It has been traditionally accepted that MBA applicants should ideally have some work experience if they expect to get into Business School. Is this still the case?

Traditional thinking has been that for students to be able to appreciate and maximize the MBA experience and participate fully in the many group projects and general business discussions, they should have relevant work experience. In contrast, having come directly from university and college, they may be limited in their contributions, which will be based solely on academic study and not practical experience. I know when I studied at Henley in the late 1990’s, the vast majority of my class had four to five years work experience, and the average age was around 26 - 27.

The above premise has been the norm for a number of years, and has been supported by the fact that recruiters who employ MBAs direct from business school have wanted to recruit those with relevant work experience. This view has been reflected in a number of surveys and research over the years. The QS TopMBA.com International Recruitment Survey and Salary Report 2006 found that 88% of recruiters look for one to four years relevant work experience. Only 20% of recruiters were interested in recruiting candidates with up to one year’s experience, whilst just over 50% were willing to recruit candidates with four to eight years. 22% of recruiters would consider recruiting candidates with eight years or more experience.

The times are they changing?
In 2001, Harvard started to recruit younger students on to their MBA program. They targeted those who had graduated from university and college within the past three years. This meant that whilst the average age of the Harvard MBA student commencing a program was 27, the age of these younger students was around 22.

You might ask the question: why should Harvard Business School want to lower the average age of their students? This was very much driven by certain areas of the faculty being concerned that the average age of the class was rising, and with diversity being a very topical and a key issue, it was felt that some changes should be made. The general admissions criteria of number of years of relevant work experience required to enter the program, was creating too narrow a cohort.

According to Jana Kierstead, Director of MBA Career Services at Harvard Business School, of those who entered within three years of finishing university and college (this group made up 20% of the Harvard MBA student body), 94% received job offers at graduation. The average for the whole 2006 intake was 96%. These figures show that times may be changing, and that amount of experience is not necessarily of such valued importance as it may once have been. At Harvard, it is clearly evident that younger MBAs seem to have little trouble competing with more experienced candidates, and according to Jana Kierstead, these younger students received salaries commensurate to those of their more experienced classmates, across all industries.

This may be the case for some of the more renowned business schools, and it will be interesting to see if this approach is implemented across the board, and in turn, its level of success.

For consulting roles, experience is still preferred
In my experience working with MBA recruiters, particularly in the consulting sector, most are looking for MBA candidates to have some relevant experience. As one recruiter put it, they see the MBA as an excellent qualification, and described the MBA as a “…gloss on a candidate’s education and work experience to date”. However, it does depend on the type of organization, and the level at which they are recruiting. Most strategy and management consultancies who are looking to recruit consultants will ideally want their new recruits to have experience in a particular industry sector, and in a functional area. So that after a comprehensive induction and initial training they can ‘hit the ground running’ and be out on client sites, working on consulting assignments and earning fees as soon as possible. As Damir Latte, specialist in Management Consultancy and Recruitment Consultant at Global Workplace says, “candidates for consultancy roles ideally need three to five years relevant work experience. For those with none or very little experience, consultancy positions are out of the question. However, if they are good, they could be considered for analyst roles.”

MBA students with limited work experience need to promote their potential. Just because you don’t have the experience, does not mean you don’t have other valued skills. Some recruiters may have the stereotypical view that you are deemed to be too young and have limited experience, therefore you cannot be good enough. However, presenting yourself as ‘a long-term investment’ and demonstrating some of the ‘softer’ skills, may stand you in good stead.

A senior partner at a leading global management consulting firm, says applicants with limited work experience are not at an immediate disadvantage. However, he does see prior work experience as a ‘training ground’ for a position. He goes on to say that “if everything else is equal for a candidate with no experience and another with two years, I’ll take the person with two years.” It is true that job applicants with less experience might be hampered when they face competitors with otherwise similar profiles, with a good level of relevant work experience. But they are quick to add that those situations — where “everything else is exactly equal” — are rare. On the other hand, it can be an advantage if you are young. Companies see ‘malleable’ candidates, in contrast to older MBAs who may have already been ingrained within the culture of their previous job.

Class diversity is driving changes
When prospective candidates are applying to Business School, they need to be aware that each school is looking for diverse student intake, varied nationalities, cultures, gender and ages.

It has been said above that Harvard, one of the most reputable business schools, allows candidates onto their MBA program with limited work experience - and this sets a premise across the board. So, the message is to apply to business school when you believe the experience will be most valuable to you, and not only when you have a certain number of years experience. Do not wait. If you want to apply today, do so!

Finally, bear in mind that, yes, you go to business school to be educated, but you also expect to have a good job when you graduate and to earn a good salary. Therefore, for those prospective candidates who are exceptional, little or no experience will not be a major disadvantage when it comes to securing a job after graduation. However, for the majority of us, who need every ‘edge’ we can get, having some relevant experience prior to commencing an MBA is likely to make you more appealing to MBA recruiters.

The QS World MBA Tour, which visits Hong Kong on Saturday 10 November, is again bringing future MBAs the opportunity to meet face-to-face with over 90 business school decision-makers from around the world such as Wharton, INSEAD, Bocconi, London -Cass. Register now for free entry.

Written by: Mike Holmes, QS Top MBA Career Guide