Winter 2012

The Unofficial Harvard Business School Interview Guide

The Harbus
The Independent Newspaper of the Harvard Business School Community

The Harbus Newspaper

The Harvard Business School
Boston, MA 02163
www.harbus.org 2
Twitter: @TheHarbusHBS
W hile most know The Harbus as the weekly newspaper for the Harvard Business School
community, the staff of The Harbus also enjoys providing what we believe are necessary services
to our readers and, in this case, to all those interested in someday joining the HBS community.
This guide is one of those efforts.

Whereas competitors’ products derive from “historical knowledge” of the admissions process and
interaction with “recent applicants,” our guide bestows first-hand insight, advice and analysis from
current HBS students as well as real interview questions from real interviews of real students.
Better yet, because this guide is continuously updated, all questions come from current or recent
students, meaning at most you’ll be just a few years removed from their interview experiences.
Likewise, the analysis we provide comes not from “recent applicants” but from those who got in,
enrolled, and are now immersed in HBS culture. Who better to hold your hand through this
difficult and all-too-often nebulous process?

That said, we’re not even going to pretend to have all the answers to the interview process. We
have no clue what your interviewer’s going to ask you…heck, your interviewer doesn’t even know
what she’s going to ask you this early in the game. The answer, however, is NOT to say “screw it”
and walk into the interview cold. Rather, you can guess at how the interview will unfold, what
questions you’ll be asked, and what responses, if any, you’ll receive from your interviewer. With
our help, those guesses can become very educated. Maybe, just maybe, you’ll find that all this
hard work pays off when your interviewer asks you what leader you most admire, and you can
breathe easily, knowing that’s one less question you have to panic about.

We hope that this publication will help you to navigate these next few weeks with a bit more
confidence and a bit less terror. The goal is to provide you with a roadmap to jumpstart the
process, eliminate some ambiguity, and earmark some valuable resources for you to leverage.

Before you scour through this guide, please join us in thanking our wonderful classmates both for
directly providing some content and for advising us throughout the publication process. Countless
students took valuable time and effort out of their busy schedules to pitch in and help, and we
know this guide would not have been possible without their support and contributions.

On behalf of The Harbus staff, thanks so much, and good luck in the interview!

Jehan deFonseka, Editor-in-Chief

Miguel Ruiz, Publisher

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Other Harbus Resources
The Harbus provides many additional means to learn more about HBS, to both improve your chances of
getting accepted as well as to inform your decision on whether HBS is the right place for you.

Visit The Harbus newspaper www.harbus.org to learn about pressing student issues and key developments
in the lives of HBS students. Read about new HBS startups, as well as interviews with key individuals in
industry and government.

If you prefer a print subscription, visit http://www.harbus.org/subscribe/ to order a print subscription for
weekly delivery. For $30, you will get every single issue of The Harbus for an entire year. This is a great
way to get a feel for what’s going on at HBS.

To continue the discussion, follow The Harbus on Twitter (@TheHarbusHBS) for interview tips as well as
articles of the day.

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Table of Contents
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ..........................................................................................6

INTERVIEW PREPARATION.................................................................................................7

Step-by-Step Walkthrough.....................................................................7

Writing the Thank-You Note..................................................................9

Prep Tips from Current Students ..........................................................9

Looking the Part ....................................................................................10

INTERVIEW STRATEGY .....................................................................................................11

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS & ANALYSIS ...........................................................................13

Experience……..................................................................................13

Current Events....................................................................................20

Leadership……..................................................................................22

Situational ……...................................................................................25

Career…………..................................................................................26

Program………..................................................................................30

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR CAMPUS VISIT ...................................................33

Suggested Weekday & Weekend Add-Ons .........................................33

What Not To Miss................................................................................34

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR BOSTON VISIT....................................................35

CONCIERGE GUIDE .............................................................................................................40

HELPFUL INTERNET LINKS...............................................................................................41

MAP OF HBS CAMPUS ........................................................................................................42

MAP OF HARVARD SQUARE .............................................................................................43

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Background Information
Since the interview became a prerequisite for admission to Harvard Business School’s MBA
program in 2002, four key points have consistently resonated throughout all related literature:

1) The interview is an information-gathering exercise meant to enhance the information HBS

has already reviewed in your written application.
2) Interviews are an indication of interest, but not a guarantee of admission.
3) The timing of your interview invitation bears no relevancy to the status of your
application and the timing of your interview will not impact your candidacy in any way.
4) Every candidate HBS admits will be interviewed.

That said those interviews can occur via three methods:

1) An interview with an alum in your local area

2) A telephone interview with a member of the MBA Admissions Board
3) An on- or off-campus interview with an alum or MBA Admissions Board member

Though your interview invitation will indicate a default method based upon your location, please
note that you are welcome to request via phone call a change if it is too difficult for you to travel.

For our purposes here and in the “Interview Strategy” section, we’ll focus on the 3rd (and by far
most common) interview method, though many of the same logistics apply to the other two.
Moreover, the same strategies apply to all three methods, and you can expect the same sorts of
questions regardless of your interviewer’s location and of your means of contact with him or her.

Without a doubt, the quickest and easiest way to botch an interview is to show up late. Here’s the
sort of timing that HBS expects of you and that you can expect of HBS when the big day comes:

1) Set aside one hour in your schedule for your interview

2) Arrive at the Admissions Office in Dillon House 20 minutes before your interview time
3) Your interview will take exactly 30 minutes (more on this later!)

Finally, the kicker: “roughly half of the candidates interviewed are admitted.” That’s HBS
Admissions’ words, not ours! After all the blood, sweat and tears you poured into your
application and all the anticipation leading up to that glorious interview invitation, your future
comes down to a 50-50 shot. You’ll either get in, or you won’t, and the chances are “roughly”
even. You can use those odds as a reason for self-congratulation (I’m already practically in,
right?), for complacency (it’s like the flip of a coin) or for motivation (I’m soooooo close, but it’s
going to be hard work and superior preparation that get me into HBS, NOT luck).

You’ve got one heck of a motivated cohort with which to contend. Consider the interview like a
marathon. Your performance on the big day will, of course, be what makes or breaks your
success, but that performance is entirely dependent on all of the hard work you put in leading up
to your interview. Do not slack off this late in the game. You owe it to all those qualified
candidates who didn’t receive interview invitations, and most importantly, you owe it to yourself.

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Interview Prep: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Day 1: You received your interview invitation from HBS, flipped out with excitement, then
immediately sought out and purchased this guide. Congratulations, good luck and smart thinking!

Your first step, obviously, is to schedule your interview, something you’ll want to do ASAP
because all the best slots will begin filling up as soon as invites go out. If at all possible, shoot for
the beginning or end of the business week so as to make a weekend out of your interview visit.
You’ll benefit both from a fuller HBS experience and from the chance to get out and explore
beyond the campus to Cambridge and the greater Boston area. If work just won’t permit you to
miss that sort of time, do the best you can, but keep in mind that the more time you set aside, the
less stressful and more rewarding your visit will prove.

Also carefully consider the time a day for which you schedule your interview. This should go
without saying, but if you’re not a morning person, do NOT schedule a 9 a.m. interview! Also, be
wary of an early afternoon interview, as you don’t want to have to hurry from lunch to your
interview without even the chance to stop by the bathroom, brush your teeth, check yourself out,
etc. Ultimately, the time a day at which you’re most likely to perform your best is known to you
and you alone. Just be smart, and try not to veer too far from your comfort zone if at all possible.

Once you’ve scheduled your interview, make any necessary travel arrangements (be sure to give
yourself a large cushion on the front end to ensure there’s no possible way any sort of delay –
you’re flying into Boston during winter! – could make you miss your interview) and lodging
arrangements (see page 35 for hotel suggestions), then put your feet up and chill. You deserve a
day off, and this will be the last one you get until after the big day!

Day 2: Thus begins your new morning routine, which you should follow right up until the day
prior to your interview. Browse all the headlines of all the major business news sites (wsj.com,
the NYT’s business section, economist.com), read any stories that seem particularly pertinent, and
also be sure to hit up any sites that cover your industry in particular (don’t want to get broadsided
during your interview!).

Is anything you read during this newfound morning news routine in between now and the big day
likely to be addressed during your interview? No. But will you look like an idiot if your
interviewer refers to a big story, especially one from your industry, and all you can say is “huh”?
Absolutely! And you can always take the initiative and refer to current events yourself. Being
over-prepared and over-read certainly can’t hurt you during the interview. It can only help, and
that’s what this guide is all about!

The Weeks Leading Up To Your Interview: Keep up with your morning news routine, and read
through your application constantly until you know it backwards and forwards. Then read it some
more so that you know it inside and out. The interviewer can and will refer to specifics from your
application, and the quickest and easiest way to blow your shot at HBS (besides being late to your
interview!) is to appear unfamiliar with – or worse yet, to actually contradict – your application.

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Aside from knowing your application, the best possible way to prepare for the interview is simply
to practice answering the sorts of questions you’re likely to face on the big day. Conveniently
enough, we’ve compiled a list of real questions from real interviews of real (and current, at that!)
HBS students to facilitate this practice (see pages 14-25).

