How to Answer Why MBA Question in Personal Interview? Sample Included

Among the frequently asked questions in Personal Interviews for MBA admissions, “Why MBA?” stands on top. Check here how to prepare for the question, how to answer, with a sample answer here.

How to Answer Why MBA Question: Personal Interviews can be even more daunting when one is aiming for PG admission to MBA courses. Personal Interview is typically a part of almost all MBA admissions. The admission process to pursue an MBA course typically starts with completing registration for the desired MBA entrance exam. Entrance exams are conducted at the university, state, and national levels. Every Institute decides the MBA cutoff to prepare a shortlist. Candidates who are shortlisted appear for MBA selection rounds such as Personal Interviews (PI), Group Discussion (GD), Written Ability Test (WAT), etc.

Among other frequently asked questions for MBA personal interviews, “Why MBA?” is the most common MBA PI question. Answering ‘Why MBA?’ can be tough in some cases, while proper PI preparation can help your answer to become a deal-breaker. This article on the MBA PI question series will guide you on why this question is important, how to prepare for this question and how to answer the “Why MBA” question. This article also hosts a sample answer for why MBA questions help candidates give the best in the MBA Personal Interview round.

What is the Motive of Interviewer behind “Why MBA” Question?
Interviewers derive conclusions on whether to select a candidate for admission or not based on the answers. The answer for “Why MBA?” will come in handy to help them decide whether the candidate would be a worthy student or not. The motive behind the “why MBA?” question is to know:

How important is an MBA degree for the candidate
Future plans of the candidate
Ambition
Discipline

Some interviewers are expecting an answer to know what the candidates think is achievable via an MBA course which they can’t achieve without an MBA. While some want to know the reason behind choosing the B-school. Based on the answers from the candidate, the interviewer concludes whether you are keen to gain knowledge from the course or want an MBA tag.

Undoubtedly, better scores would come to those who express their willingness of gaining knowledge by pursuing an MBA course, or who knows how an MBA degree aligns with their future career plans.

How to Prepare for “Why MBA” Question?

Interviewers are looking for a well-researched answer. Some of the key preparation tips for the ‘why MBA’ question will include the following:

Analyze course curriculum of the b-school

One must analyze what they will learn from an MBA degree from the particular b-school. The answer that will have course details will help the interviewer interpret what you are actually willing to gain from the course.

Check the course testimonials of the b-school

Testimonials would help candidates gain in-depth knowledge of how this course has helped the alumni. The key highlights of the course will be included in the course testimonials. Candidates can design the answer based on the primary features of the course.

Research about the applications of the skills obtainable

Once you know the skills obtained from the course, you must research how these skills are helpful in the real world. Design the answer by laying a use case of the skills and how you will be solving a bigger problem.

Draft more than one reason to pursue the course

To personalise the answer, one can share why they want to pursue a particular MBA specialisation from a particular b-school. This would help you personalise the answer, and in turn help the interviewer analyse that you have done the research beforehand. While laying out the benefits of the course, prepare an outline of more than one benefit of the course from a particular college. Some of them can include:

Pedagogy
Class strength
B-school Reputation
Placement reports
Notable alumni

Some generic benefits that a candidate should add in the answer should include:

Career advancement
Skill development
Enriching professional knowledge
Networking opportunities

Prepare a brief answer beforehand

An answer beyond 200 words might lead to a boring conversation. Prepare a short answer, of word count ranging from 150 to 180 words. Try adding as many details as possible by keeping the sentences short. Show the interviewer that you can add key points concisely. A one to two-minute answer will keep the conversation smooth without diverging from the topic.

Anticipate follow-up questions

Based on the answer you practised, check for all possible questions that the interviewer can ask. For example, the interview panellists could ask:

Why would you consider XYZ college over other admission calls you received?
Where else have you applied? What other calls have you received?
How will your batchmates benefit if we select you?
What attempts have you made to know about our MBA course?
Why don’t you consider doing an executive MBA while working?

How to Answer “Why MBA” Question in MBA PI?

One is required to explain how the MBA course can help them have the last laugh. Explain why a PG management degree is chosen over any other masters degree course. Candidates must emphasise skills that are obtainable from the post graduate programme in Management and how these can help in your future career track, including the field of your interest, job function, industry requirements, and more.

The only way to answer the question is, to be honest. You can explain your reasons for pursuing an MBA course. Interviewers will catch when you try to outsmart them with an answer which you designed to impress them in the first place. If you are not sure of how an MBA could help you in your career path, and are pursuing only to explore other options in future, tell them honestly. Answer with the skills that are obtainable from the course, and tell the interviewer that you will be exploring options while pursuing the course.

MBA PI Sample Answer for “Why MBA?”

Here is an example of the “why MBA” question that could help you draft your answer with a holistic approach:

My short-term career goal is to get placed in a flourishing startup and use the management skills obtainable from the course to take the business to new heights. In the long term, I would use my leadership and people management skills to work at a senior position in a global leading company.

I currently work as an operations associate at a mediocre organisation. I wish to enter the e-commerce sector with all the knowledge of the sector which is possible with the help of the MBA in Supply Chain Management course offered at this b-school. I am aware that the alumni of this college are placed in some leading e-commerce organisations, I could leverage the networking opportunities from the college.

I did rigorous research into different business schools before applying here. I am impressed with the offerings at the institute via the pedagogy, alumni network, cultural diversity, and RoI of the college. I firmly believe that an MBA from your institution can prepare me for future career endeavours.