The Ultimate Guide to Nailing Your London Business School MBA Interview

In 2023, the Financial Times ranked LBS as the #2 European business school. Each year, approximately 10 percent of the class at London Business School comes from the UK, with the remaining 90 percent being international students hailing from approximately 60 -70 different countries. Admission to this top-ranked business school is highly competitive. Therefore, we’ve curated a comprehensive guide to help you excel in your LBS admissions interview.

Understanding the MBA interview at LBS

Securing an interview with London Business School is a significant achievement. If you’ve received an invitation, congratulations. To succeed in LBS’s unique MBA interview, which includes a mini presentation and dynamic questions, thorough preparation and a tailored approach are essential.

1) Know your LBS interviewer:

LBS interviews are conducted by alumni who bring a unique perspective, focusing on your entire application while fostering a personalized and friendly dialogue. However, it’s crucial to recognize that the interviewer assesses your motivations for pursuing an MBA, leadership skills, analytical thinking, communication skills, and ability to adapt to pressure and work with a team. 

Upon receiving an invitation to interview, London Business School typically takes approximately two weeks to pair you with a suitable interviewer. They will share the interviewer’s contact information with you, allowing you to coordinate a mutually convenient meeting time directly with them by a specified deadline.

2) Length of the LBS interview:

LBS interviews generally span 45 to 60 minutes, though the exact duration can vary as interviewers have autonomy in conducting them. While London Business School offers guidelines regarding the interview format, timing, and other logistics, the actual length is influenced by the interviewer’s approach and the flow of conversation during the session. This flexibility ensures that each interview experience is tailored to the interaction between the candidate and the interviewer.

3) The LBS interview format and the mini-presentation :

The interview process features a unique format that includes a standard one-on-one session and a five-minute impromptu presentation, for which candidates have five minutes to prepare. The interviewer chooses topics for this presentation from various options, covering everything from business case studies to provocative topics such as controversial issues or personal viewpoints. The presentation topics at LBS are intentionally diverse, reflecting recent events and business trends. For instance, you may be asked to assume the CEO role of a company that a tech giant recently acquired and reveal steps you would take to ensure the company’s profitability and future survival.

The focus is not only on the content of your response but also on how you structure your presentation—emphasizing the introduction, opinions, main content, and conclusion. The time provided is intentionally short, testing your ability to process and prioritize information and structure your arguments in a crunched timeframe. Your ability to articulate effectively and engage the presentation skills. The point of the presentation is to see whether you can present a clear idea and demonstrate critical thinking abilities. The focus is walking the interviewer through a clear, well-reasoned answer to the prompt. 

Sample questions for the MBA interview at LBS

The questions are compiled from interview feedback provided by our clients. Although they don’t cover every possible question, preparing answers for them will boost your confidence and help you perform better in your interview.  LBS alumni interviewers often ask questions to understand your personal story, evaluate your fit with the MBA program, and explore synergies between your career goals and the LBS curriculum. Their approach focuses on building a genuine connection and assessing mutual compatibility. Some of them include:

• How do you handle conflict?
• What are your experiences with cultural diversity? In your opinion, what are some difficulties that diversity in a workplace can cause?
• What are the key threats and opportunities your industry is facing?
• What three takeaways would you advise your company to take action on if you had to develop a strategy for them?
• Share an instance where you had to adapt to a new environment.
• You applied to a few other schools – which ones, and why is LBS different from them?
• What are your long-term and short-term goals?

View The Red Pen’s Comprehensive List of Questions for LBS’ MBA Interview

Tips to ace the LBS interview

The interview is a pivotal component of LBS’s comprehensive evaluation process. In a webinar titled “How to submit a strong application,” David Simpson, Recruitment and Admissions Director for the MBA and Masters in Finance (MiF) programs, highlighted its role in allowing candidates to articulate their narrative and express their motivations for choosing LBS. Although formal business attire is recommended for video MBA interviews, professionalism goes beyond what you wear. Pay attention to your background, lighting, sound quality, internet stability, and other environmental factors to create a polished and professional presentation. Here are a few tips to ace the interview:

1) Craft a 90-120 second elevator pitch:

Alumni interviewers often begin with questions like ‘Tell me about yourself’ or ‘Walk me through your resume’ to help you relax. Prepare a concise MBA elevator pitch that sums up your personality and interests. The interviewer wants to know who you are, what drives you and what makes you a person and a professional.

2) Highlight your unique qualities:

During the interview, highlight your personality by discussing your volunteer work, travel experiences, and special interests. Since your resume, transcripts, and essays cover your career and academic achievements, use this opportunity to showcase what makes you stand out.

3) Conduct thorough research:

Demonstrate your commitment to the program by sharing your interactions with students, alumni, and faculty and participating in school events. Highlight specific courses or electives that interest you and explain how they align with your career aspirations. This shows your genuine interest in understanding the program’s unique offerings. Additionally, stay informed on recent news and current events in the industry.

4) Avoid rambling:

Maintain focus during the interview to foster a productive dialogue and cover more questions within the allotted time. Practice delivering concise responses that directly address the questions, helping keep the interviewer engaged. This approach showcases your practical communication skills and enables you to highlight additional strengths and experiences.

5) Express gratitude:

Alumni interviewers generously volunteer time alongside their professional commitments out of love for their school and commitment to support its community. It’s vital to recognize and thank them for their time and dedication. Following the interview up with a thank you note expressing your gratitude is a thoughtful gesture.

6) Participate in mock interviews:

Participate in mock interviews with peers, mentors, or career advisors to replicate actual interview conditions. This practice helps you refine your responses, articulate key points more effectively, and build confidence in your communication. Request constructive feedback on your performance to pinpoint areas for improvement and strengthen your overall interview strategy. Mock interviews are essential preparation, ensuring you approach your MBA interview with poise and readiness.

7) Keep these recent LBS interview trends in mind: 

• Focus on leadership during times of uncertainty: Expect interviewers to focus on how you navigated challenges or showcased your leadership skills during times of crisis or ambiguity. 
• Emphasis on DEI: Interviewers may ask how you would contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, reflecting LBS’s ongoing commitment to these values.
• Global perspective: LBS continues to value global experiences and outlooks. You may be asked about your views on global trends like sustainability, AI, and trade wars.

Successfully navigating the MBA admissions interview at London Business School requires rigorous preparation and a strategic approach. Mastering these insights and tips will empower you to showcase your qualifications and unique strengths confidently. For more information, read our six-part comprehensive interview preparation guide – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Parts 5 and 6. To sign up for our mock interview or guidance on any component of your MBA application, please get in touch. Our MBA experts look forward to assisting you.