Now let’s be clear here. Would it be worth your valuable time to carefully craft eloquent
responses to each of these 50-odd questions and then memorize those responses so you’re ready
to regurgitate them come interview time? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Do that, and we guarantee your
interview will be a disaster! Rather, take rough notes as to how you’d answer each question
should you be asked it (or much more likely, should you be asked a somewhat similar one).
Ideally, you’ll be asked at least some similar questions to the ones you will have prepared for
during your actual interview. Most assuredly and most importantly, preparing for these questions
will force you to think critically about the sorts of issues your interviewer is most definitely going
to touch upon (your strengths, your weaknesses, your leadership style, your career choice, your
future goals, why you’d like an MBA, why HBS, etc.). That’s why we’ve gathered all those real
questions for you, and that’s how you should spend the bulk of your time preparing between now
and interview day – that and rereading your application…did we mention that?

The Week Of: Get your suit dry-cleaned, your shoes polished and your hair cut (if you haven’t
already done so!), make any last-minute travel arrangements, tie up any loose ends at work, etc.

Two Nights Before: If you’re the kind of person who gets so nervous about a high-impact and
high-pressure event that you can hardly sleep at all the night before, how do you ensure you’re
not deliriously sleep-deprived come interview time? Simple, just get TONS of sleep two (and
even three) nights before your interview. That way, should you toss and turn the night before your
interview, you’ll at least be running on a little more than fumes on your big day.

The Day Before: Do a last-minute perusal of the news sites and blogs (especially those pertaining
to your industry) to make sure nothing big breaks without you knowing. For example, let’s say
you’re in the technology sector and talk about wanting to launch an eBook-selling startup all
throughout your application – you’d look like an idiot if your interview were the day after
Amazon launched a new Kindle device, your interviewer asked you for your thoughts, and you
had no clue. A bit extreme, we admit, but you get the idea. You want to have a strong grasp of
what’s going on throughout the world, what’s going on in the business world and, most
importantly, what’s going on within your sector.

The Day Of: Be sure to eat a substantial breakfast, especially if you have an afternoon interview
and think you’ll be too nervous to get much down for lunch. Start getting dressed in plenty of
time for your interview, leave your hotel in plenty of time for your interview (if you don’t have
on-campus activities planned beforehand), arrive at Dillon House to check-in for your interview
in plenty of time, use the bathroom downstairs if you need to, then RELAX! You’ve done
everything you can do to prepare. Take solace in that fact, take a deep breath, and knock their
socks off! (But don’t forget to get a business card from your interviewer for thank-you purposes.)

Day After: Send your interviewer a thank-you note (or email). Here’s how:

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Writing the Thank You Note
Once you interview, it is important to send a thank-you note as soon as possible, preferably
within 48 hours. Generally, sending a thank-you letter via email is perfectly acceptable.
Remember, the thank-you note gives you one last opportunity to validate your candidacy and
connect with your interviewer.

A few tips to keep in mind when writing your thank-you message:

• Reference a specific aspect of your interview and interviewer. This will make you more
memorable.
• Brief is better than eloquent and long-winded.
• Timeliness is best, but it is never too late to send a thank-you note.
• Three sentences will suffice: express thanks; note which aspects of the conversation you
enjoyed or were most interested in; and cite something unique about the conversation.
• Using “Thanks again” as your valediction a safe way to end.

Hand-Written vs. E-mail

In an era of lightning-fast communication, taking time to craft a hand-written note can help you
stand out in the eyes of an interviewer. Even so, e-mailing a note after an interview is perfectly
well-received.

Prep Tips from Current Students

“Read and re-read your application. The interview is different from those of other business
schools because the application has been read in detail by the person interviewing. You should go
beyond the surface resume questions and think about what a thoughtful reader of your application
might ask.”

“I first went over my application to remember the details. Then I identified the parts of my story
that might not seem coherent and thought about why I made those choices that others might
question.”

“I got a variety of perspectives by talking to HBS alums and current students. I spent time in
reflection. I knew my application really well. And I got a good night’s sleep.”

“I went over HBS’s website in detail, writing down key themes in the message they were trying
to send. I then organized my experience according to these themes. This helped me make sure I
was showing the interviewer someone who would fit well.”
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Looking the Part
Men

 Suit color palate for the formal interview: black, grey, or navy blue. You may choose plain
or (sensible) pin-stripes.
 Black does not go with brown. A black suit requires a black belt, shoes, socks. Navy can pair
with black or brown accessories.
 Shirt/Tie color should not be distracting.
 Make sure the suit fits properly. Ask a tailor.
 Do not wear cologne or anything else that has a strong smell.
 Mints are essential but make sure it’s dissolved before you start the interview. No gum.

Women

 Suit color and style should be simple and classic. Skirt lengths need to be at least knee
length. Make sure tops fit appropriately. When in doubt choose a conservative cut.
 Wear closed toed pumps with a heel height of 1-3 inches.
 Hair and make-up should be natural and clean. Keep hair out of your face and do not play
with it during interviews.
 Handbags should be left at home unless they could theoretically fit a legal pad and laptop,
opt for a large structured tote.
 Choose jewelry/accessories that complement your outfit, not flashy baubles that distract.
 Keep your look clean and professional.

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Interview Strategy
• Spots for off-site interviews (such as the ones California) fill up fast. Be sure to schedule a date as
soon as you can.

 Be prepared for questions relevant only to you and your application. It is not uncommon for an
interview to focus entirely on one part of your application, a project you worked on, an essay you
wrote in college that you mentioned once in passing. So be sure to be very familiar with all
aspects of your application.

 Seriously, know your application inside and out. Be able to explain everything in great detail.

 Be honest with yourself and your interviewer. Lying about any aspect of your experience is an
impending disaster.

• Establish a sense of rapport with your interviewer. You both want the same thing – to see you
receive and accept an offer to attend HBS.

• Put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes. Think about what might concern him or her about your
application and practice addressing those issues.

• Be prepared. Most interviews are won or lost based on preparation.

• Convey your added value with three or four positive attributes, and give examples to
demonstrate each of those attributes.

• What are the questions you hope the interviewer won’t ask? Know your resume and
application backwards, forwards and inside-out.

• Be matter-of-fact in your responses, not defensive.

• Have several good questions prepared to ask your interviewer, although you’ll most likely be left
with time for only one (if that).

• Be able to explain why you are passionate about business (both in the present and the past) and how
HBS will help you to achieve your future goals.

• Control the situation. Take it upon yourself to make the interviewer comfortable.
• Control the frame. Keep things positive even if asked something negatively (“What did you
like least about your previous work as…?”).

• Communicate to your interviewer that you really want to attend HBS and that there is an
excellent chance you would enroll if offered a spot.

• Your interviewer will likely be glancing at his or her watch constantly to keep track of time. This
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 can be extremely disconcerting, so be prepared!

• Don’t let it throw you for a loop if your interviewer is furiously scribbling on his or her notepad
the entire 30 minutes. Many interviewers will be more focused on taking notes than on carrying
on a so-called “conversation.” That’s OK, even to be expected.

• Some interviewers won’t ever interrupt you with a follow-up question or even with a new
question. Rather, they’ll let you keep talking until the cows come home, so know when to shut
up! Just answer the question, then stop talking and allow your interviewer room to ask another.

• Practice, practice, practice!!! (And do it before your interview.)

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Interview Questions and Analysis
And now what you’ve all been waiting for – real questions from real interviews of real HBS
students, along with real analysis from…you guessed it…real HBS students. Please note that
said analysis is in no way intended to provide scripted responses, as you’ll very soon see. Every
applicant is different and every interviewer is different, so any attempt to put words in your
mouth would surely do far more harm than good. Rather, we’re hoping only to get your creative
juices flowing and to give you an idea of what lines you should be thinking along, what traps to
be sure to avoid, what sorts of things your interviewer will likely want to hear, and so on. But
most importantly, be genuine, because that’s what every interviewer is looking to see.

EXPERIENCE

Walk me though your resume.

Make your resume a narrative rather than merely relating a series of unconnected events. Focus
on upward progression. If there’s a gap in your resume – perhaps from a period of unemployment
– don’t shy away from that but also don’t dwell on it. Mention it, own it, and move on. Turn it
into a period of personal development by sharing what you did to keep busy. Also be sure to cap
your time. Keep your “walk” to 5 minutes, and don’t spend all your time in one area versus
another. For example, don’t go on and on about your college experience to the detriment of your
more relevant work experience.

Forget that I read your application, and tell me about yourself.

This is where you should have a previously prepared story that you rehearse over and over
throughout the coming weeks. You know you are going to get some kind of intro question that’s
specific to you and specific to your story, so practice it like an elevator pitch. If you’ve got one
minute with someone, what are the salient, memorable, and striking things you can say about
yourself? Go beyond your resume; what are you passionate about?

How did you decide to attend your undergraduate college? Why did you choose your
undergraduate major/field of study?

The interviewer wants to see how internally consistent your story is. How do the individual
building blocks add up to a rational whole? Your job is to defend your choice and show why it
makes sense. This assures the interviewer that you’re self-aware and thoughtful in your decisions.

Business school is a situation in which you’re constantly making big decisions, and you need to be
able to convey what your assumptions were and what your thought process was in three bullet
points. Likewise, that’s how you should attack any question asking why you made a big decision

Answering the question should naturally fall out of your extended story. You should be able to
point to specific instances in your career in which your undergraduate major came in handy, or
how your major shaped your future decisions. Note that the question is not just about choosing

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your undergrad major, but why you stuck with it. Even if you hated your field of study, talk about
how you turned it into a positive.

