Forum

We want to thank the Chapman Argyros School of Business and Economics for providing the following information:

Advice to MBAs Seeking Full Time or Intern Positions

Response 1

Back to Basics. It is important to remember the basics of applying for a job. Your resume must be spotless with no errors or inconsistencies. Always dress to impress. And lastly, know why you are interested in the position you are applying for. Don’t spend time telling the hiring manager or Recruiter why their company is so great (they already know this), but focus on the position itself and why you feel you would be a good fit. Show enthusiasm and confidence and be prepared. This may sound obvious, but the majority of candidates I meet talk themselves out of a job within 5 seconds either by their resume or approaching me at a recruiting event saying they are looking for “anything” or “what positions do you have available?” I want someone to come to me knowing exactly what they want or at least an idea of where their strengths are. I find candidates look to me to find the ideal position within our company and don’t want to do any of the work.

Katie Stenton

Sr. Recruiter

Auto Club of Southern California

Response 2

During these hard times it is extremely important to leverage your professional network and invest time in developing your presence and exposure. Online resources such as www.linkedin.com, www.plaxo.com, and professional networking groups www.pmi.com, www.NHRA.com, www.lagunaniguelconnectors.org, www.techbizconnection.com are great organizations to get involved in. Treat your search as if it were a job. Create a target list of companies and then connect your network of friends, family and colleagues to each company. Engage this network and ask them for information about the company. Also, remember many companies give referral bonuses so it’s worth their time to get to know you and your areas of expertise. Lastly, ask, “How can I help you? “ It is incredibly powerful when humanity is working together to help each other succeed.

Heather Huggins

Account Executive

Technisource

Response 3

Unique advice for Chapman MBAs and alums for job searching.

·        Prepare a PowerPoint presentation for the interview with the decision maker stating the positive attributes about the prospective company and the features and benefits of your skills.

·        Provide a pro-bono plan of resolution of a sample issue related to the open position. Request for a sample issue related to the open position and organize your suggested resolution professionally on paper and mail the document FEDEX P1 to the decision maker. If done properly, this level of effort will surely impress the decision maker.

Kevin Ross

Director of Trade Compliance

Precision Castparts Corp

MBA Alum

Response 4

Three words: Networking, Flexibility and Enthusiasm

Kelly Dean

HR Generalist

Pacific Life

Response 5

My advice would be that if you’re fortunate enough to secure an interview and it’s a position you really think you are strong fit for, then research the company and your interviewers via every possible avenue and study for it like you would a final exam. If you can’t offer a compelling solution to their needs then there are probably dozens of other qualified applicants who can. In your follow-up from the interview, pick one of the issues your potential employer is looking for a solution on then write up brief analysis + your solution to the problem and FedEx it to the hiring manager (do not mail it, everyone opens a FedEx delivery). Good Luck!

Chris Cheek

Project Manager – Operations

Targus, Inc.

Mba Alum

Response 6

Here are three:

·        Show a prospective employer that you have thought about your customer's needs above your own in previous work experiences. Show them that your obsessed with how your clients in the past and their customers in the future will make money. Wrestle with the question "How does my prospective employer’s customer make money? How can I help them make more?" Show the interviewer that customers are the focus in your career and not just an interruption in your routine to be dealt with. Do some serious research on prospective employers. Go as far as calling customers or current employees of the organization and ask them a few questions. The more prepared you are for the first interview...the more likely you are to get a second one.

·        Make sure your resume is free of typos. Make sure it is clearly organized, easy to follow and 100% honest. Do not make minor achievements out to be more than they were. A good interviewer can sniff out unrealistic performance. Practice walking through your resume as a Human Resources screener would. Does it tell a compelling story for a prospective employer without you next to it providing the voice over?

·        I read a very powerful book called "Man's Search for Meaning" by Victor Frankl. The main lesson is a powerful one. Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your freedom to choose how you will respond to the situation. You cannot control what happens to you in life, but you can control what you will feel and do about what happens to you. You should not feel sorry for yourself that getting a job will be difficult in this economic environment. Take responsibility for your own happiness and success. It is entirely up to you to stay positive and confident in your job search.

Shawn Potter

VP, Global Marketing

Sybron Dental

Mba Alum

Response 7

In terms of advice for job seekers, I would say two things:

·        Never underestimate the value of a first impression. In an increasingly competitive job marketplace, make sure you stand out. Get to know the company before you go, dress the part, and prepare yourself to answer behavior-based interview questions.

·        Assess your transferable skills. In this economy you may have to reach beyond your anticipated industry or fill a niche position, evaluate your skills and help your potential employer see where you can use the skills you have acquired in new and different ways.

Marina Patrice

Bursar

Philadelphia University

Mba Alum

Response 8

Candidates best distinguish themselves it a variety of ways. However, in the current environment:

·        Use your network and the network of others! History has proven the personal contacts and relationships provide a far more effective way to get that next job opportunity. Don’t be afraid to ask for a favor from someone you know!

·        Once you get an interview – “Prepare” – Know your target, their history and current market environment. Have two or three thoughtful questions ready that will demonstrate your preparedness. This is truly a difficult marketplace. Patience is critical.

Greg Palme

Partner

Deloitte & Touche, LLP

Alum

Response 9

“Play to your strengths.” Figure out where you can leverage your skills, experience and education to solve a company’s problem(s) and become a solution to those problems. These days, companies aren’t looking for employees, they are looking for solutions to their problems right now. This may require an unconventional interview strategy with much more upfront research done on target companies, and presenting ones-self as a solution (much like a consultant does) to challenges that have been identified in the research of the companies.

Rod McDermott

Managing Director

McDermott & Bull Executive Search

Response 10

Establish a list of target companies. Clearly define what you would like to be doing in your next role. Tell your story in an upbeat and optimistic manner to anyone who will listen. Do not pre-judge anyone. You next employer may be your mailman’s father or your hairdresser’s sister or your next door neighbor. Go Get It. (Sorry “Just Do It” was taken).

Heather Muckenthaler

Director, Recruiting

Resources Global

Response 11

What is the most important word of advice I can give? Value. Clarify for your potential employer, or networking contact, what value you can and will contribute to their company. What is the reward they will receive for taking on the risk of hiring you. Try to be specific.

Or If you have a job, keep it. Look inward and see how your new skills can be applied to contribute additional value to your current employer. It can change the way you view your current position and make it more interesting. Build new experiences and collect the stories around those experiences to tell on future interviews to illustrate your how your MBA skill set can be utilized.

Elizabeth Ando

COO/CFO

Ando & Aston Physical Therapy, INC.

Response 12

My word of advice is to get involved in as many quality networking groups & events as possible. There are tons to choose from, so pick groups & events that match how you want to brand yourself. Chambers can be a good place to start, but try multiple channels. Attend events like Chapman’s Economic Forecast, alumni events, and professional groups. When meeting people communicate what you passion is and down play any concerns you may be feeling about finding a job. Keep it positive! By being proactive you will be building momentum in your job search and feel a great sense of progress.

Sue Pileggi

Financial Representative

Northwestern Mutual Financial Network

Current Mba Student