ISB Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation

Experts,

Request your advice on profile and a couple of other points

Background:
Indian, Male, Engineer (Automotive Industry - Polymer specialization, Bachelors), 29 yr old, 8 yrs Work-ex till now, GMAT 690

Acads:
10th - 89%
12th 89%
Degree: 8.35/10 (2nd rank in university)

Work:
Tier I automotive company - 1yr 10 months
1. Started as GET, Elevated to technical in-charge - managed 6 persons while leaving
2. Set-up laboratory, Value engineered projects worth 5Cr (Substantial saving as it was about 3% of total company revenue), Managed projects for wide customers.

Leading Two-wheeler manufacturer - 1 year
1. Probably a big mistake to jump. Thought OEM might open up opportunities. Got a level up also in the offer. But the profile was not challenging.
2. However, set-up product development processes for polymer component development. Didn't manage anyone.

Indian Car and truck manufacturer OEM (Fortune 500 company) (1yr 8 months)
1. Improved equipment utilization, lowered product dev and testing time, created benchmark libraries.
2. More of a functional role. Managed 3.

Another Indian car and tractor manufacturer - 4 years so far
1. Had to come back to native city for personal reasons. Now the reasons cease to exist. Free to move. Got a level up in offer.
2. Managed and initiated several projects. Saved good amount of money in ideating and managing projects. (Managed mostly across functions - So no direct reports. Only matrix management during project lifetime)
3. 2 awards. 1 promotion hopeful this year.

Extra-curriculars
1. Secretary of college student council - Equivalent to chairman of college
2. Volunteering in SAE for school children
3. 3 international publications. 4 on anvil.

Post MBA goals
Strategy, General Management, Strategy-Operations Consulting.

Now comes my questions
1. Does it ring a good profile for ISB? Targeting IIM A, B and C one-year MBA also.
2. Should I retake GMAT for higher score? I have never scored less than 730 in official mock. But got a really tough RC that threw me off on that day. Confident of scoring 730-750 if i retake.
3. No international experience, except liaison with counterparts outside India. Difficult to get international experience, in the job profile and industry that I work. Will it affect my profile?

Thanks in advance

Hey ss3617

Thank you for the detailed note. Please see my feedback in Blue

Hi Varun,

Thanks a lot for the detailed response. Really appreciate your time and effort.

I just observed only after submitting the post that I forgot to mention key info.
Why MBA: MBA was on back of my mind for a while, just that I had other commitments, I couldn't pursue before. I believe and have been advised by superiors as well that I do have a good potential to become a leader. But i definitely lack the skill and knowledge. Need to have an MBA to open up my career in a wide arena.
Have updated Post-MBA goals. Mainly focused on strategy and ops consulting.
Choice of schools mainly due to geography.

Thanks again for your time.

Hello ss3617

Post MBA goals may need some work. You have leadership qualities, good. But How exactly will an MBA help? Why can't you learn on the job and progress via the current path. You seem to be doing good. You don't need to necessarily answer me- but it is food for thought. B-Schools will surely ask you this in essays or interviews.
Strategy Consulting might be little difficult to get in to with 8 years on work ex in Automobile Sector.
If B-Schools find your future goals not fit or realistic for what they can offer, they will not call you. So I'll suggest you work on building your application along with GMAT prep (in case you are re-taking it)
If you display conviction of thought in your application, you will surely get called for the interview.
Best
Varun

Hi All,

I am An IT professional having around 5.5 experience in IT field working as as Quality Assurance Analyst. I have worked in companies like TCS(service based) and Currently in Fiserv(product based). I am currently working on lead role in testing department of one of Fiserv products.My academics are
10th-86%
12th-84%
Graduation-75%

My extra curricular activities include :I reached last round of SSB 3 years back, i have youtube channel of travel + I was involved in Some NGo related work also. I tried to headstart some venture with some of my friends, 2-3 proposals come but could not worked out.

Could you please evaluate my profile for ISB ? Also how much Gmat score is required wrt my profile.

Thanks in advance.

Hello push12345

Acads are above average, I'll recommend you should target 720+ to be above the average ISB candidate.
That said, only a high GMAT score will not suffice. Being from IT, you will need to bring out your differentiating factors. How are you a good addition to the cohort?
Also don't see your reasons to do an MBA. That will matter the most.
How well you package your application will be the deciding factor in the end. What you have provided is the Quantitative part of your profile, it is necessary to look at the Qualitative side too in order to give a detailed feedback.