A really good answer will go into self-discovery. Most people go into undergrad unsure of what
they want to do—that’s ok. Think about how your decision-making process evolved, and what
experiences during undergrad shaped that process.

Tell me about your university times? Any specific classes you liked, didn't like? What can you tell
me about your university quality of education?

This is a specific type of reflection question that is really asking you to think critically about your
undergraduate experience and discuss the things that stand out now - several years later.
Discussing both highs and lows would be appropriate, but it is important to not appear to negative
about any of the lows you discussion. Most people have very strong connections to their
undergraduate experience and institution, so it would be appropriate to be enthusiastic and
passionate about the experiences that you choose to talk about. When addressing the quality of
your university’s education, you should offer an honest assessment while an exceptional answer
would probably address how you would improve the things you did not like if given the chance.
It’s probably not a good idea to talk about negatives from your undergraduate experience that
would also potentially apply to your time at HBS - for example, saying you struggled to stay
engaged in your classes is probably not a great idea unless you follow it up by talking about how
excited you are by HBS’ case method and field projects (in contrast to the lectures you might
experience at other schools).

What would you say is the brand of your undergraduate university?

This question is trying to assess how reflective you are about your undergraduate institution and by
extension your life in general. Your answer should show a clear approach to how you aggregate a
collection of disparate experiences and impressions that you had during your time at your
university into a coherent picture of that institution. The important concept here is that you’re
basing you were sufficiently observant while a mere student that you realized the larger context in
which your university was operating and its positioning within that context. It is worth mentioning
that this positioning might be the result of conscious branding attempts by the university’s
administration or may simply be the unintended generalizations that result from your personal
experiences and observations. Taking either approach in your answer can be reasonable, but it is
important to explain why you believe the brand is what you have indicated. As with many
questions, the goal here is to understand your thought process as well as the degree to which you
can take your head out of the sand and look beyond your immediate context.

What would you change about your undergraduate experience?

The goal here should be to offer one or more well-reasoned changes while not appearing overly
negative about your experience. You should be demonstrating an ability to be reflective and
critical without attacking or being overly aggressive/negative about your undergraduate university.
There are two broad approaches to answering this question: one that focuses on how you would
change your personal experiences and one that focuses more on changing your undergraduate
university more broadly. For the first, focus on decision points during your undergraduate
experience where there was a reasonable alternative path and you, in retrospect, think that might

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have been a better choice than whatever decision you had actually taken. For the second, imagine
that you were talking directly to your university’s President and wanted to clearly communicate
your changes without putting him/her too much on the defensive. More thoughtful or serious
suggestions are probably more appropriate than “fun” suggestions such as “I would like to have
school-sponsored happy hours every Friday”.

What was your favorite class in undergrad? Not in your major?

A straightforward assessment of your intellectual curiosity. Remember that the interviewer is far
more interested in why a class was your favorite than in what the class focused on. For both
variants, aim for a one-sentence description of the class itself and several sentences about the class’
significance.

What was your proudest moment in college?

Consider what your choice of moments reveals about you and your priorities. You probably want
to select something reasonably substantive and high impact -- winning the heart of your freshman-
year crush is probably not the right answer to this question.

How would your friends (or boss, or network, etc.) describe you, in three words?

This is your chance to show how you want to be portrayed. Use this question as an opportunity to
showcase your strengths, especially those you feel may not have come across in your application.
Though relatively exhaustive, the HBS application is by no means a complete representation of
anyone. That’s why you’re interviewing in the first place!

At the same time, the interviewer wants to see self awareness. Remember, they have seen your
recommendations, which likely contain a friend, boss, etc., saying something about you.
Embellish, but be realistic.

Tell me one thing about you that would surprise me.

Try to think of some missing piece of you that, for whatever reason, you couldn’t write about in
your application. Do not use an example from your application materials! Think about conveying a
passion that’s completely unrelated to business school that shows you’re a well-rounded human
being who does things in your spare time besides spreadsheets.

What do you do in your spare time?

However you spend your spare time, the key is to convey passion. Be wary about just listing
every non-profit you’ve ever worked for and all the community service you’ve ever done
because that’s already in your application. Think about what your ideal day would be – if you
had the chance to be doing anything, what would you most likely be doing? Also, be sure you
don’t just start listing your extracurriculars. Pick two things you’re really passionate about, and
whatever you say, don’t just think of it as a cursory list.

Be prepared to be specific and describe the situation. For example, lots of people say reading. If
you say reading, you’d better be prepared to follow that up – if prompted by your interviewer –
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with what books you’ve been reading, what books you want to read next, your favorite books of
all time, etc. This is also an opportunity to be memorable, so if you want to talk about distinct
hobbies and interests then go for it!

Describe something that you should start doing, do more of, and do less of?

This question is driving at your ability to step outside of yourself and perform honest appraisal.
Can you see and act on your trouble areas? Self awareness is key and the ability to make good
judgement. HBS is tired of the image of its students as egotistical; they are looking for someone
who knows they don’t have it all figured out yet.

Do you consider yourself to be an artist?

Being an artist is very broad, it could mean many things. Your interviewer clearly wants to see
two sides of you here. This question also gets at your working style and the way you think about
the world. Are you more of a top-down thinker versus a bottoms-up thinker? Do you like more or
less structured working environments? Take a moment to frame this question the right way, and
be able to bring in examples of why you think so. Also, define what you think an artist is. A lot of
times, your preconceived notion or definition of a word may be very different from someone
else’s, so by bringing your interviewer up to speed on the assumption(s) you’re making before
you answer the question, he or she sees how you think, which is key throughout the interview
process.

What is your favorite kind of chocolate?

Some questions can come out of nowhere. This is one of them. It’s important to remember that
interviewers are not assigned specific questions to ask interviewees. Each question is designed to
unlock part of your personality. We wish that we could predict every question you will be asked.
Unfortunately, that’s pretty much impossible. Watch out for the curve balls.

What is your favorite cartoon?

Another “fun” question. Here’s a chance to express your uniqueness and personality.

Do you read for fun? What was the last book you read?

This is a surprisingly common question—in fact, it’s one of Dee Leopold’s favorites. This is
another one of those “Don’t lie” questions. The interviewer wants to see how you spend your
spare time. Note: it is ok to say something that has nothing to do with your career. The book
could emphasize your intellectual curiosity in a specific area, but it could just be a way to transition
into another aspect of your persona.

Be prepared to explain your choice, what you thought of it, and what you learned from it.

What is the most interesting conversation you have had this week?

Keep this professional, worldly and, most likely, news-related. This is actually kind of a softball
question if you consider all the conversations you have each week. Before you head to your
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interview, just jot some recent conversations down as examples of what you spend your time
thinking about. Also use this as an opportunity to showcase your preparation, especially your
morning news routine.

Talk to me about a challenging situation you faced. Describe the situation and how you
overcame it.

You obviously need to have prepared a “challenging situation” story in advance. This is
something you should always have in your tool kit. Make sure the challenging situation can be
easily described in two sentences because you want to focus the bulk of your time on how you
overcame that challenge. Also make sure the fact that you found a situation challenging does not
necessarily imply a negative or that you’re dwelling on the negative. Never come across as
negative or pessimistic, but rather as strong and positive.

A great answer will also include how the situation affected other people. HBS is perpetually
concerned with its students being perceived as egotistical and self-absorbed. Make sure you do
not fall into these categories.

Please tell me about three failures you have had.

When you’re talking about failures, talk about why they were failures. It doesn’t have to be a big
thing that’s a failure for everyone; a small, personal failure can show a lot of strength of character
in its resolution. For example, if you pride yourself on being a perfectionist but can’t make pasta
to save your life, that could be a failure. Make sure it’s something you’ve failed at as opposed to
a situational failure that you were just a part of and just couldn’t help because that makes it sound
as if you’re shirking your responsibilities.

Needless to say, always bring these questions back to the positive (i.e. what you learned from a
challenging situation, failure, etc., and how you corrected the situation in an innovative way).

What is your greatest weakness?

You want to make this a real weakness, and one you have taken small steps toward addressing.
Inability to delegate is a one people use over and over again, try to stay away from this example.
Making weaknesses situational is a good strategy because it allows you to tell it in the form of a
story and to provide a happy ending.

However, this question doesn’t come up as often as you would think. It tends to be so common
elsewhere that interviewers often won’t use it. Still, you will see elements of strength and
weakness questions in other questions, so you’d best be ready! Don’t say you work too hard or
care too much or you have no work-life balance. Try to make the weakness relevant, try to be
honest, and try to have a story about how you’ve identified it as a weakness and how you’re
working to overcome it.

What's the one thing you'll never be as good at as others?

HBS students have an often unfair reputation of being egotistical. If you respond “nothing” to this,
it indicates a lack of self awareness. If you respond “modesty”, you’d better hope your interviewer
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has a good sense of humor. There are so many answers to this question for you that it should not
be difficult to come up with an example. Be honest, don’t try to hedge it or spin it. Just own it.

Why do you think you'll be successful in goal x?

This is way it is important to know your application materials backwards and forwards. The
interviewer will bring up what you wrote about and ask for more detail. Have a rationale for
everything you write. This question also shows your ability to plan and strategize toward a specific
end. What is your process for seeing something through to completion?

Regarding the goal you wrote about, how will you know if you have been successful?

