Tag: Business

Top Consulting Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Management consulting is an exciting field with plenty of opportunities for consultants to develop effective business strategies and help clients thrive in their respective industries. If you’re interested in becoming a consultant, you may be wondering about the best way to approach the interview process. For example, what should you expect and how can you prepare?

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that the consulting interview process typically consists of two types of interviews: (1) Fit interviews (also called experience interviews), which focus on your skills, background and professional aspirations, and (2) case interviews, which focus on your ability to analyze and solve problems.

Here are the types of questions you can expect in each part of the interview and what you need to know to answer them successfully.

Fit Interview Questions

The fit interview focuses on your background, skill set and your interest in the role. A typical fit interview includes questions like, “Tell me about yourself” and “What are your strengths?” but also focuses on your leadership style and your interest in consulting. Some key questions you’re likely to encounter include:

Why are you interested in consulting?

This question is designed to test your knowledge of the industry and your interest in becoming a consultant. When an interviewer asks this, it’s because they want to know that you’re genuinely interested in consulting as a career path and that you’re committed to bringing value to the firm and to your clients. To answer this question effectively, focus on one or two aspects of consulting that appeal to you (for example, the opportunity to learn about various business models or to develop new marketing strategies) and explain why you find them appealing. In addition to talking about your interest in the industry, you should also talk about your skill set and why it makes you a good fit for the role. Since interviewers look for candidates who are able to solve challenging problems with creative solutions, being able to demonstrate your interest and your potential impact will go a long way towards impressing the interviewer.

Tell me about a time you displayed leadership.

One of the major skills required in consulting is leadership. This is because a large part of consulting involves working with a team to strategize, develop and implement solutions related to the problems businesses face. When preparing your answer to this question, it’s important to focus on a time when you demonstrated leadership and to highlight the outcome of that situation. For example, if you were responsible for managing a charity fundraising event for your sorority, you should outline the steps you took to organize the event and explain how those steps led to a successful outcome.

Why do you want to work for this firm?

This question is designed to test your knowledge of the consulting industry and your motivation for picking a specific firm. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight some of the key reasons for your interest in the firm you’re interviewing with. For example, if the firm is credited with pioneering a specific approach to marketing or revolutionizing a specific industry, mention this. You should also talk about the company’s values and how they align with your own. For example, if you have an entrepreneurial spirit and you want to work alongside others with the same drive, it’s important to highlight this in your answer. By demonstrating how your skills, interests and values align with the company you want to work for, you’re likely to impress the interviewer and get one step closer to landing the job.

Pro Tip: Doing your research on the firm you’re interviewing with is extremely important. You can do this by attending company info sessions on campus (if they’re offered) and by visiting the company’s website to learn more about their work and what they value. When preparing for your interview, focus on the aspects that really resonate with you and refer to those in your answers.

Case Interview Questions

The case interview is the counterpart to the fit interview and it’s designed to test your problem-solving ability. During this part of the interview, you’re likely to encounter questions that focus on your ability to assess a situation and provide a structured, solution-focused answer. The types of case interview questions you’re likely to encounter include:

Market-sizing questions

Market-sizing questions (also known as guesstimate questions) are designed to challenge your ability to come up with reasonable assumptions and estimations in situations where you have limited information. Questions can include things like, “How many wheelchairs are purchased annually in the U.S.?” or “How many people wear green on any given day in New York City?” To answer market-sizing questions, it’s important to ask relevant follow-up questions to gather additional information. Once you have all of the facts related to the case, you should come up with an answer that shows that you’ve considered the different factors at play in determining the size of the market (e.g. groups of people who are likely to be wheelchair users, age demographics, etc.) and then deliver the answer in a structured way, explaining your thought process along the way.

Pro Tip: Treating each case as a presentation is a great way to ensure that you’re structuring your answer in a clear and engaging way. In order to do this, you should sketch out your approach on a sheet of paper, explaining the different factors, the assumptions your draw from them and your answer.

