Learn with Kung Fu Panda: Skills companies consider while hiring an MBA

Two espresso shots. Freshly ironed shirt. New Tie. A borrowed blazer. Properly combed hair. Polished shoes. And ta-da! You are interview ready. Did we miss something out? Oh, yes! Your resume. A quick glimpse into it brings back flashes of the last interview you sat for. You didn’t clear that for reasons unknown. But before you go down the memory lane again, you drink a glass of water, let the tension subside and look forward to new beginnings. “This is different. Things will work out this time”, you tell yourself multiple times.

While the famous quote by Abraham Lincoln says, “Whatever you are, be a good one”, there a few places where you might want to tweak things a bit. Especially when it comes to corporate interviews, recruiters look for specific traits among candidates, the lack of which might lead to rejection of your candidature. So, what are we suggesting? 

Master Oogway from Kung Fu Panda said, “There is always something more to learn. Even for a master”. In other words, even if you are the best in your field, you should be equipped with a few essential skills that companies consider while hiring an MBA. To know more about the in-demand skill-sets, have a quick look at the list below. 

1. Leadership and Teamwork

While assessing candidates on grounds of the different skills they possess, this one trait carries bonus points. In most companies, you’ll come across a wide variety of people. From moody individuals to the ones who talk to the point to chatterboxes who find reasons to blabber, you will have to face multiple people during the day and learn to deal with each of them. So, if you’re a person who gels well with people and knows how to build personal and professional relations, you’ve got this right! This explains teamwork, the art of connecting well with the people around you, and ensuring that every person is valued. 

Along similar lines, amongst numerous skills, lies the attribute of leadership, one that companies look for while hiring an MBA graduate. A B-School pass-out, you must be well-versed with the nuances of the corporate world, essentially the quality of being a leader. Companies often look for individuals who can take up leadership roles and have a fair idea of handling teams. A crucial characteristic, it helps recruiters differentiate amongst the ones who can take up responsibility and challenges from the ones who can’t.

2. Time Management

The roots of this particular skill set are closely linked with the trait of prioritization, which is equally important. If the dilemma of what should be done first is something that bothers you, it is time to work on this area and learn how to streamline and prioritize things. You can begin by listing down the day’s tasks and setting a priority index for each. Finish each task one by one. Strike the task off the list once you are done with it. Not only will this help you in efficiently managing your tasks but will also help you save time. 

If a company is investing in you, they want you to understand the importance of time. You cannot linger in the corridors and delay the task at hand. Time is a critical entity. To quote Master Shifu from Kung Fu Panda, “Time is an illusion, there is only the now.” Do not let the skill of time management stand between you and the company! Learn to get things done on the go. 

3. Solving complex problems

Critical thinking and critically analyzing problems is another important skill that recruiters look for. You should have an eye for detail, one that can look for solutions even in the most challenging scenarios. There will be many instances where the client will have unreasonable expectations from you. In such situations, you’ll find yourself stuck between his demands and what can or cannot be done. These are times where you should be able to figure out a feasible solution so that neither the client nor the company suffers. 

Are we asking for too much? Here’s another quote from Master Shifu that teaches us to stretch beyond our limits to explore how far we can go: “If you only do what you can do, you’ll never be more than you are now.”

4. Building and expanding the network of people

To grow, companies largely rely on connecting with new people and building a network that stands with them. An indispensable trait, this is one of the many skills companies look for while hiring MBA graduates. So, in case you are a fairly social person with an ability to build relationships in the first conversation, the extrovert whose life depends on people more than food, you will most likely be hired. 

Another crucial factor that is of paramount importance here is the ability to retain connections. While building connections might not be difficult for many, only a few are able to sustain key contacts and expand accordingly. 

If this makes you skeptical about the skills you possess, don’t worry. We have a motivational pill from Po who shares his tip to perform well in interviews, “Your real strength comes from being the best you, you can be. Who are you? What are you good at? What makes you, you?”

Getting into a white-collar job isn’t difficult if you know how to pitch yourself to the recruiter. So, before you step out and face the dreaded interviewer, list down your skill sets, the ones that define you. Write your story. What is different about you? Why are you better than all the other candidates? Remember, Mr. Ping said, “To make something special you just have to believe it’s special.” 

Know your worth, what you’re capable of and believe in yourself. You can move mountains and cross oceans if you pull the right strings. Set forth on the journey of finding your true self and be the unbeatable version of yourself. You can do it, all the best!