Cracking the CAT exam is in itself a milestone but remember the fact that this will not guarantee your MBA admission at a premier B-School. After achieving a good score, the real question comes up i.e., How to Build a Strong Profile for MBA Admissions After CAT? The actual challenge starts here where we are to present a well-rounded and compelling profile amongst a huge crowd. Remember that CAT has a maximum weightage of 50% in the top B-Schools, the other 50% comes from group discussions, personal interviews, academic profile and work experience. Therefore your profile has a lot of weightage. Though majority of the things cannot be changed and will be too late to consider, there are still a few things which you can consider. Read the article in detail to understand How to Build a Strong Profile for MBA Admissions After CAT.
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1. Reflect on Your Goals and Strengths
The first step after CAT should ideally be about self-reflection. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Why do you want to pursue an MBA?
- How your experiences and skills can be relevant and add value for an institute?
The clarity on these questions will help you shape your Statement of Purpose (SOP) and formulate interview questions better, alongside improving the overall confidence. The more confident you are here, the more interest will be shown by your panelists, thereby increasing your chances of a convert.
2. Polish Your Statement of Purpose (SOP) and Resume
Your SOP and resume are 2 very important documents that will highlight your achievements, goals & aspirations, and your overall personality.
- SOP: Write a free-flowing narrative that connects your past academic and professional experiences, the CAT journey, and future goals which you wish to conquer post-MBA. Use ample examples to highlight your leadership qualities, dedication and teamwork.
- Resume: Make sure your resume is concise yet impactful, and is suited for MBA admissions. Bold the quantifiable achievements i.e., the numbers, positions of responsibility, and relevant certifications. Do not overdo resume which you cannot defend later in interviews. Be authentic and confident.
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3. Strengthen Your Communication and Interpersonal Skills for MBA Admission
Communication skills is probably the most evaluated skill during your admissions. Your personality and body language determines your chances to a great extent. These are mainly via interviews, group discussions (GDs) and written ability tests (WATs).
- Keep answers ready for HR questions and practice them to yourself. Just read it out loud.
- Participate in mock interviews to improve verbal communication and build confidence.
- Practice writing for WATs in general. Try to present logical arguments and maybe support it by facts. Also, sometimes WATs can be very vague and abstract, show your creativity there to stand out in the crowd.
- Engage in discussions with other peers or mentors on current affairs to build your group discussion skills.
4. Highlight Leadership Through Recent Initiatives
If you are someone who is employed, you need to highlight your achievements and probable leadership initiatives you have undertaken. Reflect on your tenure to date and try to identify what can be your talking point during the interviews. If you are a fresher, highlight your achievements during your UG and through fields like social work. Contribute to community initiatives maybe by working for an NGO which includes work like teaching underprivileged children, leading environmental campaigns or raising awareness on social issues. Showcase any entrepreneurial endeavours which you think can reflect your intent and strategic thinking.
5. Gain Certifications in Relevant Fields
While CAT as stepping-stone primarily tests your aptitude, MBA programs demand domain knowledge and industry-relevant skills. Use the time between CAT results and actual admission to gain certifications which align with your career goals. It is one of the best ways on How to Build a Strong Profile for MBA Admissions After CAT:
- For finance folks, certifications like CFA Level 1 or other financial modelling courses can add value to your overall profile.
- Operations-focused aspirants can look at Six Sigma or supply chain management related certifications.
- For marketing, courses in digital marketing, branding or consumer behaviour can help you stand out in the crowd.
6. Network with Alumni and Current Students
Networking can provide invaluable insights about your target B-schools like no one else can tell you. It can also help you understand the ground reality and make an informed decision about opting for an institute or not. Connecting with alumni and current students allows you to:
- Understand the program’s requirements, culture and unique offerings.
- Get personal advice on how to approach the personal interview (PI) and other selection stages. Remember this varies a lot across colleges and a few might require specialised focus.
- Build genuine connections with others that may even help you during placements during or even post completion of your MBA.
Platforms like LinkedIn or MBA forums like iQuanta can be great starting points for reaching out to current students and other alums.
7. Stay Updated on Current Affairs and Business Trends
Top MBA programs prefer candidates who are well-informed about the world happenings around them. Post-CAT, dedicate good amount of time to understand global economic trends, business news and other industry developments.
- Read daily business newspapers like The Economic Times or The Hindu Business Line.
- Follow podcasts, blogs and YouTube channels focused on business and management topics. This can be a very good talking point during your interviews.
- Have opinions on certain topics as interviewers try to test your analytical thinking. However, make sure that you do not have a very harsh stance which can go against any community sentiment.
8. Prepare Strategically for MBA Interviews
The personal interview is often the deciding factor in MBA admissions. This is the absolute deal-breaker or dealmaker. Even if you have a lesser percentile or not so great academic record, a good PI can steer things in your favour. Use the time after CAT to prepare thoroughly:
- Know Your Profile: Be ready to discuss small details on. It could be related to your UG subjects, you past work experience or your inclination towards pursuing an MBA.
- Common Questions: Prepare answers for typical questions like “Why MBA?”, “Why this college?” and “What are your career goals?”
- Mock Interviews: Practice with experienced mentors or other peers to build confidence and receive feedback which will help you improve.
9. Focus on Group Discussions and WAT Preparation
Group discussions and written ability tests are integral to most MBA admission processes. Especially post covid, many admission processes has gone back offline and hence have GD or PI in their selection stages. To excel in these, read the following:
- GD Preparation: Read about hot topics like artificial intelligence (AI), climate change and global economy. Remember not to cut anyone during the GDs and have proper conclusions within the stipulated time frame.
- WAT Preparation: Work on structuring your narratives well. Have a clear introduction, body and conclusion. Use ample examples to support your stance.
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10. Contribute to Social Causes
This is the right time to get involved in social initiatives. Almost all business schools value candidates who shows empathy towards communities and a sense of responsibility.
- You can volunteer with multiple NGOs or participate in CSR initiatives at your workplace.
- Highlight the skills you gained over the course of time there and relate how it will help you in future.
- Choose causes that genuinely resonate with you and something which you want to continue in future as well.
11. Leverage Your Unique Interests and Hobbies
Your hobbies and interests can set you apart from other candidates as this is something which is very personal. Whether it is playing a musical instrument or a sport, running marathons, or having photography skills, highlighting your passion adds immense value to your profile.
- Do not forget to tell how your hobbies have taught you valuable lessons like discipline, dedication or perseverance.
- Tell the panellists how these can be even helpful during and after your MBA. Like for example, playing a sport keeps you both physically and mentally fit.
12. Plan for Specialization Alignment
You probably have an inclination towards a domain when you thought of pursuing an MBA but if you actually don’t, think about the MBA admissions and specialization you would be most interested in and align your profile accordingly.
- Research about your preferred specialization to understand the skills needed and also study the most-asked questions in the same field.
- Also look out for related job offerings right now in the market and what are the positions you would like to be working for.
Do not leave any stone unturned as any form of dis-interest can go against your selection in the interview and you might not get the convert for your dream B-School.
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