What is the First Step for an MBA Fresh out of School?
You've done it. The MBA is yours. Years of sacrifice, hard work and discipline are behind you.
Or are they?
The down economy affects everyone—MBA or no degree at all. But the MBA degree gives you an advantage. It shows that you are what employers are looking for—responsible, educated, pursuing the best.
Despite the struggling economy, 55 percent of companies report that they plan to hire in 2010, a 5 percent increase over last year. They also expect to hire an average of eight MBAs, according to a survey done earlier this year by the Graduate Management Admission Council.
With your MBA in hand, what's the first thing you should do to become one of those eight new hires? Get your resume together. You will need the most professional resume you can create. A good idea is to hire a professional resume service to help you highlight your education and work experience. The career center at your graduate school can help, too.
Expect a challenge, but stay positive and focused. It will eventually pay off: The Graduate Management Admission Council survey also found that members of the Class of 2010 who have received job offers were looking at a 57 percent increase in salaries compared to what they earned before finishing their MBA.
"In fact, graduates from part-time and executive MBA programs with job offers received greater increases compared with last year's graduates," according to the study.