Segmentation questions

Segmentation questions typically follow on from market-sizing questions and are focused on testing your understanding of more detailed market segments. Going back to the wheelchair example in the previous case, a segmentation follow-up question could be, “What are the different segments of the wheelchair market in the U.S.?” To answer this question effectively, it’s important to once again ask the interviewer questions designed to further your understanding of the case. For example, you can ask whether you should consider manual and electric wheelchairs separately or whether different types of healthcare facilities would constitute different segments. Once you’ve gathered the data, come up with a structured answer focused on three different segments of the market (in this case, those segments could be hospitals, healthcare facilities and personal users). When explaining your answer, be sure to touch on each of these segments and to explain the thought process behind each one.

Data analysis questions

Analyzing and summarizing data is a big part of a consultant’s day-to-day tasks, and data analysis questions are designed to test your ability to do this effectively. These questions typically involve being presented with data and asked to identify key insights related to business growth or market size. In order come up with a great answer, it’s important to analyze the various aspects of the data you’re presented with and to identify unusual or unexpected trends such price changes or sharp increases or decreases in sales. Once you’ve identified these insights, lay them out for the interviewer as you would in a presentation, referring to the original data for emphasis.

Value proposition questions

Being able to determine the value of a business is an extremely important part of being a consultant and value proposition questions are designed to test your understanding of this concept. An example of a value proposition question might be: “The client is a restaurant in San Francisco. Their main customers are locals from the Bay area. What are some factors that those customers look for in a restaurant?” To answer this question effectively, it’s important to first identify the different factors at play (type of food, location, price, etc.) and then come up with an answer based on how each of those factors would affect what customers look for in a restaurant. When presenting your answer, be sure to lay out the different factors you’ve outlined in a structured way, while explaining how each one impacts the overall value proposition of the restaurant.

Although consulting interviews often involve several different types of questions, the key to doing well is always the same: practice. Work with classmates and friends to run through fit and case interview questions and come prepared with relevant answers to questions you’re likely to encounter. Most of all, try to relax and enjoy the interview process.

Working in management consulting is a wonderful opportunity to learn about various types of businesses and to help companies reach their goals. And although interviewing for a management consulting role might seem a bit intimidating at first, by knowing what to expect and practicing for each part of the interview, you’ll be able to prove that you’re a great fit for the role and that you would be an asset to the company.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as Top 10 Things You Should Look For in a Company and find answers to common interview questions such as Tell Me About Yourself.

How to Prep for a Case Interview

One of the keys to becoming a management consultant is successfully navigating the interview process. This involves being able to talk about yourself and your experience during the fit (or experience) interview and also demonstrating your problem-solving abilities and analytical skills during the case interview. Although the case interview might seem a bit intimidating at first, with a good amount of practice and a structured approach, you can ace the questions and get one step closer to landing the job.

Here are some case study interview tips to help you prepare.

1. Know what to expect from a case interview

Case interviews consist of several questions designed to test your problem-solving abilities and your analytical skills. These questions come in three formats: 1) Creative questions such as, “What are the different segments of the wheelchair market in the United States?” 2) Market-sizing questions such as, “How big is the market for eyeglasses in the U.S. this year?” and 3) Analytical questions such as, “Given this data, synthesize and determine the best approach for entering the Indian market and doubling revenue of Company X.”

While there may be some people who have a natural ability to answer these types of questions, most people need to establish a framework for solving these sorts of problems. This is where having a structured approach comes in.

Here’s how to come up with your answer:

Frameworking: Lay out a logical path to the answer by analyzing each part of the question in turn and then looking at the question as a whole. You can use specific frameworks to do this (which you can find in prep books like Case in Point), but you should keep in mind that you need to be able to adapt these frameworks to the particular question you’re answering.

