An MBA carries with it a great deal of power. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons that you chose an MBA program to begin with. The skills that you’ve developed in your studies are a highly marketable tool once you graduate. Now, persuading a prospective employer to hire you is not unlike trying to impress the admissions board at your college. The business world is extremely competitive. It’s time for you to distinguish yourself from your fellow graduates and land that dream job. And, like preparing a good MBA essay is to impressing a college admissions board, so is writing a stellar cover letter to accompany your resume.
Think back, if you can, to that MBA essay. What was it about what you said that persuaded the college admissions board that you deserved a seat in their program? That’s likely what will also persuade a prospective employer to hire you. That’s what you need to express in your cover letter.
Your resume is something like your business school primary application. It is the place to list all of your educational, work, and volunteer experiences. Your resume needs to be a concise list, and there isn’t much room to expand on your qualifications. If you did, many prospective employers wouldn’t take the time to read it anyway. After all, dozens or even hundreds of resumes may land on the desks of company executives monthly. This is where the cover letter becomes important. While your resume is somewhat generic, the cover letter will target the specific company from which you are seeking employment.
The contents of your cover letter should include these basic elements:
* Customized greeting. Avoid using “To Whom it May Concern” when addressing a prospective employer, if possible. If you are responding to an ad for a particular position, address it to the name of the executive who placed it or is doing the hiring. If there isn’t a name on the ad, do some sleuthing to find out who in a particular company is in charge of receiving resumes and short-listing candidates.
* Know the company you are applying to. Do not send a resume to a company simply because you are desperate for work and you happen to see an ad for employment. Research the company. Get to know exactly what it does and what its philosophy is. Find out what its annual earnings are. Much of this information can be found by Googling the company’s name. Check out the company’s own website, as well as any other information on the web about it. Read its annual earnings report. If it’s a public company, find out what its stocks are currently trading at. This information will help you write a cover letter that is tailored to that company. It shows that you have initiative, and it will give you a chance to share why your skills will benefit that particular company.
* Choose words that are concise but powerful. A good rule of thumb is to limit your cover letter to no more than two pages. More than that, a busy executive may decide he or she simply doesn’t have the time to read it. That means choosing your words carefully. Use as few words as you can and still get your point across. Choose language which is descriptive and packs a punch. Say what you need to say, no more and no less.
* Observe the rules of grammar. By now you should have a good grasp of grammar, even if it wasn’t your strongest subject in college. Few things come off as unprofessional as poor spelling or sentence structure.
* Follow any requests as set out by the employment advertisement. For example, some companies request a hand-written cover letter. If that’s what they want, don’t second guess them.
Remember, your resume is like your college application; your cover letter is like your essay. Your resume, like your application, is a list of your experiences. Your cover letter, like your essay, gives a prospective employer insight into who you are as a person and why you’d make the best employee.
Michael Fleischner is the Managing Director of EssayEdge.com and a marketing expert with more than 12 years of professional experience. He has appeared on The TODAY Show, Bloomberg Radio, and other major media. For help with your MBA Essay or personal statement visit http://www.essayedge.com
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The Executive MBA, commonly referred to as the EMBA, is designed specifically to help working business professionals, managers and executives by giving a professional touch to their already acquired work skills. The Executive MBA is geared towards professionals who are looking to update their general management skills and prepare themselves for career advancement opportunities.
What really sets the executive MBA apart from many other MBA programs is the level of experience and insights that students bring to the program. In most Executive MBA programs, the students’ professional experience and expertise becomes an integral part of the curriculum. The Executive MBA is typically completed during the evenings or on weekends over a two-year period. The Executive MBA truly offers a level of education not obtained in any other setting.
A majority of top executives, worldwide, feel that earning a graduate degree in business is important for those who want to obtain top management positions. MBA today is not just another qualification; it is a necessity as the world moves towards a more corporate and service-oriented economy. An MBA not only ensures your employment, but also ensures your success and marketability in an ever-evolving job market.
