[MBA Mission]

Thanks for your post.

I would dispute the idea that it is particularly difficult for Indian candidates to work in Marketing in the U.S. It is possible that in recent years, with a difficult job market, some misinterpreted trouble finding their desired job in marketing with company preferences for domestic applicants. In a normal job market, recruiters are just looking for the best talent that they can find.

To phrase your question differently, you are basically asking, “Is it possible for an international with no marketing experience to find a position with a marketing firm?” The answer is definitely, “Yes!” While I have never recruited for a marketing firm, I know that their entry level positions post-MBA require both strong analytical/quantitative skills and communication skills; if an international possesses such skills, then he/she should be fine. Market knowledge can be acquired, but fundamental intelligence cannot. It is almost a truism, but if you have the talent, you should be able to create a compelling argument for the jobs that you desire.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844
Skype: MBAMission


Hi Jeremy!

I posted this query to peers here ... and got some replies ...

However I would again like to levereage your expertise again here!

I was interested in doing an MBA in marketing .... Mostly from US and UK being close second preferrence.

However, I got feedbacks from people already working in US that its difficult for an International Student to get a job in the Marketing field [Specially in US].

The Reasons I got are:
1. Language & Accent:- International students cant get into the local Accent too Quickly. There is always a gap. Most of the Local People/Small Businessman/Investors find it difficult to comprehend.
2. Local Market Knowledge:- International Students hahe feeble knowledge of the local market.
3. Experience:- Most of the people who apply for such courses dont have experience in the Marketing field.

Please throw some light towards this ....

My Immediate goals are to learn from the foriegn markets with the help of Job ... and at a later point start something of my own in India using the Experience I have gained!

My Profile:
Experience - 3 years now in IT ... 4 years by the time I join [No marketing Experience]
GMAT - Takin in August
GPA - 3.6
Extra Curricular - Descent
Engineering in Computer Science

If these are true .... What can improve my Candidature for the MBA course and future careers!
__________________
Earth didnt accept me, Hell didnt allow me, I am heading for Heaven!

[MBA Mission]

Thank you for your inquiry.

Your ambition, to attend a one-year program, is pretty broad and the profile you provided was fairly sparse. What was your role within your firm? Have you been promoted? Do you have any unique accomplishments? What are these “average” extra-curriculars? Did you take on any leadership in this regard? In terms of the schools that you are seeking to apply to, are you looking to the United States or Europe? Do you have any criteria for selecting schools beyond one-year programs? What are your post-MBA career goals?

While you don’t necessarily need to answer each of these questions, more information will definitely help me provide some guidance.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844
Skype: MBAMission

Re: Ask Jeremy @ MBAMission.com - What it takes to get to the best global business school hi all
first of all kudos to all pg adms for starting this thread.its a great initiative.before asking question i am posting my profile.
gmat-720(q-51,v-36)awa-4.5
gpa-3.8
work ex -5 years in a public sector (nuclear power corpn.)no international expo.
average extra curricualr acitivities
i am interested in joining one year mba course(if i can get specialization in technology ,info or general management that is better.
so what are the schools suitable for this need.and how should i proceed.
with regads
pm

[theslipstream]

Hello Jeremy,

I am looking to apply to a few top-tier general management schools in the US for the class of 2009. My my post MBA plans would be General management/strategy - I know this is a broad swath but I will firm up future plans in my essays.

- Indian, male age 32
- Undergrad and Masters degrees in Economics from top colleges in India. Undergrad GPA is approx 2.9/3.0. Masters 3.6
- GMAT 690, 91 % ile
- 8 years work experience with a relatively small firm. started as a trainee. presently manage a division, and am in the 2nd tier of decision making in my company. Middle management leadership projects - have made an impact on my organization
- Should be able to secure good recos from senior management at work
- Brief overseas assignments in the US and East Africa (6 months each)
- Extensive overseas travel and my work involves dealing with associates worldwide on a daily basis
- Community : Some during college, and 1-2 work sponsored programs that I have been involved in. Nothing above and beyond.
- Target schools : Darden, Fuqua, Yale SOM, Stanford

Questions :
1. I would really appreciate your comments with regard to my profile, chances and fit. Also, are any of these schools here a reach for me?

2. I think my Graduate GPA should be good enough, but is my undergrad GPA going to be a hinderance?

3. Is the lack of work experience with a multinational i.e blue chip experience going to work against me?

Sorry if this has turned to be long, but I thought I d give you as much information as possible. I be glad for any assistance that you d be able to provide.

V.

