Nowadays, you have a plethora of MBA programs to choose from. Apart from the two-year full-time program, there is a one-year MBA that covers the same subjects, in a lesser timeframe. The traditional MBA that offered in-depth knowledge of general management principles and practices, is also gradually giving way to specialization, especially at a time when technology is increasingly coming into play in all aspects of business.

That being the case, you have to make up your mind at the very outset about your career trajectory and how an MBA would help you achieve your goals.

How to prepare for One Year MBA: Early footsteps

Plan Ahead for MBA Even Before Selecting the School: Job, Function, Industry and Geography.

Most MBA aspirants consider the degree as an essential tool to change their job, function, industry or geography. This calls for some deep thinking on your part. Whether you want to change your profile to take up something new or to acquire more knowledge about your current job to help you climb the career ladder quickly.

Soniya Ghosh, an MBA Candidate at Cambridge Judge Business School, says in a blog post on the school website that you could select one or two options. The next task is to identify the job profiles and firms. Also, start collecting all the information that you could for your cover letter and informal interviews. Make sure that your application stands out, as you would be competing against achievers.

Finding More about the School, the Program and Career Prospects

Apart from the information about the program on the school website, it would be worthwhile to get in touch with the alumni, arrange meetings with them and ask about their experiences during the program and career post-MBA. The focus should be on developing a deeper understanding of the industry, jobs and company culture rather than on getting a referral from them at a later date.

The current students would be an excellent source of information about what to expect in the class, projects and immersions. You could also utilize any opportunity to contact the faculty and admission officers during the MBA Tours conducted by the various colleges to ask questions and clear your doubts.

The Importance of Updating Your Resume and Cover Letter

Your resume is needed not only for admission but also for submitting to prospective employers, especially in the case of the one-year MBA program where recruitment events begin within weeks of the program start.

Unlike the resume that lists your academic qualifications and achievements in chronological order, the Cover Letter is more of a personalized statement to convince the recruiters that you would be an asset to the company. It should draw attention to the relevant aspects of your resume, highlight your knowledge about the firm and convey interest and enthusiasm for joining it. In other words, it is not a duplicate of the resume.

It also provides you with an opportunity to explain any gaps in your employment history, changing career focus or wanting a change in geography.

Signing Up for Case Competitions and Clubs

Since the MBA is more about acquiring practical knowledge rather than merely attending classroom lectures, be prepared to sign up for various Case competitions and Clubs. Soniya says her participation in Women in Tech Challenge, Adobe Pitch and Prototype Challenge and current work on HULT and L’Oreal Brandstorm has given her first-hand experience of learning new concepts and meeting industrial leaders.

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The top 10 most in-demand hard skills globally also include Artificial intelligence (AI), UX design, Business analysis, Affiliate marketing, Sales, Scientific computing and Video production. Most of these job profiles incorporate the latest in technological advancement with global business practices.

Incidentally, this was the first time Blockchain topped LinkedIn’s rankings of in-demand skills. The demand for blockchain experts was high in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany and Australia.

Several B-schools have, in recent years, introduced MBA or Masters’ programs in such areas to cater to the rising demand. They also offer full-time or part-time versions.

Blockchain, Cloud Computing Among Sectors With More Job opportunities in 2020

MBA in Blockchain Management

EU Business School offers a one-year full-time MBA program in Blockchain Management. It also has a two-year part-time version. The start dates are in October, January and March.

Blockchain is the technology behind Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The school says the MBA will help the students gain an in-depth, panoramic understanding of the fundamentals of blockchain. They will also be able to critically evaluate processes, practices and tools of this disruptive technology.

The Blockchain Management program courses could be in Business Strategy Simulation, Cryptocurrencies & Fintech, Blockchain & Sustainable Development. The program is for those intending to pursue careers in Fintech, Transformation Management, Banking and Financial consulting.

On successful completion of the MBA, students at EU’s Barcelona, Swiss and Online campuses will get a state-recognized, university MBA degree awarded by Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM), Spain, (título propio) or EU Business School Switzerland degree which is internationally accredited by ACBSP, IACBE, IQA and certified by eduQua.

MBA in Cloud Computing

Offered by Dublin Business School, MBA (Cloud Computing) can be completed in one year as a full-time course or in two years as a part-time program. The MBA degree is awarded by Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI).

The program lays emphasis on structured approaches for delivering effective solutions in the Cloud that address value, efficiency, risks and costs associated with an increased reliance on Cloud Computing. The specialization also introduces learners to standard cloud practices and guides them through the planning, deployment and management of a cloud application.

5 In-demand Soft Skills

In the ranking of “soft” skills, LinkedIn put Creativity at the top of the 5 most in-demand soft skills globally. Persuasion, Collaboration, Adaptability and Emotional intelligence were the other qualities.