Data gathering: Ask questions that will give you a better understanding of the problem and use the answers to reframe your thinking. Once you’ve obtained some additional information, repeat it back to the interviewer to make sure that you didn’t miss anything. After all of the information has been presented and you’ve asked your follow-up questions, you can ask the interviewer a final catch-all question like, “Is there anything else I should know about?” This will give the interviewer a chance to offer you any remaining information before you begin your analysis.

Pro Tip: If you’re going to make an assumption during the data gathering process, you should be explicit and tell the interviewer the exact assumption you’re making. This will show them that you’re approaching the problem thoughtfully and filling in the gaps in a strategic way.

Analysis: Once you have your framework in place and you’ve gathered the necessary data, ask the interviewer for 30 seconds to analyze the information. Then, combine this information with your own assumptions about the problem to come up with your answer. Having sheets of paper in front of you and actually drawing out slides in front of the interviewer can be especially effective here since consulting relies heavily on presentations to deliver solutions to clients. Be sure to explain every step of your analysis as you go through it since this will give the interviewer a chance to step in if you make a mistake or go the wrong way.

Recommendation: Now take the output and turn it into something actionable that the client can use, ensuring that your insights are data-driven and your assumptions are explicitly stated. For example, if you’ve discovered that a client’s product does best with a millennial consumer base and millennials are much more likely to buy these sorts of products online, your recommendation could be that the client increase their eCommerce efforts, focusing specifically on promoting their products through Amazon and Facebook.

Delivery: The way you deliver the solution is as important as the solution itself. Combining an articulate, structured, confident approach with humility is key here since you need to be able to convince the client that your solution is both solid and data-driven, while also leaving room to make adjustments as needed.

2. Practice interviewing with other people

Being able to solve problems quickly and consistently is all about practice. This is especially true because case interviews don’t test what you know, they test how you think. The most important skills to develop are mental agility and consistency, and practicing with others is the only want to ensure that you can develop these skills effectively. This is for two reasons: The first is that you’ll get feedback on different aspects of your problem-solving and communication skills and the second is that you’ll learn how to communicate your answers clearly to a broad range of people.

3. Look at everyday problems as case studies

Analyzing case studies from a book will certainly go a long way towards preparing you for the interview process but to really train your brain to think analytically and creatively all the time, it’s important to start thinking about everyday issues in the same way you would a case study. To do this, it’s not necessarily important to create real-life scenarios that relate to specific types of questions (creative, analytical or otherwise) but to practice shaping your thoughts and decisions in a very structured way. It’s important to remember that practicing for the case interview is about training your brain to think of the world at large as a problem waiting to be solved.

By knowing what to expect from the interview process and coming up with a structured approach for analyzing case studies, you’ll be sure to navigate your case interview successfully and make a great impression on the interviewer.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as 6 Things to Do in Your First Week at a New Job and find answers to common interview questions such as Are You Willing to Travel?

5 Common Case Interview Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Interviewing for a management consulting role can be a challenging and exciting process. If you’ve already read up on consulting interviews, then you know that they involve a two-part process consisting of a “fit” interview (also known as an experience interview) which focuses on your background and experience, and a case interview which focuses on your ability to solve problems creatively and effectively. And if you’re preparing for the interview process, you might be wondering not only about what you should be doing but also about what NOT to do.

Here are some of the most common case interview mistakes and tips on how to avoid them.

1. Not having pens, pencils or paper

In our technology-driven world, we usually rely on our laptops and phones to help us take notes and transmit information, but in a case interview it’s important to have pens, pencils and at least three blank sheets of paper available since you’ll be using these to map out your answers and present your solution to the interviewer. When preparing for the interview, be sure to pack a portfolio folder with spare copies of your resume (enough for each person you’ll be meeting with) a stack of blank white paper and several pens and pencils. This will help ensure that you’re able to map out your answers in a clear and impactful way.

2. Not having a structured answer

Few things are as important in consulting as having a structured answer. This is because cases are essentially problems that need to be solved. To structure your answer effectively, it’s important to understand how to create a framework and then use that framework to develop a clear and direct solution to the problem. By thinking through the problem in a focused way, you’ll be able to deliver an answer that is much more likely to resonate with the interviewer and to help you land the job.

