitments and hold myself accountable for my actions.

4

What role do you typically take on within a team, and how does that contribute to the team's success?

I am known as a people’s person because my colleagues feel I am empathetic towards everyone. Therefore, I like taking on roles that are about managing and helping people reach their end goals.

5

Can you describe a time when you had to step up as a leader within a team, and how did you handle the situation?

During my last job, our team leader fell ill, and we were supposed to submit a project by the end of the week to the client. The junior batch was very scared to take on new responsibilities, and the senior ones were not motivated to do so. That time, I stepped up to take on the leadership role by delegating tasks, sharing an update and feedback, and ensuring that everyone was working towards our shared objective.

Question

Sample Answer Reference

1

How do you approach communicating with individuals or groups who have different communication styles than your own?

In order to communicate with individuals or groups of people having different communication styles than mine, I try to analyse their communication style first by paying attention to their mode of expression, body language, tone, and delivery of the message. Once I have a sense of their style, I adjust my own communication style accordingly and initiate conversations that can be engaging and in accordance with the listener’s style.

2

How do you handle conflicts or difficult conversations with colleagues or team members?

Whenever I find myself entangled in difficult conflicts or conversations, I try to be calm, respectful, polite, and focused. I listen carefully to the other person's perspective so that I can understand their point of view. After I have listened to what they have to say, I present my opinion, and together we brainstorm and arrive at possible solutions or compromises that could help resolve the issue.

3

Give an example of a time when you had to persuade someone to see your point of view. How did you approach the situation?

In my previous job, I had to convince my manager to adopt a new software tool that could streamline the process of workflow management. I knew that a verbal explanation wouldn’t be sufficient, so I made a detailed presentation about it, its features, why we need it, and how we are going to become more cost-efficient by using it. The team understood the significance, and the manager finally agreed to get the tool. To date, the tool has brought in huge soft savings for the organisation in terms of saving time and effort.

How do you tailor your communication style to different stakeholders, such as clients, team members, and executives?

Every individual possesses a unique way to communicate and express themselves, and we cannot expect the same reaction or response from everyone. Moreover, not everyone will take our words in the right sense, even though our intention was without malice. Therefore, to avoid conflict and facilitate a smooth communication process amongst different stakeholders, such as team members, executives, and clients, it is important to have transparent and to-the-point communication without any unnecessary jargon involved in it.

4

Give an example of a time when you had to use active listening skills to understand a colleague or team member's perspective. How did it impact the outcome of the situation?

We were working on a project where everything was already mapped out, and we were sure that we could deliver the outcome on the stated deadline. However, during one review meeting, one of our colleagues gave some input on certain strategies that can become barriers to the project’s end result.

As I was leading the project at the time, I felt that input may be too far-fetched and not needed for the time being. However, I decided to listen to her nonetheless and understand her perspective. As I continued listening intently to her points, I gradually realised that she was indeed right and that it could become troublesome in the future. We immediately started working on it to rectify it, and surprisingly, it not only improved the quality of the results but also helped us deliver the task before the timeline.

Question

Sample Answer Reference

1

Can you describe a difficult decision you had to make in your previous work or personal life? How did you arrive at your decision, and what were the results?

If you ask me about a difficult decision that I had to make in my previous professional career, then it would be whether to terminate or retain an underperforming employee. I knew that the decision-making process was going to be extremely challenging for this one because this job had a significant impact on the employee's livelihood, but at the same time, the employee's poor performance was affecting the team's productivity, resources, and morale. I gathered data on the employee's performance and consulted with my supervisor and HR to come to the conclusion that the employee was not the right fit for my department but, if given a chance, could perform in other departments. So, the organisation decided to move him to the projects team, which prevented his termination and also improved my team’s productivity simultaneously.

2

Can you tell us a time when you had to make a quick decision under pressure? How did you handle the situation, and what were the outcomes?

