How WHU Otto MBA Interview Works
Applications that are complete in all aspects and qualify in terms of the minimum academic and other criteria specified above are evaluated for being progressed to the next stage in the admission process. Shortlisted candidates will be called for the WHU Otto MBA Interview process.
The WHU Otto MBA Interview panel will evaluate each candidate’s performance in terms of quality of work experience, diversity, leadership qualities, social sensitivity, and multifacetedness.
As a general approach to selecting a candidate for the programme, a multi-factor model is used. These factors include academic track record, GMAT/GRE scores, quality of work experience, performance in the interview, and writing ability test. A composite total score will be calculated for each applicant using the multi-factor model. A merit list is prepared based on the composite total score. The offer of admission will be made to a certain percentage of applicants on the merit list. The number of offers made will depend on the availability of seats. The number of offers will be further subject to the candidate meeting a minimum cutoff in terms of the composite score and/or for any other factor score that the admissions committee may decide on
Who will interview you, and how long will the interview last?
Like most European B-schools, the WHU Otto MBA interview is taken by a Panel. The Panel usually consists of 2-3 professors. The interview typically lasts for 25-30 minutes or may extend to 35-40 minutes in some instances.
Will the interviewer have read my application?
It is always safer to assume that the Panel members have access to your complete application. In most instances, they would have read it completely. Unless the school specifically says that it will be an blind interview. Mostly North American Business schools in US and Canada have an Blind interviews, European and SE Asian schools conduct interviews via Alums or panels which have full access to your entire application.
How can you prepare for your interview?
Like most MBA Interviews, your interview will mainly revolve around a pretty similar set of MBA interview questions. You can never predict what questions will be asked, but with enough research, you can predict what are the most commonly asked questions in these interviews. We have created a short FAQ list below to get you a jump start, and we also have a free guide linked below to help you prepare for these commonly asked interview questions.
WHU Otto MBA Frequently Asked Interview Questions
Professional experience-related questions
- Tell me something about yourself, or Walk me through your resume.
- What are your short-term and long-term goals?
- Why MBA? or Why now? or Why an MBA at this stage of your career?
- Why WHU?
- What is your Plan B? in case your primary goal does not happen?
Personal qualities-related questions
- What are your key strengths? Can you give some examples, please?
- What are your key weaknesses? Can you give some examples, please?
- How can you add value to the Class? or Why should we take you?
- Any reasons why we should not select you?
- Interests and Hobbies related questions – why do you do it, what have you achieved/learned?
Frequently Asked Situational & Behavioral Questions
- What is your leadership style? Can you give an example of a project you led?
- What would you describe are your greatest achievement to date?
- Give me an example of a time you failed.
- Give me an example of a time you faced a conflict. How did you handle that?
- Give me an example of a time when you did not meet a client’s expectations. What happened, and how did you attempt to rectify the situation?
The last one – Do you have any questions for us?
- Can you please tell me how international exchange students and schools are assigned?
- How club leadership is selected?
- Any other questions you may have in regards to the program.
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WHU MBA Interview Experience – 1
Skype interview took place on February 2, 2021.
Final Conclusion: Interviewed
“The interview went like any other job interview:
1) The role you envision yourself playing in a group environment at WHU
2) Expected challenges of working in a group at WHU
3) Any previous trials or obstacles you overcome
4) “How do you motivate your team, or how would you motivate members of your WHU group?”
General guidance:
1. Be self-assured but not arrogant
2. Make sure your technological issues are resolved before the interview. Ascertain that the internet connection is strong and that no one will enter the room to bother you.
3. Be genuine and honest; if you try to lie, people will detect it. The interview questions are straightforward, but the interviewers are well-versed in deception detection.
4. I wore a suit coat and no tie, but I suppose any smart business clothes would suffice.
5. Know your CV in case they ask you about it.
6. Understand why you want to go to Germany; you must be able to demonstrate that you have weighed all considerations (if you wish to work in Germany, you must learn German).
7. Finally, practice in front of a mirror or a camera; umming and aahing will demonstrate that you did not prepare correctly. You must speak confidently without seeming practiced.”
WHU MBA Interview Experience – 2
Interview done online
Interview dates: December 17, 21.
Final Result: Accepted
“Since I was placed on a waitlist after the first interview, I had two rounds of interviews. I’m going to detail every query that was posed during the interview.
