The ‘Brand’ value: Many applicants pride themselves in saying that they work for brands like Accenture, Cap Gemini, Morgan Stanley, KPMG, Lehman Brothers, P&G, Deloitte …(and I am trying to think of other biggies in the industry, but anyways). The point is it does not make any difference if you work for Accenture or you work at Infosys or some XYZ & Sons. Get over the misconception that the big brand on your resume is going to pave your way to the MBA program.

CEO’s Recommendation: Getting a recommendation from your company’s CEO/VP/Director etc is NOT recommended unless you have been working with this person day in and day out. Your recommendation should be from a person holding a supervisory position to you and whom you have been working on a regular basis. Only then can this person write details about you.

Dad’s Friend’s Reco: Your dad’s friend might be an influential person (maybe even the president of the country, or the CEO of a Fortune 10 company), but his/her recommendation is not going to help you at all. So don’t waste your time and efforts getting that reco.

Topper in School: “I was a topper in my school/college. I won the National merit Scholarship in class 10th and I was ranked 56th in some All india Exam” and I ask “So what?”

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask and I will try my best to answer them.