Does My Résumé Work?
A Top-Ten List of MBA Job Search Questions
Some topics arise often enough in conversations with MBA job seekers to merit inclusion on a “Ten Most Frequently Asked Questions” list. HBS career consultants Warren Radtke and Fran Davis shared the list — along with their expert advice, summarized below — during an HBS Association of Boston event.
Is my résumé effective?
“A résumé should convey the basics,” noted Radtke. “What is your goal? What have you done that shows you are qualified for the position you are seeking?” Too often, he said, graduates simply revise the résumé they prepared at graduation instead of showcasing what they’ve done in the interim.
Is my trouble normal?
“Unemployment or underemployment is anxiety-provoking,” observed Davis. “This is especially true of MBAs who think they are expected to have ‘perfect’ careers.” Davis said she helps people “de-shame” from past experiences so they can present a positive narrative about themselves.
How long will this take?
It depends. Career changes take longer than transitioning between related jobs. “My general advice,” said Radtke, “is that it takes seventy meaningful conversations to turn up three really good possibilities.”
I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up.
If you are unsure of your ideal job or industry, advised Davis, “back away from specifics. Instead, try to picture elements of work that best match your skills and ambitions.” Take advantage of self-assessment tools such as the School’s online CareerLeader program.
How do I get a benchmark in terms of compensation?
Radtke suggested finding someone who already works in the field — a friend or a friend of a friend — and asking for a general range. “Executive search firms can also be helpful,” he said, “especially if you have an established relationship.”
I haven’t been able to close a deal. Am I doing something wrong in interviews?
“When people ask this question, I want to know if they are interviewing for positions they really want,” related Davis. “More often than not, they have been ambivalent about their prospects, and that comes across in interviews. It’s rare for our MBAs to fail to close deals when they are clear and passionate about their objective.”
I’ve exhausted my personal network, and the alumni database isn’t working for me.
- When using the alumni database, approach people you would describe as peers.
- E-mail your résumé and set up a specific time to have a conversation.
- Check periodically with contacts to keep them posted on your progress.
- Approach networking as a reciprocal event and offer your help in return.
Personal factors are affecting my career. How can I make my life work?
“Having an HBS degree does not insulate people from real-world concerns,” cautioned Davis. “Don’t isolate career decisions from other factors in your life.” During a job transition, she said, “It’s wise to put all your cards on the table.”
Should I take this job offer?
Radtke said he answers this question by asking the applicant to look farther down the road. “What is the job you want to have after this job?” he elaborated. “If the offer is a step toward that goal, it makes the decision a lot easier.”
Should I negotiate the offer?
Davis urges applicants to negotiate only on issues that are true deal-breakers. Radtke had two pieces of advice: “Negotiate from a position of strength, which means after an offer is made. And when it comes to compensation, the loser is the party that mentions a dollar amount first.”
— Deborah Blagg