The Bangalore Management Academy (BMA), located in the beautiful garden city of India called Bangalore, offers an executive MBA program in affiliation with Australia’s Edith Cowan University (ECU). We offer our students:
Excellent infrastructure
Centrally located, Modern and Spacious campus
Well equipped labs and library
Experienced faculty
Unparalleled track record for internships and placements
Bangalore Management Academy (BMA) is a leading Business Management Institution in India delivering quality higher education to ambitious students striving to be a success in the corporate world. Since the first collaboration with Bharathidasan Institute of Management, BMA has tied up with new and exciting partnerships with top most universities in India, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and UK.
BMA’s Executive MBA program focuses on providing students with training in basic business principles needed by any business manager including, corporate finance, economics, strategic planning, marketing, basic accounting, etc. The subjects that are taught at BMA are current, relevant and case study based. The specializations offered include Finance, Marketing, Information Systems, Hospitality & Tourism, International Business and HRM.
The Executive MBA at BMA is also an ideal networking opportunity. BMA provides opportunities to the executives to interact with respected business leaders and community leaders of India apart from interacting with classmates from varied industry backgrounds. The connections that are made while earning an MBA are definitely as valuable as the degree itself.
What are the benefits of BMA-ECU Executive MBA program?
The MBA is a full time certification; the classes are in the Weekend.
Faculty are high-end, predominantly from the Industry holding key decision making positions capable of teaching mature, experienced adults.
The class comprises of students who are self-motivated, focused managers.
100% faculty contact program with the teaching mode being a combination of case studies, projects, assignments, interactions and lectures. The exposure is truly based on experiences rather than on textbook reading.
Ideal class size of 30-40 students encouraging meaningful participation from every candidate.
A short but sufficient program delivered over a period ranging 24 months. Classes conveniently spread over Sundays over 8 hours.
Well laid out campus with excellent facilities like central Air-conditioning, theatre style seating, hi-end audio-visual equipment, WiFi connectivity and corporate ambience.
The library is digitally equipped with more than 1200 current journals, 10,000 e-books, talking books, online subscriptions to world-class digital libraries and magazines, CD servers, access to DELNET, IIM libraries, The British Council Library and other excellent facilities apart from the traditional library resources like books, encyclopedias, magazines, newspapers etc.
The program is priced in such a manner that your return on investment is almost immediate.
The university is well recognized and accepted by the Industry and various other bodies.
About Edith Cowan University (ECU)
Edith Cowan University (ECU) is a Government University from Australia and is today Western Australia’s second largest university with more than 23,000 students from about 80 countries. ECU started as a teaching college in 1902 and is named after Edith Dircksey Cowan – Australia’s first female Parliamentarian and a fighter for social justice.
ECU awards are recognized nationally and internationally, because of rigorous accreditation procedures used by the University, and consultation with professional and vocational groups. ECU is a member of the National Unified System of Australian Universities, the Association of Commonwealth Universities and the Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee. Universities throughout the world recognize ECU programs for exchange purposes. ECU MBA has the unique distinction of being rated 5 Star by the Good Universities Guide (GUG) for the past three consecutive years. How do the students’ organisation benefit?
The benefit a student derives also benefits the organization / sponsors, but in addition:
An organization gets to develop managerial talent from within its own pool.
The syllabus and interactive sessions pave way to several work related projects and case studies that provide immediate on-the-job benefits.
Employees gain insight into the conceptual, technical, and interpersonal skills required, thus strengthening the business leaders of the 21st century.
Minimum disruption in work output as the program is held over the weekend.
The faculty has varied industrial exposure and will be ideal mentors.
Employees have a wonderful peer group of experienced managers and executives from across the industry.
The cost of the program is recovered by employees gaining – a better insight into management, strengthening core business skills, exposure to different perspectives on current business issues, increased intellect and lower attrition.
