What makes GE attractive to MBAs is that the company operates in such a wide range of businesses. MBAs can be placed into oil & gas, healthcare, transportation and finance industries; GE is one of the biggest conglomerates in the world. In short, they cater for even the most diverse career paths.
There are many leadership programs out there, but what makes GE's unique is that they aim for 100 per cent placement. Of the 100 or so candidates that enter the program each year, every single one is given every opportunity to stay with the company and launch a career there.
The programs Global Recruiting Director, Chris Thomas, spoke to BusinessBecause a year ago about what MBAs can expect to get from a career with GE. But things have changed since then.
In this exclusive interview, Chris explains why their recruitment process has changed to an on-campus focus, what European business schools they typically hire from, and how you can utilize your MBA alumni to land a job with the company.
If you seek a permanent corporate career post-MBA, look no further than GE.
What qualities do you look for in a strong MBA candidate?
Five to eight year's work experience in sales, marketing or a customer facing role is preferable. We want an individual who is experienced and who has had successes in sales and marketing in the past.
Other desirable qualities are leadership - whether in school, on the job or in the community - displayed not just in a job title but through initiative as well.
Analytical skills are also huge for us. You will have to learn information quickly and be able to analyze that to make recommendations, or to put a project together.
Is a marketing or sales background essential?
Experience in those functions is really necessary. But that's not to say that if someone had another background, like consulting, we wouldn't take them on. We've found that particular transition has been pretty smooth for some individuals.
How many candidates do you take on each year - and how many are offered permanent jobs?
We take from 85 to 130 per year, depending on the year.
We shoot for 100 per cent placement at the end of the two year program, because once we've brought them on we want to commit to them starting a career at GE.
Of course you will have those individuals either who were not the right fit or weren't performing. But as far as job opportunity, as long as you perform and you are contributing value, there will be a job for you.
Do you have any tips for the interview process?
Be prepared. I think I'm always impressed with those individuals that not only have done their research, but who have proactively reached out via career services or friends.
It's a good idea to find out if someone you know is affiliated with GE, to understand the culture. But more specifically for the ECLP, if they've reached out to a current ECLP or an ECLP alumni, they will understand the flavor of being on program and can see if it's the right fit for them.
So are MBA alumni an advantage?
Absolutely. For them, it helps in the decision making process because we're interviewing them to see if they are the right fit. For the strongest candidates, we want to see them interview us; to see if GE it the right fit for them too.
Why do MBAs fit into GE so well?
I think MBAs have the broad managerial problem-solving and analytical skill-set that can navigate all of the problem-solution projects that we may face.
So with the program being a three to eight month rotation, we've found that MBAs have the skill-sets to approach a wide array of projects from a multiple functional standpoint, as opposed to just being skewed to a finance or accounting specific approach.
They tend to be better communicators; not only understanding or analyzing a problem and coming up with a solution, but being able to pitch it, sell it, and build interest.
What areas of businesses can MBAs expect to be placed into?
It's company-wide so you'll be in whatever business you're doing the full two-year program with.
98 per cent of the time, the off-program role will be the same business area you completed the ECLP in. MBAs will have the flexibility within a business, but as far as jumping between GE entities, that is less frequent.
Are there business schools that you take from on a regular basis?
INSEAD, LBS, IESE and HEC Paris: those are the four we've partnered with for the last two years for our Europe hires. We have really changed our approach to have more of an on-campus presence.
In Europe, we usually just did presentations before, but now we go back on campus to do the first-round interview. We also partner with some student organizations to build the brand.
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