Challenges Faced by MBA Graduates in Employment

Top MBA grads are finding it harder to land jobs. That's because things have changed. I've read this headline before. But, this time I'm seeing it up close. I'm having weekly conversations with MBA's from Stanford, Harvard, Booth, Colombia, and others. I think it's the early signs of a deeper shifts in the job market and tech hiring. Here's what I think is happening: • Less funding = less hiring. • Corporate hierarchies are flattening (startups too). • Companies are looking for recent (<1 yr) experience. • The unspoken/hidden job market is growing. MBA's were great for the middle management roles at growth stage startups but... • There are less growth stage startups • There are less middle management roles So, if they're struggling, what does that mean for the rest of us? 👉For MBA's: Temper expectations and get tactical. The golden ticket is now a skills-based strategy: • Double down on transferable skills. • Set appropriate expectations with level/comp. • Tap into networks and focus on conversations. 👉For Non-MBA's: The good news? You don't need a $200k degree to compete. What you do need: • Find mentors, build relationships, create opportunities. • Show you're mastering AI, analytics, and other tools. • Be crystal clear about the impact you bring. The job market isn't just bad, it's changing. The future belongs to those who can demonstrate their immediate impact. What's your take? How are you approaching the shifts in today's job market? Let's discuss👇

🚨 I'm burning out 😥 🚨 ↳ A job seeker reached out recently explaining how difficult the job market still is. Even after graduating from a highly ranked MBA program and having stellar brand name companies on her resume, things seem to be going nowhere. She wasn't even sure of which job families to target given her interests, background and future goals. 🔴 In a tough job market things can be like that. If anyone knows, I do because it took me almost 2 years to land up where I am post my MBA. Resilience, persistence, determination, discipline, drive and hustle will shape your recruiting journey. 💡 Let's recognize a few things: ↳ Interest rates are still high (borrowing is expensive) ↳ Political uncertainty (nice to have resources = do more with less) ↳ Summer travel (Lower availability of recruiters/hiring managers) ↳ Surplus of highly qualified talent available (layoffs/new grads/immigrants) ↳ Perception of degrees becoming commoditized as many people have them ✅ What can be done: ↳ Target 2-3 roles based on your background experience and educational credentials (Leverage what you know well and can sell flawlessly) ↳ Use this lull in hiring to gain certifications, skills and prepare for interviews ↳ Target networking events relevant to your goals 📊 Outreach and personal branding: ↳ Cold email your recruiters/hiring managers (get into the practice of writing) ↳ Create a portfolio to gain credibility ↳ Build your personal brand to gain inbound requests Being overwhelmed and clueless is natural. You put your heart and soul into something, take on the burden of debt, put major life decisions on hold, move countries to lean into your purpose but don't land somewhere you deserve. I have been there and in Aug 2023 I decided to take a break from recruiting and go back to India temporarily. But knowing what I know today, you can't fight the process and panic. It will happen on it's own time. Don't hesitate to take time for yourself and recenter yourself. Finding a job needs an effective strategy, specialized skills and a lot of skill building and preparation. The skills are very different and unique. Hopefully this helps!! Happy Social Saturday ♻️ Do repost, save, comment if useful to help folks still looking 🔎 Follow me Anant Agarwal, MBA for more on recruiting, career development, immigration, finance, business and ai.

Recent The Wall Street Journal headlines focus on Harvard University MBA graduates' 23% unemployment rate after 3 months, but this only scratches the surface of a deeper reality. In my network and LinkedIn feed, I see numerous MBA holders who've been searching for opportunities for a year or more, often with years of solid experience behind them. Having earned my MBA at Pace University while working full-time, I've always viewed it as proof of commitment to learning and work ethic rather than a guarantee of career advancement. While my double concentration in Marketing Management and Finance has added to my skill set, I recognize it's just one piece of the professional development puzzle. The current market challenges affect MBA holders across the board - not just recent graduates and not just from top-tier schools. While 3 months of job searching may seem challenging, many qualified professionals with both MBAs and substantial experience are facing much longer searches. To young professionals considering an MBA: Consider the part-time route unless you're in a BS-MBA track. Focus on building real-world experience alongside your education. The degree should complement your skills and experience, not replace them. In today's market especially, practical experience combined with educational credentials creates a more resilient career foundation than credentials alone. What's your take on the broader challenges facing MBA holders in today's job market, regardless of their alma mater or years of experience? #MBA #CareerDevelopment #JobMarket #WorkforceReality https://lnkd.in/egJmmW_g

