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Important Skills in MBA Grads: What are the skills that recruiters on campus look for in the best business schools? How do recruiters like students and get an edge over their competitors? How important is work experience for companies, and is your undergraduate institute brand important for campus recruitment?
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To find out, we asked industry and selectors on the best B-school campus to reveal to us the skills they are looking for in MBA students. We asked them to tell us what skills MBA students currently do not have and to list the shortcomings in Indian MBA employment processes that need to be addressed by management companies. Here is what they said.
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The GMAC Corporate Recruitment Analysts lists the skills/ attributes employers are looking for in MBA candidates. Survey respondents were asked to get the most important place out of 12 attributes. A candidate’s ability to fit into an organizational culture is now standardized as a highly desirable attribute.
The survey also addresses the question of exactly what these top In-Demand skills top B-School recruiters are looking for.
1. Interpersonal Skills
Everyone in a leadership role needs each other’s skills, in which working with and motivating others can really make the difference between success and failure - be it with clients, colleagues, or the people you manage. Don’t forget, the lack of such skills will seriously impede your ability to engage in all those important networks - no one is going to share the best new opportunity with you if you can’t engage with them.
2. Strategic Thinking
Strategic thinking is a cornerstone of the MBA - one of the main objectives of the degree is to help you always move from a functional role to a ‘big picture. Can you see the future of a company, how is it going to get there, and is it a factor in the agility to deal with competitors and market forces? If so, you will need more of the best MBA employers.
3. Entrepreneurial Skills
Entrepreneurial skills are the ability to find a gap in the market, enough judgment and creativity, and technical understanding to know if it is worth filling, otherwise doing so would be invaluable to a dynamic organization with developmental designs. Remember that not every example of an entrepreneur needs to change the world.
4. Communication Skills
It is essential to communicate above, below, and across any management level. Communication skills are a part of which employers often find to be somewhat low on candidates. Fortunately, this is a review that will help you develop an MBA and play a significant role in MBA learning with all the compatible challenges of working in different groups.
5. Leadership Skills
A good manager will have the leadership skills to carry out functional roles by his or her superiors - not an easy task by any means. However, a good leader will inspire them and those around them, make them valuable, and give the whole effort a sense of direction. Significantly, the surveyed top MBA employers were most satisfied with having MBAs.
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Every MBA student needs to develop their skills and design their career path with some basic, but highly relevant technical skills. Some of them are:
1. Data Analysis
The ruling mantra of the business world is currently "Data is the new oil". Some industries are growing and data is the reason for their rapid growth. One of the best technical skills for management students is to command proficiency in analytical tools like Tableau, SPSS, etc.
The most basic and commonly used tool for data management is MS Excel. Due to its widespread popularity, MBA students need to be familiar with Excel in technical skills.
2. Programming Languages
While this is not necessary for MBA candidates to incorporate JDs, it is an added benefit. As a manager, you will work on various projects that may be the software interface or application that you can provide. Or you can be used in a cross-functional group.
Therefore, basic knowledge of languages like Python, SQL, and PHP, and knowledge of related databases are the most useful technical skills for MBA students.
3. Presentation and Design
Good knowledge of presentation tools is one of the most important technical skills for knowledge management students. Presentations are important in the corporate setting because they are the official link between a customer and a business.
MBA students get good exposure to presentations ranging from their class assignments to business case study competitions. They should use this expression by learning more about the art of making PPTs on various tools such as PowerPoint, Prezi, Canva, Haiku Deck, etc.
4. Technical Writing
Managers are given the responsibility of setting goals and objectives in a project. They are needed to facilitate cross-functional or cross-sectional team collaboration in a project and to communicate one team’s expectations, presentations, limitations, etc. to another.
They also inform the supervisors of the technical, budget, and other needs of the teams. Therefore, they need to know the technical specifications of each domain, i.e. marketing, accounts, information technology, etc.
Therefore, technical writing skills should be essential for a manager because it is a stepping stone for effective communication within an organization. This is why it is featured in the list of top tech skills for MBA students.
5. Project Management
Managers inform employees of information received from top management. They create meeting minutes with top management, create training and staff items, and generate reports on product specifications and terms of service. Managers also generate reports on internal and external processes, partner management, competitor analysis, and project documentation.
Although project management is a specific branch of management, managers are specially trained in statistical analysis tools, scrum methodology tools, quality control techniques and algorithms, risk analysis report development, and communication and planning software.
Nevertheless, it is highly relevant for all managers to have knowledge of these features, and this is one of the best tech skills for MBA students to learn.
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If you want to manage your own team or own your own business, some of the skills you learn in B-school will be key to your success because they will shape your work ethic and your professional strength. So, before you sign up for an MBA, read all the important professional skills that a business degree can help you with;
Strategic thinking and analysis
Communication skills
Networking right
Toughing out high-pressure situations
Professional pragmatism
Time management
Decision-making
Leadership
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In addition to providing a solid foundation in business strategies and technology, online MBA programs offer many opportunities to develop your fine skills. Often, knowing how to present new ideas and collaborate with others can prove just as important as your technical ability for success in the workplace. During your advanced education, you will find ways to develop these essential skills. So if you’re trying to guarantee job security in a post-COVID world, here are Important skills in MBA Grads you can look to strengthen.
