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Top 10 Skills that Employers look for in MBA graduates

Author: BGU Category: General Date: 05 Apr 2021

The global business landscape is constantly evolving with new trends hitting the market every other day. In such a scenario, organizations around the world are constantly on the lookout for talented MBA professionals who have knowledge and skills that are in tandem with the contemporary market demands. Especially in the post-pandemic scenario when major sectors of the global economy are recuperating from massive losses, the demand for MBA professionals has grown like never before. But as the demand increases, so do expectations of the employers.

Apart from regular academics, employers seek individuals who possess several other skills that make them standout and give them an edge over their competitors. But what are these skills? How can you acquire them and increase your employability rate? And what are the specialization-specific skills that leading organizations seek in MBA graduates? Let’s find the answers to all these questions in this blog! Let’s delve right into it!

Following are the top 10 skills that employers look for in MBA graduates:

Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills or what are referred to as ‘soft skills’ have always topped the wish list of leading employers around the world. MBA graduates can explore diverse roles in the business world that require excellent interpersonal skills. These include verbal and non-verbal communication, assertiveness, listening skills, negotiation skills, problem-solving and decision-making skills amongst others. These skills can enhance your performance and give you an upper hand in leadership roles. Be it customers, clients, colleagues, or employees who you are managing, having these skills can make all the difference!

Communication Skills

Another skill that’s integral for MBA graduates to possess is effective communication. MBA graduates have to deal with several people throughout the day. Be it coworkers, customers, employers, or clients, having effective communication skills can make wonders happen. It ensures impactful deliveries of your ideas and helps you work in diverse teams hassle-free.

Leadership

MBA graduates possessing strong leadership skills are highly sought-after by leading business organizations. Managers are the driving forces that manage a team and ensure smooth operations in any organization. In order to do their jobs effectively they need to have leadership skills. Having this skill ensures having a command over your team and taking every team member ahead with you, leading to mutual growth.

Strategic Thinking and Planning Abilities

Strategic thinking and immaculate planning are vital for any business venture to succeed. Hence, employers actively seek these skills in MBA graduates. For any business idea to take root, a strong strategy and planning is required. These qualities will drive the organization towards the path of growth. The organization can look at the bigger picture and deal with its competitors if its employees possess these skills. Hence, graduates having strategic thinking and planning abilities are high in demand in the global market.

Entrepreneurial Skills

Strong entrepreneurial skills include having knowledge about the market, emerging opportunities, identifying potential risks, understanding market potential, having the ability to take risks, innovative and creative approach, technical understanding, amongst others. Having these skills will not only bolster your job performance but will also equip you to establish your own business.

Technical Skills

Technological intervention has led to several transformations in the business world. Technology has changed the way businesses are done around the world. And hence, employers in the contemporary market look for MBA graduates with some basic technical skills. Although it’s not an obligation to have advanced technical knowledge, having skills related to Data Analysis, Programming Languages, presentation and design, technical writing, etc. can enhance your portfolio dramatically!

Project & Time Management Skills

Another important skill that employers seek is Project and Time management. Time management is integral for any business to flourish. Also, carrying out all the business operations smoothly requires proper project management skills. MBA graduates who have both these skills can reach their optimum potential and attract several career opportunities their way.

Teamwork

‘Ability to work in teams’ is one of the most sought-after skills by employers. Businesses essentially involve several professionals coming together. But for organizations to work efficiently, these professionals must have the ability to collaborate and work in teams. MBA graduates need to deal with a variety of professionals on a daily basis. And being able to adapt to any team and contribute effectively to it can be a huge selling point.

Cross-cultural competency

The world has indeed turned into a small place with technology bringing us together. And the business world opens multiple international career avenues for MBA graduates to explore. Organizations around the world are constantly in search of talented MBA professionals and to grab these opportunities, you need to have a cross-cultural competency. Having this skill ensures having smooth professional relations with colleagues, clients, customers, or suppliers.

Innovative and adaptable mindset

To stay updated with the evolving market trends each day and create new ones yourself MBA graduates require to have an innovative and adaptable mindset. This will bolster your career and help you create a special place for yourself in the business world.

Specialization-specific skills required from MBA graduates:

Although there are many skills that all MBA graduates are advised to have, there are certain skills that are specifically required based on your specialization. In this section, let’s find out what are some specialization-specific skills required from MBA graduates.

Skills Required from MBA Marketing graduates

Marketing involves dealing with people and organizations on a large scale. It requires knowledge about the current market trends, understanding customers’ buying patterns, forming strategies and a lot more. For this, following skills are required from MBA Marketing graduates:

Communication skills, strategic thinking, strong interpersonal and people skills, attention to detail, teamwork, entrepreneurial skills, etc.

Skills Required from MBA Finance graduates

In order to thrive in the financial sector following skills are required from MBA Finance graduates:

Up-to-date with current market trends, good with numbers, ability to work in teams, adaptability, innovative approach, strategic mindset, strong analytical skills, etc.

Skills Required from MBA Operations graduates

Mastering the operations part and establishing a great career requires MBA Operations graduates to have the following skills:

Knowledge about the processes involved, analytical mindset, technical skills, attention to detail, communication skills, etc.

Skill Required from MBA HR graduates

The field of Human Resources has all got to do with people and their well-being in the workspace. In order to establish a successful career in this field, MBA HR graduates require the following skills:

Extremely good communication skills, networking skills, teamwork, leadership skills, psychological understanding, knowledge about human behavior, innovative and creative mindset, etc.

Skills Required from MBA in Business Analytics (BA) graduates

Business Analytics is one of the most fertile fields for MBA graduates. Thus, to build a winning career in this field, MBA Business Analytics graduates need to possess the following skills:

Relevant analytical skills, strong technical skills, mathematical skills, attention to detail, research abilities, interpersonal skills, etc.

Thus, along with the advanced education and training that an MBA degree provides, possessing these skills will give you an edge and bolster your career. These skills will help you deal with the mind-boggling competition that exists in the current market and summon better career opportunities your way. There’s a massive scope in the business world that goes on increasing each day. With such an upward growth rate, acquiring these skills will definitely count in your favor and be futuristic. Hence, if you are an MBA graduate and wish to build a winning career, concentrate on partnering these skills with your academics and see the results yourself!

Advance your management career with BGU!

Choosing an appropriate B-School plays a major role in helping you acquire these skills and be industry-ready. And if you are in search of a perfect B-School, look no further! Birla School of Management is one of the Top B-schools/Management Colleges in Bhubaneswar, India. It offers graduation, post-graduation, and Doctorate level management programs to aspirants with several specialization options. With a rich academic legacy, industry-focused management education, and thousands of success stories, BGU becomes one of the most sought-after management institutes in Odisha.

It has an extremely diverse and experienced faculty profile, state-of-the-art infrastructure, strong industry interaction and much more! The university is known for providing global-standard educational, infrastructural, and placement facilities to students. We welcome you to enroll in the program of your choice and be a part of this incredible learning experience! For additional information visit https://www.bgu.ac.in/schools/birla-school-of-management. Join the BGU family and advance your management career exponentially!