A. You can register for fall interviewing
and associated preparatory workshops generally at the
end of May. There is an information session for interested
part-time students, usually in April, to explain the
process. As for requirements, there are two. First,
you must be in your last year of classes, finishing
no later than the end of August the year following your
fall interviewing. Second, you must not have received
any tuition assistance from your employer, or they must
submit a waiver letter saying they are aware of and
accepting of your taking interviews through CMC.
Q Does my resume really need to be on
one page?
A. Yes. More than one page puts you
at risk that it won’t be read effectively due
to time constraints. The exceptions would be, a) if
you are doing an academic type curriculum vita, or b)
if you have sufficient (extensive) experience to write
an executive type resume.
Q Do I need to show experience on my
resume in (finance, marketing, strategy, etc.) in order
to get a position in (finance, marketing, strategy,
etc.)?
A. Would it help? Yes. Is it essential?
Often no. Remember that employers are aware that often
people get an MBA to facilitate change – in function,
industry, etc. If you can’t show relevant past
experience, be prepared to explain in a brief cover
letter, or in an interview, why you want to do this
job and how your education, experience, and interest
combine to make you a strong candidate.
Q What are the best websites for finding
good job postings?
A. There are a lot! Some are large and
general, some function or industry specific, and of
course individual companies often post on their own
sites. Generally speaking, you might consider monster,
hotjobs, careerbuilder (Chicago Tribune site), and jobworks.
All are www.com. Also read Crains.
Q How can I best prepare for an interview?
A. This is a workshop topic and is often
situation specific. Generally speaking, I would suggest
the following at a minimum:
- Be prepared (preparation/research,
etc. signals “I care”).
- Be yourself (if you pull off a great act, do you have
to continue once you get hired?).
- Pay attention to details – proper dress, proper
language and good manners count.
- Know the strengths you want to get on the table.
- Do not give canned answers, and if a questions throws
you, say so and take some time to think about it.
- Remember that an interview involves personal chemistry
– try to make a connection in a professional way.
Q What is the best way to network with
Kellogg alums?
A. Send a short e-mail – who you
are and why you are writing – and suggest you
will follow up with a call. Ask for 10-15 minutes and
be respectful of their time. Don’t ask about things
you can find on the web or in an annual report, etc.
Rather, ask about them – how they got hired, what
is their perception of the culture, etc. And always
ask for other names/suggestions. If it goes well, they
might ask for your resume. And keep in mind –
they know why you are calling.
Q Are my Kellogg grades important? Should
they be on my resume?
A. Generally speaking, employers know
you have to have a very good record to be admitted here,
and that you have to do good work to finish. As such,
putting your Kellogg grades on the resume probably isn’t
essential or necessary. Undergraduate grades are actually
more commonly reviewed, as are board scores if available.
Mentioning the Dean’s list always is acceptable.
Q When I send out resumes, I often get
no response. What does that mean? What should I do?
A. It means they didn’t have time
to read it, or they did and you didn’t pass the
screen. If you are really interested, find a way to
network your resume into their system.
Q How important is the cover letter,
and what should it say?
A. It is far less important then the
resume. If it is to have a chance of being read at all,
it needs to be brief, to the point, professionally enthusiastic,
and differentiating to the degree possible.
Q What courses should I take?
A. There are two basic strategies. First,
choose the concentrations relevant to where you want
to go and get good exposure, e.g. finance for commercial
banking. Or second, determine what you think to be the
best courses, period, and take those within the limits
of your flexibility. The Kellogg curriculum could be
a banquet table – choose your favorites.
Q If I want to use the CMC, and need
to ask my employer for a waiver, how do I do so without
putting myself at risk?
A. If there was a formulaic answer to
that question, I would have copyrighted it and would
be selling it for big bucks in Wieboldt Hall. Obviously,
this requires a situation specific approach. Your best
bet is to discuss it with and ask the advice of a mentor
who you trust to be candid and keep the conversation
confidential.