This question is really indicative of the fact that anything on your application can be specifically
referenced with no preamble. Always think about the criteria by which you will evaluate yourself
after business school. Will you measure success based on how much money you make versus
how happy you are versus other things? Try to appear as well-rounded as possible. Hit on a
business criterion as far as how you’ll be successful within the business world. More importantly,
how will you know if you’ve been successful as a human being? How will that knowledge help
you accomplish future life goals? Social impact is huge at HBS since Nitin Nohria became Dean
in 2010.

Why do you want to go to HBS? / How specifically do you think being at HBS will help fulfill
your career vision?

If you don’t yet know your answers to these titanic questions, you’d best go back to square one
and do some heavy thinking. These were almost surely addressed throughout your application
and essays. That said, our best advice is to focus on skill sets – what you have and what you need
in order to get you where you want to go in life – but also touch upon the people and the network
and the exposure and the extracurricular and how HBS is going to make you think differently. It’s
never a bad idea to showcase how you think HBS is honestly different from other places, why you
want to come to HBS, why you will succeed at HBS more so than at other business schools, and
why an MBA from HBS will help you to achieve your long-term goals more so than would an
MBA from elsewhere. That’s all.

Why do you need an MBA to achieve your goals? Why not do it yourself?

This is a more personal question. An MBA can be a powerful tool for your future, but you should
think a deeper of what specific skills and benefits you are trying to develop. Are you getting an
MBA for concrete business skills? Are you just looking for a bullet point on your resume? Are you
here for the network?

Note that saying that you’re there to build a resume is probably not the right response. As
Professor Moon said in her opening remarks to the Class of 2012, there’s a difference between
building a resume and building a life.

For bonus points, think about how you would accomplish your goals without an MBA. Then
talk about how the MBA adds incremental value, or helps you achieve more.

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What are the two best pieces of advice you have been given, and why?

The interviewer wants to see how other people have impacted you and why they’ve made that
impact. You’d be wise to take something from your two different lives –business life and
personal life, or business life and academic life, or leadership and extracurricular. It would be
narrow-minded just to focus on professional advice. Instead, focus on growth, regardless of
where it may come. How have you used that advice? What’s the impact? Remember that this is
also about listening and an ability to learn.

Recommend something to me. / Recommend a reading list to me for the holidays. / What is one
product you can’t live without? / What is your favorite book?

Anytime you mention anything about your interests, you always need to be specific (i.e. what
music you’ve been listening to, what your favorite books are, what movie you’ve just seen, etc.).
This could also refer to a business product that you’re recommending. You don’t have to be
narrow-minded here, but you do need to be passionate and focused. Your spiel for recommending
something to someone should run, at most, a minute.

This is a chance to sell. Can you make the interviewer just as passionate about the
idea/item/product as you are? Do you understand why it is compelling and can you convey this in
a way that is informative and fun? Show off your personality.

What technology do you like to use every day?

Your interviewer isn’t asking whether you carry the most updated BlackBerry. This is a question
about how you integrate technology into your everyday life. What’s important to you? What do
you use and why? Pretty much everyone uses a computer – try get away from that unless it is
unique in some way. Tease out ways that technology really shapes your life. If you’re addicted to
your iPhone because you’re really passionate about music, then focus on your passion for music
as opposed to the device itself. If you’ve lived in a lot of different countries and are addicted to
something like Facebook that allows you to keep up with all your friends from all over the world,
discuss that. Basically, go beyond the actual product and talk about the role it plays in your life.

The technology could really be anything – you just need to connect it to who you are and why it’s
important to you. This goes for all fact-based questions (i.e. recommendations) – answer the
question, but also address why it’s important to you. At the end of the day, your interviewer wants
to get to know you as a person and not you as an employee (this can be a bit disconcerting, we
know, as it’s different from any job interview you’ll ever do.)

What do you want to be remembered as?

This question boils down to what kind of legacy you want to leave on this world. Don’t get
trapped into saying something you think your interviewer wants to hear. Be honest, genuine, and
passionate about what you truly believe. Your interviewer isn’t there to judge your career goals,
aspirations, criteria for success, etc. Only you can do that. But, you need to show that you can
communicate these goals clearly

What is one thing you would like me to remember about you?

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These next few are all questions that very well may be your last question as well as a signal that
your time is all but up, so you have to be ready to go really fast. A lot of times, this question will
even be phrased as “You only have 30 seconds left. Is there anything else we should know about
you?” Convey excitement about HBS. At the end of your interview, you should reaffirm that you
really want to be here without a doubt. Think of this as your tagline. Sum up who you are and why
you should be in the next HBS class.

Is there anything else you would like me to ask you?

Make sure this is something that truly has not already been covered. Do not be repetitive,
especially with respect to your application. If you have something that hasn’t been said before and
that you’re especially passionate about, definitely share, but don’t feel like you have to say
something because your interviewer is most likely just asking this question to be nice. If you feel
that you likely come across as “stereotypical white male in investment banking”, then perhaps
suggest your interviewer ask you why you’re different than the other 50 Morgan Stanley guys
interviewing this year. You can use this as an opportunity to differentiate yourself, but you need
to decide well ahead of time how you want to do that.

What questions do you have for me?

We have heard some reports of interviewers saying “There’s really no time for questions,” so
don’t be distraught if this occurs. If you are asked, be cognizant and respectful of your time limit
as well as everything else you’ve covered.

Don’t ask questions that you should already know the answer to. Make the question specific, and
ask the interviewer his or her opinion about something. You should go in with a few questions in
mind, but what would impress the interviewer is if the question evolved naturally from the
interview itself.

What is the one last thing that you would want to leave with me?

Note: the interviewer is not asking for a bribe.

This is an opportunity for you to either reaffirm your previously discussed passions, or to highlight
something about you that was missed during the interview. It’s up to you, but at the end of the
day, you want to be memorable. Try to think of that one idea or experience that captures you the
best.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Be comfortable talking about your weaknesses. Don’t try to sugarcoat them. Make them look
more situational than actual weaknesses, i.e. “When I was in so-and-so situation, I responded in
such-and-such way. Going forward, I would prefer to approach it like…”

CURRENT EVENTS

How has the recession affected you?

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You want to touch on both the personal aspect and the bigger picture in terms of how the
recession has impacted your employer and other activities. Even if you talk about yourself, be
prepared to bring up points that have a direct connection to ancillaries. You could certainly say,
personally, the recession has affected me in X, Y and Z ways, but more indirectly, it has changed
my thought processes and made me think in a different way.

When you’re answering a question like this, you’re thinking about how you’re going to be the
next great leader that HBS takes on. Your interviewer is going to want to know how the macro-
economic environment is impacting you. Spend some time thinking about how a downturn
ripples through the economy to touch the individual. Also make sure that none of your answers
are completely negative. If you say something has affected you negatively, what’s the positive
impact it has had on maybe your thinking process or what you’re planning to do next?

Tell me a piece of news that you are currently following and very interested in.

This question gets at two aspects of your personality. The first is whether you have the intellectual
curiosity to read the news (by the way, you should be reading the news!). The second is what you
find interesting. This could be another way to highlight your future career interests, but you could
also treat this as the perfect opportunity to demonstrate your three dimensional nature. You get
bonus points if you discuss how the news may influence you specifically either professionally or
personally.

What do you think about the current political environment (or other current events)?

This is not about evaluating your personal political beliefs, but instead about your interest and
engagement in current events. That you are aware of what is happening in the world beyond your
immediate environment is far more important to demonstrate than any particular political
viewpoints you might express. While speaking about more polarizing political issues may make
you more memorable to the interviewer, it is probably advisable to avoid highly politicized
statements as it can be difficult to know your interviewer’s views and how their personal reaction
to what you say may subconsciously impact their assessment. Again, the purpose is more to assess
your awareness and opinion about current events than your ability to be an opinionated firebrand.

What global issue keeps you awake at night?/What news struck you most in the past two weeks?

Don’t talk about 10 different things you’ve read. Pick one issue, and know it inside-out and
backwards. It certainly doesn’t have to be a big front- page issue. In fact, it’d be more interesting
if it wasn’t the front-page material. Do NOT bring up an issue if you won’t be comfortable being
question further about it. Expect follow-ups with this sort of question.

Also, it doesn’t have to be a sweeping global issue that’s in the news every day. For example, you
could address freeing Tibet, literacy rates in the US, education and poverty, etc. It certainly makes
sense to bring up news within your own sector because you’re probably going to know the most
about that. You MUST know what you’re talking about here, so chose something that’s relevant
to you on a day-to-day basis.

How do you keep up with current events?

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This one’s quick and easy. Just go over the top 3 things you read in a day – more or less your
morning news routine. Do NOT make stuff up here because HBS interviewers are extremely
well-educated, and you could very easily get in a situation where you say you read the NYT every
morning and then your interviewer references a front-page story from a few days back, and you
have no clue what he or she is talking about.

Just go with the assumption that your interviewer is a genius and knows EVERYTHING.

What resources do you use for business news? What are a few periodicals that you read often?

This question is related, though much more business specific. The interviewer wants to know that
you are interested in business, and that you are in tune with the broader macro-economic
environment. This isn’t just about what you read—it’s about why you read it. How does the
information in those periodicals help you on a daily basis? How will it help you in your future
career plans?

Again, do not lie. Feel free to change the truth though. For instance, we strongly suggest reading a
few business magazines or blogs on a regular basis before your interview.

LEADERSHIP

What kind of a leader are you?

