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Changing jobs on application year

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App01 Just gettin' started! Default Avatar
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Changing jobs on application year Post Wed Jul 11, 2012 7:55 pm
Hi,

My name is Lucas and I'm a 28yo brazilian engineer. I started working in a Steel industry (~USD10Bi marcap) in Brazil in 2009 through an Mckinsey Fellowship special program (I've always been the Steel company employee but at the first year i worked as an Mckinsey consultant). After the first year with Mickinsey I was placed at Corporative Planning Department at the steel company and have been there ever since.

This year the company was sold and the department lost a lot of prestige and I got 2 job propositions:

I could move to the Strategic Planning Department inside the same group at a subsidiary mining company with one degree promotion to senior analyst (I would continue with Similar assignments)

or

I could move to FIAT/Chrylser working as an Financial Specialist (2 degree promotion and a huge raise in salary) for the Product Development Department (I would be responsible for the financial studies for new car projects in brazil)


I'm planning on applying this year for the top schools in USA. Do you think changing companies would compromise my application or going to an international company with a bigger promotion would sound more interesting?

I really appreciate any comments, this doubt has been killing me now.

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Post Wed Jul 11, 2012 8:34 pm
I think I answered you on another thread or site, but here goes.

It won't make a difference because either way, you just started the new position and won't have much to say about it other than the reasoning for your choice.

So your decision should be based on which job you feel is best for you (and your family if you have one) -- regardless of your b-school plans. The reason is simple: b-school isn't an option yet, whereas these 2 job offers are real and in front of you. Don't make a choice now for the sake of something down the road (b-school) which may or may not happen. Again, from an admissions standpoint, either choice is fine.

Having said that, it looks like the Fiat/Chrysler job is more compelling - better pay, and in a more interesting industry (at least in my view - but then again I'm a car guy).

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Post Thu Jul 12, 2012 4:26 am
To be honest I think that the best career choice you will make is because the job is better for you. You don't need to worry about what the Adcom thinks at this point because BOTH options are good. I would try and take the direction you want to (and a better salary always feels good too!) But since BOTH options are excellent, and both can be written well into the application, I think you can make your choice based on whats better for your life and career NOW, and not worry about the AdCom at this point.

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Post Thu Jul 12, 2012 9:05 am
I agree with the other posters, but would add that the first option allows you to earn an official promotion and see the business unit from the strategic planning side.

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Post Sat Jul 14, 2012 10:54 am
I'm going to take a different view than some of my peers. I think that if the first job is attractive to you, then for the purposes of b school applications, it is the better move. It shows consistency and a promotion.

First, you have a very strong professional profile, both in terms of the McKinsey tie in, and b schools love traditional industry as well. Therefore, I don't feel you need to further augment your resume with an industry/company change or trade up. Some applicants might but you don't.

Second, if you change jobs now, then I believe you also more invite the question of why get an MBA now? Why not wait a couple of years given you just started a new adventure? These questions are sure to come up in your essays and interviews, so my advice is stay put for now, and if you don't get accepted to b schools shortly, you can always change jobs if you are then so inclined.

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