What to expect when appearing for personal interview for SDA Bocconi's IMB course

SDA Bocconi is the leading School of Management in Italy, currently ranked third Business School in Europe by Financial Times and is one of the few elite business schools worldwide to have the triple crown accreditation - AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS.

SDA Bocconi International Master in Business programme is a specialised master programme offered at the Asia Center. The programme comprises of two 11-month modules, which includes a four-month semester spent at the Bocconi campus in Milan.  Upon completion of the programme the IMB graduates become a part of the global Bocconi Alumni Network.

How does the Personal Interview stage work at the SDA Bocconi Asia Center?

Applicants are expected to submit their test scores (CAT/ NMAT/ GRE/ GMAT/ Bocconi Test) and the necessary academic and professional information through the online application form. Basis a holistic evaluation of a candidates’ profile and not just their test scores, applicants are selected for the Personal Interview round. If you have passed to the personal interview phase of the IMB application process, congratulations! This is already a wonderful achievement. The Personal Interview round is also critical for a candidate to maximise their chances of Scholarships or Tuition Waivers.

During the interview, the admissions committee member will be actively trying to gauge how solid your motivations for wanting to pursue an MBA/IMB are, your interests in IMB programme and if you fit well with the Institution’s mission of recruiting good candidates.

Interviewers may ask standard MBA interview questions, as well as questions designed to gauge your self-awareness, academic abilities and interests. You can also expect numerous follow-up questions. The admissions process places great importance on your profile which includes extracurriculars, co-curricular and soft skills. Your ability to showcase them and highlight your academic, personal, or professional achievements will be advantageous for Scholarship or Tuition Waivers.

Who will interview you?

You will interview with a panel of SDA Bocconi Asia Center’s comprising – Senior Faculty, Senior Management Team or Alumni. While in the previous years, the candidate could be asked to attend an in-person interview or an online interview; in the current admission cycle all the interviews are being conducted online. After being invited to interview, you will receive a zoom link to attend the interview through email from the admissions team.

Will the Interviewer have read my application?

Yes. The interviewer will have read your application. Interviewers will develop specific questions based on your application, so make sure to take the time to review what you have shared in the application form and Resume.

What are some of the sample questions I should prepare myself with?

Use the below sample questions to help prepare and frame your answers for the Personal Interview round. Please note these questions are indicative and not exhaustive in nature.

Questions which present opportunities to showcase your profile:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Tell me about a passion of yours that isn’t mentioned on your resume.
• Tell me about your current job.
• Why IMB?
• Why SDA Bocconi?
• What are your career plans?
• Why X industry?
• What are your strengths?
• What are your weaknesses?
• What do people think about you when they meet you for the first time?
• Tell me about a situation where you acted outside of your comfort zone.

Questions which present opportunities to showcase your Leadership, Teamwork & Management skills:

• How will you contribute to the class/batch?
• Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult teammate?
• What would you do if you had a member of your team who was underperforming?
• How do you motivate people?
• What qualities make you successful in a team?
• How would you describe your leadership style?
• How do you respond to adversities in your life? What is the biggest challenge you have faced?

Questions which may be asked towards the end of the interview, which present an opportunity to end the interview on a high note:

• Is there anything you wished I had asked you?
• Questions for us?
• Is there anything which you have not mentioned in your application form & you would like SDA Bocconi to know about you?

About the author:

Suganthan Asokan is a BTech in Instrumentation and Control Engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology. With over five years of experience of working with renowned companies such as Accenture, Bennett Coleman & Co Ltd, he is now working as an Assistant Marketing Manager at SDA Bocconi Asia Center.  

Note: The views expressed in this article are solely author’s own and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha