Are Distance MBA Students Unfairly Overlooked by Top Companies for Executive Roles?

Hi friends/senior,

Why don't top companies hire or give a chance to distance mode students? Even though they are equally knowledgeable as regular or full-time MBA students. Whenever top companies open a vacancy for an executive trainee, they require the desired qualification of a full-time MBA or PG. Why don't they give a chance to distance mode MBA students? Why ignore these students even though they are also eligible for the position?

Please reply.

Hello friend,

It's because they are very cautious about the candidate who is coming from a good and reputed institute. They think that only regular MBA students are eligible to be molded by them. So many are there, simply it's just their perception, yar. That's all.

It is correct that a company's mindset is often like this. However, if a candidate is truly able to showcase their talent during the interview (if they are fortunate enough to be considered), they can secure the position.

Hi friends,

I received many replies, and to some extent, they are satisfactory. However, as per Aishwarya, the top companies are looking for candidates from reputable institutes. But, dear friends, many reputable institutes also offer distance learning courses for MBA. This means that the institute's reputation may not matter to every company. So, why should anyone be discouraged? Please reply. Thank you.

Brand value gets priority. Why are big companies making a beeline for IIMs? We should not talk about the exception. Of course, it is true that full-time students acquire better academic knowledge than their counterparts in part-time programs. This is not limited to MBA but also applies to other courses like B.E., etc. Some top companies do not consider B.E. part-time candidates, even though some candidates are well-deserved.

Dear NDNISHA,

It's just your perception. Even full-time MBA students do not have any knowledge of business as well as management, but the distance learning candidates have practical knowledge and theoretical as well. Please do not think this; work on your competencies and knowledge. So, in the world, you are the best, and if they are not hiring you, they are making the biggest mistake and taking the wrong management decision.

All the best.

Hello,

It's not the mindset or anything related to it. I believe that people with an MBA in a distance education mode from good universities are given good opportunities.

However, I completely disagree with a distance mode of learning because anyone in that mode can obtain a degree, but the campus experience offers a unique interaction. You get to engage with people, collaborate on case studies, and even have interactions with industry professionals through seminars.

Nevertheless, experienced individuals with an MBA in distance education mode (from a reputable university) have a good chance of being recruited.

A full-time MBA can also be likened to a fresher, and it is only beneficial when he or she gains experience.

Comparing a fresher with full-time MBA education and a fresher with a distance education mode of learning, I believe the latter has fewer chances of securing a good job. The learning experiences are different. I hope you agree.

I know of a girl (a fresher).

She has completed her B.Com and M.Com through full-time courses this year. She also applied for an MBA and MIB (through distance education mode) and now holds four degrees (one UG and three PG). On her resume, she has listed her key skills as JAVA, C++, etc.

I feel sorry for her. She should have focused on one area and perhaps completed her distance education course after gaining some practical experience.

It is pertinent to note that whether pursuing an MBA through distance learning or in a regular program, individuals can seize opportunities if they excel in their chosen specialization.

It is not accurate to assert that distance education programs do not produce high-caliber students. Many distance education students have successfully secured positions in reputable corporations, as I have personally observed.

Even graduates from regular MBA programs sometimes struggle to secure desired placements in esteemed corporate organizations.

Therefore, it is worth mentioning that whether one opts for distance learning or a traditional course, what truly matters is the practical experience and knowledge gained.

-KB

Dear all,

One aspect that arises is that as HR managers in the organization, we should encourage those students/learners who come from a distance learning background as they possess both theoretical and practical experience. Today, we find that even the IIMs in India are offering PG and eMEP programs on the distance learning platform. I have observed that learners who join the corporate world from the distance mode are on par with the executives who have completed education in the campus mode.

Shaheed

Dear NDNISHAJI,

Love,

I remained on the interview panel for many companies, and my experience says that a degree is useful for entry only. Finally, your subject knowledge, grasping ability, intelligence, attitude, understanding, preparedness to shoulder responsibilities, leadership qualities, and hard work will speak for you, not just your degree. So, do not worry about it. If some companies have a policy to recruit only full-time MBAs, it is okay. This sentiment has developed after several bad experiences that many companies have faced. You know that in India and abroad, more than 300 universities are operating in small premises and offering MBA degrees through distance learning courses. They are simply in the business of selling degrees. In the past, many companies have had negative experiences, and as a precautionary measure, they do not consider candidates with distance learning degrees.

