Ask Jennifer@Accepted.com: Application-writing advice for the best global B-schools

[deveshk84]

hi jennifer
thanx again
regret for not clarifying earlier.
My company is primarily an India public sector oil and gas company. Our marketing is mainly in India (and somewhat in South Africa). However our exploration activities(started only few years ago) are spread in different countries. I work in marketing arm of the corporation. Shifting to exploration would be a drastic one for me(and also of no help as it does not meet my career objectives at all).

If your range of influence has only been in India, you may be able to show that international adaptability through the managers you have worked with or even through your extracurricular activities.

I could not make out how extracurriculars would be helpful for demonstrating international adaptability?

But you really must demonstrate that you have what it takes to thrive in an international business environment to prove that you need a US or European MBA (as opposed to an excellent MBA program within India).

Also as I had said before one of the reasons i wanted to do MBA from abroad is also to get that international exposure from B-school. I think MBA would give me an opportunity to interact with international faculty and students. Simultaneously I can learn a lot from staying abroad and observing the business practices there.

Also with MNCs entering into Indian market many small scale businesses are at threat. Considering a similar threat to occur in iron and steel industry(my family business which i intend to expand on) in near future(in another 6-7 years). I wanted to prepare myself for responding to this threat by observing international business practices, which an International MBA would enable me to.

This also brings me to another que that would an international MBA really enable me to face stiff international competition?

Regards,
Devesh

[sachin_h]

Hi Jennifer,

It's really nice to see some1 guiding students for their apps....
I am planning for a 1 yr full time MBA course in Europe....

I have a question regarding the application resume....
HEC Paris has a student profile evaluation option. We need to upload our resume there. What shud be the format of this resume, the contents.
I am from IT..so shud the resume include my technical skillsets? Also, shud i include stuff like educational background in the resume....

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by sachin_h

Hi Jennifer,

It's really nice to see some1 guiding students for their apps....
I am planning for a 1 yr full time MBA course in Europe....

I have a question regarding the application resume....
HEC Paris has a student profile evaluation option. We need to upload our resume there. What shud be the format of this resume, the contents.
I am from IT..so shud the resume include my technical skillsets? Also, shud i include stuff like educational background in the resume....

Hi, Sachin. I'm happy to help and glad you appreciate it!

The resume should most certainly not be about your technical skills. Instead, it should emphasize the leadership roles you have held, the impacts you have been able to make on the companies you've worked for, the promotions you have earned (with a brief explanation if these are in advance of the norm), and if possible, the community work you have done.

A professional resume starts with your name at the top, the first section may be a Qualifications Summary or may be a Core Competencies section where you give an overview of your profile. Then, unless you are a new graduate, the next section should be of your Professional Experience, then Community Service, and ending with Education. If you are a new graduate, Education can immediately follow Professional Experience on the resume, but most professionals prefer Eduation to be at the end.

Good luck with HEC's pre-screening, Sachin!

Regards,
Jennifer Bloom
Accepted - Helping you write your best!

From pre-application consulting and strategizing to essay and letter of recommendation editing, resumes, mock interviews, and wait-list tactics - we guide you through the application maze.
Don’t miss these upcoming chats at Accepted:
Wharton – with Admissions Director, Thomas Caleel: Thursday September 20, 2007 at 6:00 PM GMT
Columbia – with Admissions Director, Linda Meehan: Wednesday September 26, 2007 at 5:00 PM GMT
Yale – with Admissions Director, Bruce DelMonico: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007 at 6:00 PM GMT

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by deveshk84

hi jennifer
thanx again
regret for not clarifying earlier.
My company is primarily an India public sector oil and gas company. Our marketing is mainly in India (and somewhat in South Africa). However our exploration activities(started only few years ago) are spread in different countries. I work in marketing arm of the corporation. Shifting to exploration would be a drastic one for me(and also of no help as it does not meet my career objectives at all).

I could not make out how extracurriculars would be helpful for demonstrating international adaptability?


Also as I had said before one of the reasons i wanted to do MBA from abroad is also to get that international exposure from B-school. I think MBA would give me an opportunity to interact with international faculty and students. Simultaneously I can learn a lot from staying abroad and observing the business practices there.

