New York — June 26
The vast majority of MBA graduates are still receiving competitive job offers, despite their increasing concerns about employment prospects, according to a new survey conducted by Training The Street (TTS), a corporate training provider.
TTS’s third annual detailed hiring survey, which was completed by more than 300 participants from top 25 MBA programs, showed 10 percent of respondents were less optimistic about their job prospects than a year ago, even though an overwhelming 94 percent had been invited for at least one first-round interview vs. 91 percent in 2011.
Seventy-eight percent of respondents had received at least one offer, the survey said, and 50 percent of respondents had received multiple offers, up from 72 percent and 41 percent in 2011, respectively.
Major investment banks led the hiring charge in 2012, with 49 percent of respondents stating they had been recruited by such institutions. Thirty nine percent said they had been recruited by consulting firms, and boutique advisory firms pursued 36 percent of students. Positions at global financial institutions are still in high demand, with 27 percent of respondents favoring them as top choice.
Other findings include:
• Fifty three percent of respondents said they obtained positions through campus recruiting, while 21 percent say they received an offer through an independent job search. Another 18 percent received an offer based on personal references.
• More students see interpersonal skills and teamwork as the most important factor in securing a job offer (29 percent). Industry expertise was a close second at 26 percent.
• Fifty eight percent of respondents view their next position as transitional (3-5 years), while only 10 percent look at their next position as permanent (8-plus years).
• Forty seven percent of respondents expect their starting salaries to be $100K-$125K.
• Only 7 percent of respondents are dissatisfied with their employment offer.
• Ninety five percent of respondents are between 21-34 years old, and 76 percent are male.
Source: Training The Street
