Wednesday, March 17, 2004

I have just dealt with Job Search related issues. CMS has segmented the world into three categories.

Consulting firms - most of them recruit on a global basis. All of them have excellent contacts with INSEAD, come to both campuses and link their recruitment process with INSEAD's Future platform. A lot of consultants or ex-consultants are at INSEAD and help you with case preparation. If you want a job in consulting, attend the company's presentation, prepare an intelligent to ask during the presentation, get someone's card so that you can ask a question or two by e-mail later. Write one CV and application letter (do not forget to change the name of the consulting firm on the application letter) and upload the whole thing when you request an interview with them. The big consultancies will come to campus and generally try to interview as many people as possible (to make up for the cost of coming to campus). So getting a first round interview should be possible. Then, it is all up to you!

Banking and Finance - I have very little clue about this sector, other than the fact that all major banks and financial services organizations that I know have received the CV book, come to campus and recruit on a global basis. Apparently, their recruiting season is more in line with the December class, than with the July class but I am very unsure about anything I say on the matter.

Industry - this is where usually CMS shorts fall. It seems that what happens is that the population of MBAs have grown exponentially and CMS has not scaled up its activities to meet the demand. For any disorganized company in terms of global structured MBA recruiting (and believe me, most companies are like that), for any smaller business unable to travel to campus, very little was done to initiate and maintain relationships, manage the INSEAD brand, inform about the process, dates, etc...Some of the clubs are actually helping out (Global Leader Series, Professional Forums, Entrepreneurship, etc...) and bring some contacts to the school but it takes a tremendous mount of time to continue the relationship.

The trouble is that this is the Bazar category - and catering to a population as diverse as the INSEAD community requires a HUGE effort. Do not belittle this category. It can represent a large proportion of hires - and unless you know for sure you want a finance or a consulting job, do not discard it.

My experience with CMS in Fontainebleau (as a new director was joining in) has not been extremely rewarding. The Asia team seems much more active and enthusiastic, perhaps to make up for a smaller campus, hence a smaller incentive for companies to come to campus. The new director seems efficient and reacts positively (someone requested to be able to change their CVs in the online system. It was officially locked, and to everyone's surprise the response was very positive: Sure! This makes total sense, as the recruiting period begins! We'll do that for you! no problem!)
In Singapore at least, faculty members are helping linking up people in the local community, the Management team also brings whatever contacts they have (and they do have great contacts) on demand.
However, for me, the big big plus is the alumni community. So if you are planning on getting a job in an industry and/or a location that you are not familiar with, tap into this fantastic resource. They are amazingly quick at responding and full of insights and good leads!

Any existing contacts you might have, friends, family, etc...will certainly be most useful as well.

My advice: try to narrow down a sector / location and focus your networking efforts there. I think that I am getting a little too many contacts and possibilities right now for me to be able to properly respond. And I thought I was kindda focused!

Ok - Finance case now. Leveraged Buy Out stuff...

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