Specializations available for the Executive MBA program are:
Finance
Human Resource Management
Hospitality and Tourism Management
Management of Information Technology
International Business
Marketing
General Specialization
The author is a prominent academician and a professor at Bangalore Management Academy (BMA). He has done his Ph. D. in International Business. Executive MBA | Mba in India
Graduates of Masters of Business Administration (MBA) programs throughout the UK have a wide variety of career options ahead of them. There are a number of factors that can determine the marketability of a particular MBA graduate. Some MBA programs have a particular focus amongst their faculty and their curriculum, which makes its graduates particularly attractive to certain industries. As well, the success of an MBA graduate while in school can determine the type of position they can gain within the corporate world. Finally, MBA graduates who have done work in their field of interest, whether it is an internship or a temporary project, can gain the attention of potential employers.
MBA graduates who excel in all areas of study and professional development can land great jobs in a variety of industries. The most obvious field of entry for MBA graduates is in banking. MBA graduates can work as high level analysts and bank managers, working with individual clients and corporations on financial solutions for their needs. The reason why MBA graduates work so well in the banking field is that they have an understanding of how businesses work and their financial needs. In this way, MBA graduates can thrive in the banking field.
In addition to banking, MBA graduates work well in the financial sector. Stock brokerage firms and financial planning companies often hire MBA graduates to give them a stronger personnel group to deal with new clients. MBA graduates understand the perspective of businesses entering the stock market, opening up ownership of their company to the general public. As well, these graduates understand a wide variety of accounting and financial investment options that make them ideally prepared for financial planning positions.
While these endeavors are great for MBA graduates, many choose to commit themselves to work with government agencies. MBA graduates often work with the British government on budgetary issues, small business relations, and legislative issues dealing with the growth of business in the United Kingdom. MBA graduates sacrifice some of their potential financial prosperity with government positions but they use their advanced education of the improvement of their nation and possess a fairly steady employment within the government.
Finally, some MBA graduates choose to open their own business and make their own way in the marketplace. The connections and the business acumen that MBA graduates develop make them capable of opening and succeeding in their own business endeavors. As well, many MBA graduates team with colleagues or investors on ventures to expand their potential income and improve the strength of their main business.
Almost all business schools that are offering Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs have the same basic requirements for student selection. Because of this and the high number of applicants for MBA programs per year, the selection process becomes very highly competitive. It just means that if a student is suited based on the necessary requirements for the business school, landing the coveted slot may still not be possible if he or she ranked low compared to the other applicants.
Requirements for MBA program admission
There are lots of requirements to get admitted to a business school that offers an MBA degree program. Aside from passing the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), the transcript of records, personal statement for MBA, and personal interview are also needed to assess the applicant’s qualifications. Most applicants normally discuss their work experience in their personal statement for MBA and submit letters of recommendations from former professors and even superiors. These numerous requirements are not just there to standardize the process of ranking the students. These requirements are there to see in a personal basis if they are suited for the program of a certain school. Though different schools have their own set of requirements, standards, and preferences for their students, the stated criteria are there to see if the student have the skills to pursue an MBA degree program.
Skills needed to ace an MBA program
Based form on GMAT, applicants have to undergo as series of questions that test their mathematical and analytical skills. This is because the language of business is largely spoken in numbers. Therefore, a skill in mathematics is an important advantage when taking up MBA courses. Furthermore, documents, tables, and graphs are always a part of business discussions, making analytical skills are the more important to succeed in MBA progras. What’s the use of your skills in numbers if you cannot analyze the data.
Communication skills are another important skill in MBA programs. With your MBA degree, it is almost always certain that you are starting your climb on the corporate ladder. In no time, you will be running and supervising more people and leading more projects. As an executive, it is not just important that you know the field in and out, but it is also important that have the interpersonal skills to be able to communicate well with your seniors, peers, subordinates, and clients, among others.
Your personal statement for MBA as a tool
The admissions committee will surely look for the above mentioned skills in your requirements. While your skills will show in your GMAT score and in the transcript of records, the other requirements will surely count. One of this necessary parts of the admission requirements is the application essay. It is an essay that shows your personal views, values, and qualities that are deem essential in the pursuit of an MBA degree. This is your chance to discuss anything about you that seems important for them to believe that you deserve to be admitted into their school. An effective MBA personal statement is a well written essay that conveys your determination to have an MBA degree.
To be on top, you have to take several steps toward achieving your goal. It’s not easy at first, but the challenges should only get you more motivated. Basically, it depends on how much you want to achieve something.
