For Cranfield’s 2008-2009 MBAs

Well as this academic year is coming to an end at Cranfield, I really want to give some tips and suggestions to the next batch, especially to people who are coming from Asia (particularly India).

There are a lot of differences between an Indian B-school and a global B-school. Since an Indian student is never exposed to the environment at a global B-school, I guess one faces a tough time to absorb all the differences. I have tried to summarise my experiences here:

1. When a student joins an Indian B-school, he/she has a guarantee of the sort that they would definitely have at least one offer on finishing their MBA. This offer, of course, would be arranged by the Indian B-school itself.

The scenario is totally opposite in a global B-school. The school just assists you in your job hunt. It cannot guarantee you a job. Cranfield has a career services cell which helps you in developing your CV, in preparing for your interviews and in networking with potential recruiters. If you check some of the other reputed B-schools of the UK, you would not find such an elaborate career services support.

2. The process of selection by companies is entirely different.

In India, a company visits a B-school on a designated date (Zero-day etc.) and makes an offer for appointment on that very day. All selection procedures and interviews are completed in a day.

However, companies have long recruitment processes in this part of the world.

Firstly a company visits campus and gives a presentation regarding what they are looking for and what can it offer? Then it invites applications- your CVs.

The shortlisted candidates are invited for a first round of interview- usually on campus.

The first round shortlists are then asked to attend either an assessment centre or a second round of an interview.

The successful candidates from second round are then asked to go into third round which is usually the final round. However, there have been instances when people had 4, 5 or even 6 rounds of interviews.

One must be surprised on such an elaborate selection process; however, there is a basic difference in selections that one needs to understand. The candidates selected from an Indian B-school, usually go into lower or middle management level positions. At times it may not be a management level position at all. In global B-school, companies are looking for experienced people whom they can directly fit into their senior management roles. If a company has to hire for a senior position, it would definitely want to determine the exact fit of a candidate into the company.

3. Cultural differences

There are a lot of cultural differences which I would mention in a separate blog.

There are many more tips and suggestions on personal life at Cranfield. I would cover these very soon with support from my wife, Sherry, who would like to give tips to MBA partners.