change job when about to start the application for MBA 2014

Question

hi gmatclub friends:

I m gonna apply for 2014 mba program, but I have a situation so I d like to hear your expert opinions, I m working as a SAP Consultant in a SAP Partner in Peru, but I ve received a job offer from a big SAP Partner (also in Peru), but I wonder if this change of job (just the year before starting the mba), it could sound strange for the admission office or it can make me look as a interested just in money since the job is the same but in a big firm.
I mean It has no relation with my profile application since I look forward to move to anoter functional area, for example to: sales or marketing.

Hope you can help me.

regards

jav

kingfalcon · Answer

Are you planning to start your MBA in Fall 2013 or Fall 2014?

jokerav · Answer

I m planning to start on Fall 2014...

kingfalcon · Answer

That would still give you almost a year and a half at your new position, which is more than reasonable. I would take the position and not worry about how the admissions committee will view it.

aerien · Answer

Take the position if it puts you in the right direction for your career and you can explain to the adcom why you made the switch (and more $$ isn't the greatest reason unless you're up for a direct promotion and not moving departments). From what you've said this new role will give you exposure to a bigger company, which could at the very least lend itself to more indirect or direct responsibilities. That sounds good to me! I bring up having a reason to accept because you'll likely have to write about it in an essay and speak to it in an interview if you do follow through with your app plans..

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MBAtLast · Answer

Ah! I think this is the forum I am looking for. Could use some opinions on my own job change dilemma:

At the beginning of my application process I was laid off from my job, and was acknowledged in my application. As of today I have gone through the interview process with all but one school, and yesterday got an official offer and start date for a contract job that will take me through June (I was looking at freelance/contract jobs all along since I didn't want to start anything full-time where I knew I would be quitting within 6 months anyway to return to school).

If my schools allow updates to my application, I'm debating whether this would be a good update to give. The pros would be a) it shows that I've been actively using my time off wisely, and b) my MBA concentration is marketing, and this is a digital marketing role that would expand my skill set and behoove me in the long run.

HOWEVER... my concern is that this new job is in a completely different industry than I came from (and want to remain in post-MBA). Much of my personal statements (ie why an mba now?) focused on the fact that I've already made an industry/career change, and the MBA will help propel me along the path in that industry. I wonder if this update could actually hurt my candidacy because it's in such a different industry, and will make me look like I'm taking a job anywhere just to have a job? Having already made the industry switch, my resume already looks somewhat "patchwork-y", if you will, and I fear this will make me look like I have no direction. At the same time, it's a good opportunity to advance my skill set. Or am I overthinking it?

Any advice or thoughts would be much appreciated!

Thanks for any advice...

bigcountry · Answer

The adcom would be understanding that you need money, at the very least. I might argue that what you're doing shows a lot of forsight; some admits take as many months off before their MBA as you will be working in your new gig, saving for school!

Plenty of people take pre-MBA internship roles, too, and those have little bearing on the application. I think you might be over-thinking it. Plus it looks like you already have one admit (congrats!), so that school was willing to accept you even while you were looking for temp gigs.

Are you hoping to use this new job as positioning to get into another school higher on your list? In that case, you probably spelled out all the risks/rewards already. The adcom could see the effort you've put in, but also scratch their head wondering why this new industry.

MBAtLast · Answer

Thanks for your 2 cents! And, yes- I won't be finding out about the other schools for another month, which means they're probably still looking at my app. I'm very excited about my one acceptance but I'm also still looking seriously at those other two and would love to get admits there! I just hate that it will look like I've been unemployed for so long when I am no longer unemployed.

I guess the positives of sending an update would only make sense if I could include a quick blurb explaining why I took the job: it is good for being able to get a paycheck, of course, but I am excited about the learning experience and would certainly spell that out to the adcom. The question is still whether the risks would still outweigh that.

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!

change job when about to start the application for MBA 2014

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