Online colleges offering full online degrees have grown steadily in the last decade. But, what has propagated these phenomena? What the top online degrees? Why are online degrees becoming so popular? Recent data shows that while trends to change from time to time, some areas colleges remain popular with online students. These studies are in criminal justice, health care, information technology, and, business.
Let as take a further look at business degrees and why they are consistently at the top of the list. The business world, as you might suspect, is competitive. To succeed in your business career, you have to distinguish yourself from your competition. Some ways to do this are: Gaining more job experience, earning a promotion, becoming an expert in your niche, and advancing your education.
One advantage of online business degrees is that they are offered at many levels of study, including associate degree level, bachelor degree level, masters degree level (MBA) doctorate degree level (DBA), and also business certificates at the graduate and undergraduate level. An online degree is thus an opportunity to set yourself aside from your competitors.
The Masters in Business Administration degree (MBA) has made its mark as an industry standard, especially for those moving beyond entry-level positions to mid-level business management responsibilities. Most students completing their MBA degree online are simultaneously employed and are looking to continue earning earn income while still getting an advanced education.
Another advantage of online businesses degrees is that there many concentrations and specific majors to choose from including: Finance, accounting, human resources management, ecommerce, labor relations, risk management, project management, business leadership, organizational management, international business, operations management, entrepreneurship, supply chain management, retail management, sport management, organizational management, etc. This certainly makes the area of business administration studies unique.
Online business programs use student-centered instructional approaches to enhance learning outcomes. These strategies include: enhanced student-to-student and instructor-to-student communication; customized approach to education tailored to students’ learning styles and schedules; providing 24/7 access to learning tools and materials; and using just-in-time approaches for student assessment and evaluation.
A big plus for online business management business is dedication flexibility in teaching approaches and their course scheduling. Unlike most traditional learning environments, getting your degree online assumes that you do not have to commit to being physically present in class. Attending a virtual classroom is perfect for professionals who have a busy work and/or family schedule. One thing to keep in mind however is that you should inquire from the college whether classes are synchronous, asynchronous, or a combination of both instructional delivery methods, as some learning activities may require synchronous communication such as chats and group activities.
The United States Department of Education reports that 20% of college students elect business studies. As discussed, the many areas of focus in business studies are perfect for many professional areas such as finance and accounting, marketing and sales, and small business management. In fact, in the U.S. the most popular area of concentration is accounting, which in itself has various areas of concentration e.g. financial accounting and tax accounting.
Other areas in the business major that continue to see growth and stability area economics and finance. Also, businesses are seek to employers are always seeking to hire marketing graduates, especially with the changing trends in Internet marketing, and the way that businesses do their marketing, sales, and advertising. This has also influences the world of e-business and e-commerce or e-business.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment in advertising, marketing, sales, and promotions should see a 12% growth from 2006-2016. During that same period, accounting jobs are expected to grow by about 18% due to the expanding economic market and increasing regulatory reforms. While earnings vary by industry, education, and professional experience, some reported potential earnings are: $106,790 for sales managers, $97,170 for public relations managers, $96,000 for project management positions, $113,400 for marketing managers, and, and $137,000 for financial analysts.
Business professionals are work in virtually about any industry that you can think of including education, financial institutions, not-for-profit bodies, manufacturing, entertainment, and sports and entertainment among others. Each business and industry needs a range of skills from its employees making it important to make an informed decision on what you would like to focus on to succeed. Also, it is advisable to conduct detailed research on which program best suits your needs. Finally, it is important to really only consider online universities that are accredited and recognized.
Pursuing an international business career is not an easy task, it usually requires extensive traveling, fluency in a second language which is almost always a requirement in international business, and of course working in this profession necessitates flexibility to fit into very different cultures than your own.
International business specialty offers different paths one could take. The many opportunities for professionals in American business are the same opportunities overseas some of which includes advertising and sales professionals, product managers, retail buying, travel and tourism business, banking, managers and trade experts. International companies must compete in the challenging market thus requiring the need for knowledgeable and business minded professionals.
