• Geographic location • Travel versus non-travel • Office environment versus industrial setting How does my family factor into the equation? Do your desires fit with your abilities? • What are your strengths? • What are your weaknesses? How will all of the above change in 5 years? 10 years?
have had) • “I did this, leading to that” • Make sure that the results stated are important to your targeted firms • Quantify your achievements where possible, but do not ignore nonquantifiable results Speak in the vernacular of your targeted audience • Use consulting buzzwords where appropriate • Sanitize your resume of phrases that an outsider will not understand • Does your resume pass the “Mom test?” Do the obvious • Show promotions • Italicize key words • Make sure dates are consistent • Spell check! • Use high quality, white paper Tell me something about yourself • Differentiate yourself but be professional
The Recruiting Process checklist
Perform an honest self-inventory: When I grow up, I want to be… What characteristics are you looking for in a job? What characteristics do you want to avoid in a job? What special requirements do you have?
• Company literature • Web pages • Wet Feet Press • Harvard Business School guide to Management Consultants • The Directory of Consultants and Consulting Organizations • Periodical searches • Your peers/fellow students • Do not forget about the consultants! Remember: Kellogg Alumni help Kellogg students Create your own list of key requirements Measure all the firms against your key requirements Rank and segment the firms that most interest you Develop a plan to talk to every firm on your shortlist. You will need this for your bid strategy Remember, work is a four letter word: do not get caught up in the hype!
The ugly • Many recruiters still go on campus looking for full-time students. Some are not even aware of the TMP program
Be positive. TMP Recruiting is getting better all the time
Make an educated decision about your next emplrocess checklist
Develop a targeted resume Use an “action, results” format (i.e., do not tell me what you are responsible for, tell me the success you
— Show me your human side • Remember, the interview goes two ways
— Have at least three intelligent questions prepared — Do not be afraid to ask the difficult questions — Take a good, hard look at the people you are interviewing with and their surroundings
• Anticipate all questions • Work up responses to anticipated questions (be as honest as you can!) • Draw upon your past experiences to create stories and show depth • Rehearse not sounding rehearsed! (We know you practice, but do not overdo it) • Preparation does not mean leaving your personality at home
• Practice makes perfect • Consider the types of cases and what preparation might help you
— Profit and loss: “The Mind of the Strategist,” Chapter One, by Kenichi Ohmae — Strategy and Industry analysis: Porter’s Five Forces model — Organizational Design — Operational Efficiency — I am sure you can think of others • Given the above comment, do not try to force fit every case into some pre-established structure! • If it helps, develop a standard introduction — Understand the end state where you want to be when you have finished the case — Next, start at a fairly high level and think through what you need to do to get to your desired end state — Explain the methodology you will use to solve the case — Understand and organize what information you have been given up front and what else you will need — Start asking questions
Interviews
Community Service
TMP and the Recruiting Process today
The good • More firms are starting to recognize the TMP program as fertile recruiting ground • Kellogg is supportive of TMP participation in the placement process • You tend to have more work experience than your full-time counterparts • You have demonstrated the ability to successfully manage a demanding schedule • The New Economy has made talented people harder to recruit, so most firms are looking more closely at “non-traditional” hires
Do you know how many resumes we see? Spend the time to give yours a chance
The Recruiting Process checklist
Prepare (prepare, prepare) for your interview The General Interview
Be yourself. If you cannot get an offer as yourself, you do not want the job!
The Recruiting Process checklist