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Also known as Kira Talent interviews, these are business schools' attempt to automate a part of the interview process. They use them to see the applicant beneath the essays.
Many top business schools include a recorded video interview as part of their MBA application, either in lieu of or in addition to a traditional 1-to-1 MBA interview.
There’s no one on the other side; this is a timed interview that you will need to complete at home. It may be followed by an in-person or online interview with an interviewer at the school. When the applicant logs into their application portal and starts their virtual interview, they are asked one or more questions, given a short time to consider their response, and then prompted to record their answer using their computer webcam and microphone. The video interview typically takes place between application submission and the deadline.
Some of the top business schools that include a video interview component in their MBA application include INSEAD, Oxford Saïd, Yale SOM, LBS, Kellogg, and Rotman – all of which use it as a preliminary screening tool for candidates.
Why Schools Use Video Interviews
Officially, the video interview is meant to provide the AdCom with a more holistic view of your candidacy beyond test scores, grades, and written essays. It offers deeper insights into your personality, communication style, and thinking process.
What schools say about the video interview:
The video should be seen as a unique opportunity for you to share your passions, your motivations and who you truly are. The MBA Admissions Committee is interested in obtaining an authentic view of you as a person, to see how you think on your feet and how you convey your ideas.
The video essays provide you with an additional opportunity to demonstrate what you will bring to our vibrant Kellogg community — in an interactive way. You will respond to several short video essay questions. The questions are designed to bring to life the person we have learned about on paper.
To virtually meet you, get a sense of your personality and see how you think on your feet, you will need to complete an online assessment as part of your application. You will be asked to answer three competency-based questions - this will be randomised.
The competency-based question lets you demonstrate certain leadership skills and qualities we look for, such as integrity, vision, self-awareness, decisiveness and collaboration.
But it’s not just for these reasons. In our experience, the video interviews also serve as an effective filter. Schools can quickly identify applicants who struggle to speak clearly, structure thoughts on the fly, or express themselves confidently. Candidates who have thick accents, over-rely on memorized scripts, use excessive jargon, or are unable to convey coherent thoughts under pressure may be ruled out before reaching the in-person interview stage.
Types of Video Interview Questions
Kira Talent interviews generally fall into two broad categories: motivational and behavioral. Each tests different aspects of your personality and candidacy.
In some cases, the video interview questions are fixed and all applicants are asked the same question. For example, LBS asks all applicants the same Question 1: What will you gain from the LBS MBA that you won’t gain from another MBA program?
In this case, you can find the question(s) online and prepare accordingly.
For other schools, the questions may be randomized. Some schools, like Oxford SBS, also include a brief written response section.
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Motivational questions: These explore your goals, values, and rationale behind pursuing an MBA. These often align with your application essays and require you to express clarity of purpose and alignment with the school’s offerings.
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Behavioral questions: On the other hand, behavioral questions assess how you’ve handled real-life challenges in the past. They’re designed to evaluate interpersonal effectiveness, leadership potential, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and more, based on the assumption that past behavior predicts future conduct in business school and in your career.
Motivational Questions
To answer motivational questions effectively, revisit your application essays, personal statements, and school research. Your essays already contain most of the raw material – goals, timelines, personal values, and school-specific reasons. Repurpose them to speak authentically and conversationally during the video interview.
Prepare a summary sheet with key points, including specific school features like electives, clubs, or global programs that drew you to apply. Note names of alumni or staff you've interacted with—it helps make your answers more personal and credible under time pressure.
Behavioral Questions
Use stories to your advantage when answering behavioral questions. Use the SCAR framework (Situation, Challenge, Action, Result) to clearly walk the interviewer through what happened and your specific role in the scenario. This keeps your responses focused and easy to follow.
Before your interview, build a ‘story bank’ of 5–6 well-rounded experiences covering different competencies like teamwork, leadership, conflict resolution, and decision-making. For each story, annotate the key traits demonstrated, such as resilience, communication, innovation, or empathy.
Here’s how the SCAR structure works:
Situation: Begin by describing the context with specific details. Set the stage for your story so that the AdCom can understand the scenario clearly.
Challenge: Next, outline the challenge you encountered. What obstacle or problem did you identify or encounter?
Action: Explain specifically what actions you took to address the situation and overcome the challenge.
Result: State the outcome of your actions and demonstrate what impact you had on the situation. The more quantifiable this is, the better.
Model Answers
Example Motivational Questions
Why an MBA now?
What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
How will you contribute to the class and the school’s community?
How will an MBA will help you reach your goals?
Why are you pursuing an MBA at this school?
What do you expect to gain from this MBA program?
Give us 3 reasons why you applied for this MBA program.
Give us 3 reasons why we should offer you a place in this MBA program.
If you’re admitted to our program, what do you think your biggest challenge will be in the first year?
