Job Hopping before MBA

Hello,

I am currently a credit analyst at a nonbank financing company. I took this role because I was interested in working with financial statements and making credit decisions for a company.

The company just downsized and reduced 10% of the workforce. All my other jobs I've held since college (3 in total, including this job) I've stayed a year or less. I've been working here for six months.

I had an interview at a state/government position as a "survivor benefits/retirement analyst". The pay may be a little bit more with more job security. However, my main goal is to get into a top 25 MBA and transition into consulting or working for a Fortune 500 company, applying next year or the year after. I was wondering if you think switching jobs will hurt my chances.

Also, what else can one do to beef up ones resume. I've been looking at volunteering at some nonprofits and playing around with starting my own business, maybe some sort of brokerage business (how would they look at a startup project such as this? )

Thanks all C

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Wow. Four jobs in less than four years. Unless you have a REALLY good story to explain the transitions (and more money/better benefits doesn't count) then yes, it will definitely impact your resume. I assume you weren't promoted at any of these roles?

Right now, based on this small amount of information, I doubt any top school would give you a look. I would not focus your time overly much on extracurriculars. What you need to show is that you can focus on your career, that you have a plan that you're working towards and, most importantly, that you have promotion potential (WITHOUT leaving a company). Top MBA's want to hire people who will land amazing jobs after school, and top firms will be hesitant to hire someone at $120k+ who has never seen a promotion in their life.

That being said, the retirement benefits analyst position is not attractive enough to leave your current role for - it would create another resume bump, which does not move your towards having a good resume for business school. Very few people in local/state gov't can get into a top business school (I don't know any). State dept/white house/congressional work tend to be the best options, or something finance related (treasury etc).

 

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