Facing the interview beast :)

Typical MBA interview Qs can be found in accepted and mbapodcaster

From my experience I would suggest the following:

• A complete and thorough retrospection of WHY an MBA would help with essays and interviews too. Know very well what you stated in your essays and ensure you reinforce them in the interviews.
  


• WHY MBA, WHY MBA NOW, CAREER GOALS, ABOUT YOURSELF (show a career progression and also showcase outside work activities), WHY XYZ SCHOOL (bring out the match between your goals and what the school has to offer. Also what you can contribute and how you can continue to pursue your other interests) are typical and must be handled VERY VERY well.
  

• These apart, MOST important thing is: Have instances in your professional and personal front illustrating leadership, failures, hurdles, accomplishments, contributions to organisation, team work. You would cover quite a few in the essays. But you would need more for the interview. Have an experience to quote in each of these areas. ALSO if you say abc is your strength, have an example ready wherein you demonstrated that strength. Generally you are asked for 2/ 3 strengths...so as many examples.
  

• Same is the case with weakness. Have an instance and also show how you are working to overcome the same. It is important to mention this.
  

• In your recos ensure that the recommender actually backs whatever you stated in the essays and which you would possibly say in interviews. CONSISTENCY is very important.
  

• In regard to career goals, you are expected to be very focussed and clear. The POSITION you would like to take up post-MBA, 5yrs, 10yrs and 15yrs down the line. The industry and function must be very clearly stated and you must be in a position to say which company you are looking at post-MBA. Even if your essay doesn't require you to cover these, in interviews the adcom (the business lingo for admissions committee ;) ) will delve into depths. They are interested to know if they can help you with your career aspirations.
  

• Due to the heavy global level competition, schools tend to incline towards students who put in efforts to know about the school. Attending MBA events, getting in touch with Alumni, current students and staff and class visits are a plus. There may be a questions in the interview as to how you got to know about that particular school.
  

• Do have questions for the adcom as well. Don't just ask something whose answer can be found right on their school's website.
  All this done, you are all set!