A
number of b-school applicants are hesitant to think of themselves as a product
or brand. However, in order to find out the best MBA programme to match their
unique profile, they need to take the time to examine their personal qualities,
aspirations and values.
You
can put it into other ways as well. Suppose if you are entrusted with the task
of creating a marketing campaign for a new car, and if you decided to highlight
the seat warmers and sound systems of the vehicle, when the potential customers
are looking for fuel economy, then your marketing message may not be able to
create frenzy in the market.
The
drawbacks in preparing your brand message for MBA application are similar. What
you need is to think like a marketing strategist and develop a personal brand
only after identifying its strengths. Here are three exercises to help you do
it effectively.
Make a brag sheet
Though
the practice of bragging is usually disapproved of in the real world but when
it is about effectively sending out a set of messages you eventually want to
communicate to admissions committee, the best way to begin is by writing down
most unique, wonderful, exciting things about yourself. Consider it as
brag-storming.
You
should know that admissions committees look for pleasing candidates with
experience of life and those who have chased their passions and achieved their
professional as well as personal goals.
Create stories
MBA
applicants should sift through a wide range of life experiences and find out
their core strength. Leading off with what applicants perceive as their
strengths and then searching for example stories to back things up is not a fruitful
idea.
You
can write stories about personal successes, leadership achievements within and
outside of professional life, instances when your actions made a difference or
times when you initiated to solve a problem. Do not hesitate to jot down
setbacks or failure, as the strategies you made to overcome them are the best
supporter of your success in business world.
Discover stories for strengths
To
separate out your stories, you need to discover the aspects of your skills,
strengths, talents and character contributing to your achievements. You should
ask yourself how your life is shaped after certain experiences or the
strengths, attributes and talents assisted you in making a difference.
Usually,
the goal of a traditional marketing plan is to come up with a product in
effective and thoughtful manner. Here, the product is MBA applicant. The goal
is awareness about the self, and going through your accomplishment is of
greater help. You can focus on the best MBA strategy once these factors are
clarified.