This is one of those in-the-bag questions you should know inside-out and backwards. Shockingly,
a lot of people mess this question up. Describing leadership is very difficult, but telling a story
that exemplifies the leadership style you’re trying to convey is the best way to get at your
leadership style because you’re showing it and demonstrating it rather than just stating it. Try to
bring in examples you haven’t already covered in your application.

In structuring your answer, think about using this acronym: SAR

Situation
Action
Results

Did you work with any truly exceptional leaders in your last job? What made them exceptional,
and why did people follow them?

The purpose of this question is to have a perspective on what makes a good leader, and what
characteristics are most important in that determination. The interviewer wants to know if you can
define and recognize leadership.

Come in with an opinion about people who you have worked with. Think of your role models, as
well as what specific features made them such. Again this would be a great place for a specific
example or story of how the leader interacted with and inspired his or her employees.

How do you make big decisions?

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This question addresses two unknowns for the interviewer. First, how do you think? And second,
do you do you have rigor and structure in the process? This is another perfect one for examples.
Tell a story, but make sure the actual decision has a logical, step-by-step process behind it.

How do you work in teams?

You should really think ahead of time about what you’re trying to convey. Are you a decision-
maker or a consensus-builder? Are you quiet or loud? Be cognizant of what you’ve already
covered. Every time your interviewer asks you something, he or she is looking to learn something
new about you. If your interviewer asks you another question that sounds similar to the previous,
he or she is most likely trying to get at something not yet covered. Be cognizant of that.

Also, keep in mind you don’t have to be in charge of the team. Contribution is just as important
from team members. Talk about what being part of a team has taught you and how you were
able to be a leader even without the title. Ability to collaborate is very important

How has your leadership changed over time?

This is a prime example of why you need multiple leadership stories. Here, you must show
growth. This is a great question to convey progressive responsibilities at work or different work
experiences. It can be hard for high-achieving people who come from top-tier schools where they
were in charge of everything to become analysts and consultants. All of a sudden, they’re at the
bottom, yet there’s a lot of leadership that can be conveyed when you’re not necessarily in a
leadership role, and that’s what you want to think about if you don’t necessarily have a situation
in which you’re in charge.

Who is a leader you admire? / Who is a business leader you admire?

The real question here is why you admire that person. Be very cognizant of the leadership traits
you want to highlight from this leader. It could be resiliency, role model potential for women, etc.
Talk about the top 3 qualities you look for in a leader. (Rule of thumb – always list 3. This tends
to be exhaustive enough to demonstrate knowledge but not waste time.) Look back into your life
and think about what makes you admire someone and what are the attributes you admire in a
leader.

This is also a chance for you to apply your criteria to a public figure. Be consistent. How do the
qualities you have already talked about match with the person you reference. Show that your
ideas are broadly applicable in society.

Tell me about your current role. How have you exhibited leadership on the job?

Your current role doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but you need to push to be seen as a leader
in your day-to-day work. Try to reference examples that show a lasting impact. The most
impressive examples can be you as a lower-level employee creating major value for the company.
This would show you as a leader because you’re at the bottom-rung yet still initiating change. If
you were to take your job description, your leadership example doesn’t have to be part of that job
description, but likely a reason that you were able to perform in this leadership capacity is
because of how well you did your job description.
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Can you describe a situation when you demonstrated maturity?

Maturity can often be linked to any kind of ethical dilemma that you might have or any
challenging situation you’ve faced. Bring in a time when you made the right decision and
demonstrated patience or understanding. Keep in mind – your interviewer is looking at what
aspects you bring to HBS both as a student and as a community member. If you use a more
personal experience, be sure to relate it back to the passion that you’re following and the bigger
impact that you’re planning to make in the world.

This is also about how you handle complex people situations. Think of times when you were
confronted with an abrasive personality and had to rise above. Often, these stories can really shine
because they compare/contrast different styles.

Tell me about a time when you led a team.

Time for yet another leadership story. You’re likely going to get this question, so be ready! All
the leadership advice thus far applies. Be sure you don’t repeat anything verbatim from your
application. This can also be a cue for you to talk about why you appreciate teamwork and why it’s
distinctly valuable to business organizations.

Describe a situation in which you had to persuade others to follow your lead. How did you go
about convincing those who were originally not on board?

This is a great place to show that the bottom rung of the workplace has influence. This is
definitely everything you do in a classroom at HBS exhibited in a situation, so you’re talking
about your persuasion techniques as well as how you go about thinking and bringing people to
your side of an argument. In fact, you might want to reference how these skills and
experiences have prepared you to take part in the HBS Case Study class method.

Are you very logical? Do you appeal with your emotions? Those things come out in this situation.
One of the leadership stories you have ready to go should definitely exhibit dissension and
persuasion, and this is the perfect place to pull that one out. Show them that you are not just a
sheep, but can stand up for what you believe in.

Have you ever worked with a subordinate who did not meet your expectations? How did you deal
with it?

This question is about how you relate to people, and how you handle difficult interactions. It is a
way to demonstrate that you are thoughtful—this question is much more about you than the
subordinate. If the outcome of the situation was good, think about what you did to contribute to
that positive outcome. If the outcome was bad, think about what you could have done to make it a
positive outcome.

Describe a scenario in which you have mentored a struggling colleague.

The HBS section experience is all about being together and working for the greater good as
opposed to the individual good. That’s clearly what this question is getting at. Don’t think of
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“colleague” in terms of just business. It could be a friend, a roommate, a classmate from
undergrad, etc. Just make sure you’re not too narrowly focused and end up stumbling as a result.

Also explain what you do differently in a one-on-one mentoring context (as opposed to a team).
One-on-one can be much more personal, much more delicate. How were you effective in these
situations.

SITUATIONAL

How would your parents describe you when you were 12?

A variation on the traditional “how would your friends describe you?”, this question is really about
who you were when you were younger and perhaps less interested in maintaining a certain
image/public face. A good answer to this question demonstrates self-awareness and reflection.
While you could talk briefly about how your parents might say that you’ve changed since you
were 12, the focus of your answer should be on that age. It’s worth mentioning that the best
answers to this type of self-reflective question should always acknowledge at least one
deficiency/opportunity for improvement. Nobody is perfect - not even when they were 12.

How are you different from" the other PE industry/former consultants that we've interviewed?

It is obvious that HBS gets a lot of applications from PE and consulting. If you come from
traditional backgrounds, you should have this answer nailed down cold. In fact, there’s a good
chance you already know the answer -- you got an interview, which means that you are special in
some way. If you don’t know the answer, go back and reread your application essays. It is
amazing what you can learn from yourself with a little time to reflect.

Explain to me something you’re working on as if I were an 8-year-old.

This deals with breaking down your job description or industry or research into very simple
language and relevant examples. Take the question quite literally, but don’t talk down to the
interviewer. This a very important business skill. Metaphors can be used to add color and flare.

If you had 30 seconds to speak to the United States as a whole, what would you say and why?

Have fun with this! You can bring in anything you want. One route you could take is to discuss
some current issue that is important to you. Recognize that your 30 seconds is what you say, and
then spend time really explaining why you want to have the opportunity to say that one thing or
what you think that opportunity would be able to enact or change. This is a great opportunity to
let your personality shine.

What drives you?

Do not say “money”! Be honest, be passionate. Passion is probably the most important thing this
question teases out.

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Explain the "C" on your transcript in this economics class.

This question speaks to any type of “failure” that is present in your application materials. Identify
what you did wrong, why it was wrong, and what you’ve done to correct the issue. This is another
self awareness test.

In reference to a company I was following: What do you think keeps the CEO up at night?

Ability to put yourself in the position of the decision maker. The entire case method is based on
taking this perspective so the interviewer wants to see this ability. Also, if you are in a position to
know a great deal about the company, then you will be expected to be that much more insightful.

What's a company/who's a CEO, outside of your industry, that you admire and why?

This gets at your ability to judge quality outside of your immediate area of expertise.

What company do you follow that isn't Google or Apple? What issues do you think keeps its CEO
at night?

Almost every case at HBS begins with “The CEO gazed out of the window.” Recognizing and
analyzing these challenges are a crucial part of what you learn during your HBS tenure. The HBS
interviewer does NOT expect you to perform a 5 Forces analysis, Innovator’s Dilemma principles,
or other frameworks that you will learn here to justify your answer. You will learn these in due
time. Instead, this question tests your instincts and is an opportunity for you to demonstrate an
intellectual curiosity to analyse companies other than your own, and that you aren’t bombarded
with every day. Again, read the news and this one is a slam dunk.

CAREER

Why did you choose to work at Organization X?

Think about covering three points: how you are developing, how you are progressing toward
your ultimate goal, and why it is/was the right place at the right time. Maybe you didn’t have
other opportunities and it fell in your lap, but it’s since opened doors. Also think about whether
you identify with your company’s mission.

Perhaps you are not completely happy there? Then discuss what went wrong (without blaming
people!) and how you think HBS will give you the skills to make sure if you’re stuck in that
situation again you can do something about it.

Do you actually believe in the value proposition of your organization? What do you think about
the critics’ views, and how would you counter them?

This is critical, especially now if you work at a bank, in the healthcare industry, in the military,
really anywhere that’s on the front page. You want to know the mission of your organization,
what it does, and what value it offers its clients. It’s OK to say you’re not so sure if they are
fulfilling the value proposition, or that your opinion has changed since you have been there.

