Rii24
Hi Everyone!
I'm planning to apply for the September 2024 intake. Here's an overview about me -
I have a total of 3 years of work-ex. I've been working at a bootstrapped startup (in the Content Industry) as a Business Development Manager (Sales). I recently gave my gmat and ended up with a 690 (Q46 and V38).
Here are some questions -
1. How open are B-schools (especially HEC Paris) with folks from startup backgrounds?
2. Can you shed some light on the Marketing Specialisation of the MBA programme?
3. Do you have any application tips? What are some areas one must focus on?
4. I noticed HEC Paris's website has a "Connect with us" option where one can share details such as GMAT Score and resume and the admission panel gets in touch and gives an overview about the profile. Incase y'all did this, how was the experience - do they provide tips, etc?
5. Any tips on how to build a resume for B-schools? I've heard they should ideally only be one page. Any more tips? Especially on highlighting the key areas?
6. Any tips on connecting with alumni from HEC Paris? Are they approached mainly via linkedin?
Hi
Rii24 - HEC Paris MBA alum (2019) here.
My responses below:
1. HEC does value work experiences in start-ups. Make sure to highlight the impact you had in the role(s), quantifying how it improved the business, key lessons you learned and how these would help you bring value to both the HEC cohort and your career post-MBA.
2. The marketing specialization (now called "Strategic Marketing") would complement the core courses. It consists of theoretical and experience-based courses that teach you how to develop innovative marketing strategies and solve real-world marketing problems. Generally, candidates in this specialization transition to roles such as brand and product managers, business developers, marketing managers, communications directors, etc. If France is your geography of interest, speaking fluent French helps, though I have seen some people land Marketing roles without fluent French. The UK and Netherlands are some other geographies that recruit for marketing roles from HEC. For more details, happy to put you in touch with an alumnus from this specialization at HEC.
3. Some points are covered in my response to 1 above. Also make sure to have clear and precise answers to why MBA and why HEC. If you have any specific questions, happy to answer.
4. The "Connect with Us" form is an informal step that has no influence on your eventual application, but it allows HEC to give you initial feedback and to continue to stay in touch with you. Some HEC Recruitment Managers also offer a virtual chat to candidates at this step. The feedback provided at this stage can help you improve your profile and strengthen your application, so using this option is highly recommended.
5. A one-pager resume is recommended, highlighting for each role some key bullet points with your achievements in that role: context (challenge/ situation), action (what you did) and the result (tangible impact). Happy to share a sample CV template.
6. Feel free to reach out to me via email or LinkedIn

Regards,
Arvind
HEC Paris alum, Admissions interviewer
admitstreet.com
E:
consultingteam@admitstreet.com | M: +(91)-974-126-3950