A bachelors degree in business is often required for most people who choose a career in international business. Jobs can often be competitive and so many aspiring business students go the extra mile of earning their masters degree in either business administration (MBA) or international business (MIB). A bachelors degree is a four year course and a masters degree is usually one to three years after a bachelors degree.
Some programs are much more aggressive than others. However, for any of these programs, a high school diploma or its equivalent is a minor requirement. Since international business also involves working together and communicating within the cultures, fluency in a second language is another requirement. Programs of bachelors and masters degree are usually the most competitive and require a high GPA to be accepted. Consulting with a college career counselor is a good way to know the specific requirements for entry into specific programs.
Online programs offer all levels of preparation for elite individuals who aims towards a career in business. A lot of programs offer classes that can be completed at home. Specific programs can also be offered online such as a bachelors or masters degree in business administration, or associates in international business.
International business careers are very rewarding and yearly salaries in this field can vary greatly depending on the company and the type of business. Chief international executives can have pays ranging from $200,000 to $400,000 annually. Lower level directors and representatives may have salaries ranging from $50,000 to $130,000 per year. Higher end pay scales are most likely for those individuals who have a masters in international business and many years of experience.
Some of the leading schools that offer International Business programs are the University of Phoenix Business; Walden University; Ellis College; Regent University; Strayer University; Keiser College eCampus; Kennedy western University: Argosy University (Business & IT); National American University Online; LeTourneau University; Keller graduate School of Management; Berkeley College Online; Jones International University; and Cardean University.
Naomi Stanford is an expert organization design and human capital consultant based in Washington DC. Her current work is leading large scale organization design and change programs in Government and commerce. Her skills and experience were honed in the UK private sector where she worked in very large multi-national companies. Her earlier career was in graduate and post-graduate level business education and she maintains this affiliation by teaching organization theory on the doctoral program at Capella University (US), and human resource management at Roffey Park Institute (UK). She has a PhD (focused on growing leadership capability) and two Masters degrees. Additionally she is a Certified Management Consultant and a licensed corporate Wellcoach. She is the author of two books on organization design: Organization Design: The Collaborative Approach, and The Economist Guide to Organization Design. She has written many articles on aspects of organization design and development and frequently spoken on the topics at conferences. www.anerian.com
According to CIO, two of the top job requests on its employment Web site desire candidates with a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) combined with credentials in either computer science or information technology. And the demand for hybrid professionals certainly doesn’t end there. The traditional route to big business, finance, and banking usually ran through MBA programs. Today, MBAs are beginning to rethink their career paths.
The Intrinsic Interdisciplinary Nature of Business MBA graduates have long been accustomed to leaving graduate school for traditional roles in finance–such as banking or financial planning. In light of today’s ever-changing economic and financial landscape, many MBAs are not following tradition. Because business principles apply across industries, many MBAs are eschewing customary career tracks for new challenges in technology, consulting, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit organizations.
MBA programs typically expose graduates to all aspects of business, so graduates can master the “soft skills” that are critical for success across industries, such as client orientation, presentation skills, and communication talents. This diverse training in leadership and resource management is generally needed in all industries, not just finance–which has become paramount in light of the economic slowdown.
For example, information technology workers in particular are considering grad school in order to earn the management acumen that can translate into better career opportunities. In today’s economy, specializing in one more than one particular niche may be the best educational path to take.
Some Real Life Examples The Wall Street Journal cites a Robert W. Baird & Co. investment bank recruiting survey that reveals a 50 percent increase in interest at the M.B.A. level over 2007. Finance and risk management are a couple of the primary industries that benefits from MBAs looking to enter other fields, particularly at the mid- and small-scale organizational level. Other statistics of note include:
• Middle-market M&A investment bank Harris Williams & Co. has seen a 30 to 35 percent increase in applications from MBA students • Consulting firm Bain & Co. reports applications at the MBA level have increased 10 to 15 percent • Less than 50 percent of graduates at New York University’s Stern School of Business and University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School enter the finance industry
While MBAs may willingly enter alternative career paths, many are now veering of the common path out of necessity. Smart candidates can get themselves through a bear market by earning as much wide-ranging experience as possible and then make that experience work for them in a new position.
