For MBA students and aspirants, one of the most important elements of the two years spent at a business school are placements - an opportunity to interview with and get selected by top organisations looking to hire top talent from Indian management institutes. As we have
previously explored, MBA students at India's top business schools are currently deficient in skills that are the most desirable to campus recruiters. Now, we find out what tips recruiters have to share with Indian MBA students to help them become better prepared for the crucial placements process. In this report, find out what top b-school recruiters have to say to MBA students!
Before you scroll further, read this report on In-Demand Skills That Top B-School Recruiters Are Looking For In 2020.
Top Five Things That Candidates Do Wrong During The B-School Placements Process, As Per Top Campus Recruiters
When it comes to the Indian b-school campus placements processes, recruiters have many pain points to complain about, including the slotting system of companies, the rushed nature of the placements process, the lack of female applicants, and the lack of diverse profiles, amongst others. However, one of the most common frustrations that recruiters have with the placements process is regarding the level of preparedness that MBA students arrive into the interview room with.
To find out what peeves top campus recruiters, we asked them to select from a list of 10 pain-points commonly associated with the b-school placements process.
Here's what they had to say:
25 Things Top Campus Recruiters Want Indian MBA Students To Know
During campus placements, more often than not, students may not get an opportunity to receive constructive feedback from recruiters. As a result, students may miss out on crucial tips that can help them not just crack campus interviews but also interviews later in their careers.
To bridge this communication gap between recruiters and students, survey participants, i.e., top recruiters at b-school campuses, were asked the question,
'What are the top three things that MBA students can do to make themselves more attractive to potential recruiters?' Here's what recruiters had to say:
1. Research about the company, and maintain good knowledge about the organisation that you are applying to
2. Maintain good posture, and let your personality come through in interviews.
3. Be confident and crisp during the conversation.
4. Have a clear understanding of the key functional skills that are needed for the role that you're applying to.
5. Be open to a variety of experiences and exposure in the first 2-3 years in the organisation.
6. Prepare a two minute introduction about yourself - something that is over and above your CV, and speaks about your personality.
7. Think and accurately identify your dream roles and functional areas that you actually want to work in.
"Generic answers won't get them anywhere."
8. Try to approach problem solving in a creative and innovative way, instead of adopting conventional approaches. Additionally, try to build upon your analytical skills.
9. Don't jump to conclusions when asked a question. Listen well and learn to articulate.
10. Prepare case studies, and spend time reading newspapers to be aware of what's happening around you. Specifically, it is very important to be aware about current economic affairs.
11. It is important that you possess sound knowledge of finance, irrespective of the function you're applying for. It is important to have practical domain knowledge as well.
12. Be curious.
13. Be well prepared about the subject you have specialized in.
14. Build better resumes. Make your profile more holistic, well rounded, and focus on leadership positions and extra-curricular activities.
15. It is important that you're more open to relocate and get diverse experiences at the beginning of your careers. Present yourself as adaptable.
16. You must be able to demonstrate the courage to disrupt/innovate.
17. You need to have a mindset of growth, and must also possess the ability to leverage connections within and outside your network.
18. Focus on and develop your emotional quotient.
19. Develop stronger interpersonal skills.
20. Understand the larger environment that the organization is operating in.
21. Have varied interests and passions, demonstrate leadership skills. Make sure you have a passion/purpose to work towards in your life and why.
22. Have a go getter attitude, have realistic goals and humility.
23. Be externally oriented.
24. Prepare to crack
BEIs (Behavioral Event Interviews).
25.
"Demonstrate that they were awake in at least some of their classes."
Read next - India's Most Transparent Business Schools, As Per Top Campus Recruiters