Expected Job change during application cycle

Question

My company is undergoing restructuring, and many roles are being eliminated. I am being offered a new role that is in the office (3 hours away) when I originally hired as remote. I don’t think I can do this commute every day. I’m considering staying on as a consultant to finish out my projects, but am looking for a new job as well in the meantime.

All to say - how transparent should I be with the adcom about my situation? I am about to submit my applications, so will be in my role for at least 2-4 weeks longer, then will stay on as a consultant.

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Admissionado · Answer

navysurfboard :

Tough call. I don't blame you for not wanting to commute 3 hours!

Is your title actually changing or is your status changing from "full-time" to "consultant" (or something like that?) If your status is changing but title is effectively the same/unchanged, then just note on your resume that you are still there as if nothing has been modified. Business schools don't really care for that level of detail. They are more interested in what you are doing functionally and where you are employed.

If your status and title have changed officially, then you can also indicate that on your resume. In the optional essay for each school, briefly note that your change of status was due to the restructuring and you not wanting to commute 3 hours to maintain your current role. That seems totally normal and reasonable. That you will remain employed is a boon for you as you enter the application process where you want as little disruption as possible.

-Admissionado

navysurfboard · Answer

Admissionado 
Thanks for the detailed response. My status will change from full time employee to contractor, but I will retain my title and continue the projects I had previously started. I will have more free time as I will be working on an as needed basis for my projects. I am thinking about spending that added free time volunteering and / or doing an internship in my desired post-MBA field given that if I do gain admissions, I will only have about a year in a new role. Should I be transparent about all of this, since my workload at my current company will change as a result of my new status?

Admissionado · Answer

navysurfboard : From an admissions perspective, an internship might actually work against you. It'll make it seem like your full-time job is not that serious or time-consuming, even as a contractor. If you agree, you could always do the internship (to prepare you for your post-MBA career) but not disclose it in your application. Based on what you have told me, I don't think you necessarily need to include this transfer in status in your application. I think it just adds a layer of complication since it's not like you haven't been in this full-time role before. In your essays and resume, you would focus on your accomplishments and responsibilities from the perspective of being a full-time employee. This seems more like a technicality and not a full-scale change. The only issue would be if your recommenders (presumably from this current company) mention it in their letters. There doesn't seem to be any need from them to do so since it seems irrelevant to your qualifications on the job, but you probably want to make sure just so you're all aligned on the strategy with them moving forward. Good luck. If you're like to bring us on as a consultancy, please reach out for a free consultation! https://admissionado.com/free-consultation/

SLevy2015 · Answer

Admissionado  I could really use similar advice, if you'd be willing to share your thoughts! As some quick background, I'm a 25 year old from the Caribbean working at a Fortune 500 in Chicago in corporate finance. I have 3 years of solid work experience (though no direct managerial experience), scored a 730 on my GMAT (Q47 / V44), 3.89 undergrad GPA from a non-target school, and have decent extra curricular both during and post-undergrad.

The situation is that I applied to three schools in Rd 1 (Booth, CBS, Wharton) and was denied from two and waitlisted at Booth. Whilst doing these apps I received a unique job offer that would pay significantly more (40% raise) and allow me to gain more leadership experience (through increased stakeholder management, though still no direct reports). However, this new role is more of a mix of corporate / strategic finance and in a weird/niche industry (lawn care), and does not really relate to my long term goals in terms of industry/job function (energy & IB). P.S. I've also applied to NYU and Berkeley in Rd 2 and will throw a dart at HBS / Stanford just for heck of it.

I'm wondering what to do at this point given that I tried to leverage the job offer for a raise at my current company but they said they wouldn't be able to match. So 1) they're now aware of this potential move, and 2) if I stay and get accepted to B-school I would still be leaving in ~6 months, which might put a bad taste in my manager's mouth given they're not aware of the b-school move either. Any advice/thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!

Admissionado · Answer

SLevy2015 :

It depends on what you are trying to optimize.

If the new job is to increase your pay and gain managerial experience, then you should take it. Right now, you have no b-school acceptance in hand so you might have to assume you are not getting one this year. It looks like it's going to be another very competitive year and while you smartly applied to other schools for R2, nothing is a guarantee.

If the job is to increase your chances of getting in as a reapplicant, then it might be slightly more difficult because it complicates the story. Side note: there are no prerequisites for banking so you don't have to worry about recruiting for that role if you do get into school and decide to pursue that path.

As for your current company, that's a tough situation now that the cat's out of the bag. My best advice is to try to be as upfront as possible at this point. Since they know you're on the move, you might as well work with them to smooth things over and promise a good transition. They may be grateful to have the support and advanced notice of your eventual departure so they can plan accordingly. I'm not sure you're going to be able to delay this other offer to figure out the results of R2, so you might have to keep recruiting on the side just to hedge.

Fingers crossed that it all works out as you wish,
Admissionado

Expected Job change during application cycle

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