Six Tips for Team Interviews
Business school interviews aren’t just about showing your target program what you can do – they’re also about demonstrating how you work with others. Many top MBA programs, such as Wharton, use team-based or group interviews to highlight candidates’ collaboration, communication, and leadership skills. These interviews simulate what happens in the classroom and on group projects: students working toward a shared goal, responding thoughtfully to different viewpoints, and helping team members succeed together.
How Individual and Team Interviews Differ
In an individual interview, the spotlight is entirely on you – your story, your goals, your fit with the school. Team interviews, on the other hand, focus on how you interact with others. You still need to demonstrate strong communication skills and self-awareness, but you’ll also be evaluated on your ability to listen, collaborate, and think on your feet.
Business schools use the group interview format because teamwork is at the core of the MBA experience. The adcoms want to see how you operate when you’re part of a group, not just when you’re answering one-on-one questions.
Whether you’re preparing for Wharton’s Team Based Discussion or another group-style interview, here are some tips on how to approach it with confidence and make a great impression.
1. Know the school and the format.
Before your interview, review any materials the school has provided, and spend some time learning about the program’s culture, mission, and teaching style. Understanding what the school values will help you shape your ideas and show that you’re aligned with its approach.
2. Practice with a team.
The best preparation is practice. Ask friends or colleagues to join you for a mock discussion, or sign up for an Accepted mock team-based discussion. Practice helps you get comfortable contributing to a conversation that moves quickly while also allowing you to refine your timing, tone, and teamwork skills.
3. Bring brief notes, and use them sparingly.
It’s fine to jot down a few bullet points or reminders before the discussion, but don’t rely on them too much. While glancing at your notes occasionally is okay, reading from them isn’t. You’ll come across as more engaged if you focus on the conversation instead of your page.
4. Collaborate, don’t compete.
Remember, the interview isn’t a debate or a test to see who can talk the most. Build on others’ ideas, find common ground, and keep the energy positive. Disagree respectfully when you need to, but always with professionalism and grace. Schools will be watching how you add to – not dominate – the conversation.
5. Keep your contributions focused and concrete.
Quality matters in this situation more than quantity. Offer clear, relevant points backed by real experiences or examples. Avoid getting lost in theory, and keep your comments practical, concise, and to the point.
6. Dress appropriately.
Even though the format might feel casual, your appearance should not be. Business attire shows respect for the process and will help you feel composed and confident on interview day.
Final Thoughts: Entering the Team Interview Prepared
Team-based interviews are a great chance for you to show the adcom that you’re not just a strong individual performer, but also a thoughtful collaborator. Preparing for this type of interview requires a slightly different mindset, one that balances confidence with empathy and initiative with listening.
You’re already close to the finish line, so don’t leave your interview performance to chance. Run through a mock discussion, get feedback, and fine-tune your approach before the big day. When you walk into that virtual (or in-person) room, you’ll be ready to make your best impression.
Kara Keenan Sweeney has more than 15 years of experience in MBA admissions, having worked for some of the world’s top business school programs, including Columbia Business School, INSEAD, and The Lauder Institute’s joint degree MA/MBA program with The Wharton School and the MA/JD program with Penn Law at the University of Pennsylvania. Kara has guided, coached, and counseled thousands of MBA and EMBA applicants, reviewed innumerable applications, sat on admissions committees, and interviewed countless applicants, including while running Wharton’s Team Based Discussions both virtually and in person. Want Kara to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!
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