What the Career Experts Know: MBA Job Market Trends from the Inside

In our conversations with career center leaders across top MBA programs, a clear picture is emerging: the post-pandemic MBA job market is no longer predictable. Students must be more flexible, informed, and strategic when developing their post-MBA career plans.

From top U.S. MBA programs to leading programs in Europe, seasoned career professionals are describing similar themes. Industry shifts, tightened recruiting pipelines, and a renewed emphasis on early planning have changed how career offices and MBA students approach the recruiting process.

Here are a few of the macro themes we discussed:

Structured Recruiting Is No Longer a Guarantee

David Capaldi at Cornell Johnson notes that consulting and big tech roles have become more selective since the post-COVID hiring boom. "We likely won’t see a return to the frenzy of 2021," he says, emphasizing the need for students to broaden their targets beyond McKinsey, Bain, BCG, or FAANG companies. At Tuck, Stephen Pidgeon echoes this sentiment: "Don’t pin all your hopes on McKinsey or Amazon."

Heather Byrne from Michigan Ross highlights how consulting firms are focusing on internship conversions, with fewer full-time roles being offered directly. Meanwhile, tech giants are moving away from on-campus recruiting in favor of virtual and platform-based hiring models.

The Rise of Just-in-Time and Lateral Hiring

Several career directors, including Christian Dummett at IMD and Sarah Nathan at McCombs, are seeing a shift from structured campus recruiting to more lateral, experience-based hiring.

Dummett explains that students must increasingly compete in non-MBA-specific hiring channels, using transferable skills to demonstrate value. "Dream jobs can be limiting," he adds. "We encourage students to expand their opportunities."

Flexibility, Parallel Planning, and Soft Skills Matter More Than Ever

Nearly every program now urges students to develop a Plan A, B, and C. Byrne warns against fixating on one goal: "Be observant of the market. If you're not getting traction, shift gears."

Pidgeon agrees, advising incoming students to update their career goals before arriving: "Forget what you wrote in your admissions essay. Be honest about what you really want to do."

Another career officer at a top U.S. program points out that the highest-achieving students stay true to their goals while resisting the herd mentality. "The ones who win are the ones who prioritize what matters most to them."

Early Engagement and Pre-MBA Preparation Are Key

Schools like Ross and IMD are now providing career prep content months before students arrive on campus. Ross gives incoming students access to workshops, resume prep, and alumni chats in March.

Additionally, IMD’s career team begins working with admits the moment they commit to the program, sometimes months before orientation.

These shifts reflect a growing understanding that MBA recruiting success isn’t just about being polished on day one – it’s about preparing long before that day ever comes.

Final Thoughts

It’s critical to develop a career plan and achievable goals as part of the MBA application process. If you could benefit from the perspectives of admissions insiders and industry expertise, reach out to us.