Navigating the admissions process for a top-tier business school can be daunting. In this episode of the In The Know podcast, Jennifer Luo (Senior Director of Recruitment) and Larry Medina (Associate Director of Admissions) go behind the scenes of the INSEAD one-year MBA programme application journey to demystify standard testing requirements.

They address the common anxiety surrounding the GMAT and GREs by explaining how the Admissions Committee evaluates your scores within a holistic framework. The discussion highlights why candidates should not wait for a perfect GMAT or GRE score to apply, how strong professional experience can mitigate lower test results and why the video interview and personal essays are often the most critical components in showcasing your true potential for the one-year MBA programme.

0:00 Introduction 1:22 The testing anxiety 3:21 Defining holistic admissions 5:01 The role of standardised tests 6:31 Recommended ranges 7:50 Case studies: Success with low scores 8:39 Retaking the exam 9:13 Mitigating low verbal scores 11:18 Video interview tips 12:58 The optional essay 14:30 Lowest scores ever admitted 15:42 When to start your application 16:50 Business foundations safety net 17:38 Final advice and closing

Applying for jobs has never been easier, but standing out in today’s global hiring market has never been more challenging.

In this episode, Christine Manipur, Associate Director of INSEAD MBA Product Marketing, speaks with Rhoda Yap, Executive Director of the INSEAD Career Development Centre, to explore how hiring decisions are really made in an increasingly competitive and AI-driven recruitment landscape. Together, they unpack the INSEAD MATCH Framework, a research-backed career strategy framework designed to help MBA students, professionals and career switchers make more intentional and effective career moves.

Whether you are pursuing a career pivot, exploring international job opportunities, navigating MBA recruitment or adapting to changing hiring trends, this conversation offers practical insights into how employers assess talent, leadership potential and market fit in today’s evolving global economy.

• The signalling paradox: Why AI-generated resumes create hiring "noise" and how professionals can use AI tools strategically for augmentation rather than delegation
• The INSEAD MATCH Framework: A breakdown of the five pillars shaping modern career strategy: Mobility, Adaptability, Total Rewards & Culture, Competitive Positioning and Hiring Windows
• Agile career execution: Why successful career pivots require adaptability, self-awareness and the ability to respond to changing market realities
• How MBA students and professionals can move beyond being "career tourists" and navigate a rapidly evolving global job market

0:00 - Introduction: Welcome to In The Know by INSEAD 0:25 - Meet Rhoda Yap: From law and consulting to the Career Development Centre 2:25 - The "oracle of careers" myth: Why self-mastery is the core of career progress 3:41 - The reality of modern transitions: Shooting a moving target while riding a horse 4:31 - The AI "noise" problem: How Gen AI has lowered application costs but complicated hiring 5:50 - Signalling: Why the best candidate doesn't always get the job 7:24 - Introducing the INSEAD MATCH framework 8:42 - Navigating mobility and work authorisation in a shifting geopolitical landscape 10:41 - Beyond the "volume game": Using AI for strategic research and sector credibility 15:32 - Breaking down the MATCH framework: From adaptability to competitive positioning 22:09 - The power of storytelling: How to communicate signals that matter to employers 22:50 - The Hiring Window: Understanding timing, alignment and market realities 26:07 - Using the framework if you feel "stuck" 27:32 - Human vs algorithm: Why you shouldn't surrender career ownership to technology 28:44 - Advice for prospective students: Reflection before the big investment

How is INSEAD reshaping executive education for a world where senior leaders need both global exposure and greater flexibility?

In this episode of In The Know, we speak with Anne Bresman, Senior Director for Degree programmes, and Daniella Wagner, Director of Recruitment and Business Development for Executive MBAs. Together, they break down how the GEMBA Flex format blends in-person learning with virtual and asynchronous components, creating a pathway for high-potential executives who previously could not commit to a fully in-person programme.

0:00 – Introduction and episode overview

1:25 – Who the GEMBA is for

1:41 – Global structure across three regions and Flex

2:51 – Cohort diversity and participant profile

3:36 – What candidates seek in an Executive MBA

4:45 – Global campuses and formats for busy executives

7:59 – One global cohort: electives and networking

10:43 – Choosing your section and planning mobility

13:08 – Why INSEAD created GEMBA Flex

15:20 – How GEMBA Flex works in practice

18:54 – Flex benefits, time on campus and participant stories

21:06 – Anne’s advice for prospective GEMBA participants

25:43 – Navigating the admissions process

28:05 – Ideal candidate profiles and support from the recruitment team