Why should you hire from the MBA batches of the next two years?
The world has seen massive layoffs in the year 2020, and a lot more is expected. The affected industries include the ones most sought after by fresh graduates in regular times.
“Should I go for an MBA this year?” the question has posed a dilemma for MBA aspirants.
Before answering with a “yes” or a “no,” let us reframe the question and try to analyze from a recruiter’s point of view on why should one not —
“Why should we hire from a COVID-ian batch?”
Assuming an organization is not battling financial blues, the following are the qualities generally expected in a fresh graduate:
Eagerness to learn
According to Ciara Hautau, the lead digital marketing strategist at Fueled, the ability to stay on top of trends is one the most important qualities a recruiter looks for in a candidate.
People excel at the job assigned to them, but a few learn in the process. Mid-career professionals who have chosen to pursue an MBA are lifelong-learners. The pandemic has compelled the data-mature companies to run into an information deficit. Distress often forces us to gravitate towards quick-fixes to maintain the status quo. Once that works, we remain satiated as long as we can hold onto the existing balance. The status quo is contextual. Once the context changes, so do the balance. Students of this year, not burdened with propping the sales figures, have put in their time and effort to identify the risks in the existing balance. By the time the industry opens up with new opportunities, they will be ready with re-calibrated analytical tools and transformative strategies to serve as the fulcrum for the anticipated turnaround of the economy.
Adaptability
The world has already shifted from having in-person meetings to video-conferences. The shift probably took some years to become mainstream. But adapting to full-fledged time-bound classes online for a rigorous program such as an MBA takes a more significant push. An institute of repute will never compromise the content and rigour. Hence, it takes a lot to adapt to the digital strain and ensure befitting output.
Communication
A co-located work environment facilitates the exchange of non-verbal cues, which helps in moderating conversation and developing trust — critical aspects of effective leadership. When team-members are entirely unacquainted with each other, building confidence becomes a challenge. An effective leader puts in conscious efforts to understand the subtleties of communication. The year 2020 saw firms make their mark with breakthroughs in communication technology. Leveraging digital platforms to enhance team-bonding is a skill, B-school graduates are building from the ground up.
Leadership
Decisions, even when the information is incomplete, require experience. The present uncertainty necessitates a recalibration exercise to ensure relevance as consumer expectations change. The students of the MBA program have industry experience which helps them understand the nuances and identify the vulnerabilities of the industry. Today, we need to brainstorm for questions; transformative insights will follow naturally. Students of this batch are building upon the most critical leadership skill, decisiveness, in times when the questions themselves are not well defined.
Covid-19 has brought about unprecedented challenges for recruiters around the globe. Consumer demand has been skewed across sectors leading to massive layoffs in some industries while bulk-hiring in others. Recruitment for a leadership position should target candidates with the right emotional quotient and skill to handle uncertainties, and, where best to look for than in the B-Schools?
