Resume question: How important is it to have 'big name' employers?

Question

I'm roughly two years removed from college.

For the first year and a half, I worked at a Big 4 public accounting firm. I'm now working at a small CPA firm, where I actually feel like I am learning more.

I don't plan to stay in public accounting much longer since I don't enjoy what the work entails. Regardless, I plan to apply to B-School either this upcoming September/December or (if I need more work experience) possibly the following September/December. My goal is to get into a top 5 MBA program.

My questions are:

1) How important is having a 'big name' employer on your resume? (I feel what you do is more important than who you work for, do B-Schools see it that way too?)

2) How important is the amount of work experience you have? (I've heard the average is four, but I'm sure it varies from one school to another).

3) Undergraduate college: Does it matter that I went to a non-prestigious 4-year college?

4) Extracurriculars: How important is it to have community service on your resume?

5) Does my industry matter? Maybe I'm just overthinking it but I feel like accounting is seen in a more poor light than economics or engineering.

abhimahna · Answer

Hi econbound , Welcome to GMATClub.

Here are the answers to your questions: 1) How important is having a 'big name' employer on your resume? (I feel what you do is more important than who you work for, do B-Schools see it that way too?) --> It doesn't matter. I am actually from a Fortune 6th Company. But it didn't help me anywhere. 2) How important is the amount of work experience you have? (I've heard the average is four, but I'm sure it varies from one school to another). --> Work Ex matters alot provided you are not from an underrepresented demography. Most of the B Schools have an avg requirement of 5 years. 3) Undergraduate college: Does it matter that I went to a non-prestigious 4-year college? --> Sometimes it does. It can help you make into if there are same profiles but one from Prestigious and the other from non prestigious. 4) Extracurriculars: How important is it to have community service on your resume? --> EXTREMELY Important. No Extra Curriclum means very bleak chances unless you are Einstein.

5) Does my industry matter? Maybe I'm just overthinking it but I feel like accounting is seen in a more poor light than economics or engineering. --> No it doesn't at all. In Short what matters the most is your overall candidature.

econbound · Answer

Wow, thank you so much! I guess this means I have a lot of time to do well on the GMAT, build up my work experience and participate in tons of extracurriculars

mr7183 · Answer

To provide a different view, I think a blue chip company is a huge benefit to an application. I had strong stats, good undergrad, and strong work experience (IB and Corp Dev at good albeit lesser known companies) and struck out at M7. My ECs were "okay" but I think branding was the obvious missing factor.

Honestly, no one really knows what the adcom is specifically looking for. I imagine it all comes down to how you holistically stack up against other applicants in your bucket (i.e. Indian engineering, white male finance, TFA/PC, etc.).

MBADecoder · Answer

Hi Econbound,

I will take a dig at your questions:

1. I agree that brand name matters. Be it your undergrad or your employer. That said, your profile other than the stats is also very important. You could be working in the largest of companies but doing uninspiring work there or you may not have got many opportunities to make any substantial impact. A smaller company with an open, entrepreneurial environment may offer you better chances to shine in accordance with your capabilities. So, to cut is short, the quality of your work experience, what you learned, how you progressed - all of these matter.
In your case, I'd focus upon the positives of both the experiences. What did you "learn" at each of the two companies and how did that make you a better professional.

2. Applicants get into business schools with lesser work experience as well- of course the adcomm would look for some outstanding aspects in younger applicants so that they are a fit with the rest of the class.

3. Your undergrad is not something you can change, so work around it- improve other aspects of your profile that will make you desirable to your target schools.

4. I think community service is very important. You definitely don't want to leave that section of your application lacking or blank (a lot of application forms have dedicated sections). Moreover since its voluntary work, it gives you a chance to showcase that you take initiatives even when its not expected of you, as it is in the job.

5. Accounting is a functions, its not an industry. Yes, accounting backgrounds are required in all industries. Anyhow, an MBA can be leveraged to change your function. So don't overthink this.

An MBA application is built upon your strengths. Think positive.