Best
Varun

Hi Varun

Thanks for taking time to give your comments and evaluate the same.

I want to do Mba in startegy. That is the thing which I like the most and would like to take my career in that stream also. I have done pretty much on project side and stuff and I would like to grow my career in new role.
Could you please give me some points to build more or bring out more on Qualitative side of things ?

Thanks in advance

Hello push12345

'Strategy' may be too broad a goal. Are you looking a Management Consulting? IT Consulting? General Management? Either way, you should have compelling answers to How will an MBA help you achieve these goals?
Apart from GMAT preparation, I will suggest you start working on your written applications already considering applications of ISB & IIM A/B are open as on today.
You should finalize realistic goals that fir your colleges and your own profile.
Start tackling the essays.
All the best
Varun

Hi push12345,

Thanks for writing in.

Good to see that you have substantial work experience, leadership experience, and decent extra-curriculars (though, you have not much elaborated on your NGO stint). Having said that, your academics are not stellar and your background that of a typical India IT Male

To offset the weaker aspects of your profile, try and aim for a score at least upwards of 720 as this will help differentiate your case in an overrepresented pool. Further, focus on producing a set of stellar essays that speak of your need for an MBA, present your strengths appropriately, demonstrate your suitability for an MBA program, and speak of how you will contribute as well. In terms of goals, Strategy is way too broad and you will need to ensure that your goals are more specific and clearly categorized into short-term and long-term. If possible, do put forth a larger vision as well. Needless to say, the goals must seamlessly flow from your existing work experience.

Should you wish to discuss this in greater detail, feel free to reach out.

All the best!

Dear Experts,

Kindly give an honest and realistic assessment as I have to take a crucial decision based on my chances. Here is my profile:

12th (CBSE)- 85%
GMAT- 740 (AWA 5)

Re-applicant (don't know what went wrong in interview last year, the interview was very unpredictable).

Work-ex:
PHILIPS LIGHTING INDIA LIMITED (formerly PHILIPS INDIA LIMITED) 2014 - Present

Current Designation- Assistant Development Engineer
Have been working on product development (transitioned from design to development keeping long term focus in mind) and as a part of job I collaborate with various cross functional teams and look after complete development process.
Recently I have been made part of global smart lighting product team where I am looking after India centric developments and strategic alliances with the help of marketing team.

Promotions: 1 grade promotion and 2 designation changes.
Awards: Best Innovation award in my business vertical and various other appreciations.

EC:
1. Have been an active Toastmaster. Served as President of Noida chapter of Toastmaster and led the club to win the most coveted golden gavel award.
2. Have served as executive member of technical student society in graduation and organised various events.
3. Have a paper publishing in IEEE students conference proceedings.

Why MBA?
Want to transition to product management from product development and in long term want to get into business leadership.


Please analyse any possible flaws in the profile. Thanks!

Hello anmol_06

Thank you for the information. Please see my replies in Blue.

Best

Varun

thanks oneMBAcoach for your comprehensive feedback !

I did ask for feedback from ISB but they denied saying that they won't be giving individual feedback this year.

Though I'll do my research with the inputs provided by you. thanks again !

Require help regarding deferred admission. Anyone up?

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using GMAT Club Forum mobile app

what do you want to know?

I want my profile to be evaluated for deferred admission in Harvard, Stanford or Yale.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using GMAT Club Forum mobile app

GMAT: 700-720 (expected)
For all other details, kindly refer to the CV attached.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using GMAT Club Forum mobile app

Hi Anmol,

I can have a look at your application and give you some feedback. You can email me your application PDF (unsecured file)

You probably messed up your interview. there could be several pitfalls there:

1. Not answering questions with relevant details
2. sounding immature (we come across many applicants)
3. Not articulating your goals too well - while you would require an MBA to move from a technical role to a commercial one- how well were you able to articulate this/ show some aspirational career goals :
4. articulate the need for an MBA.
The goals require a lot of clarity and there could be quite a bit of cross-questioning on them. So you have to be well prepared to tackle this beast.