keepsimple wrote:
I am planning on applying for R1/R2. I wanted to get some feedback on where I can improve my profile to be competitive at ISB.
Background: Indian-female, 27.
Work Experience:
Currently, I have a total of 3.5 years in Digital operations across diversified industries. I am working as a Global Business Ops analyst at a leading Adtech company where I am certified as Brand Safety Officer by Brand Safety Institute. Previously I worked as a Category management executive in a leading B2B Marketplace and also worked as a Content marketer in an HR Tech company. I have worn multiple hats during all my experiences, from training to managing 5 junior executives under me. I was recognized/awarded by senior management for being a team player and making a difference by efficiently carrying out SLAs. I have a good stakeholder management experience across different verticals and also got the opportunity to scale global client accounts. I now work with cross-functional and cross-border teams in my line of work, mainly interacting closely with my US, EMEA, and APAC counterparts.
LOR
I can fetch recommendations from the CEO of my 1st company, Immediate managers from all my 3 work experiences, and the Director of my department in my current company.
Education:
Undergrad Stats:
Electronics and Communication Engineering from a central university in Northeast, India. CGPA:7.53(Top 3% of graduating class). I have been an active member of NSS and various social activities. I have held the responsibilities of Class representative of my batch(2015-19).
Highschool stats:
12th - 80.13%
10th- 8.8 CGPA
GMAT: 690(will try to bring a better score by 20 to 30 points)
Post MBA goals:
Short-term: Join consulting firms in the likes of MBB in ESG or Healthcare vertical or Product marketing (because of my experience in digital marketing but in my current role I’m more into operations and would want to get into the more strategy-oriented role)
Long-term: Start social enterprise focussed on enhancing livelihood in Northeast Indian rural areas, preferably in the Ayurveda or organic products sector since I belong to a family with a Healthcare background and have subject matter expertise and networks. I plan to start a 1st in my generation family venture with them. (Showcase my commitment to the social sector and combine learning from consulting experience)
MBA Targets: ISB
Extracurriculars:
During my college days, I actively participated in the National Service Scheme (NSS). Additionally, I volunteered to teach orphaned children during weekends at an NGO called U&I Foundation. I am also a self-taught Spanish speaker, proficient in a total of five languages. In my current role, I have utilized my Spanish language skills to handle external client queries and manage customer journeys. As a women's education activist, I am dedicated to bridging the technical knowledge, financial literacy, and employment gaps faced by women and girl children. Currently, I mentor three girls, providing them with educational and skill development support. Growing up, I had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout India, from Leh to Kanyakumari and Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat, as well as to neighboring countries. These experiences have played a significant role in broadening my education and character. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I actively engaged in community service, providing essential resources to households in need.
Thank you all for your help.
Hi
keepsimple hope you are doing great.
Your profile is interesting, but the impact of your work is not coming through. Make sure that when you present your work history/ career progression, it is clear what value you have added to your employer/clients and what a crucial role you have played in the company. For example, if you are in an operations-driven digital/content marketing position, highlight how working with junior executives or external collaborators has strengthened your stakeholder engagement skills, which you now fully leverage to achieve success with all the teams you work with inside and outside your country.
Goals StrategyYour goals are all over the place at the moment. Demonstrating an industry focus is a good strategy for MBA applications. So if your industry focus so far has been digital marketing or business ops in ad companies (for example), I do not see how ESG and healthcare can be pragmatic goals for you. However, I do not want to discourage you. If these are the sectors you want to work in long-term, you should cite examples of previous involvement in these areas from your extracurricular or non-professional engagements. Digging deeper into your current industry experience should then ideally not be the focus of your essays if you do not see yourself working in this industry even in the short term.
Product marketing is a more nuanced role that requires a decent understanding of product management. Therefore, if you decide to pitch for product marketing, you should show how your previous work in digital advertising and management gave you insight into a specific area of product management that has enabled you to gain a thorough insight into PMM roes. Substantiate that with examples of speaking with experts and potential recruiters. All in all, you need to think carefully about how you want to formulate your goals. And believe me, ISB is one of the schools that really wants applicants to have a crystal-clear idea of their career plan when they apply.
I highly recommend speaking with someone who can help you select the right goals that not only inspire you, but are also plausible from the adcom's perspective.
I like other aspects of your profile. GMAT could be better. But even with this GMAT, It would give me more confidence if you have crossed a Q49 on quant

Other useful links on ISB -
Fail-proof strategy for acing that ISB InterviewWhat ISB looks for really? A fresh perspectiveAvoid these pitfalls in goals essaysFeel free to connect should you want candid advice
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex admissions interviewer)
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