4 Jobs in 6 Years - Address in Optional Essay?

Question

As always, any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

I am working on essays for round 2 and wondering how best to use the optional essay. One area in my application that may need explaining would be my resume - I will have had 4 jobs in my 6 years of work experience at matriculation. I am currently a middle market private equity associate, and most people with a similar profile will be applying with a junior year IB internship, 2 years of I-banking experience as an analyst (likely at a well known firm) and 2 years in private equity. My work history looks like this:

Nearly 2 years in a corporate finance role with a well known financial services firm (interned with the same company)
Less than a year at a relatively unknown investment bank (which has since gone out of business)
1.5 years at a different investment bank (40 bankers; known regionally but not a brand name). Promoted to Associate ~4 months prior to leaving.
2 years in middle market private equity at a pretty well known firm.

Had I decided middle market PE was the end goal while a sophomore in college, things would have been much easier. I think I have a good story for each job move. I have been a top performer in each role and spent significant time outside the office to improve my skill set (CFA, financial modeling), which has allowed me to move into increasingly competitive roles.

Would this be worthwhile addressing in the optional essay or would it be self-explanatory reviewing my resume?

If I do elect to cover it in the optional essay, should the focus be on my unique experience/maturity resulting from the non-traditional job track, or should the focus be explaining why I didn't just follow the typical path (frankly, the reason is that didn't know what I wanted to do as an undergrad).

Thanks,
BIG

PuzzleChampion · Answer

I've had 3 jobs in 4.5 years. I'm also very interested in knowing about this.

I was at the federal government for almost three years (2 years 9 months), then switched to an energy consulting gig for only a year and a half, and now work at a utility. My utility job is great, but this isn't what I would like to be doing with my career right now (I've been planning on B-School for a while). I only switched out of consulting because my company was going under/not getting clients. They announced a salary freeze and downsizing only a month after I left. Should I explain this?

PersonalMBACoach · Answer

Most applications ask you for the reason for leaving each job, so usually you can indicate it there in the experience section without the need to use the optional essay.

dtse86 · Answer

I don't think it would hurt to have your story in the optional essay if you really think it's something that needs to be addressed. However, the reasons for transitioning from one job to another will definitely be something that needs to be consistent and fluid when it comes to the interview. You should have a logical flow that is honest and reasonable. I have a similar conundrum and even though I'm already in business school, this concern continues forward in recruiting. If you think about it from the employer's perspective, I'd be concerned about this individual's commitment to their work and the firm if they're already looking for their next job based on past work history. Hiring people is a big investment of time and money on the employer's part. I strongly feel that ultimately, if you have excellent explanations for each move and are honest, you should be ok. Just be prepared to defend or explain your story deeper in order to mitigate any of their (adcoms or employers) concerns.

BeerIsGood · Answer

This is extremely helpful. Thank you for your input!

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

I don't think it really needs to be worth mentioning outside of the in-application responses. Especially since the rationale seems clear and nothing out of the ordinary. I think this is more important during the interview process both for b-school and to an even greater extent during the recruiting process. So make sure your rationale is sound and has a tight flow and you should be ok here. But these are more likely places where this would come up

VeritasPrepMike · Answer

Agree, don't think you need to do an optional essay for this. In my opinion too many people use the optional essay for things that are relatively minor. I think it makes you look a bit weaker. That you think something is odd about moving to each of those new jobs. Hopefully the progression is clear on your resume and you have a good story you can tell.

4 Jobs in 6 Years - Address in Optional Essay?

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