If you’re a recent graduate of an MBA program and you’re looking to get your first post-grad job, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed. After all, there are so many options out there—how do you know where to start?
The good news is that there are plenty of jobs for MBAs with little or no experience. The bad news? Many employers don’t want to hire people with no experience, so it can take some time for the right job to come along.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of entry-level MBA jobs near me! These jobs are perfect for new grads who don’t have much work experience but are still looking for their first post-graduate job after graduating from business school.
Collegelearners is replete with top-notch information on entry level MBA jobs remote, easiest MBA jobs, MBA in finance no experience, jobs after MBA with no experience, amongst others. Be sure to visit our catalog for more information on related topics.
What Are MBA Jobs That Require No Experience?
Even with no experience, MBA graduates jobs can find entry-level or junior manager jobs in a variety of fields. As a graduate with a master of business administration degree, your job is to help a company manage its workforce and daily operations. Most companies offer entry-level management roles as a type of extended training period to help you integrate with the company and its corporate culture before you start taking on larger jobs. Less commonly, you can get an MBA while currently employed and immediately move into a management position once you graduate. When available, this offers the easiest route into a position that uses your new skills.
What Are the Qualifications to Get an MBA Job With No Experience?
The primary qualifications for getting a job with an MBA but no experience are your degree and some professional work experience. In this context, “no experience” means no experience working in a role that requires an MBA. Most people have at least some work experience before pursuing an MBA. Employers prefer applicants who have several years of experience in a managerial or supervisory role, a track record of delivering results, and a demonstrated understanding of the key drivers of profitability and growth. Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of an MBA job requires communication skills, leadership skills, attention to detail, and presentation skills. Some MBAs travel regularly, so the ability to adjust your schedule and work away from home as needed may be essential to your success.
Can I Do MBA Without Experience
This has come due to the fact that finding entry level MBA jobs is becoming more and more difficult and employers are always seeking for qualified and skilled labor. This makes younger people postpone entering the labor market and continue education.
In addition, universities are struggling to attract students, therefore they are loosening their two to five year work experience rule, accepting students straight out of their undergraduate schools.
The result of this trend is that these young people get their MBA diplomas and then go into the labor market hoping they will find employment immediately. However, they run into difficulties since they have no work experience.
Without this work experience, employers are reluctant to risk hiring them, and this turns into a vicious cycle. An MBA is a prestigious degree, but employers state that they would rather hire someone with experience than someone who has only gone to university.
But not all hope is lost! If you know how to go about navigating the job market, you will find employment even with no experience.
So if you are one of those people who has gotten their MBA degree and has no work experience, here are 12 tips on how to find entry level MBA jobs:
MBA Jobs With No Experience
Hot Jobs for MBA Graduates
- Business operations manager.
- Financial manager.
- Human resources manager.
- Information technology, or IT, manager.
- Management consultant.
- Marketing manager.
- Medical and health services manager.
12 Tips on How to Find Entry Level MBA Jobs
Know what you want to do
Since you have no work experience and only your education to show for, you can impress recruiters and potential employers by having clear goals in mind. If you do not aim for a specific industry or even a narrower job position, you will have an even more difficult time getting hired.
Recruiters value goal-oriented people and they will be a lot more impressed if you can clearly show the career path that you want to take and where you expect to be in five to ten years.
Lower your expectations
Many MBA graduates come out of school with the expectation that employers will be calling them with tailor made jobs ready for them. They all aspire to get senior positions and high salaries.
But if you do not have any work experience, you cannot expect anyone to hand you a position without showing any real effort. That is why you will have to start at the bottom and work your way to the top of the corporate chain. This means accepting entry level MBA jobs because those are the only jobs for MBA graduates with no experience.
If you think that you are above such things, then you will not be able to find a job. Lower your expectations and do not expect to become a CEO overnight.
Find internships
If you are still completing your MBA and know that you have no work experience at all, the best course of action is to try and find an internship.
You can work on your internship applications during the semester and complete it during summer break or even throughout your studies. It can be difficult to find one, but it is much easier than finding a full time job after graduating.
Internships can do the following to help your chances of getting hired:
- They look good on your resume
- Internships show that you did something else besides studying
- Internships show that you are a committed individual who is always working towards their goals
So if you have no experience, sacrifice your summer and get an internship. It will pay off in the long run!
Get involved in university work and projects
MBA students are always valued by the professors and staff of the university. They are always willing to help them out and get them involved in different projects. Many professors conduct research and do other consulting work besides teaching and they are always looking for students to assist them.
So if you have no work experience, it would be a good idea to get involved in such things. Becoming a research or a teaching assistant will look great on your resume and if you manage to participate in a real world consulting project where you will work with different companies, it is even better.
Package Yourself Well
Before you start your job search, make sure that your resume, cover letter and interviewing skills are polished. Your alma mater may have a career counseling service that can help you put the final touches on perfecting your professional presentation. This might include resume assistance and review, mock interviews and the opportunity to get feedback on things like dress and presentation.
Take Advantage of Job Placement Assistance
Your college or university likely has a job placement assistance department than can help connect you with employers interested in hiring talented recent MBA graduates. Companies that work with schools understand that the people they’re hiring don’t have a tremendous amount of experience, but they are banking on the value of your education and making a determination that your potential is what they’re hiring.
Reconnect With Internship Contacts
If you interned with a company or worked on a part-time basis while in college, use your existing connections to try and parlay that experience into a job. Email or call your contacts, let them know you completed your MBA and are now looking for full-time work. Even if the company doesn’t have any openings or requires a higher degree of experience, ask if they’d be willing to share your resume with colleagues, make introductions or otherwise provide you with leads to others who might potentially be interested in interviewing you.
Do Pro Bono Work
While it’s not ideal, and shouldn’t be something you do full-time or long-term, consider doing some pro bono work at a non-profit or community service agency. Not only will you build your resume, you’ll also be serving the community – both of which will be impressive to potential employers. You may even be able to parlay your volunteer work into a job, particularly if you make a good impression or have the opportunity to connect with influential board members or advisers.
Be Willing to Start Small
Nearly every job out of college is entry level, so make that term a key element of your job search. Starting out on the low rung of the ladder doesn’t mean you’ll be there forever. Your good work and your strong educational credentials will allow you to advance steadily through the ranks, or prepare you for a mid-level role somewhere else.
Don’t be shy about utilizing contacts and connections to get your foot in that first door. Reach out to friends, family, previous colleagues and former professors to put the word out that you’re a freshly minted MBA who is ready for a chance to work hard and make a contribution. Also consider pursuing trending occupations for new MBAs, such as data analytics, marketing and operations.