Acing The MBA Interview (Part 4) - Why MBA? Analysing The Most Common Responses To This Dreaded Question
In part 4 of this series, we take up the most dreaded and perhaps one question which is thrown at all interviewees at a point-in-time in an interview - Why MBA? Priyanka Grover, a 2nd year student at IIM Lucknow will take you through the most common responses to this question. There are no thumb rules in answering this but she will also advise you on how do you articulate the most convincing and genuine response. Priyanka appeared for CAT 2014 and had calls from IIM L, K,I,New IIMs, SJMSOM, DOMS IIT Delhi, VGSOM and NMIMS.
Priyanka Grover
08:00 PM
09:00 PM
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Balaji Kumar
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Shobhit Sharma
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IS 6 month gap without any work experience a hurdle in my selection for iim i got 99 percentile and i am from obc category
02:39 PM
Hi Balaji, You might be asked to explain the gap. First just admit the situation then politely tell them how that gap was essential for you to take a breather and work on the goals you had set for yourself. It won't be a problem as long as you frame the answer well. All the best!
02:43 PM
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Shobhit Sharma
Hi Priyanka.. I scored 97.03 OA and have a 4 years exp in IT product cmpy...I want to take up Marketing as major..as I want to become Product manager. Please gguide as how to convince the panel..bec I dont have any exp in marketing apart frm IT industry...
02:41 PM
Hi Shobhit, It's alright if you don't have an experience in the field. You can divide your answer into three buckets. First tell them what are your future career goals. Second explain how you developed an interest in the field in the first place(courses yo took, people you spoke with). Finally, conclude by saying how certain learnings from your 4 years of experience can help you be better at your future aspirations. All the best!
02:49 PM
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Shobhit Sharma
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what is the best way to prepare for wat and pi sessions
02:41 PM
The best way is through continuous practice. For GDs and WAT make the list of topics from previous years and the current news and discuss the same within a study group. For PI's, divide your preparation in HR and Functional. Utilise resources present on the internet to find the frequently asked questions and practice them with your friends or study mates. All the best!
02:52 PM
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Sarthak Anand
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Sarthak Anand
Hi Priyanka, I am a 2016 computer science graduate. I have very little interest in CSE subjects. Being a fresher, and having completed two internships in Marketing, is it possible to drive the interview towards Marketing, rather than answering CSE related questions?
02:52 PM
Hi Sarthak, Yes. It's always good to steer the interview towards your zone of comfort. I would advise you to pick up at least pick up one subject from your graduation and prepare it, which shows that you didn't just spend your 4 years doing nothing. But yes. If you do get asked something from your stream, you can always politely tell them about your interests and move the interview in that direction. All the best!
02:55 PM
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Sarthak Anand
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Sarthak Anand
Also, while answering questions related to short and long-term goals, is it advisable to be specific (say, Sales after completing MBA and then moving to brand) or give generic answers?
02:55 PM
If you can be specific and justify it properly, nothing like it. But it's also okay to not be completely detailed. Generic answers can be picked up but it is not advisable to say them as they are in the interview. It's always good to add a personal element. Also, you can try to be specific about the short term goals. Long-term goals need not be very well defined. Just a broad picture would do.
02:59 PM
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Sarthak Anand
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Khushbu gera
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Khushbu gera
Hi Priyanka! I have 2.5 years of IT experience in service sector. what points should i avoid/ take up while answering why mba question?
03:07 PM
Hi Khushbu, You can frame your answer with respect to the growth you want/ change of fields or some different role you will be interested in taking up. You can always justify your work experience by the learnings and how they will be useful in your future roles. Avoid trying to be defensive about change in careers and just politely tell them that your goals have changed and how an MBA will help you achieve them. All the best.
03:14 PM
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Sushant Sinha
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Challa Saiuttej98
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Sushant Sinha
Hello My CAT percentile in 86.55 (QA-94 VA 76 Di 74).NMAt 207, TISSNEt 79(expected) IIFT 48.17 Exp 19 months, Grad-56 12th-76 10th-87.5. 2014 passout(GEneral).Should I spend 1 more year for CAT keeping in mind that it is a PG course and the right selection of college will more or less decide my Future endeavors for rest of my life. BTW I am 24 now and don't have a job to make things worse. Any suggestions?
03:14 PM
Hi Sushant, Relax! It's alright to take a breather. It's a personal call. As you mentioned the right selection of the college is good but even a decent college can help you achieve your goals. Make a list of things that you expect from your PG. If a college that you get this year helps you fulfil the majority of them then it's okay to give it a shot. Else, prepare for the next year and you will be good to go. All the best!
03:20 PM
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Challa Saiuttej98
hii..priyanka....i scored 99.5 percentile in cat2016 i got call from iima...i am qualified ca,cma,cs ,b.com graduate ...what should be my answer for why mba?
03:18 PM
Hi Challa, Divide your answer into three sections. First, what kind of a career path do you see yourself(industry/field you want tot work in). Then talk about your skill sets and how the make you a good candidate. Finally talk about how an MBA (or that school in particular, IIMA here) will help you achieve those. All the best!
03:23 PM
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Abhishek Nambiar
We’re so glad that you are participating in this live chat. We’ve made a one-time addition of 100 Kredits to your Konversations account – hope you will use this soon to learn something new.
PRIYANKA GROVER
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