UPDATE: This article was originally posted on January 29, 2020. It has been updated with new information and tips below.
With a strong focus on leadership and an idyllic location on the shores of Lake Geneva, the IMD MBA is one of the most popular MBA programs in Europe.
However, with impressive recruiting statistics and the close-knit network built among members of IMD’s small class, competition to join this elite MBA is more difficult than ever.
That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your IMD admissions interview to stand out. We’ve rounded up not only our best tips but have also included sample interview mocks to ensure you give your IMD interview your best shot.
How the IMD interview works
Making sure you shine during your IMD interview is no easy task, especially considering the school’s somewhat unique approach to MBA interviews.
Unlike most other programs, IMD holds assessment days, during which it conducts personal admissions interviews and has candidates complete a series of other tasks, all of which determine the committee’s final decision.
According to IMD’s website:
This is your chance to shine! We offer virtual or in-person assessment days – a vibrant journey of exploration which involves a mix of individual and group tasks in addition to your interview. Ace it, and you’ll earn a spot in the prestigious IMD MBA program.
On assessment day, candidates will first complete a personal interview with a member of the admissions committee. This will focus on questions related to your background, career plans, and interest in the IMD MBA.
After the personal interview, you will be required to complete an individual assignment (similar to a case study). You will be given the question and will have around 30 minutes to prepare. You will then give a short presentation to your evaluator.
Following the individual assignment, you will participate in a group discussion and make an impromptu team presentation. Before the assessment day, you will receive a business case via email and will begin to discuss it with members of your small group during this phase of the day. After about an hour, your team will present your conclusions.
Who will interview you?
You will interview with a member of the IMD admissions committee. The committee will also be evaluating you during the entire assessment day process.
Will the interviewer have read your application?
Yes. The interviewer will have read your entire application. Past reports indicate that interviewers develop specific questions based on your application, so make sure to take the time to review what you presented.
How long will the personal interview last?
30-60 minutes
Who is IMD looking for?
(Photo courtesy of @IMDbusinessschoolmba on Instagram)
“We want to see candidates who understand the magnitude of change and opportunity the business world is facing. You will need to convince us that you have a vision of what lies ahead and of your desire and capacity to play a part in shaping the future of our world.” IMD Admissions
Every year, IMD scours the globe (36 countries are represented in the current class) for the outstanding professionals given the honor of joining its annual class of around 100 students. With a strong emphasis on diversity, there is no “typical” IMD student, yet the average admitted student for the Class of 2025 (the last year for which official data is available) had an average of 6 years of work experience. Though IMD doesn’t release official GMAT averages, they “recommend that you aim for above a 630, or 585 in the focus edition, and 320 for GRE.”
Beyond the impressive statistics, though, IMD is looking for candidates who want to make a positive impact on the world through their careers. That’s why, in addition to strong academic performance (demonstrated through the GMAT/GRE and university grades), IMD seeks candidates who possess the following qualities:
How can you prepare for your IMD interview?
Though no interview is 100% predictable, IMD interviews do tend to center around a fairly standard list of MBA interview questions. As such, we have prepared some model questions below that previous candidates have received in their past IMD interviews.
What questions are asked in the IMD MBA interview?
The questions below are drawn from our clients’ interview reports, as well as from sites like clearadmit.com. Though these are not all the potential questions you could possibly receive during your IMD interview, preparing for these (and any follow-up questions you think you might be asked) should give you a very solid foundation for your interview.
STARTING UP QUESTIONS
- Tell me about yourself. (Expect follow-up questions)
- What do you like to do in your free time?
- What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
- Name three firms you would like to work at after your MBA.
- Why do you want an MBA?
- Why now?
- Why IMD?
- What role do you see yourself playing in the IMD community?
- What clubs will you be involved in?
- What other schools have you applied to? If you get into all of them, how will you choose where to go?
- Why is our small class size interesting for you?
LEADERSHIP & TEAMWORK
- Tell me about a time when you didn’t get along with your team. What did you do?
- Tell me about one instance when you disagreed with your boss and how you handled the situation.
- What is your leadership style? Can you give me an example?
- If you faced someone on your team who wasn’t pulling their weight, how would you handle the situation?
- How do you demonstrate reflective and responsible leadership?
MISCELLANEOUS BEHAVIORAL
- How would your friends describe you?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Tell me about a time when you were pushed to your limits at work.
- Tell me about a time when you applied a lesson from a past failure to a new project. What was the impact?
- Can you tell me about a time when you faced a morally ambiguous situation at work? How did you navigate this, and what did you learn?
- Describe a situation where you had to make a difficult decision with limited information. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?
- How do you see sustainability playing a role in your industry, and how would you incorporate sustainable practices into your work?
CLOSING
- Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?
- Is there anything you wish I had asked you?
- Questions for me?
We have found that answering real interview questions on the spot is a much better means of preparation than reading lists of interview questions for most candidates.
We highly suggest you take a look at mock interview questions and sample interview responses before your interview.
Want Personalized Guidance?
The difference between a good answer and one that actually gets you into your top-choice MBA program? Clarity about what actually matters in your story. Coach Ellin, my AI voice clone trained on 12 years of consulting, helps you find that clarity through real-time conversation in 31 languages, anytime you need it.
Test your stories at 2 AM in Spanish, brainstorm examples in Japanese, and refine your approach in English. It’s always on. Start a conversation with Coach Ellin.
What to do if you get a question you haven’t prepared an answer for
Despite your most diligent preparation, you will almost always receive a question you had not prepared.
First, stay calm and take a deep breath. You have already made it this far in the process, and one question will not trip you up!
Second, make sure you directly answer the question the interviewer asked you. For example, if the interviewer asks you about a time you had to deal with a difficult manager, make sure to tell a story about a difficult manager and how you handled the situation.
If you’re having trouble thinking of an answer or an example to support your answer, however, take a drink of water to give yourself a few more minutes to think. If you really can’t think of an example from your personal or professional experience, you can use a hypothetical answer about how you would act in a certain situation.
Finally, assume that the interviewer is testing how you think on your feet and respond to questions you didn’t prepare in advance. Though your answer might not be as polished as if you’d had weeks to rehearse it, smile and confidently respond to show you can handle any question they throw at you.
Effectively Tell Your Story During Your IMD Interview
Interview preparation isn’t about memorizing answers. It’s about finding the through-line in your stories, the moments that reveal who you are and why you matter. It’s about walking into that room with the kind of clarity and confidence that makes admissions committees lean in and listen.
That confidence comes from practice. Not just any practice, but practice with someone who knows what they’re listening for. Leland gives you access to vetted interview coaches who’ve been on both sides of the table—former admissions officers who’ve conducted hundreds of interviews, current students who just went through this process at your target schools, professionals who understand what your post-MBA goals actually require. You can book one mock interview to test your stories, multiple sessions to refine your delivery, or comprehensive prep that covers everything from storytelling to school-specific formats.
The right coach doesn’t just give you feedback. They help you find your voice and cut through the noise. Leland matches you with experts who understand your schools, your background, and what you’re working toward. Because the room might be noisy, but your voice doesn’t have to be.
Find your interview coach here.
