Tips & Tricks - Sure shot preparation guide for MBA job opportunities 2019

Campus placements, lasting up to 3 days, and sometimes, even more, are a nerve-wracking affair. All your hard work (or the lack of it) has led you the best MBA job opportunities and this will be the highlight of your life for the next few years. You could be in the top 5% of the batch or the bottom. You could be placed on Day 0 or the last. All of it comes down to the preparation that you did over the last two years and in the months leading up to the placements.

That being said, how do you prepare effectively? How do you prepare in a way that is (almost) failure-proof and (absolutely) strategic? How do you ace each stage of the process and come out victorious?

Behold, below is the complete guide to “job” effectively, for MBA students like you. This will help you to grab an offer at your dream firm.

Introspection is a must

Being asked whether or not we know our goals and aspirations leaves most of us in a more confused state than any other question. Truth be told, your answer to that helps the company know about your long-term vision. Hence, it enhances the chances of you clearing the interviews. Further, by showing you have a clear goal in mind, you’ll also come out as an assertive personality, who knows what they want. This is what most companies look for!

In order to gain better insight into the kind of fields that you will flourish in, or which will befit your character, or what aligns with your interests, you can take some simple psychometric tests. These tests will yield the description of your thinking patterns and how you approach tasks. It will help zero down on your strengths and weaknesses, and the fields that you will thrive best in. This will prove to be essential while planning a career.

Build strong networks

MBA job opportunities are plenty, but in order to attain your dream job, you will have to become “the hustle”. If you wish to invest time towards your dream job it becomes imperative to put yourself out there.

Networking is a key skill to develop during your years in a B-School. With the number of group assignments and tasks that you have to face head-on in an MBA, having connections has its own set of perks. Those perks also extend as a job search tool. If you network in the right circles and hone your lobbying skills, it is more than likely that the process of a job application will become smoother for you.

You have to keep the industry that you wish to work in mind. Also, you need to target professionals who are involved in those functional areas. A survey concluded that over 50% of MBA students found jobs via networking- you could be one of them.

Probe job profiles

Most work stories start with the recruitment and placement process. It could either be exceptionally rewarding or prove to be absolutely dreadful. Understand things from the perspective of the recruiter (potentially, your future employer). Place yourself in their shoes. Then, leverage that additional perspective which will help you calculate what will work in your favor.

While pursuing an MBA it becomes important for you to decide on the kind of job opportunities that you wish to pursue, irrespective of your specialization. Clarity on your part will allow you to comb through job applications smoothly. Additionally, your clear goal will be reflected in the application itself.

Do not limit yourself to only researching the job websites and company pages. Look into the profile, approach alumni for help and guidance, or refer to placement groups. It is more than likely that the confusion you are experiencing was previously experienced by someone in your position.

Improve your group discussion skills

Public speaking and discussion do not come as easily to all people. GDs are a platform where you let loose and speak your mind out. It is helpful if you keep at par with the ongoings of the world (bonus points for knowing current affairs related to your field). Gaining the confidence to speak can stem from as small a step as being aware. When you have opinions, expressing them will be easier.

Make sure to not get carried away in action and lose your standpoint in the discussion. Speaking content infused with substance will allow you to get noticed by the jury more than spewing nonsense incessantly. If you are articulate and have a crystalline point of view that you can express with confidence and panache, you will ace this round and will do good in any MBA job opportunity that comes your way.

Analyze the company well

You are more likely to be able to speak on a topic if you have prior knowledge of it (duh.)

This rule is extended to job interviews as well. If you know your recruiter and the kind of company that they come from, it becomes easier for you to find the tonality and approach that they will find appealing.

Having basic knowledge of their products and services, their geographical presence, etc. will help you avoid making blunders during your personal interview. It is an instant turn off for recruiters to interview someone who has negligent knowledge of the company or its history. It merely shows a lack of effort and interest on the part of the candidate.

Create your image beyond just the CV

One quality that will be tested across all MBA job opportunities you encounter is, being self-driven, always ready to take initiatives. In a single meeting, it is highly unlikely to be able to showcase your self driven attitude to the recruiters. In this digital age everything is a few clicks away, and to reflect that you are someone who is not limited to their CV it is a great option to start a blog, a website. This will have two major outcomes- it will impress your recruiters. Also, it will help you set the basis of building your own brand for the future.

Your skills and attitude should not be reduced to your CV. Think beyond those sheets of paper, as the employment process does not revolve around your CV, but how you have chosen to put those skills to pragmatic use.

Acing placements is not a herculean task if you are aware of the idiosyncrasies that are industry specific. Your two years in B-School have led you to this very moment when placements take place. Keeping the aforementioned tips in mind, and you shall emerge victoriously and become a part of that pristine 5% living the dream!