Turning Your MBA Degree into a Job Offer
Here you are, you’ve made it through the rigorous MBA program and graduation day is well on the way. The next chapter? Using that knowledge and skill to propel your post-MBA career forward. However, searching for a job fresh out of business school can be a complex and daunting process. Leonard Morrison, a Career Development and Alumni Relations Officer for the MIT Supply Chain Management master’s program, recommends these three tips.
Thorough knowledge of the role will require extensive research and knowledge
Freshly graduated MBA students often take a job interview for granted. They think it is primarily about them sharing why they want the job. Contrary to popular belief, this aspect is important, but it is not everything.
According to Morrison, managers usually prefer to employ someone who has already done the job, perhaps at a competitor. In order to compete with these more experienced candidates, extensive research and knowledge of the role will be required. Morrison describes it as, “To find out what’s on the desk, so to speak.” Hiring managers look for someone who can convey they are very familiar with the day to day requirements. These include knowledge of the core competencies, priorities, and expectations of the job. This will help you close the experience gap. Ideally, the best way to learn about these aspects of the job is through calls with current or former employees.
Morrison says, “Seeking out those with firsthand knowledge will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of a product or service, the competitive landscape, market dynamics, and other particulars. And knowing the specifics will demonstrate to the interviewer that you’ll be ready to go on day one.”
2. The fit factor
Understanding the importance of being fit is key to getting hired. Morrison states that candidates need to have a strong understanding of the company’s culture. For example, the organizational norms and expectations, cross-functional collaboration, reporting relationships, and strategic priorities. Unfortunately, this does not appear in the job description. However, this is something to learn about from current of former employees.
Equally important according to Morrison, is self-understanding. In other words, knowing your personal strengths, temperament, abilities and communication styles that you can convey authentically in an interview. He further states, “This requires a certain amount of honest introspection, preparation, and professional maturity.”
3. Telling a convincing story
Storytelling is an underestimated skill in job seeking and interviewing. According to Morrison, “Using relevant examples to show you possess the core competencies required of the role gives evidence to back up your self-proclaimed strengths and support your answers to situational questions.”
The STAR Method
In order for the interviewer to gain the best picture of who you are and how you will approach the job is using convincing storytelling skills and specific examples. When addressing traditional behavioral interview questions, using the common STAR method (situation, task, action, result) of telling a story is incredibly affective. However, Morrison recommends students to strengthen their stories by considering the following:
Does your story and examples reflect how much you truly want this role? How are you illustrating this desire to the interviewer? Perhaps it’s sharing how you prepared for the interview, or perhaps demonstrating your unique knowledge of the product/service.
Does your story convincingly show that you possess the abilities and competencies to do the job?
Does your story reflect that your temperament aligns with that required in the role?
Are you effectively conveying to the interviewer that you possess certain assets that are relevant to the role? Your technical certifications, language skills, and systems knowledge will all help you stand out.
Want to read more about behavioral interview questions for your MBA interview? Read this.