October 10th, 2011
A few weeks ago we looked at How to Use Advanced Twitter Search to Find a Job. Today, I’d like to introduce my Twitter list of Top MBA Employers. This list highlights companies found in Fortune Magazine 100 Best Companies to Work For, Working Mother 100 Best Companies, Diversity Inc Top 50 Companies for Diversity, and Top MBA Employers from CNN Money.
This list can help you find a job by:
- Tracking the latest company news: being current on company news helps present a polished image throughout the job search process.
- Linking to live job postings: some companies link to actual live job postings, creating an avenue outside of on-campus recruiting for you to pursue your dream job.
- Engaging in conversations with recruiters: Re-tweeting and commenting with @ replies can get you noticed and begin conversations with people inside your target companies.
- Discovering new places to connect: A recruiter on the list recently mentioned a LinkedIn group he joined, demonstrating that Twitter can lead to new opportunities to network.
Click here to follow my list of Top MBA Employers, and let me know in the comments if there are other lists you recommend following.
October 4th, 2011  image: Ezalis
I experimented with a YouTube channel for MBA in the USA a couple of years ago, and this week’s highlight from Mashable has me planning to revisit it. As social networking becomes increasingly important in the job search process, MBA’s tend to focus on LinkedIn, but in today’s economy it’s a good idea to broaden your social search.
A video presence brings your profile to life. You can jump from an abstract resume to a real personality with the most basic of tools. Here’s how according to Mashable’s 5 Ways to Get a Job through YouTube.
September 14th, 2011 
image: Suresh Eswaran
When you walk into a company presentation, what's your goal? To learn more about the company? It should be for the company to learn more about you. Most of what you're going to learn in a company presentation, you can learn on the internet. The real point of attendance is to begin building relationships that can ultimately lead to a job offer. Here's how to stand out above the crowd.
1. Arrive early and introduce yourself. Balance this to arrive early, but not so early you're interrupting the presenter's set-up. Read the room when you walk in to determine where they are in their readiness to present. If you can tell they are still getting ready, introduce yourself with something like, "Hi, I'm Olivia Adler. Thanks for being here today." Then, sit down and stay out of their way so they can set up. If they are ready to present, they might be hoping for a conversation before they get started. If so, introduce yourself, and ask a small talk question like, "How was your flight?"
2. Ask a well informed question during the presentation. At some point during the presentation, the speaker will ask for questions. The anxiety level will shoot up, and most people will be quiet. Do not be one of those people. Have several well informed questions ready, and ask the one that best fits with the flow of the presentation. Never ask if a company sponsors international students. Try not to ask something you could easily discover on the internet. Instead, ask a question that fits with the positioning you plan to present to the company.
3. Follow up. After the presentation, take a minute to thank the presenter and exchange business cards. Often, there will not be time for a meaningful exchange at the end because so many people will be fighting for attention. That's OK. You made your impression with step 1 and 2. With the contact information in hand, you can follow up for an informational interview, and continue to build solid relationships to move your job search forward.
August 29th, 2011 
image: Carolinadoug
Conferences present unique opportunities to meet multiple people from your target company list in one location, over one weekend. With classes and clubs heating up for the new year, the conferences can sneak up on you. You can get a solid start on your job search with these 4 Steps to Find a Job at a Conference.
1. Choose the conference that works best for you. The top 3 MBA conferences include:
National Association of Asian MBAs – Sept 8-10 in New York, NY
National Black MBA Association – Oct 4-8 in Atlanta, GA
National Society of Hispanic MBAs – Oct 13-15 in Anaheim, CA
Take a look at the agenda, timing, location, and companies attending the conference and make your choice from there. Most often you do not have to be a member of the association or a member of the specific ethnic group to attend a conference. Companies and people attending conferences are seeking diversity of ethnicity, gender, and experience.
2. Plan your approach. Conferences typically offer so much great information they can be a bit overwhelming. Choose the sessions you want to attend, and most importantly, the companies you want to target. If a company you would like to work for is not recruiting on your campus, apply online and try to get an interview at the conference. Be sure to update your resume for American recruiters before you apply. If a target company is recruiting on campus, you may want to use the conference as a way to meet a few of the recruiters and begin building rapport in anticipation of an on-campus resume drop. You can even ask if you can follow up after the conference for an informational interview.
3. Prepare for informal networking and formal interviewing opportunities. Recruiters meet hundreds of students at job fairs, and you want them to remember you. Practice your elevator speech being sure to incorporate effective communication tactics for American recruiters. Begin your interviewing practice with books, articles, counselors at your Career Management Center, and other students.
4. Perform to the best of your ability. When you get to the job fair, approach a "warm up" company first. A warm up company is one you'd like to work for, but is not at the top of your list. It allows you to deliver your elevator speech and use your networking skills in safer environment than if you walked straight up to your #1 target company. Share your stories with confidence, and use the accepted interviewing norms for MBAs in the USA.
August 23rd, 2011 
image: John&Fish
Twitter becomes more interesting every job search season as more people begin to really understand how to use it. Companies on your target list might be posting news-worthy events that you can reference in interviews; they may even be posting links to available jobs. Last year, I met a student that engaged smaller companies in conversation through Twitter, and earned an internship through the process!
If you want to start using Twitter in your job search, check out this Mashable video, How to Use Advanced Twitter Search to Find a Job, by Jehangir Irani. In just over 3-min, the video highlights three ways to utilize Advanced Twitter Search in your job search including: hash tags, phrases, and places.
Please let me know if it works for you in the comments or on Twitter @mbaintheusa .
August 15th, 2011 
image: istockphoto.com
BusinessWeek recently published their "Top 30 Must-See Movies for Business Students," and I found it impressive on multiple levels. The movie recommendations not only offer insight into American business culture, but also into the culture of the MBA programs themselves. You can tell a lot about Dean from the movies he or she recommends. In turn, you can tell a lot about the culture of the school from the Dean. Plus, movies are just a fun way to spend a bit of downtime during your core classes. Enjoy!
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