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Free Career Counselling Online | Indian candidates

Posted: February 16th, 2012, 3:48 pm
by MBACrystalBall
Free Career Counselling for Indian candidates

Many of the queries that we get are related to jobs and careers. So we thought of creating a free career counselling thread for where we can provide online advice for our confused brethren from India. These may or may not be related to MBA programs.

- Facing a roadblock at work?
- Problems with your boss?
- Office politics keeping opportunities at bay?
- Professional growth stunted?

Whether it is management consulting jobs with firms like McKinsey, Bain, Boston Consulting Group or Investment Banking with bulge bracket firms like Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan or Information Technology companies like IBM, Accenture, Infosys, shoot your queries and we'll see how we can help.

For those who don't want to share their confidential problems on a public forum, our personalised career counselling service is an option to consider. Compared to what we do here, it's formal, structured & completely confidential. Send us a note on [info at mbacrystalball dot com] if you need 1-on-1 counselling.

Read this related post on How to deal with a mid-life career crisis.

Also, try out this Free Career Planning Tool on our Career Guidance page.

Important Note:

The MBA Crystal Ball team does not manage this thread. Instead, our friend Amit (aka MBA Dropout) will be sharing his wisdom and experience here as well as on the management consulting jobs thread.

Amit is not a part of the official counselling team at MBA Crystal Ball. He is helping out here purely on a pro-bono basis while juggling his crazy work-travel schedule. Responses may come after days, weeks, months...or never! So please do not post here if you need urgent help.

Re: Free Career Counselling Online | Indian candidates

Posted: February 17th, 2012, 9:44 am
by srikanthk86
Hello Sameer,

I understand that Management Consultants come with a lot of pedigree - be it a 4.O GPA or stellar undergrad record. But cracking cases is the bread and butter for a management consultant.

I was wondering how do I begin preparation in that front? What are the best books for learning how to crack case-interviews? or books that teach us some frameworks for cracking cases? Any other alternative that one can employ to prepare them for this field? I will be joining B-school in Fall 2012 and I'm looking at ways to already prepare for consulting recruitment.

Also Sameer, I was also wondering about the 'Consulting jobs' Services that Crystal Ball offers. The interview interrogation consists of case-studies but do you teach some methodologies or is just practise? - Pardon me, if its the wrong forum to bring this up.

Best,
Srikanth

Re: Free Career Counselling Online | Indian candidates

Posted: February 17th, 2012, 11:02 am
by MBACrystalBall
Hi Srikanth,

Thanks for setting the ball rolling. The in-house support we provide for management consulting jobs consists of a combination of methodologies and hands-on practice (i.e. simulated interviews). But for now, due to capacity limitations (our main focus continues to be on MBA admissions consulting) we are offering the in-house case-study service only to folks who've got interview calls.

As an alternative, our blog series on how to get consulting jobs and this forum will provide free (and hopefully practical) advice to anyone interested in transitioning into the consulting industry.

On your query about books on consulting, you might want to pick up a copy of The McKinsey Way. Great introduction to how things work at one of the best strategy consulting firms in the world.

Other sites that you might find useful:
managementconsulted.com, consultingcase101.com

Also, don't miss out visiting the official websites of the top tier consulting firms. Some of them have sample cases listed.

Re: Free Career Counselling Online | Indian candidates

Posted: February 23rd, 2012, 12:29 pm
by Suryansh
Hey Sameer,

I am a student of B.Tech. from a premier National Institute of Technology India. I am currently in my VI semester. I intend to do an MBA later on in my career.

I have few queries, which i hope you'll be kind enough to answer:

- At the moment, i'm mulling over my summer internship options. Would it be advisable to do it in a ISB/IIM or in company (Start-up vs established and could you give me a few names)?
My CGPA atm is 8.68 (Production Engineering). I spent my previous summer doing an intern at IISc, which confirmed my belief in doing an MBA amongst other things. I spent the winter as a part of a team which performed a social audit in a remote village in Banda, Uttar Pradesh.

- Should i seek admission directly after my UG or gain some work ex first (i prefer this). Also how does the Young Leaders Program of the ISB compare to it's normal program and to other programs internationally?

Thanks in advance.

Re: Free Career Counselling Online | Indian candidates

Posted: February 23rd, 2012, 3:36 pm
by MBACrystalBall
//I am a student of B.Tech. from a premier National Institute of Technology India.

Hi Suryansh,

//- At the moment, i'm mulling over my summer internship options. Would it be advisable to do it in a ISB/IIM or in company (Start-up vs established and could you give me a few names)?

An internship is a great way to get a foot in the door of the company or institute that you want to work in.

As it's not meant to be an academic experience (in fact, it's exactly the opposite), choose your interning destination based on the kind of exposure it'll give you.

I'm not sure what industry exposure ISB or IIM will give you. Would be great if you can elaborate on this.


//- Should i seek admission directly after my UG or gain some work ex first (i prefer this).

If you are aiming for a regular international MBA degree, then get at least 2-3 years work experience before you start applying.