Also with MNCs entering into Indian market many small scale businesses are at threat. Considering a similar threat to occur in iron and steel industry(my family business which i intend to expand on) in near future(in another 6-7 years). I wanted to prepare myself for responding to this threat by observing international business practices, which an International MBA would enable me to.

This also brings me to another que that would an international MBA really enable me to face stiff international competition?

Regards,
Devesh

Devesh,
Sounds to me like you need a strategy-focused MBA not just international business. While your goal is admirable and I do believe the MBA education will help you, it is rare for someone whose experience is within his home country only (assuming that home country is not the US), and who does not interact with international parties, to earn admission to the top of the top MBA programs. Of course, once you look a bit lower on the rankings chart - say, from #15 and down, your chances do improve. You'll need to emphasize the impact you have had and convince the admissions committee (and yourself so it seems) that the MBA will prepare you for the challenges in your future.

Best of luck with the application!

Regards,
Jennifer Bloom, CPRW
Accepted - Helping you write your best!

From pre-application consulting and strategizing to essay and letter of recommendation editing, resumes, mock interviews, and wait-list tactics - we guide you through the application maze.

Don’t miss these upcoming chats at Accepted:
Wharton – with Admissions Director, Thomas Caleel: Thursday September 20, 2007 at 6:00 PM GMT
Columbia – with Admissions Director, Linda Meehan: Wednesday September 26, 2007 at 5:00 PM GMT
Yale – with Admissions Director, Bruce DelMonico: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007 at 6:00 PM GMT

[sachin_h]

Originally Posted by Accepted

Hi, Sachin. I'm happy to help and glad you appreciate it!

The resume should most certainly not be about your technical skills. Instead, it should emphasize the leadership roles you have held, the impacts you have been able to make on the companies you've worked for, the promotions you have earned (with a brief explanation if these are in advance of the norm), and if possible, the community work you have done.

A professional resume starts with your name at the top, the first section may be a Qualifications Summary or may be a Core Competencies section where you give an overview of your profile. Then, unless you are a new graduate, the next section should be of your Professional Experience, then Community Service, and ending with Education. If you are a new graduate, Education can immediately follow Professional Experience on the resume, but most professionals prefer Eduation to be at the end.

Good luck with HEC's pre-screening, Sachin!

Regards,
Jennifer Bloom
Accepted - Helping you write your best!

From pre-application consulting and strategizing to essay and letter of recommendation editing, resumes, mock interviews, and wait-list tactics - we guide you through the application maze.
Don’t miss these upcoming chats at Accepted:
Wharton – with Admissions Director, Thomas Caleel: Thursday September 20, 2007 at 6:00 PM GMT
Columbia – with Admissions Director, Linda Meehan: Wednesday September 26, 2007 at 5:00 PM GMT
Yale – with Admissions Director, Bruce DelMonico: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007 at 6:00 PM GMT

Thanks Jennifer...
But, one more query...there is 1 section where we need to upload resume, write details abt roles & responsibilities in company, evoolution within company etc, another 1 section to write details abt international exposure and one more to write things like community service, hobbies, extra curriculars, sports and stuff...

I feel that most of things from the other 2 sections wud be repeated in the resume....How do I make it different ?

[N_Z_O_M_N_I_A_C]

Jennifer
Please advice me...


My profile:-

10th Std 90%
12th Std 96%
BTech Electrical Engg IIT Madras 8.38/10
CFA Level 3 Candidate
Registered for FRM in Nov
2.2 years of wrk ex as of now with leading consulting firm(ZS Associates) in India,got promoted once ahead of norm.Travelled to US to meet client.presently leading 4 member team.When I join in Aug07 I will have 3 years of wrk ex
Planning to take GMAT in Oct end...hoping 750+(I know its tuf)

I am only keen on applying to any 2 of top 5 B schools in finance. I want to save the three in case I dont get thru this time.I reasearched abt wharton and found that min wrk ex of there 2006 batch is 46 months. Is this tru?..Please suggest which top B -schools would be eager to take me given that I don't screws essays/GMAT and which have past history of taking ppl with 3 yrs of wrk ex

Thanks in advance

[eng_harsh]

Hi Jennifer,
I would be thankful if you can have a look at my profile and give candid suggestions about +/- of it and how can I improve upon those. I intend to apply this year for Fall-2008 session

Here is my Profile:

GMAT: 740 (Q49,V41). AWA: 5/6

Undergrad: B.Tech (Computer Science), Class of 2003, REC/NIT Allahabd. 71%

Work-ex: 5 years by the time I join.

