eFinancialCareers

In MBA finance 101, we all learn early that it is impossible to “time the market.” During the past two years, I’ve found out that this it is true in more ways than one.

My undergraduate degree was in engineering, but I decided long ago that the dynamics of business, not to mention the compensation, were more to my liking than a job as an engineer. From university, therefore, I got a job in business development and strategy for a medium sized healthcare company. After three years in that role, and with some exposure to the acquisitions process, it was time to get a formal business education.

After giving it a lot of thought and talking extensively to anyone who would listen, I decided my best option would be to study an MBA, with a focus in finance, at a top business school. This was the Holy Grail: the MBA would not only provide the training that I needed, but open up a treasure trove of opportunities, where firms would be fighting for a piece of me. Please remember, this was 2006. One of the required skills on a job application was a pulse.

In choosing which MBA programmes to apply to, I set out a series of criteria to base my decision. First and foremost was the reputation of the school and it current position in the Financial Times ranking. Second, was the academic strength the school (I wanted to focus on finance). Finally, was the culture of the school and where I thought I would best “fit.” These criteria had to be balanced with the probability that I would actually get accepted to the programmes based on my grades, experience and GMAT scores. In the end, I decided to apply to five schools, which met all my criteria. I was pleasantly surprised to be accepted by my top choice and started in the autumn of 2007.

Looking back now, the MBA was an absolutely life changing experience that I feel privileged to have had. I received a super education, meet extraordinary people and built friendships that will last a lifetime. I followed my plan and concentrated my degree in finance with the goal of working in financial services upon graduation.

However, that goal has not proven as easily attainable as seemed likely back in 2007. This is now 2009: a pulse is no longer enough.

I’m a typical MBA career changer whose plan was to use the MBA as the springboard to launch a new career. Switching careers is a tall order in a strong job market, but even more challenging during the economic climate of the past 12 months.

My biggest challenge is the competition. There are many MBA’s who graduated a few years ago, have been laid off, and are now looking to get back into the job market. They can be dropped into a role with limited training. I, on the other hand, have the will, determination and ability to make the transition, but need a company to provide me with the opportunity to learn and prove myself.

I started my full time job search in January 2009. At that time, firms did not even want to chat; they were still in the process of making people redundant. By spring, they were willing to meet, but still had few jobs to offer. By summer, I was scouring the market, meeting with anyone - formally and informally - who would spend time with me.

It’s now autumn and I’m still looking. I’m also optimistic that strategic hiring is happening. I am happy to report that in the past few weeks, I have been getting call for more interviews.

These are still first round, but I remain realistically optimistic. I’m positive and have a feeling that I’m turning a corner and will secure something in the next few weeks. I will let you know when that happens and at that time share the strategies that I found worked best. Lord, knows I have tried a ton of them!