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Before going to get into the topic, one should know the Importance of soft skills for MBA students and how to improve MBA skills. Here the top 10 important soft skills developed by MBA students.
1. Leadership
Earning your MBA is about jumping ahead in the resources you bring to the job and preparing yourself to act as a leader. Encouraging trust in others and motivating them to do their best work requires a firm understanding of the personal needs of employees and the overall culture of your company. You learn to strengthen your areas of expertise, work with others on complex projects, and to get honest feedback.
2. Communication
To improve your life, you can get your ideas clear and confident. Your education prepares you to take the next step in your life by teaching you different ways to present information and ideas. Whether you are attending a conference, submitting a formal proposal, listing an analysis sample, or writing a note, you need to understand how to format your message to its audience.
3. Critical Thinking
A good leader does not always take information and claims at face value. MBA students learn to ask relevant, analytical questions that lead to better results. By trying to understand the bigger picture, they discover how different aspects of a business relate to each other and gain insights that can bring about significant improvements in the company’s processes.
4. Creativity
Coming up with innovative ideas for new ventures or new perspectives on practices established within an organization is often a challenging opportunity. MBA classes provide graduates with knowledge and strategies for brainstorming, researching, and vetting wonderful ideas. Students learn to identify areas of need or opportunity and take the first steps toward innovation.
5. Teamwork
Sometimes, the best strategy for a leader is to ask for suggestions from others or hand over the responsibility to an expert. Part of an MBA education involves collaborating with colleagues to exchange ideas and make holistic plans. This cognitive experience can be very different when you have to integrate people into a group by setting clear priorities and monitoring everyone.
6. Cross-Culture Competency
Production collaboration seeks to raise awareness of how people's diverse cultural backgrounds affect their vision and expectations. Respecting and serving these differences is key to opening up opportunities in the global economy. Knowledge of foreign languages and orientation to transcend national boundaries will be major advantages in business.
7. Integrity
When superiors look for a person who is ready to advance to the position of chief executive, they are interested in someone who commands respect. Honesty, responsibility, and reliability in your work prove that you are ready to progress in your next role. These are the qualities you can develop while working on an MBA, how ethical behavior can strengthen your reputation and go hand in hand with professional achievements.
8. Flexibility
In the ever-changing business world, almost nothing goes exactly as planned. Being prepared for new situations is one of the most effective gentle skills you can take from your studies. If you can make the necessary changes while delivering high-quality results, it means you are ready to face the challenges that come with being fast.
9. Self-Awareness
It can only grow if a person wants to step back from time to time and engage in honest self-assessment. While in school, you have plenty of opportunities to consider how you strengthen your skills and where to put more effort. A realistic view of your own accomplishments will help you as you continue to progress.
10. Resilience
In education and business, you will face challenges. Not every project you work on will be a huge success and not every project you offer to the best decision-makers will be accepted. When you are ready to move forward in your life, focus on stepping back from these setbacks and turning them into valuable learning experiences.
To improve your technical and soft skills for today's market, you need advanced education around the latest thinking in business strategy.
We asked respondents to choose from a variety of options to find the top-5 hard skills that recruiters look for on campus when hiring from business schools, and a top MBA graduate should be a good fit for their respective companies. Here is what they said;
People Management
Quantitative skills
Data Science and Analytics
Specialized Marketing
Supply Chain Management
Are you a good fit?
Organizational fit is an assessment of how well a candidate's work style and values fit into the company's work culture. But some companies have their corporate values or culture written on their corporate “Vade Mecum”, so how does a candidate find out about values?
Quite simply, from talking to current and former employees, from interviews with company recruiters, through on-campus events that a company uses to promote its values, and from the professional services team at the college.
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The student cannot join the postgraduate MA program directly in the second year of the MA after completing the MBA.
Universities generally expect students to begin the first year of a masters' program even though they had qualifications at the level of a bachelor's degree. The university's curriculum along with the courses are planned to give an in-depth knowledge of the subjects.
But you could opt for:
Postgraduate Studies:
Research Career: In case research interests you, then you can pursue a Ph.D. in your specific interest.
Specialized Master's Programs: Find any specific master's course that supports the career goal.
Professional Certifications:
Make a professional certification in CFA, CA, or FRM to enhance the professional skills and better opportunities in the career field.
Job Entry via MBA
After gaining an MBA from a renowned institution, it's possible to get entry into the corporate world where the diversity in the career field is assured.
In the end, it would depend on what you would like and what you are particularly interested in. It will be better if you take a suggestion from your academic advisor or career counselor.
Hello Pratik,
If your family income exceeds 8 LPA, it will affect your eligibility for the NC-OBC category under the CAT reservation rules. The NC-OBC category requires that the family income should be below 8 LPA to qualify. If you anticipate that your income will exceed this threshold, you should update your status and notify the CAT authorities .
Here's what you can do:
Email the CAT authorities
: Inform them about the potential change in your income status and request to be considered under the
General
category, if applicable. You should do this before the examination or any further processing, as your eligibility for the OBC category depends on the income criteria.