One time I had to make a quick decision under pressure when a client unexpectedly requested a major change to a project that was already in progress. This was very sudden, and I had to quickly analyse the impact of the change on the project timeline and budget. I also consulted with my team to decide if we could accommodate the request. After thorough consideration and risk estimation, we finally decided to accept the change. We worked extra hours to adjust our plan and communicate the new timeline and budget to the client. All of our efforts bore fruit, as we were able to deliver the project on time and within budget, and the client was also satisfied with the results.

3

How do you balance making decisions independently versus seeking input or advice from others?

For me, I think there should be an appropriate balance between making decisions independently and seeking advice or input from others. In general, I like to first brainstorm ideas with others and try to gather as many inputs or opinions as possible so that I can get multiple perspectives before making a decision. Then, I re-evaluate the options and see which could be the best option that is suitable for the current situation. This way, I don’t regret my own decision-making process and can take ownership of whatever lies ahead.

4

Can you describe a situation where you had to make a decision that had ethical implications? How did you approach the decision-making process in that situation?

In my previous job, I was working on a project for a client who had requested a feature that would have allowed them to collect data on their customers without their explicit consent. As a data privacy advocate, I recognized that this feature would have violated the GDPR and would have been unethical. I raised my concerns with the client and explained the potential legal and ethical implications of implementing such a feature.

The client was hesitant to abandon the feature as they believed it would provide valuable insights into their customers' behaviour. However, I continued to push back and provided examples of other companies that had faced legal and reputational consequences for similar practices. I also consulted with my supervisor and legal team to ensure that my concerns were well-founded and aligned with the company's values.

In the end, the client agreed to drop the feature, and we were able to deliver the project on time and within budget without compromising our ethical standards. This experience reinforced my belief that it is important to stand up for what is right, even when it may be challenging or uncomfortable.

5

Can you give an example of a decision that you made that had a significant impact on your organization or team? How did you go about making that decision, and what were the outcomes?

In my previous role, I was leading a team that was responsible for developing and implementing a new product strategy. Our team had identified an opportunity to expand our product offerings into a new market, but there were concerns about the feasibility and potential risks of the expansion.

To make an informed decision, I conducted market research and analyzed our financial projections to evaluate the potential ROI of the expansion. I also consulted with key stakeholders, including our sales and marketing teams, to get their input on the potential benefits and challenges of entering the new market.

After weighing the options, I presented my recommendation to the executive team, which was to move forward with the expansion. The executive team ultimately approved the recommendation, and we were able to successfully launch the new product line, which led to a significant increase in revenue and market share for our organization.

As a result of this decision, our team's profile within the organization grew, and we were able to secure additional funding and resources to support future product development initiatives. Additionally, the successful launch of the new product line enhanced our organization's reputation and positioned us as a leader in the industry.

Question

Sample Answer Reference

1

How do you manage competing priorities and ensure that you meet deadlines in a timely manner?

One of my key responsibilities is managing my conflicting priorities and meeting deadlines. I have a plan that I usually follow to ensure that I can strike a balance between both of them without compromising on the quality of my deliverables.

I put all my tasks and to-do lists on my calendar, wherein I prioritise the tasks based on their importance and urgency and ensure that I have allocated enough time for each task.

I stay in touch with my colleagues and other stakeholders to ensure that I am meeting their expectations and deadlines. I keep an open line of communication, and I am transparent about my progress and any potential delays or issues.
I avoid last-minute arrangements; therefore, I keep all my resources and materials handy so that I can stay organised and try to minimise any clutter or distractions in my work environment.

Lastly, I am proactive and try to anticipate any potential roadblocks or issues that may impact my ability to meet deadlines. I seek help or support from my colleagues if I feel any support is needed from their end.

2

Can you describe a situation where you had to adjust your schedule to accommodate unexpected changes or priorities? How did you handle the situation?

In my previous job, I was working on a project that required me to conduct research and write a report. I had a detailed schedule in place, but about halfway through the project, I received a request from my manager to work on a separate project that was a high priority for the company. This new project required a significant amount of my time and attention, and I needed to adjust my schedule to accommodate it.