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

1) How important is having a 'big name' employer on your resume? (I feel what you do is more important than who you work for, do B-Schools see it that way too?)
A big name helps because program's will have familiarity with blue chip firms and their hiring process is almost like a vetting process for top MBAs as well. However, the impact you have made at your firm and the results you have achieved is more important so keep that in mind.

2) How important is the amount of work experience you have? (I've heard the average is four, but I'm sure it varies from one school to another).
Programs want to make sure you have had meaningful work experience and developed during your time working pre-MBA. Programs want to ensure you can add something to classroom discussions and the overall student community. If you can convince them of this in your application then generally anything +2yrs is in play.

3) Undergraduate college: Does it matter that I went to a non-prestigious 4-year college?
Look at it as more holistically its about a combination of things - school caliber, GPA, major, quant class performance. The importance of these factors slide up and down depending on how strong of these are. But of course a more prestigious school will give you more leeway because a 4.0 from Harvard will be more impressive than from a Trucking School

4) Extracurriculars: How important is it to have community service on your resume?
Important, shows you are well rounded and provides unique insight into your interests and personality. Also this tends to be a great way to highlight your interpersonal skills, especially for younger candidates

5) Does my industry matter? Maybe I'm just overthinking it but I feel like accounting is seen in a more poor light than economics or engineering.
Not really, it's about the impact and your results. Showcasing an analytical aptitude from your role helps here

econbound · Answer

Thank you! Honestly, looking at my situation, my current place of employment is not helping me develop as much as a need to. The company overhired, leaving me to sit around during the daytime and only have work to do in the night time (causing me to stay late). As a result, I have less time for extra-curriculars or to study for the GMAT.

econbound · Answer

Thank you for your kind words!

I'm sorry my post came off as negative. I truly am a positive person.

Honestly, my current place of employment is not helping me develop as much as a need to. The company overhired, leaving me to sit around during the daytime and only have work to do in the night time (causing me to stay late). As a result, I have less time for extra-curriculars or to study for the GMAT. Additionally, the job is managed by several older adults who are rigid and set in their ways and do not seek any feedback from individuals of a lower rank. Despite being in the accounting function,

I feel like I have learned tremendously more in terms of how not to run a company and how not to treat your employees (and, consequently, how to do these things well) as opposed to actually learning about accounting.

I feel like I should be applying right now to a larger company with a better work environment. At the same time, my resume will look even worse with such frequent job changes. What do you think?

econbound · Answer

Thank you!

As I mentioned in my response to MBADecoder in this thread, the company I work for is constantly running out of work to provide me. On additional note, I've heard from my co-workers that there are several months in the year where there is literally no work to do. As such, I am convinced I am not making as much progress as I need to because I won't have anything to show for unless I learn something else on the side and start working on that (i.e. learning programming and writing software or starting up a side business of my own)

I had no idea that there would be zero work at times where I would literally sit an do nothing. I honestly feel like I should be applying to other jobs right now despite the negative impact it will have an my resume and also regardless of the fact I should be studying for the GMAT. What are your thoughts?

MBADecoder · Answer

That's a sorry situation to be in Econbound. I think if you are already planning a job switch and are actively pursuing it, that should be the need of the hour. Your age is on your side- you could work in a new company for another 1-2 years before you apply- this will take care of the problem of being seen as a frequent job switcher. Moreover, I'd still focus on the positive side of this experience in the application- you took the risk of joining a smaller company, but there was a fit issue so you decided to move on. This experience taught you........every experience makes us wiser :-D

. Hope that helps!

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

Totally get it. One of the benefits of your age is having the time to make a job/career switch now. You will still be young enough to apply in a few years. I would think through where you would like to take your career next particularly with your post-MBA goals in mind. If you can have a bridge role that gets you closer to that while allowing you to develop. Go for it!

econbound · Answer

Thank you very much, I will!

The only reason I've stayed in this profession was to obtain my CPA license...which I've realized I don't have plans to use in the future.

Anyway, I will definitely keep your advice in mind while I am applying. Thanks again!

econbound · Answer

Yes, the experience has definitely made me wiser and realize what I want out of life. I will definitely focus on the positives of everything I have been through thus far.

Thank you MBA Decoder, I appreciate the advice!

Resume question: How important is it to have 'big name' employers?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards