Tips for corporate recruiters and B-school graduates

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Here are a few tips for placement, which would help B-school graduates prepare themselves for corporate recruitment and help them get the best deals. It also tries to delve at what offers these young graduates expect from corporate recruiters.

IN THIS WAR for hiring from the B-schools (Business schools), most of the corporates want to hire the best from the talent pool. Here are some parameters on which the B-school graduates should work on to have cent per cent chances of being absorbed in the best organisations.
The B-school graduates need to keep a check on the increase in competition, which has made the hiring arena difficult. One should look at the number of colleges, students and then the number of jobs. More emphasis should be placed on the quality of students graduating than the quantity of students. Some of the graduates have unrealistic aspirations. They think that getting into a B-school guarantees a challenging career and lots of money, but they are missing out on one part of the story - the competition that they would have to face once they pass out with other B-school batchmates.

The graduates need to first understand that MBA / PGDBA is only an entry ticket and not a means of getting guaranteed success in an organisational set up. They need to understand that their performance would be measured initially, no matter which B-school they belong to. What lasts long is individual performance, skill set and knowledge that an individual has. It cannot be stolen. One needs to establish a bond and gel in with the organisation - the people, resources, culture and its character. To be spotted, the trainees need to have qualities like being humble, modest and being patient. They should develop a habit of making good and positive suggestions and make their way through instead of complaining and cribbing about the prevalent circumstances.

Some TIPS / Qualities

Out of the Box: A term that is very hot during the placement season and otherwise also, with all B-schools. This quality could be coupled up with common sense, which they say is uncommon. Something which is so unique and transparent but not cashable by others and thus helps you stand out of the crowd of graduates.

Dare to be Different: Every individual has a unique persona and qualities, which he / she is scared to tap or even explore. To discover it, one has to break the chain of routines and be different. One may conduct a very well known simple SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis.

Etiquettes: The way you present yourself - the way you talk and walk - makes a lasting impression wherever you go. One needs to polish oneself. Not talking too much and at the same time, keeping good body language to pass on the right vibes, helps the corporates in remembering you.

Unrelenting Drive to Win: A drive to win and win only should be cultivated, with no iffs and buts. The habit of being the best in whatever you do would helps you to make your mark and thus you would win the game whichever it may be.

Attitude - from ‘not possible’ to ‘Let’s make it happen’: Most of the B-school graduates have the so-called casual attitude and they are constantly complaining that the things are not possible or cannot be worked out. They need to cultivate a positive outlook and strong work ethics. They should strap them with loads and tons of adaptability, and have a proactive and open approach, with a desire to learn towards their job. They should remain focused and should not break under pressure.

Multitasking: Business today cannot be compartmentalised; it is an integrated unit. Managing multiple departments and multi tasking is always applauded. More departments would add on to more people within each department. Therefore to cut into this one could combine time management skills with efficient networking and reporting, which would rule out the physical presence of the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) everyday in the company.

Creativity: Add some creativity to your daily routine and make it more joyful and entertaining. This could be tapped immensely through your hobbies, which you inculcate as stress busters.

Work Experience: A B-school graduate who is already exposed to the business environment has an advantage. Plain graduation can never give them that edge. A good amount of work experience in the business environment would help the corporate know on which skills he could cash upon, for maximum returns to the organisation as well as the individual.

Waiting for the Ideal Job! You would miss the bus then: Like all other careers, one might not get what one demands right at the start. Therefore, sitting and waiting for the ideal job to fall into your lap would make you miss your bus. Take up whatever comes your way and then use that experience to specialise and move towards what you want to do.

Neither the industry nor the B-schools are doing a favour to the students by inducting them as trainees. It is the need of the industry, and B-schools are helping them by providing them with a pool of resource. However, this resource is not ready for deliver from day one.
Therefore, it is an investment made with great potential for future returns.

What the B-school graduates want from the corporates?

What does the B-school graduates want from the Industry when they come for campus placements during the season of placements.

In the globally competitive world when every year new B-schools are being added to the existing ones, the competition becomes more fierce than ever. Everyone wants the best of talents available. Some of the things, which the B-school graduates feel, should be incorporated during the Placement season are as follows:

Make a common process for selection for all B-schools: Whether it is a new B-school or one existing for long time, let both be given equal opportunity. This happens in the placement process for MCA (Master of Computer Applications) and Engineering. The companies call up all of the Engineering colleges under one roof and conduct a common placement. Here the companies could decide on the cut off percentage. There would be huge pool of students with diverse skill sets available for the selection process and obviously the best would get the opportunity. This would help the new B-schools enter the competition. Also, it would make the grading depend upon the capabilities and competence, and the talent showcased.

A professional approach, which is transparent and clean:

The industry needs to have a more transparent and clean process, when conducting the recruitment drive in terms of job profile, designation, salary, probation and training. Students do not want the rosy picture of CTC (cost to company) and designation and later find the opposite to be true.

Reliable Placement Process:
Whether the interviews are conducted on campus or off campus, the whole process needs to be professionally coordinated. When the industry expects the graduates to be punctual and have professional etiquettes, then the students at their end have the right to expect the same. The industry can -
a) Call or send an email to the concerned college by stating the company’s profile, manpower requirement in concerned area of specialisation, job profile, location, designation, pay package, how many rounds of interview would be conducted during the selection process, and whether the company would be interested in conducting a Pre-placement talk in the campus.

b) Resumes could be asked for in soft / hard copy, they could be screened and only the short listed names could be called for an interview at their place or at the campus on a particular day. Though the resumes are being sent, the resumes are constantly being asked for again. This increases the time span of the process.

c) Following etiquettes of time and discipline at both ends.

d) Finally the offering - through the offer letter, after the selection process comes to an end, intimate or put an email to the B-school to make them understand who is being offered the positions.

Keep the Promises!
During the placement weeks, firms that participate in the process should keep up their promise, or refrain from painting a rosy picture.

Industries should follow the ‘3 C’s’(clear, concise and concrete) when making promises.
Probably, by following these broad principles, we could ensure a placement process that is reliable and would also leave a lasting impression in the minds of the students (practice what you preach), as the taste of professionalism for the students would begin here.