LBS Application Video Interview Questions: Tips And Strategy

London Business School attracts a globally diverse community to its MBA flexible and dynamic MBA programs. A whopping 92% of the LBS admitted class comes from outside the UK.

With a student body drawn from all over the world, admissions interviews are generally handled by alumni. That means the LBS Admissions Committee often doesn’t get the opportunity to meet candidates in person. When making final admissions decisions from a highly competitive pool, it helps to get a more direct sense of candidates that goes beyond resumes and carefully crafted essays.

That’s why LBS now asks candidates invited to interview to submit two short video entries to support their candidacy. The committee is looking to get to know you better. But you’re not simply introducing yourself. They also want to assess confidence and language skills. Moreover, the second question is randomly assigned, so they are assessing your ability to think on your feet and structure your responses.

This can be a challenge —but it’s also an opportunity to let the real you shine through.

As Senior Admissions Coach at Fortuna Admissions, working with countless LBS applicants over the past 12 years, I see the videos as an excellent opportunity to bring your application to life and convey another dimension of your candidacy.

In this article, I walk you through what to expect and how to prepare so that your videos give your application a winning boost. (Find out how my Fortuna colleagues can help with your video prep; sign up for a free consultation.)

The Kira Process

When LBS interview invitations are released, you will usually have about 10–14 days to record your Kira interview questions. (Note that the Kira exercise is completely separate from your alumni interview. Your Kira video will not be provided to your alumni interviewer.)

Once you start your recording session, you will have 45 seconds to prepare your answer to each question — then 90 seconds to record it. You will have the opportunity to practice an unlimited number of times on the Kira Talent platform, and I highly recommend taking advantage of this! Every time you log in to practice, sample questions are provided (these change every time). Note that the sample questions are usually easier than the real thing.

The first question is the same for all candidates and is fairly straightforward:

“What will you gain from the London Business School MBA Program that you won’t gain from another MBA program?”

Your second question will be randomly selected from a large set of prompts.

How To Prepare for the LBS Video Question #1

The good news is that for the first question, you can prepare your answer in advance. Formulating a strong answer is really about doing your research — on classes, professors, treks, conferences and clubs that interest you and/or relate to your goals.

Be specific and resist the temptation to simply quote generic information from the website. For example, if you are keen to gain more knowledge through a particular elective, make sure you say why; or if you are excited to participate in one of LBS’s famous Global Business Experiences, be clear how this will add value to your MBA journey.

You can also focus your answer on the appeal of London and the benefits of learning in a global business hub — two key differentiators for LBS. Why is being in London important to you? There could be many reasons such as access to certain companies, local speakers, London’s connection to so many industries, resources, being a major financial hub and so on.

“Because you get this first question in advance, the team at LBS expects your response to be polished,” says Fortuna’s Emma Bond, former Senior Manager of MBA Admissions at LBS. “Every single interviewed candidate has to answer this question, so it’s important to make yourself stand out. Think deeply about what LBS will offer you but avoid just reeling off a laundry list of activities. Instead, choose wisely and share how the things you’ve chosen are personally relevant to you and to your goals.”

How To Prepare for LBS’ Video Question #2

The second question is randomized, so you won’t know exactly what you will get. The practice sessions should give you an idea. You can expect questions drawn from a general range common to MBA interviews. You should prepare for a range of topics, as you would for any interview. Here are some example questions asked of previous candidates:

Tell us about a time you worked in a dysfunctional team. What did you do to improve it?
Tell us about a time you received feedback. How are you implementing it now?
If you could change one thing about your professional experience, what would it be?
Tell us about a time when you faced conflict at work.
Tell us about a time when you were exposed to a different culture. Where did you find the most value in this experience?

There are no right or wrong answers to the LBS video questions. They are looking for authenticity, to get a sense of who you are and to see whether you would be a good fit for the vibrant LBS community and culture.

The key is to deliver your response confidently. For that, our advice is to practice – out loud and timed! The more you practice, the more comfortable you will feel recording your video and the better you will be able to present your answers in a brief 90 seconds. Fortuna’s Caroline Diarte Edwards, former Director of Admissions at INSEAD, offers more practical tips here on how to ace the MBA video essay. Finally, be yourself, remember to smile and have some fun with it!

Get Ready to Shine

My Fortuna colleagues and I would be delighted to help you prepare for the LBS video interviews or sharpen any aspect of your application to top MBA programs. Reach out now for a free 30-minute consultation to learn more about how we can guide you through this high-stakes element of the application process and help you put your best foot forward on the day.

Melissa Jones is an expert coach at MBA admissions coaching firm Fortuna Admissions and former assistant director of the INSEAD MBA Program. For more free advice from Fortuna Admissions in partnership with Poets&Quants, check out these videos and articles. For a candid assessment of your chances of admission success at a top MBA program, sign up for a free consultation.

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