Your Career After MBA: What You Need to Know

There are many benefits to doing an MBA.

Most people go to b-school to improve their career prospects, such as changing industry or to climb the career ladder towards more senior and executive positions, while others dream of starting their own business and want to develop their entrepreneurial flair.

If you’re thinking of doing an MBA, or are already in business school, you’re probably wondering what your life will look like after graduation – and we don’t blame you. There are plenty of resources to help you plan out your b-school career, but knowing what to do after can be difficult, especially if you’re still weighting up your options.

For this reason, here at TopMBA we’ve put together a short guide of everything you need to think about  to get you where you want to be post-graduation.

Make a plan

It’s important you remember that every career, just like every MBA journey, is different. Depending on your interests and skills, your career path will take its own route. However, you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of having a clear plan in mind.

If you haven’t narrowed down industries and fields you want to work in yet, use the resources available to you during your degree, such as career services and networking residencies and events, to do so. Having a strong network is key to getting solid advice and professional opportunities.

Once you’ve taken advantage of your school’s resources, do some personal research. Make sure to narrow down the companies that are notorious for hiring candidates so you can sniff out good opportunities before jobs are advertised.

And lastly – be realistic and honest with yourself. Think about the fields you’d be a good fit in and the skills that could make you stand out in the candidate pool.

Narrow down job roles

Depending on your industry of choice, you’ll find different jobs to apply to – some more specialized than others. Here are a few options by industry:

• Banking and Finance: MBA grads who want to work in this field and/or have a specialization in Finance can easily find a job in investment – especially in banks, insurance companies and other financial organizations. Popular jobs include roles as an Investment Banker, CFO, Financial Consultant, Investment Manager, Business Relationship Manager, Financial Analyst, Operations Manager and Senior Accountant.
• Tech: You don’t have to be an engineer to work in tech. In fact, MBA grads can be useful people to hire to oversee products and finances, as their curriculum combines managerial and technical skills. If you have a specialization in Leadership, Innovation, Tech or Business Analytics, this might be the field for you. Job titles include Business Analyst, Product Manager, Information Technology Director, Technical Program Manager and Senior Project Manager.
• Consulting: Consulting is one of the most popular career choices for MBA grads, as they are the best equipped to improve business performance and solve problems on a corporate level. Job titles include Consultant, Specialist, Business Consultant, Project Manager and Strategy Consultant.
• Human Resources: Interpersonal and communication skills are key for a career in HR. As an MBA grad, you’ll be able to help companies by successfully managing the very people who make things happen – their employees. A specialization in HR might be preferred, but it’s not essential. Job titles include Human Resources Manager, Human Resources Consultant, Training and Development Manager, Compensation and Benefits Manager.

Be on top of the recruiting timeline

Even though an MBA can get you a job at any time of year, knowing when to start looking is key to ensure your career can progress as quickly as possible.  

Spring is the perfect time to start scouting through the options using b-school resources. If you can, find an internship that will keep you occupied over the summer.

If for some reason you can’t, don’t be discouraged, summer is equally as fruitful a time to look for opportunities. As well as using your school’s resources, attending networking events will give you an edge on other candidates. Keep in mind that full-time hiring peaks in August and decreases in the first few months of the year.

And finally, make sure you’re signed up to job hunting platforms – such as LinkedIn, eFinancialCareers, Indeed, Reed, Exec-Appointments and MBA Careers – and that you check these on a regular basis. You don’t want to miss out on your dream job!

Prepare for online interviews

While an MBA does give you an edge on other candidates, it’s the recruiters you ultimately need to impress. Even if you haven’t secured an interview yet, don’t rest on your laurels.

Here are our best tips on how to get ahead in the job hunting process and ace your interviews from home.