Documents and Proof
: Make sure you have a valid
OBC certificate
and any relevant documentation regarding your family income, in case they require verification. Also, be aware that if your income exceeds 8 LPA, you might need to apply under the
General
category, as the OBC-NC reservation is no longer applicable.
General Category Consideration : If your application is accepted as General, you will be evaluated based on the General category criteria, including cutoffs and ranking.
To summarize, notifying the CAT authorities is the correct approach to avoid discrepancies later, and if your income is above the threshold, you will be treated as a General candidate for the admissions process.
For more details about CAT exam you can check out an article by Careers360 whose link is given below:
Link: https://bschool.careers360.com/exams/cat
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.
Hi Shreya ,
Having a tattoo on your wrist should not create a problem during the CAT exam as long as it does not contain any content that violates exam rules , such as communication-related symbols , unauthorised messages or any text resembling formulas or answers .
For a safe side , it is recommended :
1. Inform the Invigilators : Let them know about your tattoo during the identification check , so there are no misunderstandings .
2. Follow the Guidelines : Ensure you follow all instructions regarding permissible items and dress code on the exam day .
Hope this helps you .
ALL THE BEST .
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Hello,
Yes, you can also join IIMs two years after graduation, depending upon the justification in interviews and your performance in entrance exams. If you are not sure about CAT, try those other management exams less hard:
Common Management Admission Test: Easier than CAT; 4-5 months of continuous preparation will suffice.
MAT : Much easier and takes place thrice a year.
SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test): A bit easier than CAT, apt for Symbiosis Institutes.
Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT : Hence, easier than CAT but the unique decision-making section.
Use exams like CMAT and MAT as a challenge to be competitively prepared. This can be given about 4-5 months, along with a few rounds of mock tests and smart studying.
A career as Marketing Director is also known as a marketing expert who is responsible for the overall marketing aspect of the company. He or she oversees plans and develops the company's budget. The marketing Director collaborates with the business team to plan and develop the marketing and branding strategies for the company's products or services.
A Business Development Executive (BDE) is a professional responsible for identifying growth opportunities and fostering strategic partnerships to enhance a company's market position. Typically, a BDE conducts market research, analyses industry trends, and identifies potential clients or business prospects. He or she plays a crucial role in developing and implementing sales strategies to achieve revenue targets.
A BDE often collaborates with cross-functional teams, including marketing and product development, to align business objectives. Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills are essential for success in this role. BDE strives to expand the company's customer base, drive sales, and contribute to overall organisational growth in a dynamic and competitive business environment.
Content Marketing Specialists are also known as Content Specialists. They are responsible for crafting content, editing and developing it to meet the requirements of digital marketing campaigns. To ensure that the material created is consistent with the overall aims of a digital marketing campaign, content marketing specialists work closely with SEO and digital marketing professionals.
A sales manager is a revenue-generating source for a company. Any organisation or company which sells a commodity or service requires sales to generate revenue. A Sales manager is a professional responsible for supervising the sales team. An Individual as a sales manager works closely with salespeople, assigns sales territories, sets quotas, mentors the members of the sales, assigns sales training, and builds a sales plan.
The Sales Manager work also includes hiring and laying off sales personnel after evaluating his or her work performance. In bigger entities, sales quotas and plans are usually set at the executive level. He or she is responsible for overseeing the set target or quotas met by salespeople or upholding any policy. He or she guides his or her fellow salespeople and allows them to sell.
Individuals who opt for a career as a business analyst look at how a company operates. He or she conducts research and analyses data to improve his or her knowledge about the company. This is required so that an individual can suggest the company strategies for improving their operations and processes.
In a business analyst job role a lot of analysis is done, things are learned from past mistakes and the successful strategies are enhanced further. A business analyst goes through real-world data in order to provide the most feasible solutions to an organisation. Students can pursue Business Analytics to become Business Analysts.
A marketing manager is a person who oversees a company or product marketing. He or she can be in charge of multiple programmes or goods or can be in charge of one product. He or she is enthusiastic, organised, and very diligent in meeting financial constraints. He or she works with other team members to produce advertising campaigns and decides if a new product or service is marketable.
A Marketing manager plans and executes marketing initiatives to create demand for goods and services and increase consumer awareness of them. A marketing manager prevents unauthorised statements and informs the public that the business is doing everything to investigate and fix the line of products. Students can pursue an MBA in Marketing Management courses to become marketing managers.
An SEO Analyst is a web professional who is proficient in the implementation of SEO strategies to target more keywords to improve the reach of the content on search engines. He or she provides support to acquire the goals and success of the client’s campaigns.
Digital marketing is growing, diverse, and is covering a wide variety of career paths. Each job function aids in the development of effective digital marketing strategies and techniques. The aims and objectives of the individuals who opt for a career as a digital marketing executive are similar to those of a marketing professional: to build brand awareness, promote company services or products, and increase conversions. Individuals who opt for a career as Digital Marketing Executives, unlike traditional marketing companies, communicate effectively through suitable technology platforms.
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