What is the MBA Scouting Report?
The MBA Scouting Report is an early identification tool for first year MBAs who are a good match with your hiring criteria.
 
How does it work?
You select the schools and functions (e.g., marketing students at Kellogg) and a scout will spend a minimum of one week on campus getting to know the first year students and identifying the ones that match your needs. We talk to faculty, staff, and first-year students to determine who has distinguished themselves. In mid-December, you receive a one-page write-up on the five to ten best students. You contact the students, interview them on campus or in your offices and make summer internship offers to the finalists.
 
How do we choose the schools we want scouted?
Some employers scout their target schools to ensure they connect with the strongest candidates, some scout their non-target schools where they do not have a full fledged recruiting program but find good students, some scout select schools specifically for minorities and women, some scout small schools or geographically remote schools that are difficult to visit, some scout schools with a niche expertise for hires in a small department.
 
How is this different from our on-campus recruiting program?
Because the scout spends a full week on campus, we get to know most of the first year class. You can be sure that you will interview the best students, not just the students who signed in at your presentation or whose resumes look good. We will also screen out students who do not meet your hiring criteria or are not sincerely interested in your opportunities.
 
Do companies outsource their MBA recruiting function to you?
No, we believe that hiring organizations make the best decisions on who fits and what skill set is required to be a great summer intern. You do all the interviewing and selling the students on your opportunities. We identify the students you should focus your recruiting efforts against.
 
What issues does the MBA Scouting Report solve?
Most employers interview 10 candidates for every one they hire. Ninety percent of recruiters’ effort produces no return. The MBA Scouting Report dramatically improves that ratio with clients hiring 40-50% of the candidates they interview.
 
How much does the MBA Scouting Report cost?
The fee depends upon the size of the school, but generally is the same as sending several employees to a corporate presentation. You pay a flat fee for the report. You may hire as many candidates from the report as you like and owe no additional fees.
 
How do the students feel about being scouted?
Students understand that if you are a baseball pitcher and the Yankee’s scout comes to see you, that’s a good thing. They are flattered to be scouted, pleased to be fast-tracked to a closed schedule or directly to a second round interview and excited to be considered for a position that often times is not available through the on-campus recruiting process.
 
How do the schools regard the MBA Scouting Report?
Most schools want their students to have as many opportunities as possible. Typically, we have excellent relationships with Career Services and meet with students in the Career Services offices or work through their offices. On a few campuses, we meet with students off-campus because we scout before the start of first year interviews. Because we do not formally interview students and conduct "office hours", we are generally extended the same courtesy and accommodation that is extended to the employers that we are representing.
 
Who are the scouts?
The scouts are experienced professionals who have either run an MBA recruiting program for a major employer, or were a director of an MBA career services office. They are knowledgeable about students and have experience identifying great talent.
 
Who have you scouted for and at which schools?
Our clients include American Express, Johnson & Johnson, McGraw Hill and Deutsche Bank. We have scouted at Duke, Darden, Kellogg, Stanford and Wharton.
 
What have been the results?
Clients have their highest yield per school from the MBA Scouting Report. Yields have typically been 3 to 4 students hired for every ten students interviewed. The offer accept rate averages 75%.
 
Will my competitors receive the same report with the same students?
Each report is sold exclusively by campus and function. If you contract for the Finance Report at Columbia for example, you will receive the only copy. We will generate reports for Marketing, Investment Banking, Operations, Consulting and other functions for other clients, but you will receive the only Finance Report.
 
When will I receive my MBA Scouting Report(s)?
All reports will be delivered to you by December 15. This provides you with plenty of time to contact students prior to submitting your close lists.
 
 

Questions Students Ask
 

How does the process work?
Scouts come to campus with specific employers’ job descriptions and success profiles. They will meet with first year students and gain an understanding of your accomplishments and career ambitions. Students who most closely match each employer’s criteria will be included in a Scouting Report. When the employer receives the Report, they will contact you. The next step may be a campus interview, a phone interview or an invitation to visit their offices for a day of formal interviews. The recruiting process will proceed like any other opportunity. The scout will not be involved after the Report is delivered.
 

What do I need to do?
If the scout asks to meet with you, please be prompt and come prepared to discuss your career ambitions and qualifications. While the meeting is not a formal interview, you should approach it seriously. Your flexibility in arranging a meeting time will be appreciated but do not miss class to meet with the scout.
 
Is it good to be scouted?
Absolutely. To be identified as one of the top students in your concentration can only help you. You will already stand out from other students by virtue of your selection. Just like the sports world, you want to be on the top of the scout’s list.
 
If I'm being scouted, does that limit my other options?
Not at all. Proceed with your summer job search just as you normally would. The company represented by the scout may increase your opportunities, but it does not limit you in any way.
 
Why do companies hire you?
Our clients are looking for top students for their executive track positions. They want to make sure they identify all the strongest candidates. Generally, companies ask us to scout at schools where they do not have a strong recruiting program but know there are good students. The MBA Scouting Report is an efficient way to identify top talent.
 
What information will be given to the company?
The employers are given a one-page summary of your accomplishments along with a copy of your resume.
 
Will information about me be sent to other companies?
No, we will only give information to the employer that hired us to scout at your school. In addition, we will not sell any information about you to any other individuals or organizations. You will not be solicited or spammed.
 
If I'm included in the Report, am I guaranteed a job?
Not at all. Approach the employer like you would any other and be prepared to sell yourself. You have an advantage because you were included in a Report, but you are now up against other finalists.
 
How will I know if I've been included on the list?
The company will contact you no later than the middle of December.
 
What if I don't like the job or the employer?
Don’t take it. You are under no obligation. We would encourage you to consider the opportunity because you are a good match with the employer’s success profile, but it is up to you how you want to proceed. Since you have been identified on a Scouting Report, the employer will seriously consider your qualifications and you have an advantage.