15 Most Frequently Asked MBA Interview Questions on Your Decision-making Skills

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There have been some major changes in the industry with the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of the workforces were working from home during this period and many are still opting to work from home. Naturally, there is a change in management styles that requires to factor in both ‘work from home employees’ and ‘office folks’ and how to coordinate with the two.

As a result, many MBA interviews post-pandemic would focus on the pandemic, how the situation changed, and how it can affect MBA aspirants’ decision-making processes. Here are some questions that you might face regarding your decision-making skills:

Q1. Effect of COVID situation on different industries

Ans) The COVID-19 pandemic has taken the world by surprise. Every industry is affected by it, some in a good way and some bad. Do your research and see how the industry you wanted to get into was affected by this situation. Tell the interviewers how the industry is managing the situation and what your input would be.

Q2. How are you using the lockdown period for self-improvement?

Ans) When everything was under lockdown, people at home were trying to do different things to use their time productively. Show the interviewer how you used that time for some self-improvement, like doing a course, yoga, or even just doing some meditation.

Q3. Humanity is dead or alive in this pandemic?

Ans) The world is enveloped in a major health crisis and that has taken a toll on humanity. Explain how you think the coronavirus has affected humans, mentally, physically, and economically. Bring out the positive and negative of this situation and assess it on your own terms.

Q4. Are e-commerce discounts harmful to the Indian economy?

Ans) Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, the Indian economy has been hugely affected and everything has become online. The buyer penetration has increased by 18% and that is largely due to discounts. Explain your take on it in detail and what you think is the future of the economy.

Q5. Are salary cuts justified in the lockdown period?

Ans) Many people have lost their jobs during the pandemic. While some companies are doing the cutdown because of budget restraints, some are doing it because they don’t need so much manpower. Here, it is advised to avoid a diplomatic answer and tell them what you think. This will show them that you are opinionated and not just trying to impress them.

Q6. Has India really handled the corona crisis better than other countries?

Ans) Now, here is a question that you need to answer carefully. People want to hear your take on the corona crisis. Tell them what you think the Indian Government did right and what they could have done to handle the situation in a better way and compare it to the work of other countries.

Q7. Will digital learning surpass traditional learning?

Ans) Technology has empowered children by making them more engaged and has also expanded their horizons while traditional learning taught discipline and other values. There are both good and bad effects of technology on children. What do you think is set in the future and what would be best for children?

Q8. Explain decision-making.

Ans) Decision-making is the process of making a choice by gathering information and assessing the situation. This question will not only answer your skills when it comes to making important decisions, but it also shows what kind of person you are, especially under pressure.

Q9. What sets this MBA program apart from the others?

Ans) Show the interviewers that you have done your research. Tell them why their institute is suited best for you, be it their faculty, facilities, job placements, networking opportunities, and location. You have to tell them why this institute is the top choice for you.

Q10. Difference between a good manager and a good leader

Ans) The main difference between a good leader and a good manager is that the former has people working with him and the latter has people working for him. To be successful, one must have qualities of both in them. Tell the interviewers why you think you have both qualities and how you would drive your business to success.

Q11. What was a major decision that you took and how did you come to take that decision?

Ans) The interviewer wants to know how you handle challenging situations under pressure. So, you should come up with an answer which describes that. Pick the right challenge, discuss how you weighed your options, and tell the interviewer your final choice and why according to you it was the right decision.

Q12. One life experience you wish to change

Ans) You may have made several decisions and then wondered if it was the right one and what would have happened if you changed the situation. Pick one from those moments and analyze the situation. Explain how under other circumstances, had you changed the decision, things would change and what you learned from it.

Q13. Do you think being ethical is important in today's world?

Ans) This answer is aimed at judging your community's awareness. You can be diplomatic in this answer but try to be more direct. Try to keep this answer short and prepare it well in advance.

Q14. What is the one quality that all managers should have?

Ans) Do not dive into that one quality. Provide a list of qualities that according to you every manager should have and then elaborate on the one you think is the most important one. This could lead to a discussion about your values and ethics.

Q15. What did you learn from your failures till now?

Ans) Failure is the ultimate life lesson. To grow in life, you need to fail. Don’t be afraid to lay down your failures in front of the interviewers. Every mistake leaves behind learning and you need to convert that into a lesson. Rethink and find new ways to implement these lessons into strategies to achieve goals.

Decision-making is an important element of an MBA’s life, and so, you need to sharpen your skills and take the right approach to make decisions. In these questions, the interviewer is not asking for a right or wrong decision, but rather trying to gauge your approach to a problem. So, rather than being right or wrong, justify why you are approaching a specific problem in a logical manner.

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