zl2012 wrote:
Hi,
I am a career changer. I had been working in a small company(only a dozen employees) as a general manager.
I am applying for MBA, and want to get into a leadership development or rotational program after MBA.
in my essays, i put "getting in to a rotational program" as my short-term goal. I also write about how i am interested in general management, and interested in retail or consumer product industry. I also listed one or two rotational program (such as amazon, intel, etc) as examples.
I already got rejected by two schools, so i started looking back into my applications and try to improve.
is my short-term goal too vague and general? if so, any suggestion to improve it.
thanks in advance!!!
First of all I'm sorry to hear about the dings, but I applaud your efforts to evaluate what happened and see how you can improve. That evaluation is an effective response and the foundation of an
effective reapplication.Without reading your essays I really can't say if your short-term goal was too general or not, and I really can't suggest ways to improve it. It does sound like it was more general than I would have liked. I like to see goals that include both a function and an industry. If possible, and depending on the question it may be necessary, I also like to see some greater vision or aspiration or dream. Like I want to do X in Industry Y to accomplish Z. Not everyone has a Z, but it's nice when you do.
Another thought strikes me. Was there a disconnect between your short-term and long-term goals? If you say you are interested in retail or consumer products, would the management development programs at companies like P&G or Walmart have been more appropriate than Amazon or Intel; the latter sells primarily to business?
We have a lot for resources that may be of help to you:
*
Application Advice for Career Changers and
Career Change 101*
MBA Goals A-Z*
MBA Reapplication 101You will find a lot of free articles and resources at the above pages. However, if you want a coherent approach to the MBA application process, including the role of MBA goals in both selecting schools and showing fit, I recommend (shameless plug) my book
MBA Admissions for SmartiesBest,
Linda