New Delhi, August 22, 2026: What if preparing students for careers is not about teaching them where to find the next opportunity, but helping them develop the ability to create one? “Don’t Wait to Be Hired: Build Your Career Before Your First Job,” an HR Roundtable organised by Fortune Institute of International Business (FIIB), New Delhi, on August 21, 2026, at the FIIB Auditorium. Bringing together senior HR and talent acquisition leaders from Trinamix, Compass Group, Bharti Care, BCG and Zepto, the roundtable explored how employability is changing and what it takes for students and young professionals to become visible, relevant and valuable even before they formally enter the recruitment process.
As AI, professional networks and changing organisational expectations reshape the way talent is discovered and assessed, the traditional approach to employability is facing a fundamental question: Is waiting for the right job opportunity still enough to build a career? A fresh perspective that addressed the question on every student’s mind came from Dr. Richa Mishra, HR Head, Bharti Care, who shared a sharp insight: “Do the right thing at the right time, and the right thing will happen to you at the right time. What sets exceptional performers apart is their attitude, presence, and willingness to contribute. Don’t just ask what an organisation can offer you instead focus on the value you can bring to it.”
From “Give Me a Fish” to “Teach Me How to Fish”
At FIIB, the conversation connected directly with the institution’s “How to Fish” philosophy. The philosophy represents a fundamental shift in how students are prepared for the world of work. Instead of simply helping students access opportunities, FIIB focuses on developing the ability to recognise opportunities, create value, build relationships and navigate unfamiliar situations independently. In the context of careers, this means moving beyond the conventional cycle of preparing a résumé, applying for jobs and waiting for an interview.
Representing the student voice, Laiba Arzoo, PGDM first-year student and panel participant, keenly directed the roundtable conversation towards the questions that matter most to students preparing for the job market. She engaged HR and talent acquisition leaders on “which certifications and internships truly add value and what makes a candidate stand out when several students have similar internship experiences and learning”. She also discussed whether the skills and insights gained during an MBA continue to hold relevance three years into a professional career.
What Does the Industry Look for Before the Job Application?
The HR leaders reflected on several questions around the future of talent assessment, including what distinguishes candidates who demonstrate initiative before recruitment begins, how students can build professional visibility authentically, and the role of networking, digital presence, portfolios and live projects in demonstrating capability.
The conversation also explored how organisations can engage with individuals who proactively identify problems and create value, and what business schools can do differently to develop opportunity creators rather than opportunity seekers.
The Industry Perspective: What Key Takeaways MBA Students Gained
- Employability goes beyond the resume
Industry leaders emphasised that hiring decisions are shaped by much more than academic credentials or certifications. Attitude, body language, authenticity, and the ability to demonstrate what you can bring to an organisation can often distinguish an exceptional performer from the average candidate.
“Don’t think only about what you will get from the organisation. Think about what you are going to give to the organisation.” — Dr. Richa Mishara, Head HR – Bharti Care
- Internships, Certifications matter, but context matters more
With several candidates often bringing similar internships, skills and certifications to the table, the differentiator lies in how well they can connect their learning to the role and organisation. Students were encouraged to understand the industry they want to build their careers in and consciously align their skills and experiences with it.
“Internships open the door, AI sharpens the edge, certifications build credibility, and the right company background gives you direction. Together, they turn a fresher from just a candidate into someone who knows where to apply and what to aim for.” – Swapnil Shendage, Global TA Leader – Trinamix
- For aspiring HR professionals, Active Listening is a non-negotiable
The conversation also brought the human side of HR into focus. Students aspiring to enter the field were encouraged to become active listeners, understand people before making assumptions, and recognise that effective HR begins with empathy and attention.
“Don’t just run after opportunities expecting to claim a big prize; listen actively, understand the people behind the roles, and pay attention to the ethos and values a company stands for. In HR, it’s not just about finding the right opportunity—it’s about finding the right people, the right culture, and the right fit.” — Vinay Mathur, Zonal Head (HR)-Zepto
- Become AI-enabled, not AI-dependent
Now that AI is a part of every conversation, it is becoming more important now than ever for soon-to-be graduates to utilise AI as an asset to enable their unique skillsets. The ability to adapt to technological change while retaining independent thinking and judgement will remain critical.
By bringing educators and HR leaders into the same conversation, FIIB created an opportunity to examine not just what companies hire for today, but what students need to develop to create value tomorrow.
Mohit Kharbanda, Senior HR Manager-BCG, summed up the discussion with a simple reminder: “You may not always have the right answer, but honesty and a thoughtful perspective always matter.” The two-year MBA journey, he emphasised, should never be taken casually. Every day brings new learning, experiences and insights that can help students discover not just the right role, but the right direction for their careers.
The Final Takeaway –
The panelists collectively highlighted that the future of employability will be shaped by adaptability, authenticity, and intentional career choices. With the rapid evolution of the Corporate World, students must be willing to learn, unlearn, and navigate change while staying honest about what they know and do not know. The conversation ultimately reinforced a simple idea: a career cannot always be built by waiting for the right opportunity to arrive. Sometimes, students need to know how to create the opportunity themselves. And that is what FIIB’s “How to Fish” philosophy seeks to prepare them for.
Leave a comment