What can I do to build my profile for top B-schools? Most of the CAT aspirants, struggle with profile building. To address this, I’ve listed down things that one can do to build profile for top B-schools.
I am writing this answer on the 1st of April. So, you have about 8 months before CAT and 10 months before you appear for your interviews. And that’s a fair time frame to do things that can add value to your CV. There are two areas where you can improve: Content/Skill and Activities.
Content
In terms of content, you can work on knowledge and expertise. For example, if you want to do you MBA in Finance, undergoing NCFM modules or starting your CFA/FRM preparation might be useful. It will also show your interest in the field during the interview. If you are not a working professional or don’t have work experience, you can also try to get a short internship with any organization. For marketing, you can look at analytics/research/digital marketing courses. For operations, courses such as Six Sigma or statistical analysis, etc. might be more useful. MOOCs may not be that useful as we are still in the adaptation stage. So, find well known institutes and do these courses. Decide your area of interest, and find a short duration certification program or internship.
Another thing that you can do is learn a new language or pick up a hobby/interest that you can talk about in the interview. For example, in three months, you can easily learn first level of a language. You can also learn a musical instrument. So what if you are an amateur. As long as you know enough about it, it’s fine!
In general, and for your interviews as well, develop a habit of reading management books. It definitely helps during the interview. It is possible to read about 16-20 books in this time and will give you enough content for GDs and case discussion.
Activities
When it comes to activities, you can have volunteer experience with any NGO. It adds weight to your profile. I am not sure if one should join an NGO full time unless one is passionate about the cause. You can involve yourself in CSR activities of your college/organization.
Also, how about performing to the best of your potential and getting recognized by the company for it? If your company has employee of the month/quarter system or some rating system, try to be the best! Get a 5/5 rating!
If your college/organization has an internal newsletter or a blog on your website? Write something! It is a good way to showcase your writing skills and the fact that you put efforts into it. You can always have an active blog and interact with audience. Or, you can also create your YouTube channel, if you are passionate about something. Our students Atman Pandya (converted IIFT Delhi) and Siddharth Raikar (converted IIM Calcutta) had active YouTube channels which was a discussion point in their interviews.
For those who are in the final year of graduation, your final year project should be taken seriously as it might be a discussion point in the interview. Also, try to gather some kind of leadership experience through college festivals and societies. Needless to say, your GPA/Score needs to be maintained. Those who have completed their graduation and are preparing for MBA entrances full time can also go and check with their ex-professors if they need some research/project assistant for short duration. You can collaborate on something interesting.
There are so many things that one can do and it is not possible to mention each and every thing that’s out there. If you know your area of interest and pursue something which is going to help you, you should be sorted. Also, students some time pursue courses that don’t have recognition. Don’t do anything from such places. Except hobbies, whatever you do, get a certificate.
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