3. Not taking time to think

Although consulting is considered an industry where you always have to think on your feet, taking the time to analyze and solve a problem carefully is incredibly important during the case interview since it will increase your chances of delivering a great solution. How much time? We recommend 30 seconds. This will give you enough time to assess the case and start formulating a solution without making you seem unprepared or unable to think on your feet.

Pro Tip: Always ask the interviewer if it’s okay to take time to think and, if you’re going to do so, be specific about how much time you need. So if you ask for 30 seconds, be sure you only take 30 seconds though it’s okay to take less time than you asked for.

4. Not preparing for the fit portion of the interview

Although the case interview might seem like the more challenging part of the interview process, it’s important to remember that both parts are equally important and that preparing for each one is key to a successful outcome. The best way to do this is by researching some of the most commonly asked fit interview questions and practicing your responses with the same structured approach you use to practice case interviews.

5. Not talking through your process

Since interviewers use case studies to understand how you think, walking the interviewer through your thought process is incredibly important. In fact, even if you deliver a solid answer during the interview you’re unlikely to be successful unless the interviewer has a sense of exactly how you arrived at that answer.

Pro Tip: Talk through each point of your answer in a detailed way, offering the interviewer an overview of the solution before breaking it down into segments and explaining how each segment contributes to the whole. This process will not only make your delivery more effective, it will also help you slow down and think about the viability of the solution as you discuss it.

Although it’s not always possible to avoid mistakes during the consulting interview process, by knowing what to watch out for, you’ll be more likely to avoid common mistakes and to ensure a successful outcome.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as 10 Tips for the Perfect Cover Letter and find answers to common interview questions such as Are You Willing to Travel?

What Types of Skills are Best for an Accounting Major?

When you’re looking at what to study in school, it’s extremely important to look at the larger skill sets you’ll need to not only complete a college major but thrive within that area of study.

If you’re looking at a degree in accounting, there are three main skills you’ll need, and some may not be what you thought.

Analytical and Quantitative Skills

Accounting is a number-heavy major that requires strength in areas like math and statistics. Being able to see and understand patterns in data and then find solutions is rooted in strong quantitative skills, so if these are areas you enjoy and are strong in, an accounting major may be up your alley. Many accounting programs require several years of different math and statistics classes, so be prepared to spend a lot of time learning those subjects.

Problem-Solving Skills

Rarely do accountants deal with numbers in a vacuum, so the most successful accounting majors will be able to apply their math and statistics skills to solving complex problems that affect organizations on a high level.

Problem-solving doesn’t just happen in your math and statistics courses, either. Many accounting programs require students to take classes in economics, business and marketing, so you’ll have to be effective at taking the numbers and using them to your advantage across different academic disciplines.

Communication Skills

There’s often a misconception that accounting majors spend all day crunching numbers, when in reality, they must also be able to communicate their findings to people from all different fields.

To be a successful accounting major, you must be able to communicate your process and findings through oral and written communication as effectively and efficiently as possible. You’ll often be asked to present projects and other findings to your professors and in front of groups of all sizes. The best accounting majors will graduate with the ability to communicate effectively to any audience.

Next, learn more about this college major such as Natural Sciences and get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as Top 20 Entry-Level Job Questions and Answers.

Investment Banking vs. Management Consulting: How to Decide

For ambitious college students who are interested in a challenging and exciting career, the choice often comes down to two industries: investment banking and management consulting. Why these industries? Beyond their high earning potential and their reputation as intriguing fields, the two share a number of traits such as the fact that they offer excellent exposure to different business models and a chance to learn about what makes companies profitable.

Here are some things to consider if you’re deciding between these two fields.

How do the investment banking and management consulting career paths compare?

Investment banking generally begins with a summer internship followed by a two-year entry-level role as a financial analyst. For those who stay in banking, this is typically followed by another two to three years as an associate before moving up the ladder to VP and managing director. Similarly, most consultants start out in a business analyst role for their first two to three years before moving on to an associate or senior consultant role.