Currently working as Business Analyst in Investment Management domain for one of the Top 3 companies in the world in the area of Financial Reporting.(Every I-Banker uses their product for research)

Prior to that I was working in a small software company(1100 employees) in the Mortgage banking space for around 3.5 years.
Here, I was managing a team of 6 people(as Senior software engineer) in the role of Team Lead, with major job responsibilities including requirements analysis, preparing design of project, allocation of work to team members, writing appraisals of team members, looking after improving key metrices of the project.

Was given company wide award for Excellence in Team values.

Then, I moved to the Business Analyst Role(moving in business side of things in Mortgage Banking space), which is usually reserved for people with MBA degree. Here, my job profile was interacting with clients to elicit requirements, liasioning with the technical team and designing use cases.
I've done 3 certifications from National Stock exchange of India in Financial markets, F&O, Debt instruments.
I'm also a CFA L-1 candidate and confident of clearing it.

Extracurriculars:
1) Was co-ordinator of College Technical Festival
2) Was involved in organizing pulse polio camp and motivating 200 children in Pulse polio campaign in a village and continued it for 3 years
3) Organizing Company wide Quiz Event which was well received by all and the CEO.
4) Founding an NGO in the field of education for children and hope to achieve the target of enrolling at least 20 children.


I want to switch to I-banking after MBA having worked in IT Fin industry.
What are my chances with repect to schools between 10-20 in US and INSEAD, IESE in europe?
The point which I'm contemplating at the moment is the lack of onsite/foreign work experience in my resume although I interact with US/ european clients on telecons. Would this be a considerable dis-advantage wrt B-Schools, and more specifically for LBS, London where they have one essay question devoted for experiences outside the home country?

Please give your candid feedback on the profile and suggest ways on improving upon it.


Thanks a ton for the patience!!!

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by sachin_h

Thanks Jennifer...
But, one more query...there is 1 section where we need to upload resume, write details abt roles & responsibilities in company, evoolution within company etc, another 1 section to write details abt international exposure and one more to write things like community service, hobbies, extra curriculars, sports and stuff...

I feel that most of things from the other 2 sections wud be repeated in the resume....How do I make it different ?

Hello again, Sachin.

The resume is usually just one page, so can only detail your accomplishments in each role. The separate section sounds like it will offer you a greater opportunity to truly highlight the international nature of your work (go into detail about the countries involved, the backgrounds/ethnicities of the people your collaborated with, etc.), the challenges that you faced, the innovative solutions you devised, and more detail about your community service than the resume can usually include. I would thank them for their kindness in letting you elaborate!


Regards,
Jennifer Bloom, CPRW
Accepted - helping you write your best!

From pre-application consulting and strategizing to essay and letter of recommendation editing, resumes, mock interviews, and wait-list tactics - we guide you through the application maze.

Don’t miss these upcoming chats at Accepted:
Columbia – with Admissions Director, Linda Meehan: Wednesday September 26, 2007 at 5:00 PM GMT
Yale – with Admissions Director, Bruce DelMonico: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007 at 6:00 PM GMT
London Business School - with Acting Associate Dean, David Simpson: Monday, Oct. 15, 5:00 PM GMT

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by N_Z_O_M_N_I_A_C

Jennifer
Please advice me...


My profile:-

10th Std 90%
12th Std 96%
BTech Electrical Engg IIT Madras 8.38/10
CFA Level 3 Candidate
Registered for FRM in Nov
2.2 years of wrk ex as of now with leading consulting firm(ZS Associates) in India,got promoted once ahead of norm.Travelled to US to meet client.presently leading 4 member team.When I join in Aug07 I will have 3 years of wrk ex
Planning to take GMAT in Oct end...hoping 750+(I know its tuf)

I am only keen on applying to any 2 of top 5 B schools in finance. I want to save the three in case I dont get thru this time.I reasearched abt wharton and found that min wrk ex of there 2006 batch is 46 months. Is this tru?..Please suggest which top B -schools would be eager to take me given that I don't screws essays/GMAT and which have past history of taking ppl with 3 yrs of wrk ex

Thanks in advance

Hi, Nzomniac.

