Job-Hopping

Question

Hi All! Current biglaw attorney applying to 1 M7, and 2 T15s. Plan on switching from law to Investment Banking. I have job hopped several times (COVID and family reasons), but secured a promotion and increase in pay each year. Not that it matters, but was at more prestigious firms each year. Problem is I havent spent more than 2 years in any of my jobs

I have 4 years work experience. I have solid recommenders from my current employer. I went to a T5 law school and a public ivy undergrad. 3.75+ GPA, GRE: Pending. How bad is job hopping if you're a career changer, ultimately?

MBAGuide · Answer

SunjayMihir93 No reason why admissions committees will straightaway reject a high potential law candidate who has done a good bit of job-hopping. Of course, like any other applicant, you must have a good reason why you are giving up your career in law and going to school. Surely tie your prior experience to what you want to study and do after school (IB/ a Plan B, maybe consulting). Being vivid in your explanation about your goals will have positive impact on your candidacy. Regarding job hopping, you do not want to seem directionless or someone who only runs after money and is without a meaningful vision. It would help if you constructed a compelling story that shows that each change was a strategic move to achieve your career or personal goals. Similar questions have been asked before on this platform. Hope my brief write-up (below) on this topic can guide you- There is a widespread belief that numerous job transitions indicate a weakness in the applicant's professional experience. However, this is far from reality, as we have observed over the years helping applicants with more than four job changes and employment gaps get into the top MBA schools, even in late rounds and with full-ride scholarships. I hope this example will help you to see how a lack of awareness about the application might blindside the applicant and prevent him or her from providing what the admissions committee is looking for. What applicant "A," with over four job changes, believes admissions officers will think: 1. The applicant has not shown any loyalty toward his employers. Perhaps he is too short-sighted or money-oriented or not good with people. 2. The applicant has changed several jobs; he may struggle in getting good opportunities post-MBA when recruiters see his/her job-hopping history. This is a weak point. What admissions officers really think about applicant "A''s job switches as they read through the application or when they interview him: 1. So the applicant has been in several jobs. The person may have donned multiple hats and had a variety of experiences. We look forward to learning about all the different kinds of exposure this applicant had at various jobs. Therefore, your application must be at a level where you highlight your learnings adequately. 2. Let's look at the duration of the applicant's tenure with each company. Perhaps the applicant started at an entry-level job, but given his growth mindset and ambition, he decided changing jobs was one way to mitigate stagnation. Better career prospects and a decent salary are sometimes both professional and personal needs ( and we all know this! ). 3. Let's evaluate whether the many roles this applicant did at various companies show a rational progression toward the goals he is trying to achieve in the mid to long term. Has the applicant, in his essays, addressed his thought process behind changing companies frequently? We would also ask the same during the interview. 4. Let's look at the recommendations; if the recommendations are strong and from any previous managers and supervisors, it is a sign that the applicant is on good terms with his ex-managers or senior colleagues and made highly valuable contributions irrespective of his brief tenure at the company. The supervisors from current and previous organizations have great things to say about our candidate; This assuages our concern about multiple job switches. The key to building your case for multiple job switches is to leverage your whole application to structure your career development toward the decision that has finally taken you to consider an MBA. Having many job switches is okay. However, if they have been aimless, it is a gap area. Bring onboard strong advocates from your previous organizations as recommenders, especially if you have been asked to submit more than one letter of recommendation. Some valid and plausible reasons that can further support your argument for multiple job stints might be: A. Personal reasons related to health, family emergency, and so on. B. Better job prospects elsewhere. Make sure to identify key decision factors such as a better learning and growth opportunity, compensation, leadership position, international exposure, etc. C. Laid off due to company restructuring or the company shutdown. D. Taking a break (if you had an employment gap) The employment gap is also a dreaded subject for job seekers and MBA applicants alike. Our insecurities surface when we fear being judged. But optimistically speaking, the employment gap can also be seen as an opportunity to pursue passion projects or activities that add meaning to our lives. A conviction to stay productive and learn a new skill during the break or employment gap will serve well for the MBA profile. Get personalized advice tailored to your specific situation. Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you need help navigating your unique circumstances in the B School admissions process. Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer) MBAGuideConsulting LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

TheIvyLeagueEdge · Answer

SunjayMihir93 ,
Contrary to popular beliefs, the AdComs are not Gate Keepers, looking for a reason to deny entries into the schools. Time and again, Deans & Ad Com Directors of school after school have put it down on record: what they are really looking for are reasons to select.

Given Career Goal Clarity (ambitious, yet feasible), a good GRE, top Schools, CGPA, good employers and ambitious trajectory, and OF COURSE, a good all-rounded application demonstrating leadership would each contribute immensely to getting you in, with scholarships.

Job-Hopping raises concerns not because of lack of loyalty, but because it falls in conflict with one or more of the above.

Hope that helps

ExpertsGlobal · Answer

Hello  SunjayMihir93 ,

Thanks for writing in.

Frequent job shifts may pose a bit of a concern to the Admissions Committee even though you will not be outrightly rejected for this reason.

The best you can do is to provide an explanation for the changes and in your case, there appears to be reason for the same.

All the best!

Admissionado · Answer

SunjayMihir93 : It's not outright disqualifying, but you do need to make sure you smooth this out as a preemptive measure. That would require you to be very clear in your CV/resume, secure the appropriate LORs from your more recent jobs to show you had an impact (even in a short period of time), and talk about your career arc in your essays in an easy to understand (but brief) way. If the standard essays do not permit such an explanation, you should use the optional essay to clarify why you made the moves you did. Just be factual and succinct. Let us know if we can help. These matters need to be handled very delicately. https://admissionado.com/free-consultation/ Admissionado

SunjayMihir93 · Answer

Cant I just address it in the "reason for leaving" sections under where they have you enter your jobs?

Admissionado · Answer

SunjayMihir93 :

That's another option though those boxes are for each particular job and not an overall story. A combination might be best if you feel those boxes are not sufficient. Use your best judgment. You have a great profile otherwise so this probably won't hold you back!

Job-Hopping

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