HBS in 3 years: Google or PE ?

Hi guys,

I am having two offers: 1 is for a Google sale support function in Asia, and 1 is for junior analyst gig at a PE fund in London (~200M).

My goal is to get into HBS in 3-4 years, and I have already got pretty good leadership experience. The PE pays very low (~ $50k) and they do more public deals than PE deals, but I'll get a lot of exposure (they also sponsor CFA/CIMA). Google is Google.

So, what offer do you think I should take, given my goal? I'm indifferent between finance and tech.

Thanks a lot.

 
Best Response

What do you mean with "sale support function" at google? If it is pure sales, you can consider it. If it is just some reporting function for the sales workforce and distributors, even if Google is Google, it is not a very strong experience IMO. If that is the case, I would go with the PE job since: 1) it is a front office job and not a "support" role; 2) you can have the chance to move into a bigger fund (1-5 bln) in a couple of year before applying.

Another thing you want to consider is diversity: where have you been growing up and studying? If you are asian and you studied in Asia or USA, spending time in UK will enhance your international profile more than working in your home country (the opposite is true if you are british). Also, you should consider who is going to write your rec letters for HBS. If the PE shop has very experienced people or former business schools students, you should keep it in mind and compare it with the people that will help you at google (will you work directly, semi-directly with top google people in Asia or you will be 5/6 steps below to the local area CFO?).

It is not that simple. Also keep in mind that you go to business school to get a job and not just to say that you are going to HBS. If you are aiming PE long run, you should go to PE now since it is very difficult to get it out of HBS with no previous buy side experiences.

I'm grateful that I have two middle fingers, I only wish I had more.
 

What are your long-term goals?

I think some people here feel that anything is open to them after graduating from HBS. That may be the case, but you have to have something in mind, correct?

 

It's hard to predict where either gig will go. Google employees often switch roles every couple of years so where you start may not be where you are by the time you apply to b-school in several years. I don't know much about PE career progression but I'm sure that the job you take now will also evolve over time. My advice is to worry less about which job will get you into HBS (no job guarantees you an admit to HBS) I'd figure out which job helps you reach your long term goals better. Hopefully that will be the one you're more interested in and at which you'll excel. That's the best way to be competitive for HBS admissions.

 

A sales support role is not going to get your into HBS... Wouldn't put too much weight in the name, but rather in the experience. The first poster is wrong about perception of PE experience and those being the only names that would differentiate you. I would take the PE offer... If you do go with the Google gig it is critical that you demonstrate upward career trajectory by getting promoted and managing people.

 
rufiolove:

A sales support role is not going to get your into HBS... Wouldn't put too much weight in the name, but rather in the experience. The first poster is wrong about perception of PE experience and those being the only names that would differentiate you. I would take the PE offer... If you do go with the Google gig it is critical that you demonstrate upward career trajectory by getting promoted and managing people.

I respectfully disagree. I have quite a few friends in what would be considered crappy roles at Google, and they've had no issues getting into M7 MBA programs. I think the problem is that adcoms don't realize what a good role at Google is compared to a crappy one. Truth be told, it is hard to tell, even for me - both because Google's role titles make no sense ("Strategic Supreme Ruler of Strategy - Ad Operations" - tongue-in-cheek, but seriously, they're ridiculous), and because online advertising isn't a particularly simple industry if you aren't familiar with it. As far as back-officey roles go, Google's place very well in top MBAs.

 

Some good advice here. Unfortunately, neither of those gigs will make you competitive for HBS alone. You'll need to rely on other aspects of your profile to differentiate yourself. In fact, I'd argue that a sales support function for any organization will actually prevent you from getting into HBS. Where you work only matters in conjunction with WHAT you are doing for that company. You can spice up your job responsibilities to some degree in your resume / essays, but if you aren't getting promotions nor paid as much as your peers at the same organization, it is a dead giveaway that you are not in a very competitive position. When it comes to HBS admissions, Google is NOT Google.

Based on this, I think you should take the PE firm. As long as it is a front office position and you excel, you will still be in the running for a spot at HBS. I don't think this is the case for the support role at Google.

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 

Et quo vel voluptatum modi exercitationem. Consequatur aut ullam impedit necessitatibus. Sunt nobis sed deleniti ab possimus facilis ad. Sed eos ut eum quo nulla. Hic sit voluptas quis similique. Omnis eos excepturi excepturi voluptates facilis ea.

"For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Bloody Mary full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen."

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”