To handle the situation, I first reviewed my existing schedule and identified tasks that could be delayed or delegated to other team members. I also discussed the situation with my manager to clarify the priorities and expectations for both projects. Next, I reprioritized my tasks and created a new schedule that allowed me to balance both projects.

Although it was challenging for me, I was able to successfully complete both projects on time and without affecting the quality of the work.

3

Can you describe a time when you had to manage multiple projects simultaneously? How did you prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively?

There was a particular instance that brought me to answer the question: I was supposed to manage four projects simultaneously, each involving different stakeholders and priorities.

To manage each project effectively, I first created a project management plan for each project, stating key milestones and deadlines and task responsibilities for each team member. I ensured effective and regular communication with my team members and stakeholders to keep them informed of my progress and any changes to the project plan. Therefore, through proper delegation, planning, prioritisation, and communication, I was able to achieve my target within my deadline.

How do you deal with procrastination or time-wasting activities? What strategies do you use to stay focused and productive?

I believe that procrastination and time-wasting activities can be major roadblocks for anyone who is seeking productivity and growth in their lives.

Therefore, to combat procrastination or time-wasting activities, I prioritise my tasks using the Eisenhower matrix, which categorises tasks into four quadrants based on their urgency and importance. Secondly, I use time-blocking techniques to schedule my workday, where I break down my day into blocks of time and assign specific tasks to each block. I also make sure to schedule breaks and time for self-care activities, such as exercise or meditation. This helps me to focus more on important things and prevent time-chokes that can arise due to procrastination or time-wasting activities.

Question

Sample Answer Reference

1

Can you describe a time when you had to think outside the box to solve a problem? How did you approach the situation, and what was the outcome?

One time when I had to think outside the box to solve a problem was when I was working as a marketing analyst at a start-up company. We had budgetary constraints for our marketing campaigns, and we were struggling to drive traffic to our website and generate leads.

After conducting a thorough analysis of our target audience, I realised that many of our potential customers were active on social media platforms, but we were not effectively leveraging these channels to reach them. To address this problem, I suggested that we develop a social media influencer marketing campaign. After presenting my idea to the marketing team, we developed a plan to identify and approach influencers and developed customised content for each influencer that highlighted our product's unique features and benefits.

The outcome of this campaign was very positive. We saw a significant increase in website traffic and leads generated from social media channels, which resulted in a boost in revenue.

2

How do you generate creative ideas when faced with a challenging problem or situation? Can you walk me through your process?

When faced with a challenging problem or situation, I first try to gather as much information as possible about the issue at hand. Once I have a good understanding of the problem and its context, I begin brainstorming potential solutions and using creative thinking techniques to come up with innovative ideas that might not have been considered otherwise.

Another technique I use is analogical thinking, where I draw connections between seemingly unrelated ideas or concepts to generate new insights and ideas. Once I have a list of potential solutions, I evaluate them based on their feasibility, impact, and alignment with organisational goals. By using a variety of approaches and techniques, I am able to generate innovative solutions that are tailored to the specific problem at hand.

3

Can you describe a time when you identified a problem before it became a major issue, and developed a proactive solution to prevent it from happening? How did you go about implementing your solution?

I once stumbled across a major crisis situation while I was working as a project manager on a software development project. We were working on developing a complex feature that required integrating with a third-party API. As we were testing the feature, I noticed that there were occasional delays in receiving responses from the API, which could impact the overall user experience.

Instead of waiting for the problem to escalate, I immediately brought it to the attention of the development team and suggested that we explore alternative solutions to prevent potential delays. We worked closely with the development team to design and test the caching mechanism. We also communicated the change to stakeholders and end-users, emphasising the benefits of improved performance and user experience.

The outcome of this proactive solution was very positive, as we were able to prevent delays from occurring and ensure a smoother user experience.