11 Mistakes to Avoid During Your MBA Interview

By Pavel Kantorek Updated Apr 30, 2016

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Mistakes to Avoid During the MBA Interview

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You've prepared what you will say, written out questions and gotten to the interview on time. Now comes the stressful part, the actual MBA interview. Here are some things you should avoid doing if you want to make a good impression on your interviewer.

Mistakes to Avoid During the MBA Interview

Not looking the interviewer in the eye or giving a weak handshake. Lack of eye contact and limp handshakes can indicate a lack of confidence or that you're hiding something, according to a former MBA admissions dean at Chicago Booth. Making eye contact with interviewers demonstrates that you are engaged in the conversation, and care about what they are saying.
Not answering the questions you are asked. Avoid going off topic or evading a question. This includes sidestepping obvious issues like being fired from a job or poor grades. Like avoiding eye contact, not answering questions gives the impression that you either don't care or have something to hide. Take responsibility for past behavior and demonstrate how you've overcome your problems. Don't give excuses. If, after answering a question, you want to make a related point, ask the interviewer if you can make an additional point.
Not being yourself. Don't lie or exaggerate facts, since this can come back to haunt you later. While it's important to be on your best form, pretending to be someone else will hurt your chances of getting in. Most MBA Admissions officers have a lot of experience observing MBA applicants, which means that they have a built-in lie detector that alerts them to phoniness in MBA applicants. That's why you should always be yourself.
Talking too much. This can be seen as trying to dominate the interview. Lengthy answers could also bore the interviewer and cause them to tune out what you're saying. Respect the interviewer's time by limiting your answers to two to four minutes each. If the interviewer needs more information than what you give during that time, they can ask for it.
Talking too little. Shortening your answer to less than 30 seconds probably won't give the interviewer the information they want. The interviewer may also assume that you don't have anything else to offer.
Not using your best stories, because you already used them in your essays. Resist the temptation to tell new stories. Most interviews are "blind" meaning that the interviewer hasn't read your essays. So, even if you are sick of your success stories, they are new to the interviewer.
Overstepping boundaries. Don't ask personal questions or call the interviewer by his or her first name without permission.
Not bringing water. Your mouth could get dry from all the talking or nervousness.
Interrupting the interviewer. Getting stuck with a bad interviewer is no excuse for aggressive behavior. Instead, you should calmly wait for your chance to state your points and brand message.
Coming off as depressed or unfriendly. No one likes a Debbie Downer. That's why you should smile and be upbeat during the interview.
Losing your composure. Everyone knows that MBA interviews are a stressful process, but having a breakdown in front of the interviewer is a no-no. Crying indicates that you don't have the strength and maturity it takes to survive an MBA program.

Written by

Pavel Kantorek

Mansoor is a contributor to and former editor of TopMBA.com. He is a higher and business education specialist, who has been published in media outlets around the world. He studied English literature at BA and MA level and has a background in consumer journalism.