After graduating with an MBA from McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business, Paul Gryglewicz found himself in his desired industry—consulting in the field of governance and executive compensation. Having accepted an associate role to “learn the industry from the grass roots” fresh out of school, he applied his hard work ethic, humble approach and knowledge gained from the MBA to accelerate his career to his current role as managing partner of Global Governance Advisors, where he oversees the company’s Canadian operations. His role today offers him his preferred type of work: a balance between hands-on client engagement, business strategy, management and entrepreneurialism—in other words, a dream job for a young business professional. How did he get there? There’s no magic formula, but here are some tips and advice that can help you get there, too.
Current MBA Students
Build your network
Take on extracurriculars: Throughout his studies, Gryglewicz played for McMaster’s varsity squash team and taught golf at a local club. “Joining teams or volunteering teaches you about your skills and interests, expands your network, and shows employers that you can manage your time,” he says. Another McMaster MBA graduate Career Options spoke with, Shivalika Handa, landed a co-op position and eventually a job at RBC Capital Markets through her role as president of the DeGroote Women in Management Association.
Create genuine relationships: Although a student with a vast social media network may connect with thousands of people, few of these online contacts likely know the student well enough to recommend him or her. It is increasingly important for people to know students personally, says Stephanie Harper, manager of the Career Development Office at the Goodman School of Business at Brock University: “It’s not about what you know or who you know. It’s about who knows you.”
Be proactive: Attend networking events, follow up with people you meet, and reach out to those you’d like to meet. Gryglewicz landed his first job as an associate after inviting the CEO of the company to be a guest speaker in his entrepreneurial class.
Research
Connect with alumni mentors: Many MBA schools have programs that match students with alumni who have experience in the student’s field of interest. These partnerships inform students about the trends in the area and advise them on career paths.
Conduct informational interviews: Set up an interview with someone in a role that appeals to you. Many people are willing and happy to take 30 minutes of their time to help a student learn more about their work and their field. Students should prepare questions so that they control the conversation, says Anna Cranston, director of Management Career Services at Dalhousie University. “If you are professional about the interview,” she says, “it can be a networking tool that makes your name come to mind when the person wants to hire.”
Be selective: Do not apply for jobs that do not suit your skills and interests. “If you don’t have passion for it, you won’t interview well for it,” says Handa. The interview process and potential rejections will waste time and may shake your confidence.
Don’t wait: Start your research early so that you know where to apply for jobs. Cranston emphasizes that students should be ready to apply before September of their final year.
Improve your credentials
Choose the right electives: Choose electives that relate to your career goals. This will make you better qualified for the position and show employers that you use your time wisely.
Take on co-op or residency placements: If your MBA program does not include a work term, ask your professors and other contacts to look for summer co-op positions or part-time work in an area of interest. These placements expand your network, give you experience and reveal whether you like the type of work.
MBA Grads
Start your search
Consult career services: Employers often post jobs to career services centres at colleges and universities rather than on regional posting boards. Most MBA schools have their own career services centre, which connects students and graduates to these employers.
Regional job boards: Along with Career Options, other job boards include MBAjobs.ca, TalentEgg and jobpostings. Search these online boards in addition to consulting your school’s career services centre.
Mine your network: Maintain connections with students you met during your degree, family friends and professors. Stephanie Harper offers the statistic that 80 percent of jobs are never posted publicly. By staying in touch with everyone you know, you’ll be more likely to be referred to open positions that they hear about.
Set small goals: While the obvious aim of a job hunt is to find a job, Harper suggests having several goals along the way. For example, attend one networking event per month or apply to a certain number of postings each week. These are achievable and will keep you motivated.
Apply for jobs
Customize and perfect your documents: Once you have found a job to apply for, make sure you’re clear on the skills and personality that the employer is looking for. Tailor your cover letter and resumé for each application, and perfect the language and formatting.
Prepare your references: Describe the job to your references so that they know what skills the employer is looking for. Bring three or four copies of a typed reference list to each job interview, and include three or four references unless otherwise required.
Prepare for the interview
Interview the employer: Ask questions that arose while researching the job, or that arise naturally during the interview. Well-thought-out questions demonstrate your interest in the position and work environment.
Be confident: Practise your answers and questions out loud to get them as concise as possible without sounding rehearsed. Handa, who now helps in the hiring process at PricewaterhouseCoopers, says to put 100 percent effort into every interview and to reflect your personality.
Recognize external forces: Remember that you have no control over the labour market, other candidates, or an employer’s preferences. Gryglewicz is encouraging: “Be patient, be humble and keep a positive mindset.”
Here are a few more quick tips:
- Career services centres at MBA schools get hundreds of job postings each year. To maximize the value of your appointment, do research and prepare questions about the type of job you are looking for.
- Customize a section header in your resumé. For example, if the job description includes business-to-business communications, then replace your “Work Experience” header with “Business-to-Business Experience,” and revise how you present the items listed below.
- Great question to ask in a job interview:
“What are some characteristics of a person who has been successful at this role in the past?”- Anna Cranston, director of Management Career Services, Dalhousie University
