What behavioral questions are asked in the Harvard MBA interview?

Harvard does ask behavioral questions, but they’re almost always tied to your actual experiences—usually from your resume or essay. The goal isn’t to test your memory of a framework but to see how you’ve handled real situations.

Here are six common behavioural questions they ask:

• Tell me about a time you led a team.
• Describe a situation where you had to convince someone to see things your way.
• Tell me about a time you failed.
• Give an example of a time you made a tough decision with limited information.
• Share a moment when you handled conflict at work.
• Tell me about a time you took the initiative.

The best way to handle these is to keep your answers specific and honest. Focus on what you did, not just what the team did. Be clear about the outcome, but also reflect on what you learned or would do differently. They’re listening more for the thought process than the outcome itself.  

Ready to crush your Harvard MBA interview? Check out this blog for expert tips and questions!