Administrative employees provide business owners and companies with the correct skills, and professional training necessary in order to be solely responsible for the day-to-day duties required to ensure a company is run in the most successful manner.

An online business administration course provides interested candidates with an easy and effective way in which to learn these highly demanded and sought after skills in a low-pressure learning environment. One of the many benefits of completing an online course is the ability to study at your own pace and allocated time, while having direct access to key teachers who are highly experienced and knowledgeable in the subject of business administration to ensure the success of their students. The student centred teaching approach adapts to the specific needs and requirements of those studying. For those not in the main centres where education institutions are located, or whom have specific responsibilities that limit the time they can dedicate to full time study, online courses provide the perfect medium for further education.

The successful completion of a business administration online course will give interested individuals the opportunity to put their training into practise in a work place setting. Formal qualifications resulting from the completion of a business administration online course will allow graduate students to successfully apply for a range of employment openings within the industry. These skills are interchangeable throughout a number of job roles, which are highly sought after both nationally and internationally, enabling successful candidates who have completed such a course to apply for an ever increasing number of available positions. Much of these skills revolve around the process of organisation, time management, and also the general way in which to undertake daily business operations from an administrative perspective that also aligns with the overall goals and needs of the company of employment.

Business administration online courses provide individuals with a large range of career prospects that allow them to grow within the industry and continue the growth within their own personal career journey. Training of this nature provides an individual with a competitive advantage during the job application and interview process, strongly setting them apart from other applicants that do not have the same level of training afforded to them. Business administration online courses are a way in which these key skills can be learned in a positive, encouraging and supportive environment.

An MBA can be a good route into a consulting firm as an associate. Associates receive training and on-the-job apprenticeship at many of the big firms. Associates are the ones performing background research and analysis. Combining problem solving skills and technical experience is common for associates. Well-performing associates then often receive promotions after a few years of experience. However, to succeed as a consultant, experience is what counts.

While many consultants entered firms such as McKinsey holding MBA degrees, not everyone who consults has an MBA. While education is important, it does not solve complex problems the same way experience does. Those serving as consultants rarely go to business school to get the job. On the other hand, consultants with years of real-world experience sometimes go back to get their MBA degrees. Why? For one, holding an MBA commissions a higher salary. MBA degrees combined with real-world experience bring together the best of both situations.

Someone with five or ten years of experience and an MBA degree is more capable of handling complex projects and has more tools at her disposal than someone with either the experience or the MBA. Second, the MBA degree helps garner respect from those not familiar with a consultant's experience or industry. When a new client or firm sees the combination of experience and degree, it helps build their confidence. An example of a place where having an MBA in addition to experience helps is when applying to a consultancy like McKinsey & Company. When hiring, McKinsey looks for strength in four areas: Problem solving, achieving, personal impact, and leadership. Holding an MBA helps with problem solving skills, and can help with personal impact (especially if service projects or volunteer work was completed).

Experience is irreplaceable and demonstrates a history of achieving and leadership positions. Some companies, like BCG, will sponsor high performing associates wanting to pursue MBA degrees. This is a valuable option for those wishing to pursue an MBA, but who aren't sure how the degree will be paid for.

The downside is that many experienced consultants apply to top MBA programs. While employment at a top management consulting firm is helpful, those who are self-employed, or who work at smaller consultancies must work hard to make themselves stand out. Having a specific focus, leadership experience, and clear goals all are helpful.

Moreover, if you are self-employed, be sure to write detailed accounts of whom your clients were and how you served them. This demonstrates to employers that you were employed. If deciding to obtain an MBA is on the table, be sure to study for the GMAT and carefully research prospective schools (and the companies recruiting from those schools). Carefully construct the application and essay. Make sure you recognize, going into an MBA program that it is a demanding career move and a large financial investment and plan accordingly. While an MBA degree is not necessary for a management consultant, obtaining an MBA can help your prospects of finding gainful employment-especially when combined with industry or consulting experience.

Raj Modi, founder of StrategyExpert.com - the online resource for consulting tools, tips and advice

http://www.strategyexpert.com

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Nearly every year, the number of students applying to graduate MBA programs increases. The more applicants, the more competitive the business school admissions process becomes. And in turn, GMAT scores get more important.

Thus, students spend more time and money on GMAT preparation in hopes of gaining acceptance to the business school of their choice. There are hundreds of books and websites available to help students preparing on their own, but the traditional method of GMAT preparation is the in-person classroom course.

Several companies offer such courses. Most prominent among them are Kaplan, The Princeton Review, and Manhattan GMAT. Classes usually involve between 8 and 12 sessions, spread over 4 to 8 weeks. Class sizes are usually kept small, and most of these companies include course materials, such as books and online practice tests.

