Post-Interview Reflection Sample 1

“You've just had your HBS interview. How well did we get to know you?” Dear [NAME],

I had an enjoyable time speaking (and laughing) with you this afternoon. I appreciate your acknowledgment of my interests and using that as a conversation starter. Thank you for allowing me to finish sharing with you my interests in [country], becoming [a super user], and mental health. As you saw, I get very excited on topics I am passionate about.

You asked a great question regarding the different projects under the deal experiences listed on my resume. If we had more time, I would’ve loved to add to my answer that it is not only the result of both being hard-working and having to wear many hats at [firm], but that I actively volunteer to take on initiatives that are beneficial to the growth of our firm and investments. We talked about the acquisition playbook that I proposed and that is now being implemented across seven portfolio companies. My goal was to create a more efficient and standardized process since many of our portfolio companies focus heavily on growing through acquiring other companies. More importantly, I wanted to establish a process and framework that is long-lasting and replicable for future sectors we will invest in. Due to the lean team-build at the firm, I navigated the steep learning curve alone by spending time attending private bootcamps held by external firms. I leveraged these experiences to create formal associates training sessions and internship program for the firm, where I led the training for two new associates we recently hired and five undergraduate and MBA interns this past year.

We spoke briefly about my the failed [entrepreneurial ventures] my family engaged in when I was growing up. I just remembered a minor one of my own: receiving an award for the worst-performing stock portfolio in my high school economics class. These failures drove me my determination to learn from them, and be resilient in the face of failures. My tenacity, perseverance and grit have helped me to overcome obstacles, from facing discrimination for as a female in [macho industry] to managing the steep learning curves at both my current firm. Perseverance and grit are also my tools to create meaningful solutions to challenging problems, whether it’s creating an affinity group through founding [an association chapter], building a [local debate society] to create more opportunities for disadvantaged high school students, or work initiatives we discussed my interview. I hope to continue this trend post-MBA by starting my own [niche health industry] technology company. The Harvard MBA will help me build the knowledge and skills that I need for this endeavor.

Thank you again for the opportunity to share my story in person and I am excited for the chance to continue this story at HBS. I was filled with awe while touring the iLab and it was truly a thrilling experience to witness the case method live. Quite nostalgic since my favorite business class at my college was also taught using the case method. I also had an exciting “mini-reunion” with two of my old colleagues from my first job during my visit as well as connecting with an alum.

Lastly, I would’ve loved to learn more about your involvement in women’s health because our firm is starting to work on a thesis in that sector.