Partner Sites


Logo BusinessBecause - The business school voice
mobile search icon

Big Data – Why Should MBAs Care?

Recruiters are beginning to use Big Data models to analyse candidate profiles - what can they discover about you?

Wed Jul 10 2013

BusinessBecause
© treenabeena
Worrying about that photo on your Facebook profile after one too many drinks? Regretting that offensive Tweet you sent? You probably should. Big data - or simply large sets of personal collated data - is changing the nature of recruitment and it is big business. It will change the way you think about your online interactions. And it is the future, according to Mithun Sridharan, Consulting Partner at pliXos GmbH and an ESMT MBA.
 
“In the past, many decisions were made based on instinct and experience,” he said. “As the world moves rapidly and customer tastes evolve faster, data-driven decision making is increasingly gaining importance.”
 
Rather than relying solely on a rigorous interview process and data derived from your reume, employers are able to ‘mine’ through deep reserves of information, including those of your online footprint. Some human resources departments use this data to shape their hiring process. All of which means you may not get a chance to flash your winning smile or display your charming personality to a hiring manager. Instead, an opinion on whether you are suitable for a job could be made without you ever talking to the recruiter.
 
A host of new data-driven recrutiment products are popping up, such as Entelo, software launched by UCLA MBA Jon Bischke last year that allows HR managers to run mass searches on candidates for IT jobs - including 'passive' people who are not actively job hunting.
 
Similarly, the online recruitment giant, LinkedIn, has a busy team of data scientists building segementation and targeting tools for recruiters to access 'passive' candidates and mine information quickly from the LinkedIn treasure trove.
 
Last month Brenda Dietrich, IBM Fellow and Vice President in the IBM Research Divisions, told Business Insider how they’re utilizing big data to efficiently manage the size of their workforce.
 
“[We can ask] six months from now, do we have enough java programmers in Bangalore, enough [technicians] in Utah, enough database administrators in Zurich? We can [then] start hiring and training in advance,” she said.
 
A team of IBM data scientists mash together workforce numbers (employees) and billed projects (revenue) to forecast future hiring needs. No doubt they're using big data methods to hire and screen candidates too!
 
Francine Bennett, CEO and co-founder of Mastodon C, an agile big data specialists, argues that big data makes for more effective recruitment.
 
“There is a lot of data available online about every individual, as well as in their CVs,” she said. “It would be interesting to see if collecting that data and then building models which compare the CV and online data to their eventual success in being hired or not, and how their new bosses evaluate them, could be really powerful.
 
With the use of big data on the rise, Mithun agrees with the benefits on offer to recruiters. “Traditionally, recruiters had to manually sift through tones of candidate profiles. This is a daunting task,” he said. “Big data and analytics automates these tasks and allows a comprehensive evaluation of a candidate's capabilities and helps avoid recruitment faux pas by providing objective benchmarks of an applicant's candidature.”
 
There is no doubting these are powerful tools. But one of the problems with using vast amounts of data when selecting prospective job candidates is that it takes away the human element of human resources. 
 
Big data has provoked debate among leading MBA institutions. The McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University recently held a conference to debate big data in March this year. They invited faculty members, students and busines executives from the US to talk about ways to incorporate big data in clasrooms (a video of the conference can be accessed here).
 
The fear is that companies will hire people based on their statistics rather than on their talent or potential. But Francine dismisses that notion.
 
“I don’t think that’s fair,” she said. “Data should always complement the experts who add a human element – it should take away the boring or inefficient parts of their jobs and give them predictions to support their human judgment. But of course, an individual can’t be purely summed-up based on their data alone.”
 
But surely some of this data is private, you might ask. How can MBAs protect their personal data from prejudicing hiring managers against them?  
 
“Don’t put things online that you don’t want used,” she says, bluntly. “Make profiles private if they don’t relate to work. If data hasn’t been released then hiring managers can’t use it.”
 
