3 Approaches to Job applications(read original at http://zanat0s.typepad.com)
Whoa, my last posts about Wharton(Permalink) and P4(Permalink) attracted a lot of eyeball and quite some responses. I guess all of you want to know what is good to do during P4.
Moreover I would to point towards the blogging platform I use, typepad. It seems that there is no format continuity between MS word(where I type my articles) and typepad(where I publish them). Therefore I would like to apologize fi sometimes my articles seem unordered.
This post will try to address most of your fear, anxieties and dreams. Like all of you know(admits, alumni and students) P4 is your chance to take off. INSEAD thought is all about a delicate balance that has to be found in everything.
P4 probably is the period with the least parties and social activities and it makes sense. So I will try to now to give a list of DO and DON’T’S to be followed in P4. I will also give the 3 approaches to sending applications and I will also let you know which one I followed.
Before I start I will introduce careerlink and MBA-exchange the 2 sites which are for INSEAD alumnis to search for job postings and opening. The first one is a site run by insead career services and only students(along with alumni) can find opportunities. The second site is only for European based MBA schools( IMD, IESE and INSEAD, maybe also LBS).
First Approach: Send applications according to Job Function
This is probably the best approach on a returns point of view. I knew people who would send applications only to finance or marketing related functions. This consistency is maybe the safest way to follow since employers will pay for a candidate’s skills.
If these skills are relevant to the job posting or if the candidate has built up these skills, he/she stands a good chance to get the job. The Job functions/skill based approach is the way to go.
A lot of you will find out that what you have done in your past will influence in a way your next job(yeap! Even if an MBA is a clean break).
If you are open to any industry/geography and you have the skills for a function where you can add value go for it! A classmate of mine had a background in oil exploration and used his acquired skills to get the best job overall in relation to his background.
Second approach: Apply only to specific industries.
This approach has also its merits but also some drawbacks. I will start with the negative; When one plans a change in industry form example form pharma to FMCG, one question will keep popping up: “Why? Why now?”. Be prepared, be really prepared.
Applicants in this approach have the benefit of being able to apply in their home country where they can have an advantage over other applicants. On top of that changing industry and function become a bit complex(unless it is consulting).
Basically one witness this approach with the following industries(prestigious, high salaries and high demand): Fashion, Luxury, Banking companies and other famous brands(Apple, adidas etc).
Third approach: Apply only to specific geography
Here the situation is a bit tough, especially when one doesn’t speak the language. 3 questions will keep getting repeated: “why this country?”, “Are you fluent?” “Why should we prefer you over a local?”
For the ones going for the 3rd approach get ready for a rough ride. It is true one must add more value over a local in order to be selected and it is not going to be easy. For Anglo Saxons there is no issue since they can move around a lot of countries where the language remains the same.
For Europeans working in Europe this is not difficult either since latin based languages are easy to learn and because Europe is One market(think of the euro and the grumpy islanders). Asians may find it more difficult but still they can manage although they will be sent back to Asia to grow the business there after 2 or 3 years.
Europeans or N.Americans wanting to work in Asia(that is the fashion now) face the most hurdles from culture to language(believe me I know). They are the ones who have a hill to climb.
The Holy Grail! The 3IC
So can it be done? Can the holy grail be attained? 3 changes? 3 impossible changes, industry, function and Geography? Improbable but not impossible. I am living proof of that. Let me gloat for a minute.
Of course one has to make some sacrifices in their quest for the holy grail. So it worth it? Maybe yes maybe no. You have to experience it first and then make a claim. But one thing is certain. The more a person tries to go out of their comfort zone, the more they need to challenge assumptions.
So if you want to change either industry, job or geography it can be done. But the combination of the above will surely be not easy.