What is your biggest professional development opportunity?

The Stanford Graduate School of Business seeks students who know their strengths and the areas in which they have growth potential. They look for candidates who have specific professional development goals that are in alignment with the courses and programs offered. Your interviewer wants to know more about your goals for growth and how you plan to achieve them if selected for the next class at Stanford.

I encourage my clients to formulate an elevator pitch prior to any interview. While it is unlikely you will be cornered in an elevator with a Stanford interviewer, the development of this material will aid you in your ability to confidently and succinctly state what you feel you have to gain if selected for the Stanford MBA program. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses and how they align with the coursework and additional program offerings is a key element to any great pitch.

Let your interviewer know about at least one of your major growth opportunities. Describe your opportunity at a high level and then provide a specific example of how the MBA path at Stanford you are interested in will help you achieve your goal(s).