sanyasanha:
It's very smart of you to be reaching out for advice now. Build a profile takes time and should be deliberate.
To help differentiate yourself, you really need to focus on three things:
(1) Acing your job and thinking of creative solutions to help you show you can demonstrate leadership and have an impact. Think results, results, results.
(2) Get involved in 2-3 extracurricular activities outside of work that also show leadership and your interests beyond your job. You can start an initiative, give back to your community, etc.
(3) Build a relationship with Yale SOM (or any other schools of interest) by visiting every so often, talking to students and alumni, attending admissions events, etc.
And then when you are ready to apply...
(4) Think carefully about your post-MBA career and how an MBA (from Yale SOM) would be critical to achieving those goals.
If you are seeking professional help, take a look at our MBA Advanced Planning Program. It's a great way for prospective candidates such as yourself to get some coaching on how to prepare for your application months (or years) ahead of time:
https://admissionado.com/mba/mba-advanc ... g-program/