MBA Fair - is it a no no to hand out personal resumes?

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Hello, attending an MBA fair soon. Is it tacky to hand out my resumes to the Admissions and Alumni who will be there at the Fair representing the schools? Or should I just politely collect their business card and follow up for another informational meeting/"informal interview?"

How do I proceed.

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by money9111 » Thu Sep 16, 2010 8:35 pm
I don't think there would be a benefit for them to have your resume. They can't do anything with it. I say, take their cards and follow up later.
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by kushagra452 » Sat Sep 18, 2010 10:36 am
Thanks money9111, I will also be attending an event soon. I have been reading blogs/ surfing school websites in which I am interested. I am aware of the fact that I should not asking generic questions to schools (like "avg. gmat/ avg. work ex) since all this is available on the website. Are there any important tips that you can share regarding MBA tour events? I have read about the school clubs and other cultural activities. Also, is it appropriate to ask the school representative "what makes xyz school special?" (Since more or less this is the theme of the "Why MBA from xyz school?" essay)

Thanks again.

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by money9111 » Sun Sep 19, 2010 4:39 pm
kushagra452 wrote:Thanks money9111, I will also be attending an event soon. I have been reading blogs/ surfing school websites in which I am interested. I am aware of the fact that I should not asking generic questions to schools (like "avg. gmat/ avg. work ex) since all this is available on the website. Are there any important tips that you can share regarding MBA tour events? I have read about the school clubs and other cultural activities. Also, is it appropriate to ask the school representative "what makes xyz school special?" (Since more or less this is the theme of the "Why MBA from xyz school?" essay)

Thanks again.
Here is the way that I think about it. Do as much research on the schools that you can. When you get to a point when reading their website and materials where you're like "hhmm i wonder about _______" That's what you should ask them. I figure if they asking us in the applications to give them our whole life story...then it's ok for us to ask them whatever is on our minds. I wouldn't necessarily ask "what makes your school special" because that'll allow them to give you the stock answers. I mean if all schools say "We're collaborative..." well that's not really making you special. You can phrase it as what makes X school different from other peer schools. (they love saying "peer schools" hahaha)

Another question I've asked before is if they had to describe the students using three adjectives, what would they be? That'll give you a sense for the types of students they're looking for, because YES they are all looking for a type! I've found that these three adjectives differ by school. I don't normally plug my blog in posts (other than my signature) but check out the end of this blogpost that I wrote a while ago: https://money9111.blocked/2010/02/is-888-prime.html About halfway down you'll see what I'm talking about.

Hope this helps!
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by Kaneisha Grayson » Fri Oct 01, 2010 9:13 am
Hi kushagra452,

I agree with all the advice Money9111 gave you and I would also add that it is very important to remember some conference etiquette guidelines:

1) Do not keep an AdCom person hostage. Chat with someone one-on-one for 10 minutes, ask a few questions, make an impression, and then move on. You don't want to put the person in a position of wanting to escape from you.

2) Do not hijack a conversation that has already begun. It is completely fine to walk up and subtly join a group of people who are already speaking with someone, but you should not enter the conversation and then take it over by dominating the conversation and asking several questions in a row.

3) Be welcoming to other people who want to enter your conversation. It does feel a little threatening sometimes when someone walks up and joins your conversation with an AdCom person, but you should welcome that person into the conversation by opening up the circle, acknowledging them, and even introducing yourself if it seems appropriate.

I ran a recruiting fair while at Harvard Business School, and this is the same advice I gave to my peers before the event. It's also the same advice I give to my clients.

Enjoy the fair!
Kaneisha
Harvard Business School MBA 2010, Harvard Kennedy School MPA 2010
Founder, The Art of Applying
Admissions Consulting for MBA, MPP, Joint Degrees, and Fellowships
https://theartofapplying.com

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by money9111 » Fri Oct 01, 2010 9:16 am
That's great advice - Kaneisha. I've seen some "things" in my day lol and I just go - "really?" The funniest thing I saw was when someone was talking to the adcom member about having just applied... and then she said to the adcom member "can you pronounce my name?" ::pointing to her nametag:: and the adcom member tried it.. and then the girl corrected her. I wanted to die laughing like really? you just did that? wonder if she got in though
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by dmateer25 » Fri Oct 01, 2010 10:07 am
money9111 wrote:That's great advice - Kaneisha. I've seen some "things" in my day lol and I just go - "really?" The funniest thing I saw was when someone was talking to the adcom member about having just applied... and then she said to the adcom member "can you pronounce my name?" ::pointing to her nametag:: and the adcom member tried it.. and then the girl corrected her. I wanted to die laughing like really? you just did that? wonder if she got in though
haha maybe that was her strategy to get the adcom to remember her name???

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by money9111 » Fri Oct 01, 2010 10:09 am
yeah i think so... how transparent
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