Ok to switch? - Job experience before MBA applications
Hey everyone,
I'm stuck in a pretty shitty job at the moment (not challenging, and management isn't too crazy about me). Regarding work experience before business school applications, is it ok to switch out to a different employer before applying? (Currently I've been at this place for 1.25 years since December 2012, first job, I'm an engineer).
I've also heard mixed replies on how much experience I need to be competitive for applying to business schools for an MBA. Some say I'd be competitive being at 2.8 years of work experience by matriculation, and even if I were rejected, I could always reapply the following year. - Opinions? I know factors like leadership and increased responsibility help your cause, but I feel like I'm getting nowhere here at my current employer.
I'd have like 2.8 years of work experience total at matriculation if I continue working. If I manage to land a new job soon and still follow through with MBA applications this year I'd have about 1.5 years at my current place, and maybe half a year somewhere new by the time I apply for school, and a little over a year at the new employer by matriculation. Is this an OK move? Would I still be competitive? (assuming good gmat scores)
Also separate topic, how much time should you have invested in your extracurriculars before applying?
Thanks again!
2.8 years of experience at matriculation is a little on the low side, and that would mean you would be writing your essays and application with about 1.8 years of experience? I would think it would be harder to sell yourself at that time.
You will not be competitive with 3 years of shitty job experience, sub par extracurriculars (let's face it you know jack shit about ECs given your last question), and two job resignations within a year.
Also, what kind of work do you think you can get into that's better than what you do right now (pre-MBA)?
@FMoney I just answered a similar question about whether or not two years of experience is enough to get into a top-20 business school (answer: it depends), but your situation is slightly different. If you do decide to switch jobs, then I'm going to assume that you will make a halfway decent decision and choose a job that you will like more/is better for your development than your current job. If that's the case, then what is the rush to apply in the same time as you were planning if you stayed at your current employer? I totally understand being unhappy at a job, but either suck it up for another year, do really well, and apply from there, or switch jobs but delay your application process a bit.
Also, more important than what you'll say in your essays/interviews is who will write your recommendatiuons, and what they'll say. Your expected to get a recommendation from your current employer (or it's at least highly recommdned), but you'll literally have to ask someone within a few months of having been at your new job. Assuming they start on it soon, they will have very limited specifics to point to, and that will really hurt your application.
Personally, I would go to a new job that's a better fit for you, and knock it out of the park. Apply one year later, which will put you in better shape experience wise anyway for apps and recs, and you'll be in much better shape. Plus, my opinion is that switching jobs can show maturity in interviews. If you have a good reason for switching, it really resonates with people, and shows an ability to analyze a situation, network, and find a better fit. But do make sure it fits with your story and isn't simply a lateral move that's hard to explain, other than that you didn't like the previous job.
Switching jobs before MBA (Originally Posted: 10/12/2014)
Hi guys,
I am currently completing my MBA applications for R2 (2015) , both for full time and a few executive programs. I had been interviewing on and off the over the past year, and recently received an offer with another firm here in New York that would be a substantial promotion, both in salary and responsibility. It's literally a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. The role would be very much in line with my ultimate career goals as stated in my applications, so I do believe it would make me a more well rounded candidate. The downside is, I would potentially only be able to stay 10 months.
I am conflicted whether it would be detrimental to my B-School chances if I accept an offer during the application cycle. Obviously I have not been admitted anywhere yet, and it's entirely conceivable I don't get in somewhere I want to go.
Any thoughts on how I can spin this to Ad-Coms?
Take the job.
Don't put your life in a holding pattern for the sake of b-school applications. Keep in mind that each and every year, there are applicants who change their mind completely about b-school over the course of the application process to the point where they decide NOT to go after having gotten the admit. They're not the majority obviously, but it's not unusual at all. Remember that should you go to b-school, from now (Oct) it's not for almost another year before you set foot on campus. There's a lot that can happen in your life between now and then to change your perspective about b-school (or about your new job).
Do both in parallel. Take the job if it feels like a great opportunity (because it may be even better than you imagined, causing you to forgo b-school entirely), while finishing up the b-school applications.
Stop worrying about how to spin this to the adcoms. If it's a great opportunity, then it's a great opportunity.! No spin necessary.
job change one year before mba good or bad (Originally Posted: 05/23/2013)
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If the job change boosts your profile and/or makes you a more competitive candidate-which seems to be the case here-I wouldn't worry about. It might actually be a net benefit.
I changed jobs right as I was applying. It wasn't an issue for schools. Just make sure you have a good explanation for why you're changing jobs (sounds like you do) and be sure to highlight it for schools.
i think youre fine -- i think you only have to worry if you do some drastic change in your industry or job structure and then want to do another drastic change
Career change into consulting, or stay in static job before MBA? (Originally Posted: 11/02/2009)
Hi guys, I'm trying to figure out what to do to maximize my chances of getting into a top MBA program next year, and would appreciate some advice.
I'm 24 now, and will have 3 years of full-time working experience when I apply to business schools next year. I work in a fairly unique field, analyzing corporate governance at Russian companies and providing recommendations to western investors that hold stakes in these companies on how to vote their shares, which directors to support, transactions to approve, etc. Only a handful of firms do this, and ours is #1, and I'm the main Russia analyst. I want to pursue a career in management consulting in Russia after my MBA.
My current job is interesting and unique, but it A. has no room for career growth (the main drawback), and B. is not consulting.
So I'm wondering what would be better for getting into a top MBA program: 1. Stay put where I am, or 2. Try to get into consulting now, before applying for an MBA, to get a foothold in the industry, and show "growth" on my MBA app.
My thinking is that it's better to stay put and try to leverage my experience with this Russian corporate governance thing (putting me in the "oddball" pool of applicants), rather than casting myself into the middle of the highly competitive pool of "consulting" applicants, where I will not really stand out, and which does not fit with the overall Russia line I'm trying to take.
But how bad is that my job is static, from an MBA admissions perspective?
I don't see how moving into consulting now could possible detract from your applications... especially if that is your long-term goal anyhow. Like you said, at the very least it will give you a future network in the industry for you to move back into it easily after graduation. Your Russian experience will still be on your resume, no one can take that away from you.
That said, IMO you have more than enough experience already to compete at the very best schools (assuming you score well on the GMAT/GRE) so if you do not have a great opportunity to switch to consulting now, I wouldn't let it bother you too much.
To be honest, it sounds like you have a pretty interesting job - certainly moreso than the cookie cutter consulting jobs that you seem to want. I know, grass is always greener...
I'd stay put. Switching to consulting isn't really "growth" but may seem that way if you yourself perceive consulting as a step up from your current industry (which may not be what adcoms will perceive).
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