1. Take me through your resume, please.
2. Difficulties you encountered at work
3. Which area of business most interests you?
4. Have you travelled internationally?
5. Why WHU?
6. What potential issues might you encounter as you settle in Germany?
7. What would you be able to bring to class?
8. What activities do you engage in to relax or have fun?
9. An area where you fall short
Advice: Identify your assets, recognize your faults, and describe your improvement efforts. Avoid attempting to fabricate stories. Be modest, kind, and smiley.
WHU MBA Interview Experience – 3
Adcom off-campus Date of Interview: October 6, 2022
The Final Call: Admitted
Like many other applicants who have provided accounts of their interviews, mine was largely conversational. After setting expectations for the interview, the interviewer dove into asking questions about my background and experiences, focusing on the major choices I had to make during my academic and professional careers.
– Tell me about yourself
Please take me on a tour of your profile.
greatest success
What is the defining experience of your youth?
– a moment of defeat
-How would your coworkers characterize you?
Just use two words, to sum up who you are.
– Extracurricular Activities
A question for me?
The whole thing lasted around an hour. Incredibly positive encounter.
WHU MBA Interview Experience – 4
Status: Skype
Date of interview: October 24, 19
“The interviewer was quite pleasant and made you feel at ease. She made an introduction before beginning to elicit information. The questions that follow have been paraphrased based on my recollections. About 40 to 45 minutes were spent on the interview.
1. What are your duties in your current position?
2. Why an MBA?
3. What would you bring to the class, specifically?
4. What research have you done in regard to your post-MBA goals?
5. What’s your backup plan?
6. How did you practice for the GMAT?
7. How would you react if one of your classmates with whom you are working on a project didn’t put out the effort to complete it?
8. What changes would you make in the first 100 days if you were asked to take over as your supervisor tomorrow?
9. What current business topic are you currently following?
He was quite approachable during the interview, which was more or less a discussion. Scheduled to last 30 minutes but ended up 45.”
WHU MBA Interview Experience – 5
Date of online interview: December 01, 2021
“I had my Full-Time MBA interview today.
It was a standard conversational interview, with the most of the questions being identical to the interview debriefs for previous candidates:
1) My work experience to date, short- and long-term goals, why an MBA, and why a judge (everything in one question, yes)
2) What technological advancements do I think are significant?
Has there ever been a time when everything didn’t go according to plan? How did you handle that predicament?
4) Tell me about a time you took the other position.
Any other queries for me?
I questioned him about his research in the last question and also inquired about chances to conduct research and collaborate with students from various academic fields.
It went smoothly. Best wishes to everyone reading this!
WHU MBA Interview Experience – 6
Interview conducted online: Mar. 10, 2022
Final Result: Accepted
“Interview was really conversational. Mostly concerned with my profession and with my life’s narrative.
Some of the queries were as follows:
1) What would you hope to achieve from an MBA programme, and when did you decide to pursue an MBA?
2) To what other institutions have you applied?
3. Why Germany and WHU Otto?
4) Has your current employer been made aware of your MBA plan?
What would your manager’s response to your MBA plan be as a follow-up question?
5) Explain why you’re taking into account the management consulting firms you specified in your application.
6) In those companies, what networks do you have?
7) How can you improve your prospects by talking more about what you intend to do before joining those companies?
8) Describe an instance when you applied your communication abilities.
9) Describe a moment when you failed in a group setting. How did you deal with it?
He permitted me to ask him some questions before we ended the session.
However, despite his kindness and politeness, the environment was not particularly casual due to his rather serious demeanour and constant note-taking.
Hoping for the best!”
WHU MBA Interview Experience – 7
A Skype interview was conducted on February 2, 2021.
The interview followed a conventional job interview format, consisting of questions such as
“What motivated you to pursue an MBA?”,
“Why do you believe now is the appropriate time to pursue an MBA?”,
and “What led you to choose
WHU Otto as your preferred institution?”
What are the different avenues available in the field of consulting?
The consulting industry is characterized by intense competition. Consider me as a representative of McKinsey & Company’s recruitment team. In this context, what strategies can you employ to differentiate yourself from other candidates and capture my attention?
What was the reason for your departure from your previous employment?