Three years of work experience is not unheard of, but you will need to prove to these top programs that you are an unparalleled leader . Most people just aren't able to do that in three years, but you could very well be the exception.

Regards,
Jennifer Bloom, CPRW
Accepted - helping you write your best!

From pre-application consulting and strategizing to essay and letter of recommendation editing, resumes, mock interviews, and wait-list tactics - we guide you through the application maze.
Don’t miss these upcoming chats at Accepted:
Columbia – with Admissions Director, Linda Meehan: Wednesday September 26, 2007 at 5:00 PM GMT
Yale – with Admissions Director, Bruce DelMonico: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007 at 6:00 PM GMT
London Business School – with Acting Associate Dean, David Simpson: Monday, Oct. 15, 5:00 PM GMT

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by eng_harsh

Hi Jennifer,
I would be thankful if you can have a look at my profile and give candid suggestions about +/- of it and how can I improve upon those. I intend to apply this year for Fall-2008 session

Here is my Profile:

GMAT: 740 (Q49,V41). AWA: 5/6

Undergrad: B.Tech (Computer Science), Class of 2003, REC/NIT Allahabd. 71%

Work-ex: 5 years by the time I join.

Currently working as Business Analyst in Investment Management domain for one of the Top 3 companies in the world in the area of Financial Reporting.(Every I-Banker uses their product for research)

Prior to that I was working in a small software company(1100 employees) in the Mortgage banking space for around 3.5 years.
Here, I was managing a team of 6 people(as Senior software engineer) in the role of Team Lead, with major job responsibilities including requirements analysis, preparing design of project, allocation of work to team members, writing appraisals of team members, looking after improving key metrices of the project.

Was given company wide award for Excellence in Team values.

Then, I moved to the Business Analyst Role(moving in business side of things in Mortgage Banking space), which is usually reserved for people with MBA degree. Here, my job profile was interacting with clients to elicit requirements, liasioning with the technical team and designing use cases.
I've done 3 certifications from National Stock exchange of India in Financial markets, F&O, Debt instruments.
I'm also a CFA L-1 candidate and confident of clearing it.

Extracurriculars:
1) Was co-ordinator of College Technical Festival
2) Was involved in organizing pulse polio camp and motivating 200 children in Pulse polio campaign in a village and continued it for 3 years
3) Organizing Company wide Quiz Event which was well received by all and the CEO.
4) Founding an NGO in the field of education for children and hope to achieve the target of enrolling at least 20 children.


I want to switch to I-banking after MBA having worked in IT Fin industry.
What are my chances with repect to schools between 10-20 in US and INSEAD, IESE in europe?
The point which I'm contemplating at the moment is the lack of onsite/foreign work experience in my resume although I interact with US/ european clients on telecons. Would this be a considerable dis-advantage wrt B-Schools, and more specifically for LBS, London where they have one essay question devoted for experiences outside the home country?

Please give your candid feedback on the profile and suggest ways on improving upon it.


Thanks a ton for the patience!!!

You don't need to have been abroad to gain international experience. The interaction you have with international clients is also beneficial. We need to see some adaptation to different cultures and working styles in your application to demonstrate that you are a person who will succeed in the global economy in the long-term future. While this may be difficult to prove to the top 10, schools from 10 to 20 will probably be more receptive. Make sure you emphasize your strengths in the application - don't dwell on the negative or even waste space trying to fill in "almost good" international experience where you could have instead written about a business area in which you have excelled amazingly.

Good luck with the application!

Regards,
Jennifer Bloom, CPRW
Accepted - helping you write your best!

From pre-application consulting and strategizing to essay and letter of recommendation editing, resumes, mock interviews, and wait-list tactics - we guide you through the application maze.

Don’t miss these upcoming chats at Accepted:
Columbia – with Admissions Director, Linda Meehan: Wednesday September 26, 2007 at 5:00 PM GMT
Yale – with Admissions Director, Bruce DelMonico: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007 at 6:00 PM GMT
London Business School – with Acting Associate Dean, David Simpson: Monday, Oct. 15, 5:00 PM GMT