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Summary
Financial services opportunities for MBAs can be both lucrative and exciting. Each opportunity
requires different skills, although some common skills across most financial services positions include
strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate clearly and concisely both within the firm and
externally with clients. MBAs can anticipate strong competition for positions within financial services
and should focus on developing these skills.
In addition, MBAs hoping to enter financial services firms should be creative about identifying
positions and firms of interest, as many firms will not participate in on-campus recruiting (especially
in real estate or venture capital). Therefore, in addition to using the career services office, students
should actively engage with alumni, fellow students, faculty, and club and association members. The
following section provides a guide on how individuals can create and execute an individual career
plan to help obtain a career in corporate finance or financial services.
Your Career Plan/Your End Game
Now that you have a sense of some opportunities in finance that are available to MBA graduates, it is
essential to prepare and execute your career plan in a diligent, thorough, and creative manner. To help
in that process, this section explores the critical elements, steps, and processes you will need to
enhance your career search process. It is important to always balance the preparation and execution
components.
As with any journey, you need to prepare. For example, an airplane pilot does not take the flight
plan, hop into the cockpit, start the engines, and take off. The pilot meticulously reviews the flight
plan, personally inspects the aircraft, talks with the tower, and may even re-review the weather
forecasts. In fact, it is entirely likely that the pilot will also have some important and detailed
conversations with the flight crew and others involved in the journey.
Why is this preparation so important? The best plan in the world cannot execute itself. No strategy,
regardless of its brilliance, can offset an ineffectual implementation. As you read the following
sections, consider how to adapt the concepts to your specific circumstances and situations.
Preparing for the Journey
In this section we explore the concepts of defining your value proposition and delivering the message
effectively in written, verbal (oral), and digital forms.
IBM and BMW—these brand names are likely to trigger immediate and clear images and feelings.
At this point, it is less important whether the reactions are positive or negative. More important, these
brand names are successful because they convey knowledge, perceptions, and feelings of trust. This is