The IESE Interview – What to Expect + Sample Questions

UPDATE: This article was originally posted on October 7, 2019. It has been updated with 2023/2024 information and tips below. 

With its focus on diversity and ethical leadership, IESE is at the top of the list for an increasing number of applicants who seek to pursue (or continue pursuing) a high-impact, global career. 

However, IESE’s impressive recruiting statistics and 15-month or 19-month format has made competition to join this elite MBA more difficult than ever. 

That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your IESE admissions interview to stand out and give your IESE application your best shot. 

 

How the IESE MBA interview works 

Making sure you shine during your IESE interview is no easy task. 

IESE interviews, since they are conducted by the admissions committee, tend to be highly personalized and based on your whole application. During the interview, the interviewer is also trying to gauge how solid your motivations for wanting to pursue an MBA are, how interested you seem in the IESE program, and if you are truly a good fit for IESE’s case study methodology. 

Interviewers often ask many standard MBA interview questions, as well as questions designed to test just how collaborative you really are. You can also expect numerous follow-up questions. 

Our clients who have interviewed with IESE in the past say that the interviewer was very friendly and demonstrated a genuine interest in their answers. Though questions do tend to focus on standard MBA interview questions, be ready for anything. 

Who will interview you?

You will interview with a member of IESE’s admissions committee. Interviews and assessment days will either be held online or in person, depending on your location and interviewer preference. After being invited to interview, you will receive a link through which you can schedule a time for your interview. 

Will the interviewer have read my 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 IESE interview last?

45-60 minutes. 

How can I prepare for the IESE assessment day?

Though not required of all candidates, you may be asked to participate in an assessment day as part of IESE’s interview process. In this case, you will be given the day and location of the assessment day (if you live far away from an IESE campus, you will not be required to travel long distances to attend an assessment day). 

IESE uses the assessment day as a “hands-on” way to evaluate students and see who will be a good fit for their program. Of course, they are still considering your essays, scores, recommendations, etc., but this is really your big chance to make an impression on them. 

The day usually consists of introductions and a case study presentation, where you work in groups to present a case study they give you. It’s a good way to see several things:

• How you interact with others. Are you a leader? Silent? Aggressive?
• How do you present yourself? Do you speak well? etc. 
• How well do you handle the case study method? This is important, as it is the way the school teaches its courses. 
• How well do you “fit” with the school?

There are a few other tips, listed below, you can follow to prepare for your assessment day experience. 

1. Review your application materials. IESE is unique for going in-depth to get to know its applicants, and this means you have a greater risk of presenting an inconsistent profile. At this point, focus on knowing everything you wrote in your application inside out and make sure everything you present or add during your interview is consistent with what you have already told them. 
2. They will probably ask you to introduce yourself. Prepare your “elevator pitch” and make sure you come across as genuine and confident but without coming across as arrogant.
3. They may ask you to share something “interesting or unusual” about yourself. 
4. Review your case study skills. Here is a site with some example case studies (they are designed for people preparing for a case study interview in the consulting area, but it is good practice!). Remember that during this time, you want to maintain a good balance when it comes to contributing, leading, and supporting the team. Don’t dominate, but don’t stay quiet either. 

In addition, here are some things to keep in mind:

1. They are watching you throughout the process. Don’t mess with your phone, stare off into space, etc. While it may be very tiring to sit and listen to all the others present (this is the most common feedback people give on Assessment Day–a lot of sitting around listening to other people), remember that this is your one chance to put your best foot forward and make a good impression. They are watching everything to analyze your fit with the school. 
2. Have fun and try to enjoy yourself, but don’t forget this is essentially a day-long interview. Make sure you remind yourself throughout the day what you are there for and what your goal is. 

Other than that, also interview the school while you’re there. Prepare a list of questions you’d like to have answered (these should not be questions you can find on the website). Focus on things you would like to know about the school to determine if it is going to be a good fit for you and your business education goals.  

Finally, we suggest that you check out this video in which IESE Admissions Director Paula Amorim discusses what to expect during the Assessment Day. 

 

Who is IESE Looking For?

