HBS Interview

Unfortunately a number of highly informative BW posts about Harvard Business School  interviews were deleted as a result of the HBS-ApplyYourself fiasco. The good news is that the MBA Interview Feedback Database has excellent HBS feedback with lots of sample questions.

A few tips:

• HBS interviews (like MIT's) are based on your application.  Unlike the blind interviews conducted by most schools, the interviewer has read your essays and other material already. Be prepared to supplement and explain what you have already submitted.
• HBS wants to see fit. Have examples of leadership. Know why you want a case-method school.
• Be ready to respond to any questions about weaknesses or gaps in your application.
• Prepare to explain reasons behind your career choices, your motivations, and why you think you can succeed.
• They frequently ask questions about what you do in your free time or personal reading.

A taste of HBS interview questions (Many more in the database linked to above):

1. Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a client and how you resolved it.
2. Describe a time you had to implement a change and make your team follow you.
3. What do you do in your free time?
4. Tell me about your career. Why you made choices along your career ­ starting with what choices you had graduation.
5. Can you describe to me what you do ­ pretending I’m a lay person?
6. Why are you good at what you do?
7. What do you think would be the challenge in reaching your goal?

If you would like interview coaching or mock interviews to help you prepare for your HBS or other b-school interviews, please see Accepted.com's MBA Interview Services.