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You certainly don’t have to side with your company on this one, but you really need to
understand where your company stands. Be objective, and show your interviewer that you’re
capable of strategic critical thinking. No need to be defensive either. Own your choices.

Why did you make major transition x (e.g., why switch majors, why switch jobs, etc.)?

Have clear rationale for all decisions you make. HBS wants thinkers who do things for specific
reasons and not just on whims. Even if a choice did not pan out the way you expected, explain why
and how you made the decision.

How would your boss describe you? What would he or she say is something you need to work on?

Your interviewer will have read your entire application, including your recommendation letters.
This question is all about if you are self-aware enough to understand how people perceive you, as
well as whether or not you seek out feedback. This is another way to get at what you think your
strengths and weaknesses are.

We suggest talking to your boss before the interview to better understand how you are perceived.
Talk about real weaknesses, but back it up with how you are approaching your own improvement.

What would your recommenders say about you?

This is about self awareness. Can you replicate what was said by your recommenders? It is a good
idea, if possible, to have a conversation with your recommenders about what they wrote. Be honest
and realistic in your answer.

One of your recommenders talked about your salary payment being delayed due to regulatory
restrictions. How did you feel then? Do you think the organization could have handled it better?

This is a great example of how detailed and how specific questions can get about the actions or
decisions that you or your organization has made and your feelings about them. This is also your
chance to talk about your management style versus other management styles – what you’d prefer
in communication from corporations versus others, etc. Don’t shy away from the pros and cons.
It’s OK to say you were disappointed. Saying you were angry probably isn’t a smart idea.

Why did you leave your first job?

Highlight great opportunities and how they’re helping you move toward your long-term goals.
Personal development and long-term goals are always key. If the reason you left is something
more like you hated your boss, do not say “I hated my boss.” Explain the structural difficulties
that made it a bad fit, then focus on your next job. The reason you’re at your current position
certainly isn’t because you hated your last boss. You clearly chose your new position for more
than that reason alone. That might have been your impetus to leave, but you don’t actually have to
focus on leaving. Rather, focus on going and on your reasons for doing so – growth opportunities,
personal development, managerial potential, etc.

I understand that you applied to HBS two years ago. How did you choose between your options
then? (both business school and your career)
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Show your strategic thinking. Show how you make big decisions. Show why now is the right time
for you to be entering business school and not pursuing another aspect of your career. HBS is
definitely looking at you with a fresh set of eyes, so don’t think your past is necessarily being
held negatively against you, but make sure you explain past decisions you’ve made and what is
different now.

What will you do if you don’t get into HBS?

You must know this, and you must have a back-up plan. Reiterate how much you want to go to
HBS, but say you understand that you might have to pursue another school because you think
now is the right time in your career and in your family life for business school. Or you could say
if business school doesn’t work out, you plan to stay in your current job but will ask to switch
departments, take on more responsibilities, etc. Focus on your growth and long-term goals. Talk
about the skill set you’re hoping to get out of business school and how else you’re going to go
about getting that skill set should you not go to business school.

If HBS is your only choice, you can honestly say that in terms of business schools, you really
think HBS is the only school that’s truly going to give you the skill set you want (name specific
skills salient to HBS), and that if you can’t get into HBS, you’re likely going to pursue another
avenue to get to your long-term goal. Maybe you’ll stay at your current job and reapply to HBS
next year. At the end of the day, the question is where you want to be and how you can get there
through HBS or not through HBS.

What is your career vision? Do you really think it’s achievable?

You’ve most likely already fleshed out your career vision somewhere in your application, so
don’t contradict that. And do you really think it’s achievable? Of course you do! Say yes, you
know it’s achievable, and then tell them what you need to do in order to get there. Expect to be
pushed on the achievability aspect and to be asked for specifics. At the end of the day, you’re not
there yet, so you don’t necessarily have to know all the details. The more detailed you are with
your career vision, however, the more detailed you should expect the follow-ups to be.

You should have a reasonably well thought out type of career/industry/business you want to
pursue, but you certainly don’t need to have a business plan ready to present to your interviewer.
You’ll get plenty of chances for that sort of thing once you enroll at HBS!

What would be your dream job and why?

Your dream job needs to be something with some sort of constraint that makes it impossible.
Otherwise, why isn’t this so-called “dream job” what you’re actually pursuing if you’re indeed so
passionate about it? Be sure to explain why it’s a dream job and not one that can be a reality.
Many people use money as something that constrains them not to pursue a dream or something
that they’re not good at but wish they were good at. For example, you might love music but can’t
carry a tune, so your dream job might be to become an opera singer (an impossibility, of course).

Why did you make the career choices that you did?

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This question is all about being self-aware, and for the interviewer to see if you have a purpose
backing your career decisions up until now. Think of a story behind your career that flows. The
key is to highlight what drives you, but keep in mind that is perfectly alright for these driving
factors to change over time. If they do (especially if you are career switcher), think about what you
learned, and how you learned, that caused you to pivot your track.

For bonus points, if you have a traditional story, you have to think a bit harder to differentiate
yourself. Give specific anecdotes of people or events that shaped your career decisions.

Can you explain in layman terms how you added value in a complicated niche engineering role?

Read this question as—if you came from a very technical background, can you explain what you
did to someone with a non-technical background. The interviewer is trying to make sure that you
can condense and summarize your experience and knowledge to your fellow students at HBS. To
answer this question, the first step is to assume that the interviewer knows nothing. Stay away
from technical terms, and try to use concrete examples rather than long descriptions.

This question can be a slam-dunk. You get to show not just that you have a technical background
but also the ability to communicate. It is rare and highly sought after combination. We suggest
conveying how excited you are to combine your technical side with your communications side in
the future.

Outside of your own industry, which firm do you think has been the most successful and why?
Which firm has been the worst?

This is a bit of a trick question. The real question being asked is “how do you define
‘successful’?” In addition, it’s making sure that you can see the macro conditions prevalent in your
industry, and don’t just work with blinders on.

There is no straight-forward way to answer this question, but it would be helpful to come in with
what makes a company successful as well as why that definition of success appeals to you.
Warning: this question could easily transition into a more reflective context, and the interviewer
can ask how your prior career experience fits with your definition of success.

Your worked in several countries, tell me something I wouldn't know of country x and country y
just from going online or reading the newspaper.

Like many other questions asked, this question is designed to allow you to demonstrate not just if
you observe your surroundings but how and what you observe as well. If you have worked in
several countries, you will likely be able to answer this question with ease. However, what
specifically you mention will demonstrate to the interviewer what you consider worth mentioning.

What do you actually do day-to-day?

There are two ways to answer this question. The wrong way is “I get to work, I get the CEO
coffee, I make some copies, I work on a powerpoint, I sit around for a few hours.” Boring.

The right way is to show interest and engagement in what you do. You should be excited and

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enthused by what you do, and you should also understand how what you do affects the
organization as a whole. Why is it important? Why is it more than just “excel monkey”?

Tell me about your job in traditional corporate structure terms?

This is your opportunity to show your ability to think about a corporation from outside. How do
people fit together? how does that affect the business? What are the strategic implications of the
structure? Are they intended? Are they helpful?

PROGRAM
How would you introduce yourself to the class?

This question is driving at your personality and communication skills. This question gives them a
window into you as an individual, so don’t be afraid to stand out. This can also be an opportunity
to express interest and excitement about your classmates.

What is one thing you are looking to develop at HBS?

This is where you need to showcase that you actually know how HBS is different from other
business schools. You’ll benefit a ton if you’ve actually sat in on a class – you’ll notice nuances
of the case method, the section experience and the classroom dynamic that can’t possibly be
gleaned from reading about HBS online. You need to know what your current skill set is, what
skill set you’re hoping to develop and how both of those relate to your long-term goals.

How does HBS fit into your story?

You need a clear, specific, concrete reason as to why you are going to business school. This
question is not just for them—you really should have a good reason why you are willing to forego
two years of income an incur tens of thousands of debt.

This should flow naturally from what you want to do after business school. Dive into why HBS
specifically is the perfect place to fulfill those goals. Why is HBS different? Why aren’t you just
applying to Tuck or Wharton?

It’s not just about what HBS can do for you, but what you can do for HBS. Think about how you
want to contribute on campus. Do a bit of research beforehand on campus initiatives and clubs.
Reading The Harbus or asking current students may be a great way to figure out how you can help.
Tell the interviewer how you learned about HBS—this engagement will show that you are more
likely to add value to the HBS community.

With your understanding of the HBS classroom, what do you think your strengths and
weaknesses would be as a student at HBS? / What do you see as your greatest challenge should
you come to HBS?

This one is difficult because you have to tailor your strengths and weaknesses to a situation you
have never experienced. Be very honest about what you think are challenges that you could face
in the classroom. Rearticulate your experience and how that will be relevant to the classroom

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experience in a very short amount of time. Make sure all the strengths and weaknesses you talk
about relate to the way you plan to influence your fellow classmates because that’s what the
whole classroom experience is about. Make sure you go beyond your own personal advantages
and disadvantages to how this is going to impact the other people in your section.

Describe your ideal seatmate?

This question drives at 1) whether you understand the HBS model, 2) what you look for in a friend,
3) what you value in individuals, and 4) what you want to get from the HBS model. We suggest
not saying that you want someone who is just like you. The HBS model is all about learning from
diverse perspectives in an open discussion. Think about the type of person you will not just get
along with but also learn from and collaborate with. Keep in mind, you will sit next to the same
individuals for the entire first semester.

