5 ways to leverage your MBA in the job market

Embarking on the MBA journey can be demanding across all aspects of your life – intellectually, socially, financially and personally. Part of the MBA experience is training you for the tumultuous real world challenges of leadership within an organisation, in which balance is crucial.

It doesn’t matter if you want to be a healthcare administrator, the next social media guru, or work for a Fortune 500 company, your investment in extending your education will be the key to your success.

It is important to maximise the skills and knowledge gained from your degree to differentiate yourself in the job market. Here are some tips to show you how to do just this.

1. Ask questions about the company

Asking insightful questions will reveal that you are a person who is not afraid to dig deeper for answers, and as an MBA graduate, you are prepared to do just that. Do your research and look  into the decisions the company has made, asking the interviewer why they made these and where the next opportunities are for the organisation’s growth.

2. Ask why

The best questions interviewees ask are not “how” an organisation does something, but “why” they do it. As an MBA graduate from the Australian Institute of Business, you are armed with the knowledge to ask the critical questions that drive a company to not just “do things right,” but to “do the right things”. In the process, you could uncover some potential opportunities for the organisation, which will reflect well on you and your experience.

3. Consider what you are measuring

Undoubtedly, you have clearly learned how to measure results from your degree to assess performance, but ask yourself if you and the organisation are measuring the right things. Remember to analyse the quality of work, as well as the quantity.

4. Demonstrate learning agility

If you are applying for a job, ask the prospective employer to give you a business problem their company is trying to deal with. While you may not have all the facts to have a specific solution, you can suggest the process and methods you would use for arriving at a decision. This will demonstrate your ability to draw on a broad base of knowledge and adjust to business situations in real time.

5. Use your network

Talk to your fellow alumni, students and facilitators to connect with employers and professionals. Don’t be afraid to ask for career opportunities and advice by talking to those who are in jobs you are interested in. Make new connections on a regular basis and as often as you can.

What do you think?

In today’s highly competitive workforce, there is a strong premium placed on those who have an MBA. I’d love to hear from you – how did you leverage your MBA in the job market?

Would you like to find out more about the AIB MBA? Get your MBA Brochure here.

The following sources were used to compile this article: David Eccles School of Business; Financial Times and Forte Foundation