//Also how does the Young Leaders Program of the ISB compare to it's normal program and to other programs internationally?

Given the option, I'd prefer the regular PGP program at ISB.

Re: Free Career Counselling Online | Indian candidates

Posted: March 30th, 2012, 12:54 am
by dare2try
Hi MBAcrystallball,

I have been pondering over a question for quite sometime. Atlast I found a forum which is relevant to it. Hope it helps me to come out of ignorance :)

I would like to know about the role of a Business development Manager in an IT Services company and how an MBA will help in carrying out the responsibilities...to be precise

1. What are the responsibilities of a BDM in an IT services company? From the name it is understood that he/she has to bring new business. But what are his/her day to day tasks?
2. How will an MBA help him/her in doing his tasks? (Apart from the soft skills)

It will be helpful if you can explain by taking the tasks and relating it to the courses/electives in MBA degree.

Thanks in advance.

Re: Free Career Counselling Online | Indian candidates

Posted: April 1st, 2012, 12:36 pm
by MBACrystalBall
Hi dare2try,

// I would like to know about the role of a Business development Manager in an IT Services company and how an MBA will help in carrying out the responsibilities...to be precise

A lot of IT / software professionals have this question in their minds, so thanks for bringing this up.

// 1. What are the responsibilities of a BDM in an IT services company? From the name it is understood that he/she has to bring new business. But what are his/her day to day tasks?

Yes, you are right that it's about bringing in new business. But the broader scope is much more than that. Apart from the pure marketing and sales aspect of the role, there's also a significant amount of strategic element.

As a Business Development Manager, you'd be the 'external face' of the company. That's an extremely important position to be in, because you aren't just selling the services of your company, but also trying to guage what the market really needs. The knowledge you'd gain about market trends in this role is far more authentic than carrying out secondary research. So for the CEO, a business development manager can provide the eyes and ears to the market. That's where the strategy aspects come into picture.

- Should the company continue with its current the portfolio of services?
- Should they diversify into new emerging technologies?
- Should they develop/recruit talent to meet the evolving industry trends?

//2. How will an MBA help him/her in doing his tasks? (Apart from the soft skills)

For a business development manager, understanding the underlying business (technology, software, hardware, complex and scalable IT architecture etc) is of paramount importance. And that's something that you've already picked up in your pre-MBA roles.

What the MBA can give you is a broader perspective on strategy, economy, finance, presentation/negotiation skills, to help build a layer around your core technology competency.

It may also help you gain an awareness about multiple industries that you might not be familiar with. That'll allow you to expand the market for your future employer.

All in all, an exciting, entrepreneurial role that can provide a good mix of technology and business.

Re: Free Career Counselling Online | Indian candidates

Posted: April 4th, 2012, 4:28 am
by dare2try
Hi MBACrystallball,

Thanks for your reply. That really gave me an insight. Now that I got to know about the role, another qn comes to my mind...

BDM looks like a very important role (interesting too...:)..)...I would like to know the career path of a BDM.

for eg I work in an IT services company...I have 6.5 yrs of experience (only in Software delivert side). If I go for an MBA from say ISB, will I get into that position after graduation? (FYI I have been working in Telecom vertical through out and I would like to get into the role of BDM for an IT services company in Telecom Vertical). I mean will be in the thick of the things or will I get into secondary research first etc etc. If so, how will I grow in say 3 yrs or 5 yrs?

Re: Free Career Counselling Online | Indian candidates

Posted: April 4th, 2012, 6:55 pm
by MBACrystalBall
Hi dare2try,

//I would like to know the career path of a BDM.

You could start off as a regular business development manager for one or more verticals (or business units). As you bring in more business, you could be elevated to the corporate level.

Like in your case, if you have been on the delivery side, you could become the indepedent head of a business unit. Next level CEO. Or if you have the idea for a good product or service, you could move out to start your own company.

For those who can get to grips with the bigger picture, they'll continue on the sales/marketing side with little strategic involvement. With experience and a good track record, you can pretty much set the direction for your career in related areas.


//If I go for an MBA from say ISB, will I get into that position after graduation?

Neither ISB or any other top bschool will 'get you into any position' except a position of greater financial liability ;-)

The brand will give you credibility as you talk to employers, nothing beyond that. How you use the bschool brand to convince the employer that you'll make a great business development manager is up to you.


//I mean will be in the thick of the things or will I get into secondary research first etc etc. If so, how will I grow in say 3 yrs or 5 yrs?

Business development roles are 'front office' roles. So if you are being sold a BDM role and made to sit in a cubicle for too long, then it's safe to assume that the clever HR guy who came to campus has oversold the position to you.

Be aware of the roles and responsibilities before taking it up.

Re: Free Career Counselling Online | Indian candidates

Posted: April 4th, 2012, 9:37 pm
by dare2try
Hi MBACrystallball,

Thanks again for the reply and the time spent on it :)

I agree with your point about 'Financial Burden' :P I just wanted to check if IT services companies recruit from ISB for the role of BDM. Also wanted to know if is within reach for my profile.

Regards,
dare2try