Mixing Business and Passion If you are considering enrolling in an MBA program, you may want to consider the following: • Spend some time priming for your MBA in a job that has some similarities to career tracks of interest • Focus primarily on the MBA and internship • After your schooling, enter your industry of choice: learn about successful start-ups and build relationships with other professionals • After you’re established, start a company, capitalizing on prior networks, resources and relationships
The bottom line is that as MBAs continue to branch off into uncharted territories, new doors of opportunity and advancement should continue to open. While you may not be able to rush into positions at venture capital firms or Wall Street, positions in consulting, corporate finance, and private equity firms should continue to be available.
Keep in mind that the MBA program is typically demanding in and of itself, and is not the type of curriculum to enter into lightly. But if you have prior experience in an industry, adding an MBA can be a way to maximize your potential.
Edu411.org is a career education directory for finding colleges and universities, training schools, and technical institutes. For more information about careers, online education and campus based career programs, please visit us at www.Edu411.org.
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I am trying to decide if I should pursue an MBA degree and I need some advise or idea from some experienced people out there. I have a bachelor degree in Computers and I am trying to decide if I should go for an MBA. I am 27 years and I feel like IT jobs are not as enjoying as I thought. I couldnt find the job in that field that I enjoy. Now I am doing my masters in Telecommunications but I dont know if I should transfer to the MBA program. If I do transfer do you recommend I go full time or part time. Please help me or tell me where or who can help me figure it out. Thanks alot.
Also is there a place where I can go to that can help me figure out what I like and what I enjoy and what I should do in my life and with my future?
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With the advent of Internet modern businesses are facing an ever increasing competition, as buyers and producers/ sellers can now connect with each other even from the remotest part of the world. Thereby, pursuing business degree is very beneficial for a long-term and successful career. These kinds of degree programs are now so popular that not only high school graduates but a huge number of working professionals are also pursing such courses. In fact to meet this demand, several universities are now offering online degree programs in Business. With these online business degree programs you can easily master in several aspects of business such as, statistics, finance, economics, human resource, e entrepreneurship, business ethics, marketing, accounting, public administration and e-commerce.
Online Degrees:
There are several business degree programs including bachelors and master’s degree in business as well as degree or certification programs in specialized aspects of business. These include:
Master of Business Administration (MBA): It is an advanced degree for specially designed for working professionals who are seeking opportunities to gain expertise in business administration and management. Specialization options in MBA include marketing, human resource, finance and accounts, tech management and public administration etc. There are ample job opportunities in government and non-profit organizations as well as in corporate sectors.
Entrepreneurship: A career as an entrepreneur is both promising and rewarding. This type of degree program helps you to learn the various factors essential for creating a business plan, information about human resource management, knowledge of finance management and accounting, and other business related issues. It also helps to create customer oriented financial awareness and a firm social networking.
Human Resources: This degree program provides training on several organization workplace issues such as payroll, schedules, recruitment, training and office safety. It also helps you to learn the fundamentals for working through conflicts as well as to find solutions for the various office problems and crises.
Accounting: This particular profession has a variety of specializations including budget analysis, auditing, tax filing or financial planning. However the main job responsibilities of an accountant are scrutinizing and arranging the expenditure of the company and its individuals.
Project management: This program enables you to learn the skills and knowledge essential for supervising and managing group projects. These skills include making schedules for given projects, assigning responsibilities to the team members, preparing detailed progress reports, creating budget, and directing the team members. There are a number of job opportunities for project managers in several companies and also in other non-profit agencies.
Healthcare Management: The course content of this kind of program includes Health Services Administration, Health Sciences, Public Health, Long-term Care Administration, Public Administration, and Business Administration etc. This program is very beneficial for both fresher interested in healthcare industry as well as for existing healthcare managers in order to achieve advancement in their career.
You can find a comprehensive directory of online colleges and universities offering several business degree programs at TopEducationGuide.com
Looking for business degree programs? Raise bar of yore education quality with Top Education Guide. We provide the best information about business career schools and colleges online.