Although the career tracks for banking and consulting follow a similar path, it’s important to note that investment bankers are much more likely to do an internship before applying for an entry-level role. This is because banks do the bulk of their recruiting during internships. Consulting firms, on the other hand, don’t put quite as much emphasis on internships, though an internship is definitely recommended for anyone interested in pursuing a consulting career.

What are the different skills you need in each industry?

The skills needed for these industries are also quite similar though there are some notable differences. For example, although both industries rely on analytical, numbers-driven approaches to problem-solving, investment banking focuses on the financial side of business and therefore requires strong Excel skills and a solid understanding of financial modeling. Consulting, on the other hand, focuses on the operational aspects of business and requires strong PowerPoint skills as well as the ability to communicate effectively.

Pro Tip: Because of the huge overlap in skillsets, we recommend focusing less on your specific skills and more on your interests. For example, if you’re interested in the financial aspects of business, then banking is probably the industry for you. On the other hand, if you’re interested in the operational side of business, then consulting is most likely a better fit.

What does work-life balance look like in these industries?

If there’s one thing consulting and banking have in common, it’s their reputation for long hours. In fact, both industries are known for having some of the hardest-working people around. So what do those hours really look like and which industry offers more of a work-life balance? It depends. Although investment banking is generally considered to have longer hours (with 75+ hour weeks being common), it typically involves very little travel. Consulting, on the other hand, generally has more reasonable hours (typically around 60 hours a week) but can involve as much as four days of weekly travel. When deciding between these industries, it’s important to determine your comfort level with traveling and also your willingness to trade shorter hours for less time at home.

How do investment banking salaries compare to consulting salaries?

Investment banking and consulting are both lucrative fields, but when it comes to earning potential (at least in the first decade), banking comes out on top. This is because entry-level salaries for management consultants typically start at $63,000 (including bonuses), whereas entry-level roles for bankers typically start at $100,000-$125,000 (including bonuses). Although significant salary increases are standard in both fields with each year of additional experience, it’s not until consultants and bankers reach partner/managing director levels that their salaries start to even out at the $500,000 and above mark.

With exciting opportunities for learning and advancement, investment banking and management consulting are both great career paths. The only way to know which one is right for you is by taking on an internship and experiencing these fields firsthand.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Write a Resume That Stands Out and find answers to common interview questions such as Tell Me About Yourself.

Why Investment Banking is a Great Field for Recent Graduates

Investment banking is a popular field for recent graduates, particularly among business and finance majors. Although it’s definitely a competitive field, a lot of its appeal comes from the fact that it’s also a field with a lot of opportunities and a high earning potential. If you’ve already gotten a general idea of what investment banking is and how you can become an investment banker, then you’re probably interested in what you can get out of it and how this can shape your career path in the long term.

Here are some of the reasons why investment banking is a great field for recent graduates.

You’ll learn a lot very quickly

Due to its fast-paced nature, investment banking offers a lot of opportunities for learning and skill building, particularly in the areas of business and finance. From the moment you start your first entry-level job (or internship) you’ll be exposed to a lot of information about financial trends and markets, as well as information about what makes businesses sustainable. Beyond that, you’ll also be able to learn soft skills like communication, self-confidence and the ability to handle critical feedback. These are skills that can take years to develop in other professional industries and learning them quickly means that you’re likely to advance much faster in your career as a result of having these experiences.

Your earning potential will be among the highest of any recent graduate

If you’ve done your research on investment banking, then you know that it’s a field with a very high earning potential. In fact, as an entry-level financial analyst, you’ll start off earning anywhere from $100,000-$125,000 (including bonuses) in your first year. After two years in a financial analyst role, your earning potential will go up to $150,000 to $250,000 and will increase significantly with each year of additional experience. By the time you become a vice president or managing director, you’ll be earning upwards of $650,000.