Developing soft skills are part and parcel of every MBA program from day one. The participants get adequate opportunities to develop their networking and other skills through classroom interactions, competitions, conferences, projects and immersion programs.

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In such a situation, how would you ensure success at the interview and admission at a school of your choice?

Admission experts agree on the need for proper preparation for the interview. It should be treated just like a job interview. You need to think about and prepare answers to all sorts of possible questions. Your attire, attitude, and manners should also reflect the importance given to the interaction.

The interviewer may be admission officers, alumni or students. Initially, they may ask to state the reasons for choosing to enroll for an MBA at this particular B-school.

The school website, admission events, current students, the faculty and the alumni would provide valuable information about the program. You would then be able to answer such questions with confidence.

How to crack the MBA Admission Interview | Tips and Tricks

How to Answer Career Goals Question

The career goals question may also be clubbed with two others, namely, why you need the MBA to achieve these goals and why is this the best time to enroll for the program. In all possibility, you may have already stated these points in your admission essay. It would be good to read the relevant portions to refresh your memory prior to appearing for the interview.

About career goals, you should identify and talk about an immediate post-MBA target role, industry and at least two target companies. You may also need to describe your short-term goals as well as long term targets, about 5 to 10 years after receiving the MBA.

You could also explain how the program would help you to acquire the necessary knowledge through the program to achieve these goals. In this context, it would be good to identify two or three specific skills that you need to acquire.

Why Did You Choose This School?

It will be good to write down three reasons for the school being the best fit for you. You could also list three resources at the school, the courses, professors, conferences or professors to buttress your argument.

The school website would provide details about the courses, clubs and other activities. You could also attend admission events or garner the information from students and alumni.

Telling Your Story

You are most likely to be faced with questions like ‘tell me about yourself’ or ‘walk me through your resume’. In such cases, try to keep your answers brief, about three minutes, and to the point. Do not talk fast or ramble.

It would be good to hold a rehearsal of the typical interview questions with a friend, colleague, mentor or admission consultant. They will be able to give you feedback on the timing and pacing.

What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?

This question demands an honest and straightforward answer. You may have to give an account of how certain qualities helped you overcome academic or workplace challenges.

At the other end of the scale, you may also be asked to recount your weaknesses or failures. Do not shy away from revealing the shortcomings that led to failure. You should explain how, after identifying the reasons for failure, the remedial steps that you took or intend to take to come out of such a situation.

What to Ask Your Interviewer

Most of the interviews conclude with the candidate being given some time to ask questions to the interviewer. You should avoid such questions where the answers would be available on the website or other public platforms.

If the interviewer is a student or an alum, you could ask about his or her experience, the challenges, and the rewards. If it is a faculty member, you could ask about the various aspects of the program and clear your doubts.

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At the Imperial College Business School in London, of the 1,600 students in the current MBA cohort, 88% are international students, says Manvi Mehta, studying MSc Strategic Marketing at the school.

So, you should not have any fears of being alone, she says in a student’s blog post. The immediate fears of an international student would be whether you would be able to make friends, cope up with the demands of the syllabus and find a job on completion of the program.

5 Useful Tips for International MBA Students

1. Getting to Know Your Classmates

One way of getting to know your classmates is to spend more time with them. You can do it in the classroom by switching seats almost every day instead of sticking together with just a few people from your own country.

Since one of the main purposes of enrolling for an MBA is to develop or improving your networking capabilities, it is worthwhile to meet new people and collaborate with them in all activities in the class as well as outside.

2. Taking Time Off to Relax

You should take some time to relax by taking up a sport, aimlessly dancing, strolling around the park, writing a journal, listening to your music or even just a power nap. Manvi confesses that during the induction week, she felt intimidated with all the long hours, networking, getting back to her accommodation, managing food and routine. It was almost impossible to find the quiet time for self-reflection or recharge, she says.

3. Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone

You may be an introvert, extrovert or someone in between, those who enjoy being alone for some time and also with large-scale socializing. It is essential to move out of your comfort zone.

This does not mean accepting peer-pressure and forcing yourself to do things you are not comfortable with, Manvi says. It is more about trying new things that you would not or have not done before. For instance, go for parties when you crave to be at home, it may help you meet people with similar interests.

She says some of her friends try a new cuisine each week, a new sport or even enroll themselves for evening language or dance classes at the school.

4. Maintaining Contact With Your Folks

You should find time to keep in touch with folks back home despite your busy schedule. Regularly updating them with your achievements and disappointments and seeking their support will keep you in the best frame of mind to meet new challenges. Otherwise, you may suffer from pangs of guilt in not contacting your close ones.

5. Taking Time to Adjust

Remember that it takes time to adjust to life in new surroundings. There is no need to get disheartened at initial setbacks. Try to maintain a positive outlook and things will be fine.

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