Does Harvard M.B.A. help you to get a job? Landing a professional job in the U.S. has become so tough that even Harvard Business School says its MBAs can't solely rely on the university's name to open doors anymore. Twenty-three percent of job-seeking Harvard MBAs who graduated last spring were still looking for work three months after leaving campus. That share is up from 20% the prior year, during a cooling white-collar labor market; the figure was 10% in 2022, according to the school. "We're not immune to the difficulties of the job market," said Kristen Fitzpatrick, who oversees career development and alumni relations for HBS. "Going to Harvard is not going to be a differentiator. You have to have the skills. "Harvard isn't the only elite business school where recent grads seem to be stumbling on their way into the job market. More than a dozen top-tier MBA programs, including those at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, Stanford's Graduate School of Business and New York University's Stern School of Business, had worse job-placement outcomes last year than any other in recent memory. Most MBAs from top schools end up with good-paying jobs, and school officials say they have an edge in the white-collar job market. But the three-month figure is closely watched because it signals hiring demand for corporate climbers in high-wage fields and it usually gives schools a statistic to woo young professionals into investing in a management degree. "Nobody gets left on the field," said Liza Kirkpatrick, assistant dean for the career center at Kellogg, noting that while 13% of job-seeking MBA grads didn't have a job after three months, that figure fell to 8% at five months. Employers don't hire as many MBA grads during the school year, a tactic that was common two years ago. Now, they recruit smaller numbers closer to graduation—and afterward, according to staff at Columbia and the University of Michigan. In this environment, students need to engage with professors and alumni, not just the career center or recruiters, said Susan Brennan. She leads career development at MIT's Sloan School of Management, where 22.8% of MBAs were hunting three months after graduation. Brennan said that when graduates who launch startups or return to past employers are factored in, the overall group of MBAs who haven't accepted jobs is smaller. Amazon, Google and Microsoft have reduced their MBA recruiting. McKinsey, for example, cut its MBA hires at Booth to 33, down from 71 the prior year, the school said. Many tech recruiters lost their jobs, and companies dialed back their internship programs, fundamentally changing how they hire from universities, she said. "Companies tell us, 'We're not coming to campus anymore,'" Zenner added. The super-selective environment isn't a blip, but a new reality, HBS's Fitzpatrick said.

Are MBAs still worth it? 📉 23% of Harvard University MBA graduates from the Class of 2024 were still unemployed 3 months after graduation, which is a sharp rise from just 8% in 2021. 📉 Tech and finance firms, the biggest recruiters, have significantly slowed hiring MBA graduates. 📉 Even consulting giants like McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company have cut back offers, leaving even elite grads scrambling. Let’s understand the staggering shift in the job market: - Employers are shifting from brand-name degrees to real-world skills and experience. - AI and automation are redefining job roles, forcing professionals to upskill fast. - Networking, internships, and industry connections now matter more than ever—a degree alone won’t cut it. As an MBA graduate from Indiana University - Kelley School of Business and The University of Manchester’s Alliance Manchester Business School, I still believe MBAs have not lost their worth, but the value of MBA graduates is declining. To keep up with the evolving world, you need to keep evolving. If you are an MBA graduate or someone who is looking forward to doing your MBA, you should: ✅ Focus on skill-based learning—hands-on projects and real-world experience are becoming more valuable than traditional degrees. ✅ Leverage your network—85% of jobs are filled through networking, not applications. ✅ Adapt to market demand—growing fields like AI, sustainability, and cybersecurity offer new opportunities beyond traditional MBA pathways. ✅ Look for MBAs with scholarships. The opportunity cost of doing a part-time MBA program is higher than going for a full-time program; you can ask for employers to offset some of your tuition fee. My MBA program was $75,000. After scholarships and employer support, I spent about 60% out of pocket.   Even the world’s top business graduates are facing a tougher job market. The key takeaway? Your skills, adaptability, and network will determine your success—more than your degree. What do you think? Are MBAs losing their edge? P.S.- At Spark Careers, we help elevate your career, negotiate with confidence, and reach your career milestones. Let’s achieve your dream career together. DM me! #MBA #jobs #career #growth #harvard #hiring #USA