Ironduke wrote:
Sameer, I just chanced upon this thread. This is a good one.
Very kind of you to say that, sir. But let me forewarn you, I'm not going to hold back my punches as I read through the rest of your post.
Ironduke wrote:
Please evaluate my profile which is below. I am targeting 2011 admissions for European B-schools
Age/Background: M/32/Indian
Good to see 'mature' profiles taking the plunge into the MBA waters. Check out the original post that got this thread started to see why it gives me a sense of deja vu.
Your strong exposure to management and leadership responsibilities will be your forte.
Ironduke wrote:
Experience (current): 9.5 Years (5.5 years of experience in US)
Currently Manager in IT Governance Risk and Compliance in Global Fortune 100 in US (for 1 year). 2 Direct reports, ~12 indirect reports (multiple project based at any given time). Manage project/operations worth 1-1.5 Mn USD at any given time.
Previously 8.5 years of work ex in Top Indian IT firm as Lead consultant and Project Manager. Direct report 5 and managed a service line worth 3 Mn USD. Key role were Account management, project management and sales. Worked with multiple Fortune 50 clients in different capacities.
GMAT : 710 (Q50 V35)
GPA - 76% (BTECH in E&C) - 4th ranker in Univ in said course.
Multiple awards in previous company, all certifications in current field including PMP. Scholarship holder throughout most of acads.
Low on extracurriculars though. Has published few papers, written blogs at company websites and participated in few professional bodies as member and currently planning to hold a membership chair in one of them. Foundation member and active participants in some region based social bodies.
Let's analyse this. In your professional profile description you've used 4 basic variables to make your profile unique - yrs of work-ex, number of team-members, project budget and number of clients.
Sorry for not sugar coating this, but I don't like that strategy. Most of your competition from the IT industry will use the exact same parameters and after a while, Adcoms will just end up scratching their, ummm, heads.
Think about it. Are these the parameters the only things that make you special? If I were to take you out and replace Mr Parthasarathy Pookutty (known popularly as Pappoo in social circles) in that role, wouldn't he have delivered the goods? Why are you better than Pappoo? Are you more dyanamic than him? Tell me how. Are you more innovative and entrepreneurial than him? Show me how. Why is the management so keen to hold you back in the organisation while Pappoo can go hunt for greener pastures, for all they care?
Apart from the stuff that we already take for granted for someone with the same level of experience and the same industry, in your essays bring out other aspects of your persona - Are you muscular? Are you popular? Can you dance? I'm dramatising, but do you get the drift?
Ironduke wrote:
I am planning European B-schools as I think I am too old to qualify for US b-schools. I will keep them in my stretch list though.
European schools tend to attract candidates with strong work-ex, just like yourself. So expect impressive numbers for the same parameters we've seen here. But once the hygiene factors are addressed, let's take it all to a completely different level where you are seen as an individual and not a faceless fragment of the IT industry.