You’ll develop transferrable skills that you can use in any profession

Although many investment bankers choose to stay in the industry and progress through the career track from financial analyst to managing director, other bankers decide to move into related areas of finance like private hedge funds or they choose to leave finance entirely to run or advise startups. Regardless of what you decide to do later on in your career, the skills and business savvy you develop as an investment banker will help you transition into almost any other professional industry. This is great news for entrepreneurs who are interested in running their own businesses but want to build up their knowledge and skill set first.

You’ll develop a strong professional network

Having a strong professional network is incredibly important as you move through your career, and being able to build that network early on will serve you well for years to come. As an added bonus, because investment bankers often move into other fields as they advance in their careers, you’re likely to come across former colleagues no matter where you end up.

Starting an investment banking career as a recent graduate is a great way to develop general business knowledge and skills that can transfer to any other professional industry. So whether you’re a business major or a history major, there’s likely to be an entry-level opportunity that’s right for you.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Get a Mentor at Work and find answers to common interview questions such as What Are Your Strengths?

Types of Internships for Business Majors

One of the best things about being a business major is that makes you a competitive candidate in almost any professional field. But with some many fields to choose from, how do you decide what career path to take? An internship is a great way to figure this out, while also gaining significant hands-on experience.

Here are some of the most common internships for business majors:

Product marketing internship

If you’re interested in marketing and want to learn more about this field, a product marketing internship can offer you the chance to learn a lot about the field while also picking up some new skills. During this internship you’ll be learning the basics of marketing by gathering data on market trends, analyzing and interpreting product feedback and studying the marketing strategies of competitors. This is a great chance to learn how to market a product and to understand the challenges of selling a product in a competitive marketplace.

Sales and marketing internship

A sales and marketing internship is usually a role that you’ll encounter at smaller companies and startups where these roles are sometimes combined. This type of internship gives you experience with marketing but also focuses on selling a product directly to a consumer. From observing sales calls made by managers to preparing presentations for clients and assisting with new and ongoing campaigns, this internship will give you with insights on the ups and downs of a career in sales and marketing.

Business management internship

From project management to analysis of sales, there’s a lot to learn in a business management internship. Among other things, you’ll assist with developing tools, conducting analyses and discussing business strategy with the team. But your role doesn’t end there. In fact, because this type of internship relates to the broader needs of a business in general, you’ll be getting an overview of what’s involved in running a business and getting a real hands-on field for everything from finance to operations.

Business consulting internship

Whether as part of a marketing, human resources, management or accounting team, business consulting interns assist business consultants in gathering data or materials for analysis and recommendations. As a business consulting intern, you’ll be sharpening your problem-solving skills and knowledge of business models, while also making an impact to the organization.

Management consulting internship

Whether you’re a management consulting intern for a consulting firm or for a financial services organization, during this internship you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how to research, compile and present information. You’ll also assist in implementing changes to the project or team structure. This is a great internship for someone who is interested in going into management consulting after graduation.

Business development internship

As a business development intern, you’ll assist in market research and partnership development. You’ll also help to build business relationships with clients and partners and contribute to the overall growth of the organization. During this internship, you’ll learn about all the factors involved in building a successful business and get a feeling for how to run a business of your own.

Business majors are among the most sought-after candidates in any professional field. But with so many options to choose from, picking a career might seem a bit overwhelming. By taking on one or more of these internships during your time in college, you’ll be able to pick up some great skills and find a career path that’s just right for you.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as Ultimate Guide to Dealing with Multiple Internship Offers and find answers to common interview questions such as How to Answer: What Type of Environment Do You Prefer?.

Top 5 Careers in Supply Chain Management

If you’re interested in supply chain management, then you know that it’s an exciting field with plenty of career opportunities. In fact, from manufacturing to data analysis, there are very few areas of business that supply chain management doesn’t touch upon. With so many roles and career paths, finding a position that matches your interests and experience might seem a bit overwhelming. But with a little bit of research and a clear understanding of the field, it’s possible to find a role that will be a great fit for you.

