Hello WSO Readers,
Just wondering what is the minimum amount of time you should stay at your first entry level job before looking for other jobs? I don't want to quit my first entry level job and have other recruiters thinking I'm job-hopping.
Is 1-2 years the usual guideline to stay before moving on? What's your take? Anyone here landed their next job after only 6-12 months in their first?
Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.
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If you have a more enticing/lucrative offer, jump. But, jumping too many times is viewed negatively to employers.
I believe it takes at least 6 months after coming into an entry level role that you have a true grasp of what the role entails and more likely a year to be truly efficient at all the aspects. This obviously varies depending on the role and industry ( in house vs. IB vs. consulting etc.)
Unless you have a compelling offer on the table I would stay at least a full year on the low end. Two years would be better. Traditionally, if you are progressing in your career correctly and making smart job switches as you move up the ladder you should be spending more years in a given role. This is because you see it more as a destination than a stop on the path.
Leaving first job (Originally Posted: 10/22/2011)
I graduated this past May and am currently working in the consulting division of a Big 4. Not to sound cliche, but to make a long story short I went through the interview process looking to get into banking, specifically M&A. My interviews went well, but when it came to the final rounds I was not convincing enough to prove to the MD's with whom I spoke that though I did not have any banking internships on my resume or a finance background, I was still the best candidate. As a backup I applied to my current job and wound up taking it over some other options. However, in a twist of fate it turns out I really enjoy consulting. My question for you all today is at what point can one (generally) move onto bigger and better things. Now that I am firmly in the world of consulting (or at least till my MBA) I realize that I would like to do more pure strategy and less of the implementation work that the BIG 4 are known for. I had a 3.7 at a top target school and M&A consulting internships. At what point can I move from my current firm without burning bridges too badly? I understand that it is harder to "move up" in consulting than banking, but feel safe saying had I applied to MBB the first time around I would at least have been in the range of desirable candidates (not saying I would have gotten the job, just in the range).
Before I thank you in advance, let me say two things. One, I only want to move up and don't view many firms outside of MBB or Booz as an upgrade. Two, please don't post that's it's physically impossible to move up from the lowly ranks of non-MBB because that's simply false, I have friends who have done it, my bigger question is focused on time needed to move on from one's first job.
As always, thanks in advance.
Isnt the general consensus on this 18-24 months?
I left my first firm after three months. No big deal as far as any of my colleagues are concerned.
I'd say at least a year in. Though you do see people moving out of jobs in 6 mths - but I wouldn't expect that they were planning to maintain good relations after the move anyway.
If you try to interview too soon, some firms may question why you want to leave Big 4 that quickly and wonder about your standing there.
You should definitely keep your eyes and ears to the ground way before the 1-yr mark though, because you really don't know when consulting jobs with the mbb's would become available. It would take some time to network your way in.
The problem is you'll likely need to get into MBB's formal recruiting process. Very few analyst hires are made "off cycle." This process is already well underway fornthis fall. You can try to get into the process this fall, but may be challenging.
If you are off cycle, the only way to get in is to apply for an office that is trying to grow rapidly. They are the only offices that haves a need to hire off cycle, because the rest jog the offices will fulfill their recruitment requirements from undergrad. The timing for off cycle re ruining is poor, because the economic uncertainty is reducing recruiting targets.
Finally, you'll need to network like crazy. The only way to lateral into MBB from another consulting firm is to have someone inside MBB promoting you. Also, if you are trying to go off cycle, you will need an insider to give you insight on which offices are trying to grow.
Overall, you're right, it is possible to lateral in. However, it is very challenging, especially off cycle. You may be too late for this fall's cycle, but could potentially get into the process. Either way, you will need to have contacts on the inside to support your candidacy.
Good luck.
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