Interview Prep Flashcards
(17 cards)
What will you gain from the London Business School MBA Programme that you won’t gain from another MBA programme?
- Main reason for MBA: Expand global network & learn diverse business practices.
- LBS’s 90% international student body creates a global, inclusive network.
- Strong culture of cross-cultural engagement—ideal for building connections.
- London: Europe’s financial hub with top PE firms (e.g., HG Capital, CVC, Bain Capital).
- Post-MBA goal: Enter private equity sector, leveraging LBS’s connections to these firms.
- Tell us about a time you worked in a dysfunctional team. What did you do to improve it?
- Worked in a team facing dysfunction due to varying experience levels.
- I was busy with other projects; a new teammate struggled with a complex financial model needing a consolidation method.
- The gap led to delays and miscommunication.
- Proposed a daily training session:
- Started with a two-hour basics session.
- Continued with daily one-hour sessions to tackle specific areas.
- Outcome: Teammate gained confidence, we collaborated effectively, completed the model on time, and received positive feedback from supervisors.
Tell us about a time you received feedback. How are you implementing it now?
Situation: Faced communication issues with a new manager unresponsive before a critical client presentation, causing frustration.
Feedback: My coach advised having a one-on-one meeting to align expectations and improve communication.
Action: Held a one-on-one meeting with the manager to discuss roles and communication needs.
Immediate Result: Achieved clearer understanding and better communication with the manager.
Long-Term Implementation: Applied expectation alignment strategy to all projects, improving client management and managerial skills.
If you could change one thing about your professional experience, what would it be?
Early Experience: First role in investment banking at Danareksa in Indonesia.
Two Divisions: Worked in the capital markets division (administrative work) vs. advisory division (preferred).
Challenge: Found capital markets work clerical and less aligned with my interests in strategy.
Motivation for Change: Realized I wanted a more client-focused, advisory role.
Outcome: Pursued a position at PwC, allowing me to engage in work that suits my skills and career goals.
Tell us about a time when you faced conflict at work.
Conflict with New Manager on Aluminum Project
Situation: New manager, adjusting to workflow, handling multiple projects.
Conflict: Manager didn’t communicate availability; unreachable before client presentation.
Impact: Team scrambled last minute to cover her part.
Solution: Consulted coach → Advised a 1-on-1 meeting.
Action: Discussed roles/responsibilities in meeting → Aligned expectations.
Outcome: Improved communication, smoother teamwork going forward.
Tell us about a time when you were exposed to a different culture. Where did you find the most value in this experience?
Exposure to Japanese Culture - University
Context: University with 50% international students.
Key Influence: Japanese culture, particularly Kaizen (continuous improvement).
Lesson Learned: Importance of efficiency and refinement.
Application:
Financial models → Small, continuous improvements.
Goal: Make models faster, easier to understand, more accessible for others.
What is your short term goal and why?
Short-Term Goal in Private Equity (Infrastructure)
Goal: Transition into private equity, focusing on infrastructure.
Motivation: Recognize privilege; few in my country have had similar opportunities.
Impact: Aim to give back by fostering economic growth in less-developed areas.
Target: Indonesian Investment Authority (INA) as a key example.
Approach: Leverage MBA connections and prior financial skills for meaningful development projects.
What is your backup plan if you don’t achieve your short-term goal?
Backup Plan:
Plan B: Return to PwC in Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory.
Impact: Continue working on meaningful projects for national development.
Network Growth: Expand connections in Indonesian private equity.
Skill Building: Gain more experience on infrastructure projects.
Long-Term Goal: Reapply for Indonesian Investment Authority (INA) with strengthened experience and network.h
Describe a time you overcame challenges working with a diverse team and practiced inclusivity.
Financial Modeling Training
Context: Volunteered as an internal trainer for firm-wide financial modeling training.
Challenge: Diverse participant backgrounds; many lacked basic accounting knowledge and hesitated to ask questions.
Action: Created a pre-training questionnaire to gauge accounting knowledge.
Solution: Held a one-hour informal session to cover accounting basics before main training.
Outcome: Participants felt more comfortable and could fully engage with advanced material.
Describe a time you had to change your plans at the last moment and how you handled it.
Project: Toll Road Valuation
Original Plan: Equity method for financial model.
Last-Minute Change: Client changed ownership structure, requiring a switch to consolidation method (2 days before deadline).
Solution:
Adjusted only the consolidation section.
Modified financial statements.
Eliminated duplicate entries; added relevant accounts.
Outcome: Delivered updated model on time, efficiently adapting to client’s changes.
What is your biggest passion outside of work, and why?
Passion: Teaching
Background:
Began in university as a TA for 3 courses (Business Math, Statistics, Student Workshops).
Mentored juniors for CFA Research Challenge—ranked sixth; juniors later won nationals.
Value in Work:
Teaching skills help in financial model training sessions for clients.
Confidently guide clients, simplifying complex concepts.
What makes you unique?
Answer Pointers:
Unique Trait: Dedication to teaching and mentoring.
Example 1: Teaching assistant for multiple courses in university.
Example 2: Mentored juniors for CFA Research Challenge; juniors won national competition.
Current Application: Leads financial modeling training for clients, simplifying complex concepts.
Impact: Builds strong relationships, enhances collaboration, adds value to teams beyond technical skills.
How will you contribute to the class and community?
How I’ll Contribute to LBS Community:
Finance & Infrastructure Expertise: Unique background in Indonesia’s infrastructure sector.
Financial Modeling Proficiency: Offer support and insights in financial modeling for classmates.
Teaching Experience: Passionate about helping peers learn and develop finance skills.
Event Organization: Led Cultural Week in university; eager to contribute to LBS Tattoo event.
Building Community: Focus on fostering inclusivity and celebrating diversity.
Explain why you believe you would be successful working in a setting that is based in another country
Why I Can Succeed in a New Work Environment:
Global Exposure: Bachelor’s degree in Japan with classmates from 88 countries.
Cultural Diversity in Indonesia: Grew up among 100+ ethnic groups and five major religions.
Professional Adaptability: Worked at PwC under a UK national (Julian Smith), adapted to his work style.
Proven Flexibility: Confident in handling diverse work environments.
Why is it so important to have different people working in the same place?
Why is it important to have people from different backgrounds working together?
Different Perspectives: Unique viewpoints improve and refine ideas.
Real-Life Example: At PwC, worked with engineering and financial teams.
Engineering Focus: Project timelines, technical feasibility.
Finance Focus: Returns, financial viability.
Outcome: Combined perspectives led to better client recommendations that balanced both technical and financial factors.
Describe an instance when you had to take charge of a situation.
Taking Charge Example:
Situation: Newly promoted to Senior Associate at PwC, working with a new, inexperienced peer.
Task: Needed to complete a financial model; peer required guidance.
Action:
Organized informal training.
Initial 2-hour session on basics.
Daily 1-hour sessions to tackle specific issues.
Result: Peer gained confidence in financial modeling; project completed successfully.
What do you consider to be the single most significant feature of working in a team?
Most Significant Feature of Working in a Team: Collaboration
Reason: Different perspectives improve ideas and challenge assumptions.
Example: In my role at PwC, worked with both financial and engineering teams.
Finance Focus: Looked at projects from financial feasibility and returns.
Engineering Focus: Focused on project timelines and technical feasibility.
Outcome: Combining insights led to a well-rounded recommendation for clients.
