The Application Process

It is going to be critical to have a strong professional network going into a tough 2009. Firms will be looking to hire opportunistically (read no public job postings), so it will be vital to know insiders in target organizations.

There is some ray of light in this type of hiring environment - opportunistic hiring tends to be less contested, therefore either the job is yours or it stays unfilled. This is especially true for smaller to mid-size businesses that do not have advanced HR practices to begin with and are comfortable with word of mouth decisions.

Whether you are pursuing an MBA or not, there is no better time than now to start buttressing your professional network. This should almost be taken like a sales process, with regular, constant pulsing of your contacts such that you are 'top of mind' when a hiring option does come available.

Aveek Guha, President, MBA Day Camp
www.mbadaycamp.com

Aveek - That is really good advice. Additionally, MBA students should take advantage of every opportunity to network while in school. Many of their classmates will be in key positions to assist with job searches after graduation. And many large companies send recruiters on campus to identify talent. Since there may be fewer visits from recruiters this year, it is especially important to take the time to talk with them and cultivate relationships.