Timeline of Year 2 recruiting

Question

So, I have been unable to find a straightforward answer to this question. Hope my fellow GMAT-clubbers can help.
When do I need to be in the country for 2nd year (full time) recruiting for the various positions?
I ask because I had wanted to do a semester abroad (fall of 2nd year). This means I would be out of the country through december of my 2nd year. What sorts of job/industry/company (regional, local, national, etc). Would be possible/impossible to get if I do this? what sorts of things would I miss out on, etc? Just trying to see how this would alter my 2nd year job search! (I am a 2010 graduate, so haven't started yet. This means I can't give info about my internship)

3underscore · Answer

I would think that you are better set to look to be out for the final semester if you are recruiting banking or consulting, maybe earlier if you are doing more boutique stuff.

It would appear to me that the bigger the firm, the earlier in the fall/winter period they want their recruiting tidied up. Most the MBA2's I have spoken to felt that having (or not having) a job sorted by the holidays was a key point for the banks and consulting.

This is just a feel for things though. You can study abroad, but will have to be prepared to travel for interviews to meet people etc. I can't see why it should be a critical point as recruiters understand the MBA lifestyle, options and activity, but it may add to the stress.

togafoot · Answer

Also, if you`re looking to work abroad, you can build up potential networks in those countries. Some of the current students I`ve spoken to at international universities have said that some of the excahnge students who arrive on campus build up networks and connections whilst they are abroad, and some even get offers at a later date

westsider · Answer

Good info. Seems to back up my vague notion that ibanking and consulting are started in the fall. what about other areas?

westsider · Answer

Bumping this thread up.
Can anyone answer the following:
Will I miss the domestic recruiting season for large national companies in positions other than ibanking/consulting if I am out of the country September - December.

Thanks!

rhyme · Answer

I cant speak for other schools, but at the GSB, if you leave Sept to December, you basically miss 98% of full time recruiting options as I understand it. IB, Consulting, GM, IM, finance, whatever... it all happens in the fall.

aaudetat · Answer

i would agree with rhyme, but people DO leave during that period. it can be done.

i would just plan to get and take an offer from your internship....then you can do whatever you want!

westsider · Answer

GM= General Management 
IM = ?

togafoot · Answer

Investment management

westsider · Answer

Fair enough. So, for my purposes I would simplify that list to "financial positions (i banks, etc) and General Management".
What about ops/marketing/product management (e.g. consumer products, etc)

3underscore · Answer

I think I know why you have struggled to get a straight forward answer to this. There isn't one.

Big companies = fall. Smaller companies = later. Though that is no hard and fast rule. You will be counting out a lot of the companies that you typically see in the fall (the big list companies), and maybe even all of those that look to recruit from summer interns and top-up their staff.

It depends on how you want to do things. Would you like to be away in the fall knowing you don't have a job and have to return to desperately recruit? Or be sure you have a job before you go away (I am pretty certain you could back out if needs be on a spring study abroad). Or do you not want to recruit for MBA standard stuff anyway, at which point it is mostly individual work anyway?

What I do know is that people who don't have jobs January of their year of graduation look really scared and worried. I am sure they sort it out, but for the most part that seems to be a signal.

westsider · Answer

Nicely stated.

dosa_don · Answer

I have a question related to internship recruiting: what happens in December? is it relatively quiet or are students busy applying for jobs? Is it wise to take a 2-3 week break during this period?

aaudetat · Answer

at Duke, it's completely nuts. you're getting your resume and cover letters together, making last-minute contacts, going to final recruitment activities (consulting companies give workshops on case prep, for example) and also busting your butt because it's the end of the semester. i was wiped by the time that was done.

dosa_don · Answer

Thanks aau- that was helpful. What about the vacation period? Does it get real busy during the 3 week break as well?

aaudetat · Answer

that's up to you. Some students do approximatley a million cases, and are still dropping resumes/cover letters, and are networking their tails off.

I did minimal job prep and was just really busy travelling a lot. I recommend scheduling in some down time. You'll need it coming off your first semester. And your mom coming to visit does not count for down time.

togafoot · Answer

I spoke to students and alumni at HKUST... Their timeline is slightly different.

Recruiting for internships starts in Autumn, but not many people secure one at the start. Most of the action for internships happen after Chinese New Year when lots of internship openings appear.

For recruitment, a similar cycle happens (although quite a few people are offered a role after the internship)

Timeline of Year 2 recruiting

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