G3. How did you structure your responses?
There's a divide between free flowing and structured responses in interviews. It seems to depend largely on the MBA's personality and comfort level in interviews. Most people need to err on the side of being more structured, particularly if you intend to become a consultant. However, both are acceptable strategies. A few nuanced MBAs used both styles, depending on the question, the person, or the school.
Many MBAs use a loose framework to answer each question from an interviewer. There are many variations on SPARK (situation, problem, action, result, knowledge), including PAR, SPAR, STAR, etc.
However, be careful of too much preparation. The interviews are more about personality fit than about content; the interviewer needs to like you enough to want to be your classmate.
Premeditated, structured; Used SPARK, STAR, PAR or similar
John Wilson
SPARK - situation, problem, action, result, knowledge for most of the answers; always you to appear more thoughtful
Responsive, free flowing
Alex Slawsby
Just tried to be honest and connect; though most people I interview now are highly structured
Jeff Haxer
When possible, I let the conversation be free flowing conversation; harder to do with alum interviewers
Both free flowing and structured
Jason Mitchell
Depends on the question; for "Tell me about yourself", it's a free flowing conversation; for others, had a structured answer
Start with the main point, answer first; Hamburger approach - bun, filler, bun
Take time to think before you answer
Murali Krishnan
It's OK to take a couple seconds to compose your thoughts; lead and end with your main point
Karin Gregory
At the time, I just answered; but a structured answer is better; take a moment to think through your answer
Use stories
Benjamin Olds
I had a stable of stories; which of these stories do I want to use to answer that question?