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 shorts 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 the IMD’s website:
Successful candidates will be invited for an online or in person interview and further assessment, which will include an elevator pitch, a team experience, class observation (where possible) and networking with members of the MBA team.
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 minute to prepare. You will then give a short presentation to your evaluator.
Following the individual assignment, you will complete the group discussion and 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 2-3 hours, your team will have 4 minutes to 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 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 IMD 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 (40 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 2022 (the last year for which official data is available) had an average GMAT score of around 680, 3-8 years of work experience, and the ability to speak at least 2 languages.
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.
SAMPLE IMD 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 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 do in your current job?
- Why did you choose your university?
- What was your undergraduate experience like?
- What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
- Name three firms you would like to work at after your MBA.
- Why did you quit your previous job?
- Why do you want an MBA?
- Why now?
- Why IMD?
- What will you bring to IMD?
- What excites you the most about IMD?
- 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?
MISCELLANEOUS BEHAVIORAL
- Tell me an example of when things didn’t work out as you planned.
- Tell me about a time when you were pushed to your limits at work.
- How would your friends describe you?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
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.
Our MBA Resource Center has dozens of real interview mocks from IMD, 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!
Finally, just because your interview might happen on Zoom, it doesn’t mean you can relax and assume your non-verbal cues don’t matter. Though body language is not as apparent on camera as in person, it’s still an important aspect of the interview you want to make sure to take charge of.
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 IMD interview through mock interviews tailored to your profile.
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
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. That’s why 98.9% of our complete consulting clients get into at least one of their target schools.
Not only can you take advantage of our development process through multiple sessions – you can also benefit from a single session! If your budget is tight, our interview experts can focus your session on a single aspect of the preparation process, from workshopping your answers to providing mock interviews.
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!
Real MBA Essays That Got People In
School-specific sample essays that got our clients accepted