Here are the top five careers in supply chain management.

1. Manufacturing

Since supply chains begin with the process of manufacturing and end with getting the product into the hands of the consumer, manufacturing jobs are among the most important in the field. One of the most popular roles within manufacturing is a production manager, a position that oversees the manufacture of products in a plant. Among other duties, production managers are responsible for coordinating production schedules, determining how long the manufacturing process of a product will take and keeping track of the inventory of finished products. In addition to more senior roles like this one, manufacturing also has great entry-level opportunities such as that of a materials analyst who keeps track of inventory or a materials scheduler who coordinating materials with productions schedules.

2. Data analysis

Data management is another key component in supply chains and being able to analyze and understand this data helps supply chains work efficiently. “If you like playing with data, you could be a data analyst, data acquisition engineer, data manager, data administrator or statistician,” explains Dr. Cynthia Kalina-Kaminsky, the president of Process & Strategy Solutions and an expert on supply chains. In fact, according to Dr. Kalina-Kaminsky, data analysis and management is one of the most popular career options within supply chain management since all of the processes involved in serving consumers have to be data-driven to be effective.

3. Procurement

Another supply chain career path with a lot of opportunities is procurement. Focusing primarily on identifying and purchasing the raw materials needed to create products, procurement is a key part of what keeps supply chains going. Among the entry-level opportunities in procurement are positions like procurement analyst and procurement officer, roles that focus on one specific aspect of purchasing. At the more senior level, there are purchasing managers who oversee the purchasing decisions for an entire organization.

4. Transportation

Getting products into the hands of consumers is the main goal of a supply chain. And meeting that goal would not be possible without transportation. As a result, there are many exciting career opportunities related to transportation including entry-level roles like a transportation analyst or logistics analyst and more senior roles like being a transportation manager. Although there is certainly some variation in the responsibilities of these positions, they all have one primary focus: getting products from the factory to the consumer.

5. Customer service

Last but not least is customer service. Always a crucial part of any interaction between a business and a consumer, customer service positions ensure that customers are satisfied with the products they receive. Like with other supply chain fields, there are many career opportunities within customer service including entry-level roles like being an account specialist at a logistics firm, working to coordinate product shipments and resolve customer issues. At the more senior level, customer service career opportunities include being a customer service manager and overseeing the satisfaction of a company’s entire client base.

Supply chains are an integral part the American economy and new supply chains and processes are being created every day. As a result, there are a lot of job opportunities available in each of the five major fields (and beyond). Not sure how to determine which opportunity is right for you? “Pick an area of supply chain that interests you and read up on it,” Dr. Kalina-Kaminsky advises. And once you’ve done that, consider taking on an internship to get a hands-on feel for what supply chain management really looks like.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as 7 Phone Interview Tips That Will Land You a Second Interview and find answers to common interview questions such as Why Do You Want to Work Here?

How to Start a Supply Chain Management Career

If you’re interested in logistics and operations, chances are you’ve come across the concept of a supply chain. What is a supply chain? It’s a series of processes that takes a product from the manufacturing plant to the consumer. This can apply to anything from clothing to electronics. In order for supply chains to function properly, they require management and operational support. To find out more about supply chain management and how to start a supply chain management career, we sat down with Dr. Cynthia Kalina-Kaminsky, the president of Process & Strategy Solutions.

Here’s what you need to know to start a career in supply chain management.

Pick an area of supply chain management that interests you.

Because supply chains involve so many moving pieces, being able to focus in on one specific element of the supply chain is key to finding a position that will be a good fit for you. “Pick an area of supply chain that interests you and begin to read up on it,” Dr. Kalina-Kaminsky suggests. This will give a feel for that particular area, while also helping you to determine whether it’s something that you want to pursue.

Do your research.