I suggest you focus more on your subject knowledge and other soft skill development rather than worrying about a job. Remember, the right kind of people are always in high demand.

Wish you good luck.

Best wishes,

Sharad Shah

Hi Asha,

You are missing the point. Nisha was concerned about the current recruitment trend that favors hiring or giving preference to Full-Time MBAs. Any competent recruiter would understand that distance MBAs are not typically considered by top companies; the job specifications often mention Full-Time MBA. Though Full-Time MBAs with experience may perform well in their roles, it's not a guarantee that they are as good as assumed when a company prioritizes a Full-Time MBA.

I still believe that the most effective corporate leaders and experts have developed their business acumen through hands-on experience rather than solely through business school education, where they repeatedly present and analyze case studies or rely on project reports from the internet or previous students.

Regards,
Ranjit

Dear All,

In addition to the issue raised in the discussion, I've seen many companies "discriminating" against students/trainees/freshers based on whether they come from a "patronized" or "non-patronized" institute, even though all the candidates have met the SAME eligibility criteria - GD/PI/Acad, etc. Pay and perks vary greatly in such cases, sometimes amounting to up to 100% of the CTC.

Regards,
Amit

This is very true that the candidates having professional degrees from distance education are seen as inferior. Those are lucky who get through these hurdles. I witnessed myself and a few of my friends whose resumes don't get shortlisted at the first step only because we are BCA and MCA graduates from IGNOU, an Open University, even after having sufficient experience and knowledge.

Though sometimes some companies consider us, many of them still have these biased feelings. I would like to thank those companies who don't discriminate and select candidates based solely on merit.

I would like to request those companies who continue with this kind of policy to take inspiration from other countries.

Completing degrees and diplomas from an Open University is more challenging compared to many regular professional programs, especially when I talk about IGNOU, which provides one of the best Open education systems in the country.

To those who look down on us, I would like to challenge them to try any diploma/degree or even a short-term course from IGNOU, and then they will understand the merit.

Please let me know if you need further assistance.

Hey all,

It's nice to see all your comments. My take on what I have experienced is that nowadays companies are not restricting themselves to only so-called FTMBAs. If a recruit has sufficient knowledge and expertise in his/her domain, he has a fair chance to be on board even though he might have done it through distance education mode. It depends on the type of work profile too. For example, a trainee position with no work experience required, then here an FT MBA would be preferred over a non-FTMBA.

And mind you, in the years to come, we may see a shift in our thinking.

Regards,
Jagdish Vasta

Hi Dear,

I agree with most of the answers given by our seniors, but in my view, most top MNCs want to hire candidates who have completed a full-time MBA because they assume that these employees are regular and consistent.

Distance learning programs and courses are seen as part-time commitments, merely adding another degree to the resume without clear goals or targets in life. In other words, they haven't decided what they want to do.

I may be wrong in my opinion.

Regards,
Amrish Singh Raghuwanshi
Mob. 9827071872

According to me, an MBA should be pursued by students who have at least 3-5 years of job experience. Only then can he/she visualize a career with previous practical knowledge. Students pursuing an MBA through distance learning or other modes are simply seeking degree enhancement. However, dedicating 2 years with full commitment, along with prior job experience, will lead to better management skills, which are more valuable to companies.

Regards.

Somewhere in a discussion on a similar topic, I have seen somebody mentioning that as an HR executive, top management hired him (the discussion beginner) to recruit some marketing executives. In the meantime, one of the top management persons told him to remove all the CVs of those who have completed their MBAs from DE...whatever that may be.

Now, my concern is, as I personally believe, if somebody has done an MBA from DE (they may be very talented and deserving of a better job), they will not even get an opportunity to face the interview session. How would the company know that they missed out on a very good candidate?

I am not exactly aware of the specific policies and procedures of a particular company recruiting job seekers. However, I think that job applicants should be given at least a chance to face the interview. Who knows what potential they may bring to the table?

Your best opinions would be highly appreciated.

I have been working as a marketing professional for the last 3 years almost and being a graduate, I am keen on doing an MBA. While I was planning to pursue a part-time MBA, due to the lack of good institutes, I started considering distance learning options as well.

Now I have 2 questions:

1. Part-time MBA or Distance learning MBA, which is better?
2. Distance learning MBA from IGNOU or any top B-school like FMS, NMIMS, SP Jain, or any other top B-school?

Please guide me.