Discussing Career Goals as an MBA Applicant

By Ryan Hickey Updated Jun 02, 2016

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Introduction
Ryan Hickey
1. It is fine if you have ambitions, but you don't need to want to revolutionize your industry in order to impress the MBA admissions officers.
2. Don’t be too vague about your ambitions during your MBA interview.
3. Know the steps you will need to take to achieve your post-MBA career goals.
4. Don’t be afraid to admit that there's something that you don't know in your interview.

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The Secrets to MBA Interview Success: Be Prepared

Ryan Hickey

During an MBA interview, applicants often feel put on the spot when asked to write or talk about their post-MBA career goals. In our heads, our career aspirations are obvious, complete, and exciting; trying to convey this to another person, however, can seem like torture. No matter how much we talk or write, it never seems to fully capture our true desires and vision for post-MBA life.

1. It is fine if you have ambitions, but you don't need to want to revolutionize your industry in order to impress the MBA admissions officers.

Some people genuinely are dedicated to becoming nothing less than game changers in their chosen field, whether that's the private sector, government work, or anything in between. Good for them, but more modest goals can actually be more persuasive in that they are easier to convey in a coherent and realistic way.

This isn't to say that you should lower your ambitions when discussing the future; rather, make sure that you can clearly express exactly what you want to accomplish and how you plan to turn goals into reality. Writing that you want to do 'something great’ isn't helpful or illuminating to anyone. Also, many schools specifically ask you to make direct connections between that school's program and your short, mid and long-term career goals.

2. Don’t be too vague about your ambitions during your MBA interview.

On the other hand, the problem some MBA applicants have is the opposite of this grandiose approach, getting so caught up in the idea that it is impossible to fully predict the future that they inadvertently give the impression that they have no real direction in their career. There's no need to write things like 'life may lead me down a different path' or 'whatever road life ultimately takes me'.

While humility and realism may be appreciated in an MBA applicant, keep in mind that MBA admissions officers are savvy people who already understand that life has its twists and turns. State your goals and ambitions clearly and with passion to earn the respect of MBA admissions officers; don't worry about hedging your bets.

3. Know the steps you will need to take to achieve your post-MBA career goals.

You know what you want to do, and you know how to express this to others. So, how exactly are you going to achieve this? Granted, you don't need to know every single detail, but you do need to show that your goals are feasible. Most of all, remember to emphasize that attending an MBA program is one of the critical steps in the process.

4. Don’t be afraid to admit that there's something that you don't know in your interview.

During the MBA interview, your interviewer might point out an item or an issue about one of your goals that you had not previously considered. Don't feel embarrassed or ashamed for not knowing everything there is to possibly know, and certainly don't apologize for hearing something for the first time. Acknowledge the topic gracefully with a reply such as, “That's an interesting point that I need to research further,” or “That's why I'm so enthusiastic about this program, because it will broaden my global mindset.” Thank them for their insights at the end of the interview.

MBA programs are typically looking for a broad variety of MBA applicants who have diverse personal and career goals. Whatever your goals are, state them with confidence and enthusiasm. If you are expressing passion and a sense of purpose, then the MBA selection committee will sense that and want to learn more about your potential to excel both in and after their program.

Written by

Ryan Hickey

Ryan Hickey is the managing editor of Peterson's & EssayEdge and is an expert in many aspects of college, graduate, and professional admissions. A graduate of Yale University, Ryan has worked in various admissions capacities for nearly a decade, including writing test-prep material for the SAT, AP exams, and TOEFL, editing essays and personal statements, and consulting directly with applicants.