For bonus points, think about why diversity is important to you, and how you hope to interact with
the HBS community more generally.

How will your learning team work?

This is another toughie because it’s impossible to know how your learning team will work and
how everyone’s personalities will mesh until you first meet. Discuss how you envision your
learning team interacting in your ideal world. Note that this question is similar to “how do you
work in teams?”

What would you bring to the classroom environment?

Focus on differentiation. What past experiences, knowledge personal traits distinguish who you
are as a person? Ultimately, all you bring to the HBS classroom environment is yourself, so
highlight different things about you that you haven’t touched upon yet.

Imagine the HBS classroom were an orchestra. What kind of instrument would you be and why?

Chances are you will get asked at least one outlandish question so try to keep your cool. Get at
the characteristics that you’d bring to HBS. Are you going to be the loud one who talks all the
time? Are you going to be more silent, always listening, and chip in only when your class needs
an expert opinion? Are you going to be the first trumpet that has solos in every jazz piece? Are
you the drummer in the background with the steady beat who sets the tempo for the class –
always reliable, always reacting the same way in every class? Be creative.

I see that you started a business, how will you transition from that to HBS?

There are actually two questions being asked here. The first is ‘what is your level of time
commitment to the HBS program if admitted?’, and the second is ‘how will you adjust to being a
student again?’.

For the first question, be sure to emphasize that HBS will be your first priority, above and beyond
any commitments to your business. HBS permits, and in many ways encourages, students to work
on their own business during the MBA program, although any such commitment should not

31
compromise class attendance and academic attainment. HBS, especially in the MBA first-year, is
quite prescriptive about how students spend their time. It is important for students to allocate their
time as if the MBA were a full-time job. Be sure to bear this in mind when describing your
expected time commitment to the course.

The second question is best addressed by describing how the skills required in founding and
operating your own business are desirable in a MBA program. For example, emphasize your
ability to prioritize your time effectively across multiple tasks at once, to work effectively with
others, and to be innovative when addressing problems.

If HBS were a box and you walk in on one side and out on the other, how will you be different
coming out?

HBS is billed as a ‘transformational experience’ -- this question asks you to consider that in literal
terms. Really just a slightly offbeat version of “Why HBS?” Your answer should indicate that you
have thoughtfully assessed your goals in getting an MBA but that you are still open to change.

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Suggested Weekday Add-ons
If you’re lucky enough to be able to set aside two weekdays as part of your visit, try to load as
many activities as possible onto the day when you’re NOT interviewing. This will save you some
stress and allow you to concentrate solely on the interview when the day comes. Two great
activities for the day when you’re NOT interviewing should you have two weekdays in town:

1) Visit to learning team meeting: We don’t recommend making this part of your interview
day itinerary simply because it takes place so early in the morning (think 7:30 a.m.), and
lord knows you’re going to have a long enough day as it is. But if you’ve got that second
day at your disposal, this could offer a valuable glimpse into the daily routine and
workload of a first-year MBA student here at HBS. Unfortunately, this is going to require
some initiative on your part, as visits to learning team meetings are not part of the formal
activities you can schedule through Admissions. In other words, you’re going to have to
ask a current first-year if you can join his or her learning team for a morning. You might
already know one. If not, best get cracking.
2) Workout at Shad: Just grab the day-pass included in your interview folder, and you’ll
have the Mecca of gyms at your disposal. Squash, tennis and basketball courts, a full
exercise program, an indoor track and more await your use! We also don’t recommend
this as part of your interview day itinerary because no one wants to get ready for their big
interview by showering and dressing in a locker room.

Suggested Weekend Addons

Should you have the flexibility (and luck with interview scheduling) to be able to make a
weekend out of your visit, be sure to take full advantage of all this area has to offer. We suggest
you follow one of the above itineraries for the day of your interview (i.e. most likely a Friday or
Monday if you’re making a weekend out of your visit) and engage in some of the below
activities on your off-day (i.e. most likely Saturday if you’ve got a Friday interview or Sunday if
you’ve got a Monday interview).

1) If walking around is your thing: walk around Harvard Square (see page 30 for restaurant
recommendations and page 32 for shopping suggestions)

2) If history is your thing: walk the Freedom Trail (see page 36 for more details)

3) If food is your thing: head to the North End of Boston for all things Italian

4) If shopping’s your thing: meander down Newbury Street (don’t forget your credit card!)

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What Not to Miss
The Harbus surveyed current HBS students regarding what one aspect of the HBS experience
they would most recommend an applicant make absolutely certain not to miss when visiting
campus for an admissions interview? Here’s what they said:

Info Session: Held on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays at 4 p.m. throughout interview season,
the info session is your best chance to get a sweeping overview of the MBA program and your
only chance to ask questions of the Admissions team face-to-face. Sessions go on hiatus when the
Admissions Office is closed, so be sure to check www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/visit.html to
ensure there’s an info session when you’re wanting to visit. All in all, the info session isn’t going
to blow your mind, but there’s really no reason not to attend should you have the opportunity.

Lunch with current HBS students at Spangler: Exactly what it sounds like, but extremely
valuable nonetheless. Learn about the good, bad and ugly of HBS – all straight from the horse’s
mouth, so to speak, and all without an Admissions team member in sight. The lunch is held daily
at noon when classes are in session (gotta eat!), and no registration is necessary.

Guided Tour: Offered most days at 3 p.m., these student-led tours do what you’d expect –
showcase the gorgeous campus as well as its state-of-the-art classrooms and posh amenities. You
wouldn’t have applied unless you wanted to get in, but this will make you want it even more.

Self-Guided Tour: You can always do your own thing, though you’re not going to have access to
most of the buildings unless you creepily follow students in doors, which we’re neither
recommending nor condoning. This is certainly a great way to explore the picturesque grounds,
and an audio-walking tour is available at the reception desk in the MBA Admissions office.

Class Visit: A great way to satisfy your curiosity of the case method and a must should time
allow, class visits are offered most every day. Though you can only visit one class through
Admissions, you can certainly attend more should you happen to know a current student. Go to
http://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/visit.html to schedule your class visit now.

Visit to Learning Team Meeting: Like extra class visits, this is going to require some initiative
on your part. Should you happen to know (or strike up a friendship with) a current student, ask to
come to his or her learning team meeting, and you’ll get the most accurate picture yet of what
it’s like to be a student at HBS on a day-to-day basis.

Visit to Shad Gym: Though a stop on the guided tour, all you do is enter the main lobby, which
is enough to whet your appetite but little more. Use the day-pass included in your interview folder
to tour the gym at your leisure or even squeeze in a workout should your heart desire.

WSA weekly lunch program: In addition to the above-mentioned lunch program, the Women’s
Student Association also hosts a weekly lunch for women from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. every Friday.
Find out when and where at http://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/visit.html.
34
Where to Go
The Harbus surveyed current HBS students regarding what one historical attraction – with proximity
to the HBS campus in mind – they would most recommend an applicant seek out when visiting for an
admissions interview? Here’s what they said:

“So I would say Boston Harbor overall is very nice…a great place to just hang out but also a lot of
character with its history.”

“The Liberty Hotel – This used to be the Charles Street Jail, but they completely renovated it a few
years ago and turned it into a hotel. That might sound creepy, but it’s actually really cool inside.
Everything is jail-themed (the bar is called Alibi and the restaurant is named Clink), and there’s a small
exhibit in the lobby about the history of the building as a jail.”

“The Cheers Bar – Does that count? That show was historical to me. But I like it because it’s fun to
come to the city and find out it’s a “real” bar, not just something on TV.”

“Beacon Hil is a very historic area. It’s a beautiful neighborhood to walk around, and it’s easily
accessible via the red line. Louisburg Square (word to the non-natives: the “s” in Louisburg is NOT
silent!) is one of the most famous parts of the neighborhood, and that’s actually where John Kerry’s
house is.”

“Park Street Church is the one Freedom Trail monument that I think is full of history and character.
The family pews are very interesting to see and very different from most churches.”

“Boston Common – I really like parks and think this one is pretty fun. It was the first place I visited
when I first came to the city, and even though it was freezing, I still enjoyed walking around it. Plus,
coming from California, it is neat to see something that I learned about all those times they taught us
about the Revolutionary War.”

“My favorite historical site in Boston is Faneuil Hall Marketplace – tons of shopping outside and tons
of food inside (clam chowder, sweets, ice cream, sea food, coffee, bagels…everything you can
imagine).”

“The Museum of Fine Arts is one of my favorite places. The building itself is quite nice and has an
extensive collection of art and artifacts organized across a number of sections. The Art of Europe section
is perhaps the finest of them all.”

“The Kennedy Library – It is a little further out but absolutely worth visiting!”

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Where to Eat
Whether you’re pre-interview and looking for a quick bite to free you up to prep or post- interview
and looking to celebrate with a great meal while still in town, Harvard Square offers a variety of
options – both cheap and pricey, greasy and gourmet – all within a short walk of HBS.

Looking for a burger and fries? Check out locally-owned, healthy fast-food restaurant b.good (A).
Burgers, salads, shakes and fries are all done in a healthy yet satisfying way. Don’t want to take
our word for it? Visit bgood.com for nutritionals.

If you’re looking for a cafe experience, Crema Café (B) is a clear HBS favorite. It offers
sandwiches, salads and typical pastries and fruits. However, students flock to the top-notch
baristas and the change of scenery the upstairs offers for prepping cases.