Can you describe an instance where you successfully resolved a conflict within your team?
The interviewer seemed to be seeking a succinct and precise response, as he frequently interrupted the questioning.
What was your method of approaching the colleague? What was his reaction to the situation? What strategies do you propose for enhancing the current situation?
Please provide a detailed account of your approach to leadership. In what ways has your approach to leadership undergone development, and what measures do you believe are effective in enhancing your leadership abilities?
What are the other academic institutions to which you have submitted applications, and what is your primary selection criterion?
To summarise, the interview was conducted in a relatively informal manner, with the interviewer displaying a friendly and considerate demeanor. Meanwhile, the interviewee reported experiencing a higher level of nervousness than was necessary.
WHU MBA Interview Experience – 8
Status: online
Interview dates: November 19, 21,
Final Result: Accepted
“I spoke with a professor during an interview.
– What is your greatest strength/challenge?
Why did you decide to pursue an MBA at this time?
Why Germany?
Why Renewable Energy (or whatever your industry is)?
How will you contribute to the programme?
Your teamwork experience?
How will you resolve the aforementioned team issue?
What will your cohort learn from you?
What will you learn from your cohort?
What specific skills/knowledge are you looking for during the MBA?
– German language proficiency – If hired, how will you approach the project manager?
The majority of the interview questions focused on the duties/activities indicated on the resume/CV and demanded a thorough justification.
WHU MBA Interview Experience – 9
A Skype interview was conducted on February 2, 2021.
The typical inquiries posed to MBA applicants include the rationale for pursuing the degree at present, the unique qualities that make them suitable candidates, and an evaluation of their strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, situational queries regarding leadership are often presented, such as an assessment of one’s leadership style and the potential role one would assume within an academic group.
The interaction commenced with the individuals providing an introduction of themselves. Subsequently, I was requested to provide an introduction of myself, followed by an inquiry regarding my motivation for pursuing an MBA at this juncture, as well as my rationale for selecting WHU. The inquiry regarding my career advancement was handled in a skillful and aesthetically pleasing manner. What are the areas in which I can improve? Any constructive feedback that one may receive from their peers.
The outcome of the interview was favorable, despite my apprehension due to my stuttering during the response delivery. However, the interviewer displayed an amiable and approachable demeanor throughout the interaction. The individual’s demeanor instilled a sense of comfort and relaxation throughout the entirety of the experience.
Behavioral and situational questions are commonly used in interviews to assess a candidate’s past experiences and how they would handle hypothetical scenarios in the workplace.
What would be the characterization of your leadership style by your colleagues?
What would be your function within an academic team?
Inquiries that may arise.
The individual informed me that the ultimate determination is expected to be reached within a timeframe of approximately one and a half to two weeks.
WHU MBA Interview Experience – 10
Interview was held Off Campus with Adcom
The interview was conducted on February 26th, 2021.
Two members of the Admissions Committee, Megan and Melanie, held an interview that lasted for one hour.
1. What are the reasons for pursuing an MBA degree at this particular point in time?
2. What is the rationale behind selecting WHU over other academic institutions?
3. What is the rationale behind selecting Germany?
4. Situational inquiries, such as:
a) What strategies would you employ to collaborate with an introverted individual?
b) Strategies for Persuading a Colleague Who Refuses to Work
5. What is the perception of my family regarding the decision to pursue an MBA?
The interrelation between the questions and answers facilitated a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, with the responses extending beyond the confines of individual inquiries. The responses encompassed a range of topics, spanning from formative experiences during childhood, personal interests, and hobbies to overarching aspirations for the future. I expressed a keen interest in the field of Entrepreneurship, and we engaged in a discussion regarding notable alumni who have made significant contributions in this domain. In general, I was content with the current state of affairs. I felt assured in providing an answer. My confidence was bolstered by the act of presenting my true self.
As the conversation drew to a close, she inquired as to whether I had any questions. I posed several inquiries.
1. How is WHU contributing to the empowerment of women?
2. What measures is WHU implementing to facilitate digitalization and address the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic?
3. When will the decision regarding the interview be released?
As I write this post, these are the questions that keep popping into my head. One valuable suggestion is to approach preparation in a manner that demonstrates your potential contribution to the programme and your ability to adapt to your colleagues, thereby excelling in a collaborative setting.
