Applying for Jobs after Successful Completion of the RWU MBA | Advice and Guidance

Graduating with an MBA is an exciting challenge. In the last few months you may find yourself running ragged to complete all your school work and effectively communicate your value to employers. All in an effort to not only get a great job that will make you happy but also enjoy some financial stability and independence.

This time can be very overwhelming. You may be deciding not only where you will live and where you will work, but essentially what your life will look like in only a matter of months. You know you have a substantial degree and years of experience from jobs and internships. You know you hold value.

Now, you have the delicate task of finding a company that will reward you for your efforts. You want to be transparent about your lack of real-world, full time experiences, but you also want to communicate your extensive schooling and experience in part time, real world experiences.

Do not forget the value of your MBA and how it has leveraged your skills. Now is the time to use the resources and tools around you to effectively communicate your value to employers.

You should start this process by thinking about who you are and where you want to be. Are you open to many opportunities? Are you set on just one? Do you specialize in a broad category like marketing or are you sure you would be a great financial analyst? No matter what, make sure you take the time to consider who you are after all of your schooling and experiences.

Have your thoughts changed? Have you changed? You've learned a lot. The world has changed. The economy has changed. At this moment, what are you most passionate about, and what is going to fuel you to be a good member of an organization? Do you want to work for someone else? Do you want to work for yourself?

Beyond defining some of these questions,? it can then be hard to navigate all the noise about what is a good job and what's not, what to put on your resume and what to exclude. Make sure you are not just looking at the base salary. Compensation packages can make all the difference when it comes to how your daily life will look with a company. Compensation packages can be extremely valuable and companies are happy to discuss them with you.

It can also be frustrating to navigate job postings that are not transparent about the reality of the job. This article can help as you navigate the stress of not only graduation but the interview and job hunt process. Good news is, you’ve worked hard and done all the work, all that's left is finding a job that aligns with you and your goals and effectively communicating that to an employer, investor, or agency.?

First things first, how do you find a job and employer that you can trust?

Our first tip would be to search for jobs in the area you wish to live. Especially if you know the area, you will have real insight about the reality of the job versus a job posting from a place you’ve never been. Look for companies you are familiar with. You can find out much more about a company from primary research (one on one with an employee/employer) than any other kind. Look for a general attitude about the company from employees and those involved. Are they happy people? Do they work in the same sector as you? Do they value similar things that you do?

It can be easier to trust a company you know more about than one you do not. However, if you find a job description that matches your intentions then go for it. In these instances, take a close look at the job description and read carefully. Are they able to give reasonable information about what the job would look like and where it could take you? How successful is the company? Do you like the work that they do?

Glassdoor is a wonderful companion when you cannot get primary research from employees/employers in person. It can help you to recognize a theme in employee lifestyles. Be sure to take these comments with a grain of salt as those who write reviews are usually the very happy or unhappy, not those in between.?

When ready to apply, remember that The Career Center located in GHH can be a great tool for formatting and suggestions given for free by our talented team. Make sure to cater your resume to the company so that they know you are applying for their specific role and that you know it well. Some information may be more important than others as you learn about the company and their values. If you find something that really stands out in alignment with yourself and the company, be sure to incorporate it into your resume and cover letter. Personalizing your application materials is important in improving your chances and showing that you have truly considered yourself in the position and believe it to be s good fit. Personalizing your application materials also works as a test to see if a role truly is a good fit for you. Observe how easy or hard it is to cater your resume and cover letter to each company as this can indicate a true alignment or not.

In the event that you get an interview, first, congratulate yourself! This is a great achievement. They’ve noted you as a promising person in potentially joining their team. This is great news.

To alleviate stress, remember that this is a two way street and an interview allows you to see if you and the organization can work together harmoniously. Make sure to show up in something you feel confident in and that looks like something you thoughtfully put together. This will show them that you truly care about the results. It doesn’t need to be perfect, nobody is, but show interviewers that you truly care. An interview is an exciting opportunity to show your humanity to employers beyond the paperwork. You have the skills and experiences to speak on- so don't be afraid to show your humanity. Find a way to effectively communicate who you are and what you can do and above all, trust the process.?

We are all real people and you should go in with integrity and faith in your abilities. If you don't know the answer, be honest, many times they are looking to see who you are and how you solve problems. Be open and honest, be thoughtful and clear. RWU has prepared you for this. You know who you are. You may hear many 'no’s' from yourself and others but it’s all worth it for that one ‘yes’ that aligns incessantly with your goals. Be resilient and strong and you will find your place.

Once a Hawk, always a Hawk! We are here for you and cannot wait to relish in your success!