Once you’ve narrowed down your focus, do some research on your chosen area. “Read blogs, take classes and engage in discussions in person as well as online,” Dr. Kalina-Kaminsky says. Getting a full picture of the work involved while also building your communication skills will go a long way towards making you a competitive candidate in the field.

Find your niche.

Although knowing the ins and outs of the field you want to enter is a crucial part of starting a career in supply chain management, it’s also important to figure out your niche and work on carving out a position for yourself. “Dig to figure out what is valued,” Dr. Kalina-Kaminsky explains. “Figure out how you can fill a niche, and go for it.” By determining what gaps you can fill, you’ll be more likely to show potential employers that you’ve thought carefully about your chosen career and that you’re looking to add value to an organization.

Demonstrate your value.

Once you’ve figured out your niche, the next step is to demonstrate your value. This is one of the keys to getting hired in any industry but it’s especially important in an industry like supply chain which relies heavily on strategy. What’s the best way to demonstrate value? By showing that you have what it takes to get the job done. “Managers often hope to find those who can a) communicate with other professionals effectively, b) make decisions using data analysis, and c) understand the ‘big’ picture,” Dr. Kalina-Kaminsky explains. In fact, by being able to show that you have a clear understanding of the processes required to keep the supply chain functioning and suggesting ways that those processes can be tweaked to improve operations, you’ll be able to convince potential hiring managers that you can face challenges head-on and be a valuable asset to an organization.

Supply chain management is an exciting field with plenty of opportunities for recent grads who are interested in logistics and operations. And because of its broad scope, there are many areas that could fit your interests. In order to figure out if a supply chain management career is right for you, it’s important to find an area that interests you and to find a way to stand out from the crowd. By doing your research and demonstrating your value, you’ll be sure to impress potential employers and find a role that fits you.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How Do I Get a Job in Another City or State? and find answers to common interview questions such as Tell Me About a Time You Made a Mistake.

Career Opportunities for Marketing Majors

A degree in marketing opens up a lot of exciting career opportunities in fields like public relations, consulting and sales. In fact, because of the broad range of the skills you’ll develop as a marketing major, you’ll be able to add value to almost any industry, a great position to be in when it comes to finding a career that’s right for you.

Some of the most common career fields for marketing majors include:

Marketing

From designing marketing campaigns focused on boosting the public profile of a certain brand to crafting engaging social media posts that will resonate with an audience, a career in marketing will give you a chance to apply the skills you learned during your major while simultaneously developing your knowledge of media trends and marketing strategies. And because there are many different kinds of marketing—such as brand marketing, content marketing and product marketing—you’ll be able to specialize in an area that really interests you.

Public Relations

Public relations is another popular field for marketing majors. Focused on helping a company or individual develop their brand identity while also generating buzz around that brand, public relations is all about storytelling and it’s a wonderful opportunity to combine your knowledge of marketing with your sense of creativity.

Sales

Working in sales will give you the opportunity to engage with customers directly, offering them the solutions they need to solve a particular problem while also making the most of the skills you developed as part of your major. A great way to apply your marketing knowledge in a hands-on way, sales is a natural fit for marketing majors who enjoy a client-facing role.

Consulting

From identifying a particular business problem to offering a creative solution, consulting offers marketing majors a chance to help companies approach their marketing challenges in an analytical and creative way. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to help clients create robust marketing campaigns that will increase their brand presence and their revenue.

Product Management

Another possible career path for marketing majors is product management. This involves managing the lifecycle of a particular product and being involved in key areas of development and marketing. As a product manager, you’ll be responsible for everything from creating a roadmap for the product to designing a marketing plan and forecasting the outcome of those efforts.

Whether it’s exploring exciting opportunities within the marketing or public relations industries or helping consulting clients design effective marketing campaigns, being a marketing major can open a lot of different doors when it comes to your career. The best way to find your unique career path is to take on an internship and get a hands-on feel for a role that interests you.

Next, learn more about this college major such as What is a Marketing Major and is it Right for Me? and get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as 6 Ways to Impress Your New Boss.