From Classroom to Career: How Vault Empowers MBA and College Students

In recent years, earning an MBA from a top-tier business school like Harvard, Wharton, Stanford, or NYU Stern was considered a golden ticket to landing a high-paying job at a prestigious firm; however, a new trend is shaking up the job market—employers are becoming increasingly selective, and hiring rates are on the decline for MBA graduates from these elite institutions.

Economic uncertainty, evolving industry demands, and a growing preference for specialized skill sets over traditional credentials are forcing many MBA graduates to rethink their job search strategies. If you’re an MBA student, undergrad student, or recent graduate facing this challenge, now is the time to adapt and leverage every resource available to stand out in a competitive job market.

Thankfully, Vault offers extensive advice on creating attractive resumes and cover letters, conducting an effective job search, finding the right internship, acing interviews, networking, and a whole lot more. Today we’re going to provide an overview of the resources Vault offers, and how you can use them to your advantage during your job search, the hiring process, and throughout your career.

MBA and College Students

Navigating the complexities of an MBA program requires more than just academic diligence; it demands strategic career planning and resource utilization. Vault offers resources to help MBA and college students excel both during their studies and later in their job searches. From industry-specific career guides and MBA-specific guides to company rankings and industry overviews, Vault provides insights that empower students to make informed decisions about their career paths.

Our blog also delves into a wide range of topics that are helpful for MBA and college students. For example, we offer help on topics such as choosing the right major, surviving tough MBA programs, public speaking strategies, interview tips for student athletes, and much more

Skill Development

In today’s dynamic and competitive job market, continuous skill development is essential. Vault offers a variety of resources aimed at helping individuals identify and acquire skills that are most valued by employers. From information on emerging industry trends to guides on developing soft skills like leadership and communication, Vault provides comprehensive materials to support professional growth.

Resumes and Cover Letters

Crafting a compelling resume and cover letter is crucial to making a positive first impression on potential employers. Vault offers detailed guides and examples to assist students in creating impactful application materials. From selecting the appropriate resume format to choosing powerful action verbs, our resources cover every aspect of resume and cover letter writing.

Internships

Securing an internship is a critical step in gaining practical experience and building a professional network. Vault offers extensive resources to help students identify and apply for internships that align with their career goals. Our Internship Rankings give students an inside look at hundreds of internship programs, complete with testimonials from former interns. Along with this, we regularly publish blogs that cover internships from a variety of angles, from how to score a great internship, all the way to how to conduct a successful exit interview.

Job Search

The job search process can be daunting, but with the right resources, students can navigate it effectively. Our rankings are organized by industry and provide an in-depth look at top companies, complete with informative profiles that include direct quotes from insiders on salaries and benefits, company culture, hours, benefits, training, diversity, and more. We also offer advice on every aspect of a job search in our blog, including tips on creating a personal brand, dealing with counter offers, exploring the hidden job market, and a whole lot more.

Job Interviews

Preparing for a job interview is essential for success, and we’ve got plenty of resources to help you excel. From common interview questions and industry-specific tips to dealing with unusual interview methods and perfecting your body language, Vault provides comprehensive materials to guide you through the interview process.

Our Guide to Behavioral Interviews is invaluable for students who are looking to sharpen their skills, and our blog covers many interview-related topics including tricky questions, how to assess professional growth opportunities, and how to deal with any unwelcome surprises during an interview.

Networking

Building a professional network is a vital component of career development. Vault offers resources to help students develop effective networking strategies, including tups on attending industry events, to leveraging alumni connections. Our practical advice will help you craft effective networking emails, make lasting connections while working remotely, and expand and maintain your professional network. We’ve also got tips to help introverts build confidence and network with ease.

Artificial Intelligence

Did you know you can use AI to help you in your job search? That’s right, and we’ve got tons of tutorials on how to use AI tools like ChatGPT help you write professional emails to build your network or learn valuable skills. AI can also help you craft a resume and cover letter, research potential employers, and prepare for an interview.

A Final Note

Additionally, if your school is a Vault subscriber, you’ll have free access to our mentoring platform, which allows you to connect with alumni in numerous industries in a wide variety of roles and at any level of experience. You’ll also have free access to our entire career guide library, which includes some of our newest titles such as the Vault Career Guide to Cybersecurity, the Vault Career Guide to Information Technology, and the Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms. Finally, be on the lookout for a new title (also free to school subscribers) that we will be publishing this spring: The Vault Guide to Landing Your Dream Internship and Turning It into a Full-Time Role, which will include everything you need to know about resumes, cover letters, interviewing, networking, and leveraging internships into full-time positions.