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"As companies find themselves swarmed with applicants, struggling to match workers with the right skills to job openings, many are turning to virtual career fairs. Employers say these online forums-accessed by companies and job seekers from anywhere in the world-can save them time and money, as well as broaden the candidate pool. Companies are turning to virtual career fairs as they find themselves swarmed with applicants and struggling to match workers to job openings. When participants log into a virtual fair, they can access a variety of "booths" organized by company name or job field. In the booths, they find information about the company and positions available. Sometimes there are videos or live, one-on-one chats with recruiters or even high-level executives. Candidates learn about fairs through the company's website, social-networking services such as Facebook and Twitter, or word of mouth. Procter & Gamble Co. and Citigroup Inc. customize their own company-specific virtual career fairs. Other firms, such as Boeing Co. and insurer Progressive Corp., join broad-based virtual career fairs hosted by companies like jobs sites Monster.com, which is owned by Monster Worldwide Inc., and Brazen Careerist Inc. The group fairs host anywhere from a handful to hundreds of companies."

MBA students looking for a job may want to investigate to see if the companies they are interested in are holding virtual job fairs. However, one person's comment suggests that job fairs of any kind are a waste.

"Workplace mentors used to be older and higher up the ranks than their mentees. Not anymore. In an effort to school senior executives in technology, social media and the latest workplace trends, many businesses are pairing upper management with younger employees in a practice known as reverse mentoring. The trend is taking off at a range of companies, from tech to advertising. "

"Late December brings thoughts of Santa and snowmen. And for many M.B.A. hopefuls, significant stress [Tuck] Tuck School of Business . Harvard Business School, University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and other top business schools in coming days will inform applicants of their first-round admissions decisions. A lucky few (roughly 14%-20% for Wharton and 12% for HBS, based on last year's numbers) will receive letters of acceptance, but others who are waitlisted or rejected must scramble to meet later deadlines at other schools or gear up to try again next year. "

This article may be of interest to MBA students.

"Nearly 100 innovative entrepreneurs and executives were interviewed by Jeff Dyer, a business-school professor at Brigham Young University, Hal Gregersen, a leadership professor at the business school INSEAD, and Clayton M. Christensen, a Harvard Business School professor, to see what makes them tick. The professors' conclusion: In order to "think different," you have to act different."

"Innovators aren't exceptional as much as they are confident. So says David Kelley, the founder of the venerable Palo Alto, Calif., design firm IDEO. 2011 Winners Gold: Cellular Dynamics International Makes Heart Cells-Billions of Them Silver: Joule Unlimited Forges a Faster Path to Biofuels Bronze: IBM's Watson Adds Innovation Award to Quiz-Show Win And the Rest of the Winners Are... More in Technology Innovation Awards How to Innovate More? Past Winners: Where Are They Now? Read the complete report . Mr. Kelley, whose company is responsible for designing a wide range of products and services, including the modern computer mouse, believes-and research suggests-that virtually everyone has the capacity to innovate. It's just that somewhere around the fourth grade most of us stop thinking of ourselves as creative, he says, so our ability to innovate atrophies."

"Here's a pop quiz: What foods are best to eat before a high-stakes test? When is the best time to review the toughest material? A growing body of research on the best study techniques offers some answers. With test-taking season upon us, Sue Shellenbarger on Lunch Break looks at the latest findings from the science of studying. For students approaching SAT/ACTs, midterms and finals, which memory tricks work best and does cramming help? Chiefly, testing yourself repeatedly before an exam teaches the brain to retrieve and apply knowledge from memory. The method is more effective than re-reading a textbook, says Jeffrey Karpicke, an assistant professor of psychological sciences at Purdue University. If you are facing a test on the digestive system, he says, practice explaining how it works from start to finish, rather than studying a list of its parts. "

What is the best way for an MBA student to study? This article may be helpful for MBA students that are having a difficult time studying. The article is not directed to MBA students, however there are some useful tips.

"Most people assume being good-looking gives you a career boost. But just how much does it help? A lot. Good-looking people charm interviewers, get hired faster, are more likely to make more sales and get more raises. Daniel Hamermesh, an economics professor at the University of Texas in Austin, measures out the benefits in his book, "Beauty Pays: Why Attractive People Are More Successful." According to his research, attractive people are likely to earn an average of 3% to 4% more than a person with below-average looks. That adds up to $230,000 more over a lifetime for the typical good-looking person, Dr. Hamermesh estimates. Even an average-looking worker is likely to make $140,000 more over a lifetime than an ugly worker. We asked Dr. Hamermesh to discuss his findings. Edited excerpts follow:"

What does this mean for an MBA student? Perhaps a little "dress for success" training is in order.