Darwin’s (C) is a bit of a walk from Harvard Square, but the delicious sandwiches and specials
are well worth the trek! The sandwich shop also features a café, meaning there’s rarely an
abundance of seating. Just take your sandwich to one of the benches outside of the store, or head
to the river and take in the beauty of the Charles.

Other top spots to grab a quick lunch or dinner include:

Pinocchio’s Pizza (D) is top-notch, and its quick counter service makes it an easy place to grab
lunch or dinner on the run.

Harvard Square is devoid of most typical fast-food, though for some reason burrito places abound.
Hit up Chipotle (E), Qdoba (F), Boloco (G) or Felipe’s (H) to satisfy a burrito craving.

Done with your interview? Way to go! Here are some options for a yummy celebratory meal:

Celebrating alone? Wagamama (I) offers a low-key place to grab a quick but delicious bite. This
Asian restaurant has delicious ramen soups as well as noodle and rice dishes, and single diners can
sit at the window bar overlooking the hustle and bustle of Harvard Square.

Daedalus (J) is a fun, casual spot to get some good food and drinks. This pub has two floors and a
roof-deck for good weather days. Daedalus tends to be a popular HBS hangout, especially during
the cold months as it is the closest restaurant to the footbridge. If you’re heading here on a cold
one, be sure to order the delicious apple cider or cider hot toddies to help you warm up.

Trata (K), situated two doors down from Daedalus, offers a nice sit-down dining experience.
The menu includes individual brick-oven pizzas, sandwiches and a handful of entrees (the veggie
lasagna is a winner)! It’s a cozier spot, perfect for a celebratory date that won’t break the bank.

Grafton Street Pub & Grill (L), another HBS hangout, has a trendier atmosphere. The bar is
almost always full, and the drinks and food are both delightful. The menu has a lot to choose from,
and don’t be turned off by its pub moniker. While it does boast a burger, Grafton Street also offers
numerous entrees from pastas to seafood and meats.
An interactive and fully customizable version of this map can be found at http://bit.ly/HBSHarvardSquare
36
Where to Shop
The Harbus surveyed current HBS students regarding what one store – with proximity to the
HBS campus in mind – they would most recommend an applicant seek out when visiting for
an admissions interview? Here’s what they said:

“The obvious place to shop for proximity and abundance of HBS goods is The Coop in the
basement of Spangler.”

“HBS is a bit far from Harvard Square, but if someone were coming through HSQ, I’d tell them
to have coffee or lunch at Crema Cafe on Brattle Street – best coffee, cookies and sandwiches
in the Square, plus free Wifi!

“If you really want to shop for tchotchkes, hit up Hidden Sweets next door to Crema for
various Boston and Harvard paraphernalia, funny little toys and, of course, lots of candy!”

“I really like Burdick Chocolates for gifts if you have a friend with a sweet tooth! Their hot
chocolate is also out of this world.”

“Lululemon for clothes, Urban Outfitters for shoes and Papyrus for gifts.” “I know they

don’t sell clothing, shoes, books, furniture, or gifts, but under the otherwise
category, I’d recommend an applicant who has never experienced Trader Joe’s to seek out its
wine selection – there are some great finds there!”

“I would definitely check out Emack & Bolio’s . It’s my favorite ice cream store on Newbury
Street. To get there, take the #1 bus from Harvard Square straight to Newbury Street. My
favorite flavor is birthday cake – literally vanilla ice cream with chocolate cake and frosting
mixed in. No ice cream can compare to the kind at Emack & Bolio’s.”

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Where to Stay
The Harbus surveyed current HBS students regarding the hotels they stayed at when visiting
for admissions interviews. Here’s what they said:

“I picked the Doubletree (A) because it is the closest to HBS. The rooms are all suites. Just poke
around online. My experience was standard for a hotel. No complaints.”
“The Charles Hotel (B) is located in a fun area in Harvard Square across the river from HBS.
Staying there will allow you to really explore more of Cambridge, and there are more social
options in that area. You can also check out the restaurants and bars in the area.”

“I stayed at the Doubletree because it was convenient to walk over to HBS while wearing a full
suit. You can just stroll right over to campus. The rooms are all quite nice. Check out the website
for more details. I also recall that HBS had a website that was quite helpful in listing out various
lodging options in the area. They were organized by proximity to campus. This was the resource
that I used, and I would recommend it to others as well.”

“It was simple. I picked the Doubletree because it is the closest hotel to campus. The service was
perfectly fine, and it was clean. Focus on the interview rather than picking hotels.”

“The sister property of the Inn at Harvard, Harvard Square Hotel (C) is every bit as convenient
as The Charles Hotel but lacks the fantastic in-house restaurants and bars.”

“A cozy spot nestled in a prime location in Harvard Square, the Inn at Harvard (D) is a very
convenient walk to HBS via the footbridge – you even pass a Dunkin Donuts on the way! Rooms
are standard, and I found the hotel both clean and quiet.”

An interactive and fully customizable map can be found at http://bit.ly/HBSHotels.

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What to Do
The Harbus surveyed current HBS students regarding what one cultural attraction – with
proximity to the HBS campus in mind – they would most recommend an applicant seek out
when visiting for an admissions interview? Here’s what they said:

“Learn about the historic Harvard College through the unofficial “Hahvahd Tour”, a free
70-minute walking tour conducted by current undergrad students that are trained to make the tour
even more exciting and entertaining than the official Harvard tour. Find out more at its website:
http://www.harvardtour.com/.”

“The Harvard Art Museum is in the midst of a radical, multi-year transformation. What
was once three museums – the Fogg, Busch-Reisinger and Arthur M. Sackler – are all now being
integrated into one exceptional collection and museum. Although still a work-in-progress, the
Harvard Art Museum has created a collection called “Re-View” – housed in the Sackler Museum
– that brings together the most spectacular works from all three museums. This “abridged”
version is certainly worth seeing, as is the process of creating the new Harvard Art Museum
complex.”

“Every applicant should walk at least a portion of the Freedom Trail, which runs through
downtown Boston and a few neighborhoods of the city. Along the Trail are a number of
historically significant sites such as the Boston Common, the site of the Boston Massacre, the Old
North Church and Bunker Hill Monument. As an added bonus, there are great restaurants within a
block of the Trail, especially in the North End.”

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Concierge Guide
We don’t recommend waiting until the last minute for any of this stuff, nor would we bank on the
airlines losing your luggage, but stuff happens – hence this handy guide, which is here to help
should, you know, stuff happen. (Please note: addresses are Cambridge unless otherwise noted)
A) Where to get a last-minute haircut: Alfred Harvard Square Salon (8 Eliot St.)
B) Where to get your suit ironed/dry-cleaned/altered at the last minute:
Cambridge Cleaners & Tailors (47 Mt. Auburn St.)
C) Where to get your shoes polished: Felix Shoe Repair (1304 Mass. Ave.)
D) Where to buy a really cool thank-you note: Papyrus (18 JFK St.)
E) Where to buy a men’s suit should, heaven forbid, the airline lose your luggage:
J. Press (82 Mt. Auburn St.)
F) Where to buy a women’s suit should, heaven forbid, the airline lose your luggage:
Ann Taylor (44 Brattle St.)
G) Where to print your resume should you forget until the last minute:
FedEx Kinko’s (1 Mifflin Place)
H) Where to buy a portfolio at the last minute: Harvard Coop (1400 Mass. Ave.)
I) Where to get great coffee for that much-needed buzz on the big day:
Peet’s Coffee & Tea (100 Mt. Auburn St.)
J) Where to get gas if you’re running on fumes as you approach HBS:
Exxon (198 Western Ave., Allston, MA 02134)
K) Where to find real, live HBS students for some last-minute advice the morning of:
Spangler Dining Hall at HBS (just ask someone on campus to show you the way!)

An interactive and fully customizable map can be found at http://bit.ly/HBSConcierge.

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Helpful Internet Links
Harbus website, where you can read all about the latest happenings at HBS as well as
peruse our extensive archives to gain valuable insight on HBS student life:
http://www.harbus.org/

The Harvard Crimson’s website, where you can keep up with all the news from the
other side of the Charles as well as the occasional story from this side:
http://www.thecrimson.com/

MBA Course Catalog, where you can peruse course listings and read descriptions of
HBS classes’ content and organization:
http://www.hbs.edu/mba/academics/coursecatalog/

MBA Student Profiles, where you can gain a better sense of the sort of diversity of
experience that HBS is looking for in its MBA candidates as you read about a
smattering of students’ pasts, presents and futures:
http://www.hbs.edu/mba/perspectives/students/

Student Club Listing, where you can get a better idea of how you’ll fit into the HBS
student body and its more-than-75 different clubs:
http://www.hbs.edu/mba/studentlife/clubs.html

Blog of MBA Admissions Director Dee Leopold, where you can keep up with all the
latest concerning the HBS admissions process:
http://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/blog.html

Boston Globe interview with HBS Admissions Director Dee Leopold, where you can
gain more insight into how she perceives her role in your not-too-distant and oh-so-
promising future:
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/09/13/scoping_out_future_leaders_for_h
arvard/

HBS Alumni Bulletin, where you can read about all the cool things that all the cool
HBS alumni with all the cool jobs in all the cool places have been doing:
http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/bulletin/

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Map of Harvard Business School Campus

42
Map of Harvard Square

43