Are you struggling with post-MBA career goals in your application? Top business schools are looking for well-researched and realistic career goals. But exactly how can you do this? Especially when you're strapped for time?

Steve Dalton, Senior Associate Director of the Career Management Center at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and author of the 2 Hour Job Search, joined the show this week to share his systematic formula to efficiently and effectively target potential employers and secure the first interview.

Steve has delivered 2 Hour Job Search workshops to over 20 business schools, and his process is now part of the Fuqua MBA curriculum. I am a huge fan of the book and think it's a must read for not only MBAs, but MBA applicants as well. You'll also get a sneak peek of the strategic and tactical career guidance you'll get at a bschool like Fuqua.

In this episode you'll learn:

How to rig the job search in your favor and avoid artificial desperationHow to generate a list of 40 target employers in 40 minutesThe 3 pieces of data that are both easy to find and predictive of job search successSteve's LAMP method for prioritizing which employers to targetWhy systematically building internal referrals at your target employers is the key to securing interviews in the online eraHow to focus on "boosters" (people willing to help) vs. "obligates" or "curmudgeons"How to prepare for informational interviews - whether for job searches or MBA programsHow to answer common interview questions like "Tell me about yourself" and "Why this MBA program?"The TIARA framework to systematically build likeability with strangersWhat Steve advises Fuqua MBAs to succeed in their job searchesAnd much, much more...

Don't miss this episode if you're planning your post-MBA career goals or looking to change jobs.