[himanshumohan78]

hi Jeremy,

My Profile as of now:
Introduction:
Company : India's Top IT company
Years of experience : 3 Years (as of June'06)
Domain: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) as Technical Consultant in SCM (Supply Chain Management)
International Exposure: 1 Year ( Netherlands). Worked in 4 projects and in various Locations as of Now.

Achievements:
1.Certifications:
a). Project Management Certification from PMI (US)
b). Oracle ERP Certification in SCM track
2. Exceptional Yearly ratings throughout 3 years (5 out of 5)
3. STAR of the Month Award in TCS
4. Oracle Apps CoE (Centre of excellence ) Champion (It’s a Group in my company having around 2500 people).

Organization Contribution:(Extra initiatives)
1. Mentoring - (For career planning of New Joiness in our companyin our group)
2. Various Trainings at Corporate level
3. Few white papers
Extracurricular: (During Job)
1. Public Speaking Club
2. Participate in Cultural activities in in my company.
Academics:
1. Both BCA and MCA ( not done from some great college)- That’s the weakest point in my profile.
2. Always In Top 5 in the class both undergrad and Post grad.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on above Profile following are my findings:
1. My target colleges - (1 yr MBA) ISB/IIM/Cambridge/Oxford/RSM.
2. Since my academics are not from dome great college I need at least 720 + score in GMAT.
3. I need to work more on My profile add some more 'weightage ' things.

I need to add more things
Now I need your valuable Inputs and insights. Please tell me seeing my above profile:
1. What extra 'weightage ' things I should add to my profile so that I can come in my target colleges (are these target colleges possible with my profile)?
2. I have 1-2 years to add those things in my profile? Is this thinking right? Or am I being too optimistic or too pessimistic.
3. What else I can do? Have you seen people not from so good colleges entering Ivy colleges ?
I know with above above profile aiming for top 10 colleges is foolishness? (is this thinking right?)
I know you are very busy and have loads of other work to do.
But I will be grateful if you can took out some time and send your valuable inputs to me.


Thanks..

HMG

Originally Posted by MBA Mission

Thank you for your inquiry.

Your ambition, to attend a one-year program, is pretty broad and the profile you provided was fairly sparse. What was your role within your firm? Have you been promoted? Do you have any unique accomplishments? What are these “average” extra-curriculars? Did you take on any leadership in this regard? In terms of the schools that you are seeking to apply to, are you looking to the United States or Europe? Do you have any criteria for selecting schools beyond one-year programs? What are your post-MBA career goals?

While you don’t necessarily need to answer each of these questions, more information will definitely help me provide some guidance.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844
Skype: MBAMission

[MBA Mission]

Hanu,

Thanks for your inquiry.

This is not to downplay the importance of grades, but if you are going to have a weakness, this is generally the one that is easiest to overcome. “Youthful indiscretions” (as you wrote, “socializing, drinking and generally having a goodtime later in college") can often be overlooked on the strength of professional and community achievement and a very strong GMAT. I have helped many a candidate in your situation overcome average or even weak grades and find their spots in the top-10.

There are three major steps that you can take:

1) Ensure that all other aspects of your application are a strong as possible: This point is somewhat obvious, I suppose. Still, every candidate is entitled to one weakness; no candidate is “perfect.” It is difficult to overcome bad grades and a low GMAT or a low GMAT and no community involvement. However, if your only weakness is average grades, then this can be overcome. So, you need to ensure that you have an upward professional trajectory, are involved in your community, have strong relationships with your recommenders, will write powerful and distinct essays, interview well, etc. Don’t give the committee reasons to worry about you or compare you to others.

2) Improve your transcript: If you have one or two very bad grades in a particular class that is important to business schools (calculus, statistics, etc.), you should consider retaking the classes and earning As. By doing so, you will not only show that you have the aptitude to succeed in a heavily analytical environment, you will also show that you have matured and take your academics quite seriously.

3) Build an alternative transcript: By taking classes in management (finance, accounting, economics) and earning As in these courses, you again have the opportunity to show maturity and aptitude for management study. By taking management courses, you are not only starting fresh but showing talents in an entirely new discipline.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844
Skype: MBAMission


hey jeremy hwere r u buddy...hope to read a post from u


well i have a story to tell and some queries for u as well....