Mithun also has no sympathy for job-seekers who have embarrassing private information in public, either. “Embarrassing private information should not exist in the public domain in the first place,” he added. “An act of leaving compromising information in a public, easy to access place on the Internet demonstrates a lack of judgment, seriousness, levity and lack of attention, even to one's own private confidential information. So, a hiring manager is justified in deciding against the candidate.”
 
There are clearly advantages to recruiters using big data, and in particular users’ Internet data. And while the process is changing the recruitment process in some segments of the business sector, fears still remain about how fair it may be in practice. Whether you agree with it or not, though, big data is coming. Due diligence in your online interactions will go a long way to shaping your digital footprint because, as Mithun says, “the internet's memory lives long and does not fade quickly or easily.”

Student Reviews

ESMT Berlin

Prithivi

Verified

29/04/2019

On Campus

Well qualified professors and great connectons with the industry

Well structured programs, great facilities and very good career development team. The alumni relations with the school are great and well maintained and fostered. Overall a great school right in the middle of Berlin.

Yannick

Verified

14/10/2024

On Campus

Memorable college life

The European School of Management and Technology creates a remarkable setting where students can excel. I admire this school for its dynamic community, which is filled with enthusiasm, pride, and countless opportunities. The campus, with its rich history and traditions, is truly beautiful, and the spirited atmosphere is invigorating. The social life and events on campus are fantastic, allowing for friendship and connections among students. Although the academics can be tough, they are incredibly beneficial and worthwhile. The encouraging faculty and involved student body foster meaningful connections and lasting friendships.

Student

Verified

5/11/2024

On Campus

Enjoy every moment

The European School of Management and Technology has completely exceeded my expectations. I was blown away by the quality of education here and how much I have learned in such a short amount of time. Every class is made incredibly exciting by the passionate and knowledgeable professors who go above and beyond to ensure that we are fully engaged and learning. I never thought I would enjoy studying so much, but thanks to this school, I am constantly motivated and eager to learn more. The hands-on approach to learning and the challenging yet supportive environment have truly made my educational experience here far better than I could have ever imagined.

Student

Verified

5/11/2024

On Campus

Bringing excitement to the class

Studying at the European School of Management and Technology has exceeded all my expectations. I thought I was just signing up for a solid business education, but what I got was so much more. Every class is dynamic, with professors who are not just academics but actual leaders in their fields, bringing real-world case studies and fresh insights into every discussion. They make even complex topics exciting and easy to understand by linking theory to what’s happening right now in the global business world. The interactive approach, combined with a diverse group of classmates, makes every class feel like a new challenge and opportunity. I never imagined learning could be this engaging and inspiring.

Student

Verified

5/11/2024

On Campus

Impressed by quality

ESMT Berlin has been a revelation! I was drawn to its top-tier rankings and location in Germany's vibrant capital, but the experience has shattered my expectations. The education here is exceptionally practical, with professors who are renowned experts and industry veterans. Each class is a high-energy, interactive session that tackles real-world challenges, from strategic innovation to digital transformation. I'm constantly impressed by the diversity of perspectives and expertise among my classmates, who hail from over 50 countries. ESMT's focus on leadership development, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility resonates deeply with me.

Student

Verified

8/11/2024

On Campus

Better education

I cannot believe how amazing my experience at the European School of Management and Technology is! I was initially hesitant about going to a business school, but ESMT has exceeded all my expectations. The professors here are not just knowledgeable, but they are passionate about their subjects and make every class exciting and engaging. The education I am receiving here is far better than what I thought it would be, and I am constantly challenged and motivated to learn more. I am so grateful to be a part of such a prestigious and dynamic institution. ESMT truly lives up to its reputation as one of the top business schools in Europe.

Student

Verified

13/11/2024

On Campus

Exceptional experience with supportive professors

My time here's has been truly exceptional. The professors are supportive and welcoming, creating an ideal learning environment. Various campus activities cater to diverse interests, and hands-on experiences prepare students for their future careers. One area for improvement is the dining options, but overall, I've thoroughly enjoyed my experience.

RECAPTHA :

9c

73

b3

4a