What distinguishes you from other applicants?
Story 1
Situation: I was captain of soccer team.
Challenge: Conflict between coach and player. Player refused to play, coach refused to back down
Action: I allowed some time, de-escalated the situation, chaired a meeting.
Result: Realised it was a matter of soothing both egos, finding common ground. Both wanted to win. Player returned.
Traits: Leadership, team, negotiation, people skills, communication...
Story 2
Situation: Last-minute opportunity to land a new client
Challenge: Had to present to client CIO next day
Action: Pulled an all-nighter preparing a financial model and presentation
Result: Presented to the client in her office, secured a contract worth $2m.
Traits: Grit, determination, strength: financial modelling, communication
Example Behavioral Questions
Tell us about a time when you faced an ethical dilemma.
Would you say most people act out of self interest or altruism?
Tell us about a time when you had to overcome a bias to succeed.
Tell us about the last time when you stepped out of your comfort zone.
If you had an extra hour everyday, what would you use it for?
What advice do you give others but struggle to follow yourself?
Share with us what inspires you to get out of bed everyday.
Tell us what you were like 5 years ago and how you are different today.
Tell us about a time when you helped implement an innovative idea.
Tell us about a time when you were unhappy with your performance at work. How did you address it?
If you were to give a piece of advice to your 18 year old self, what would it be?
If you could go back in time and change something in the past, what would you change?
Tell us about a time when you tried to pursue something and then suddenly had a change of heart. How did you deal with it and make the transition?
How do you manage to work effectively under pressure?
Tell us about a time when you were overwhelmed with work pressure. How do you handle it?
Tell us about a time when a failure ended up leading you to success.
Walk us through the biggest challenge you’ve faced.
Share with us your most significant achievement.
What’s your biggest strength/weakness and why?
Tell us about a time when you led a team.
What was the hardest piece of news you ever had to deliver?
How do you handle failure?
Tell us about how you handle a situation when you know you've made a mistake?
Tell us about a time when you made an unpopular choice. How did you implement the decision?
Have you ever postponed a decision? Why?
Tell us about a time when you had to make a quick decision.
What do you think is your risk tolerance? Did you ever make a risky decision? Why? How did you handle it?
Tell us about a time when you went above and beyond the call of duty? If so, how?
Tell us about a time when you went above and beyond the call of duty to help out a client or a colleague at work?
Share an instance when you were multitasking. How did you prioritize your projects?
How do you manage stress while working with tight deadlines?
Have you ever found yourself involved in a conflict with a co-worker or a superior or even a boss? How do you manage conflicts at work?
What is your definition of successful leadership?
Tell us about a time when you successfully worked as a part of a tight knit team.
Tell us about a time when you challenged the status quo.
Tell us about a time when you had to revive a stagnant team. What did you do?
Tell us about a time when you needed more hands on the deck to finish off a tight deadline. How did you ask for help?
Tell us about a time when you had to make an unconventional choice. How did you bring your team on board?
Tell us about a time when you had to adapt to a new culture, environment, or working style.
Tell us about the last time you had to step out of your comfort zone.
Tell us about a book, movie, song, person or event that has influenced you the most in your life.
Who is your role model and why?
Tell us about the most played song on your phone.
How would you explain Instagram/Facebook/LinkedIn to your Grandma?
Do you believe that social responsibility should always be prioritized over making a profit? Why or why not?
According to you, what is the biggest challenge technology poses today?
According to you, what is the biggest challenge your industry is facing at present?
According to you, what is the most significant social issue we face today?
Note: Some questions may be more abstract or philosophical (e.g., “Do you believe people are driven by altruism or self-interest?”), so be prepared to give your opinion, while still connecting back to your personal experiences and values.
Practical Tips
Presentation: Dress as you would for a smart-casual office day. You don’t need to wear a full suit, but aim to look polished and confident. Choose a quiet, well-lit space with a neutral or tidy background. Facing a window gives you the best natural light.
Network connectivity: Check your tech. Use a stable internet connection, preferably wired via an ethernet cable to avoid sudden disconnections. Test your webcam, mic, and lighting well in advance and remember to charge your device!
Practice: Before you sit for the actual interview, simulate the experience using mock interview tools like those available on MBAconsultant.com. Practice speaking to a webcam, keeping your responses within the time limit.
Don’t memorize scripts: While preparation is key, avoid rehearsing full responses word-for-word. The Admissions Committee is quick to notice robotic delivery and rehearsed lines. Instead, practice key points so you can speak naturally and apply your stories to a range of situations.
Written responses: For schools like Oxford that include a writing component, use simple formats like "Introduction, Body, Conclusion". Stay calm, type confidently, and aim for about 250 words. This is a test of your logic and clarity.
Join the self-guided Kira Talent Coach course on MBAConsultant.com to practice using mock video interviews tailored for top business schools.