I have what u call average acads...i have 64 % marks where my college topper had 74% marks. Although i did secure 4th position (out of 67 students) in 1st year of college i slipped into socializing, drinking and generally having a good time later in college...i only realized my situation when i graduated and then i worked hard to get a job in a top IT company of india and i have since progressed well in my career....now this may not be impressive for a good business school where most students ( i assume) were top 10 % of their class. now my query is how do i mitigate this obvious problem in my profile....to add other info: i have 4 yrs exp., 1 year exp in US, GMAT 700, some extras.
__________________
Man can only think of problems that he can

[Dev]

Hi Jeremy,

First of all thanks for volunteering on PG! We certainly needed some expert guidance like what you have on BW forums. I am sure you would enjoy posting here.

I had one question about this community service thing. I understand that most of the B Schools specifically ask for the names of communities/social-clubs etc that one has been involved in. I know its good to be officially invloved in such activites because it becomes easier to convince the adcom, but what if one is not.

For instance, I was a rotarian in high school but could never carry on with it in college and later in job. But this doesnt mean that I wasnt taking up social work. Like I was tutoring my juniors in college, mentoring freshers at workplace and giving reiki treatments while at work. Unfortunately none of this was on an official basis.

I have been travelling quite extensively and that is another reason (or excuse ;-)) for not being commited to socially relevant work. Having realised this shortcoming I have started working with a few NGOs in Houston. I would be applying for fall'07 and I am worried that this might prove to be my achilles' heel.

Any Suggestions?
I am not at all concerned about my acads/wrk exp/gmat. I know I wud sail thru in those areas.

Regards,
Dev

[himanshumohan78]

hi jeremy,
Thanks for the efforts you are taking to Guide Guys like us.
I will be garetful if in your reply you can mention the name of the person whose post
you are replying. Its will be easier for us to follow up.

Thanks.
HMG

[MBA Mission]

Thanks for your advice regarding copying previous posts at the bottom. I apologize – as a “newbie pagal” I am still learning the ropes. I have edited my previous posts to include the messages that I was responding to and will start to post all responses below my signature. Let me know if there is anything else that I can do to make life easier for you or anyone else in the community, with regard to proper communication.

Additionally, thank you for your patience with respect to my replies. I try to take the proper time to think about each answer and respond in depth, so, despite today’s “automatic response” email world, I can, at times, take a day or two to get back to message boards.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844
Skype: MBAMission

hi jeremy,
Thanks for the efforts you are taking to Guide Guys like us.
I will be garetful if in your reply you can mention the name of the person whose post
you are replying. Its will be easier for us to follow up.

Thanks.
HMG

[ahmadazeem777]

Hi Jeremy,

Well this time the set of Q's pertain to SOP's/Essay part ( I already posted these queries on other thread & as I was not able to get answer there, I am seeking your help, puys pl bare with me :satisfie.... Of the research ,which I have done, most b school have a diffrent set of questoins.. but then you are alomost sure to find ..

:snipersm:Why an MBA ?
:snipersm:Why this B School ?
:snipersm:SWOT analysis..
:snipersm:examples of team role, leadeship ,blah blah...

You might think its too early but the problem is that my Boss (who knows my plans) has already told me that you dare not move your butt out of my seat in Sep-oct :bad-word... So I wanted to be sure that I have worked on some of the basic question & qualities that I need to bring out along with instances from real life (in the essay's/Sop)... I know answer has to be modified from one b school to the other, but the basic structure would be the same ...??:??:!!??

So I request you to provide me a with FAQ's/Essays . So that I could prepare a skeleton well in advance and I dont sc**w up my essay's in a hurry in sep-oct....

Thankx in advance.

Azeem

PS:- which are the best MBA programmes world wide for Investment Banking ?? (pl Provide me with a list of them)

[himanshumohan78]

hi Jeremy,
Highly appreciate your fast and proactive action.
I will be grateful if you can reply 2 of my post above (or atleast one- bigger one).
Waiting for your insightful and honest opinion on my previous post.

thanks and Regds
HMG

Originally Posted by MBA Mission

Thanks for your advice regarding copying previous posts at the bottom. I apologize – as a “newbie pagal” I am still learning the ropes. I have edited my previous posts to include the messages that I was responding to and will start to post all responses below my signature. Let me know if there is anything else that I can do to make life easier for you or anyone else in the community, with regard to proper communication.

Additionally, thank you for your patience with respect to my replies. I try to take the proper time to think about each answer and respond in depth, so, despite today’s “automatic response” email world, I can, at times, take a day or two to get back to message boards.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844
Skype: MBAMission

hi jeremy,
Thanks for the efforts you are taking to Guide Guys like us.
I will be garetful if in your reply you can mention the name of the person whose post
you are replying. Its will be easier for us to follow up.

Thanks.
HMG