Changing Jobs 12-16 months before MBA

Question

I'm considering applying this coming fall to a August/September 2015 start at a top 10 american MBA program. I'm considering changing jobs in the next 6-10 weeks and am wondering how this would impact my chances of getting into a good program.

I'm currently working at a tier 1.5 management consulting firm and have been working there since I graduated in 2011. I have been promoted once and am expecting another promotion in October. Through several projects, I developed an interest in healthcare and have been pursuing more project work in that area. Unfortunately, while my firm does have a strong healthcare practice, most of our work intersects retail (like pharmacies) or manufacturing/ supply chain and the opportunities to get the kind of work that I am interested in (more on the provider side). Additionally, the firm is going through a bit of culture transformation following a management shakeup and turnover has been exceptionally high this year. Frankly, I'm also just done with traveling Monday-Thursday. These factors have made me consider making a move before applying.

I'm considering moving into healthcare industry and taking up a strategy position in a local hospital network. I have several other job leads, and all of them relate to health in some way. Most of them are title/responsibility upgrades, but likely pay downgrades. I've asked a few people in my network about potential moving (but, as you can imagine, the number of opinions I can get are limited), and have gotten mixed feedback. Some feel it will signal career confusion while others say it will help me broaden my experiences and differentiate me from other management consultants, especially since among MC candidates, I am not an ultra-top performer from a top firm.

Thanks in advance for your input!

- GMAT: 750 (Q50, V41, AWA6.0)
- GPA: 3.4 in Commerce and Finance (Top Canadian school)
- EC's: Student gov. president during undergrad, currently lead a volunteer consulting group supporting local not-for-profit organizations

AlexMBAApply · Answer

You need to make your job/career decisions irrespective of b-school admissions. In other words, don't let some gatekeepers (adcoms) dictate what your job choices should be. It's YOUR career, not theirs.

Put it this way. At any b-school there's a lot of industry folks who were ex-consultants (i.e. worked at a consulting firm before moving into some industry position before applying to b-school). Likewise, there's also a lot of consultants who went straight into b-school. Neither one is seen as "better" from an adcom's perspective. It's about individual circumstances, and what is best for YOU.

Again, if you feel your current job situation isn't what you want anymore, and there's other opportunities out there that seem more compelling to you - go for it. Make the jump. Because that is your *current* situation, right now. B-school may or may not be in the cards for you (you may get in and decide not to go, or you don't get in at all) and that decision is still quite a ways away. Especially for someone who is in his/her early to mid-20s -- a lot can change in 1-2 years in terms of your opportunities, perspectives, opinions, etc.

far257 · Answer

Thank you for your reply!

B-school is obviously not the only reason why I would/would not change jobs. However, the net effect on how an adcom would view my application is one data-point that I would like to consider when making this decision.

I suppose I should refine me question: all else being equal, would moving jobs have a net positive or net negative impact on my application, and what is the rough magnitude of that impact?

Admissionado · Answer

I totally agree with Alex here. I understand your desire to change this decision into a data point to analyse it, but if it were that easy, you probably would have figured it out already! I mean, if you have concrete offers with job titles, esponsibilites and numbers attached to them, then it maybe becomes a bit easier to evaluate the advantages of choice A over choice B. But here, there are soooo many factors at stake, personal like professional, that it's a toss-up. And hence the great idea of choosing what you choose based on your life. From an AdCom perspective, it won't seem wishy-washy at all if you make a change into Healthcare, not unless you write in your goals that you want to get into consulting

That would seem a bit odd. But changing careers is your choice. But as for which is better? Too hard to say. You seem a bit fed up with your job, and what would be the percentage improvement in your work success if you are more satisfied?

See what I mean? Kinda of hard to figure out. Maybe if you write here again when you get those first concrete offers in healthcare, then maybe it'll be a bit easier to think this through with you. But let's say this: for the moment, both options seem pretty good. JF

AlexMBAApply · Answer

Again, I think you're framing the question incorrectly.

As I mentioned before (and as Jon alluded to) -- there isn't a categorically better option. It's not categorically positive or negative, because even from an adcom's perspective, that's not how they will look at it. Furthermore, adcoms are *people* evaluating applicants in a subjective manner (there's no "Bible" where every adcom has to obey for stuff like this) and as such each individual adcom will have varying opinions about YOUR case, regardless of whether you move or not. Ultimately, what adcoms want are applicants who are talented, accomplished and who show potential for leadership in the workplace (i.e. potential to be a great boss to work for someday) - and whether that happens because of a job change or not is as individual as the person.

That's why in thinking about your career options, the only person you should be considering is YOU. If you do what's best for you, then the rest will follow.

starry9 · Answer

I think this was the topic I was looking for. Hoping for some advice.

I was working at a company for 3 and half years. And now I have received a job offer from a startup company which is in line with my goals for MBA. I am rather excited to take it up in terms of the role on offer, even though salary hike is marginal. Nonetheless, my biggest worry is that I will start the new job in January 2015 and if I apply in R1 in 2015- I am unsure how my experience of 7-8 months at the new firm would be regarded by the B schools? I definitely want to apply in 2015, otherwise I would have waited another year.

Open to all views, advice and suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

CriticalSquare · Answer

Hey Starry9,

That's a great question and the answer is simple - do what's right for you. Do schools want you to be at a job for a longer time before you apply? Of course - they're selfish that way. But the fact of the matter is 7-8 months is plenty of time to line up an interesting recommender perspective and if the opportunity matches with your post-MBA goals, then it sounds like absolutely the right next step for you! (The salary bump doesn't matter)

So I think if you're passionate about the company, the work, and the role - then you should do it. Because if it makes sense for you, then you'll be able to explain that to the adcoms.

Bhavik

starry9 · Answer

Hi Bhavik.. thanks a lot for your perspective. You are right about the Bschool wanting a longer time but you are also right about whether I can justify my move. So that gives me a clearer way to think about it. Thank you!!

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CriticalSquare · Answer

Absolutely - good luck with the new job!

Changing Jobs 12-16 months before MBA

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