Source: @iesebschool on Instagram

“Every student is different – but everyone in your cohort will have something in common: a desire to make a deep and positive impact on the world.” IESE Admissions

Every year, IESE literally searches the globe (85% of the class is international in origin) for outstanding professionals to join its annual class of around 350 students. With a strong emphasis on diversity, there is no “typical” IESE student, yet admitted students had GMAT scores ranging from 580 to 750 and 5.4 years of work experience.

Beyond the impressive statistics, though, IESE 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 and university grades), IESE seeks candidates who demonstrate the following qualities:

How can you prepare for your IESE interview?

Though no interview is 100% predictable, IESE 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 IESE interviews. 

Sample IESE Interview Questions

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 IESE 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

1. Tell me about yourself.
   1. Expect follow-up questions like Why did you choose your university? What made you decide to quit your previous job (if applicable)? 
2. Can you tell me about one memorable event from your childhood?
3. What was your undergraduate experience like?
4. What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
5. What is your backup plan in case your goals are not achievable (skip if you are sponsored or working in a family business)?
6. Name three firms you would like to work at after your MBA.
7. Why do you want an MBA?
8. Why now?
9. Why IESE?
10. How will you contribute to IESE?
11. What will you get involved in outside of the classroom at IESE?
12. What excites you the most about IESE?
13. What other schools have you applied for? If you get into all of them, how will you choose where to go?
14. Have you visited campus? Spoken with alumni?

LEADERSHIP & TEAMWORK

1. Tell me about a time when you didn’t get along with your team. What did you do?
2. Tell me about one instance when you disagreed with your boss and how you handled the situation
3. How do you explain leadership?
4. What is your leadership style?
5. Tell me a leader you admire. 

MISCELLANEOUS BEHAVIORAL

1. Tell me an example of when things didn’t work out as you planned. 
2. Tell me about a time when you were pushed to your limits at work.
3. How would your friends describe you?
4. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
5. Describe a situation where you used your network to achieve something. 
6. Summarize yourself in a single sentence. 
7. Which of your previous experiences shaped you the most?
8. What is one thing you want to start doing, stop doing, and continue doing?
9. What are you reading right now?

CLOSING

1. Is there anything else you would like us to know about you? / Is there anything you wish I had asked you?
2. 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. 

Our MBA Resource Center has dozens of real interview mocks from IESE, as well as detailed guides to help you prepare for questions ranging from “Why our MBA program?” to “Tell us about a time you failed.”

The Ellin Lolis Consulting MBA Resource Center is your one-stop shop for interview success. Click to join!

If you’re still not quite confident with your interview skills, our interview experts can help you craft your answers or prepare you for the IESE interview through mock interviews tailored to your profile. 

 

What to do if you get a question you weren’t prepared 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 give your answer to show you can respond to any question they throw at you. 

 

Effectively Tell Your Story During your IESE Interview

One of the most common mistakes we see in MBA interviews is that candidates fail to tell compelling, well-constructed stories about their profiles while also nailing the basics. 

Striking this balance between sharing STAR-format examples that show off your background while also presenting strong answers to questions like “Why do you want an MBA?” is a challenging task that requires significant thought and preparation. 

Because of this, it’s no surprise that, on average, 50% of interviewed applicants walk away without an offer. 

This is why our interview preparation process here at Ellin Lolis Consulting is known as the best in the industry. We offer customized 1:1 support that ensures you’re able to turn your application’s strengths into compelling answers that show fit and sell your profile in any type of interview. 

As our former client, Henrique said, “I had a 100% acceptance rate and helped me earn a scholarship at my top choice school, IESE. She provided the most important insight into which school I fit at and how to market myself. I really recommend her since she is really committed, hard-working, and made me feel comfortable and confident during the entire process. Thanks for the phenomenal service, Ellin! “

Forget simulation platforms or long lists of tips – our 1:1 preparation focuses on playing to your strengths and overcoming your weaknesses to turn you into an interview expert. Hire our interview services here. VIP packages that allow you to work directly with Ellin sell out quickly, so make sure you sign up today!