When shopping around for a GMAT prep class, the first thing that strikes most students is the price. Some courses are well over $2,000, and most classes are at least $1,000. Business school admissions are crucial to career development, but is a prep course really worth that much? It depends on the student.

Dozens of companies, including the three I've already mentioned, make some or all of their course materials available to students who do not sign up for the full classroom course. Thus, you can get a Kaplan GMAT book for $20 or so and learn much of what you would in the classroom. Whatever the benefits of a course, they must go beyond the content of the materials, since you don't need the course to get the materials.

All of these companies advertise the expertise of their teachers. Each firm has different standards for GMAT instructors, and even within each firm, the quality of teaching varies tremendously. While Manhattan GMAT has a reputation for fantastic instructors and The Princeton Review does not, you can find some excellent teachers at The Princeton Review and some mediocre ones working for Manhattan GMAT.

A great teacher can make a big difference in a student's quest for a high GMAT score, but as we've seen, it's tough to know what you're getting when you fork over your $2,000.

The most valuable, and predictable, benefit of a classroom course is the enforced schedule and homework. If you study on your own, it's easy to take a week or two off, promising yourself you'll make up the work later. If you have a class every Wednesday night, you're more likely to find time to do the work just to keep up. That may sound like a silly reason to spend thousands of dollars, but for some students with busy schedules, it is very valuable indeed.

But, of course, spending $2,000 on a prep course is easier for some students than it is for others. If it is a significant financial burden, I don't recommend signing up for a course. There are many great resources available for $50 or less; if you are particularly resourceful, you can prepare for the GMAT without spending a dime.

Ultimately, the value of a GMAT prep course depends on the individual student. Some people can afford and benefit tremendously from the experience. Others should stay away. When making the decision for yourself, consider whether you can afford a course, and whether the advantages of a skilled instructor and an enforced schedule are worth the money.

Jeff Sackmann is the author of Total GMAT Math, Total GMAT Verbal, GMAT 111, Total GRE Math, and a variety of other test-prep resources. He also created and posts free material at the GMAT Hacks website. He has been helping students prepare for the GMAT and apply to business school since 2000.

In his books, Jeff focuses two things: building solid content knowledge and providing extremely realistic practice material. Unlike many other resources on the market, his practice problems are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing, meaning that you are that much more prepared for the GMAT before you sit for the exam.

When he is not writing about standardized tests, you can often find Jeff on a tennis court or running through the streets of New York City, training for his next marathon

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GMAT or Graduate Management Admission Test is a prerequisite for admission to any prestigious business school. With increasing number of applications received by top business schools, the only way to ensure admission is to secure a high GMAT score. Therefore, whether you are taking the GMAT test for the first time or trying to raise your previous score, it is recommended that you join a GMAT Prep course.

Before you join a course, it is important to find a course that meets your needs. You have to keep in mind both your learning style and your time schedule before you choose a course. Many companies offer traditional school style classroom instructions. However, this may not be a practical choice if you are a working person or if the centre is too far away from where you stay. One of the best ways to take a GMAT course is to identify a good online GMAT Prep course.

The GMAT exam requires strong language skills along with good mathematical expertise. Many students who take the test are bogged down by the syllabi and the complex level of conceptual ability that is required for a good GMAT score. Thus they become stressed out and are unable to perform well during their exams. Keeping this in view, it is important to select a GMAT Prep course online that has an easy course structure and materials. The course itself should be designed to accommodate the needs of working individuals, so that you can access your online GMAT Prep course any time you wish. Many online companies offer easy to learn audio and video clips that make it easy and interesting to learn for GMAT. You should always choose a course that allows you to repeat the course content as many times as you want. Exposure to a number of practice tests before the real test will equip you with important exam management and answering skills.

Some of the best online GMAT Prep courses offer you CDs that allow you to enjoy a private tutoring environment right from the comfort of your home. A good company will also provide 24/7 offline and online support so that you can get your queries resolved without delay. Some companies also provide one-to-one sessions with experienced tutors who will work with you on areas that are difficult. Excellent service and total personal support from the provider are important for good GMAT scores.

Most candidates who appear for the GMAT exams are working on a very tight budget. Therefore, affordability plays an important role in choosing the right online GMAT Prep course. Many online companies offer you multiple plans that you can choose from. This makes it easy for you to choose a plan that suits your budget, test date and availability.

Finally, with thousands of candidates appearing for the GMAT exams, it is important that the online GMAT Prep course you choose provides you with important tips and tricks that will help you perform well in the exam. These strategies may seem irrelevant on the face of it. But, come exam time, and these tips may very well give you a much-needed edge over your competitors.

Get into top colleges with the help of TestCircle.com easy to follow GMAT practice tests and free sample videos online.

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