Do recruiters and hiring managers in pharma pay attention to where you got your MBA (beyond AACSB accreditation)?

likefunny
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Like it or not, people are lazy and it’s an easy filter. Like almost any other industry, an MBA (or other grad degree) from a fancy school makes you look better on paper. Once you get to interviews, the fancy MBA isn’t going to get you the job though. Getting your MBA from somewhere random won’t stop you from getting the job. I do think it’s more about having MBA vs where you got it from. Source: someone with a fancy MBA that works in marketing with plenty of people with MBAs from random schools.

like

thank you, appreciate your response!

like

um... can someone let me in on the joke?

The whole MBA thing is beyond outdated. Anywhere worth considering knows this. As such, no.

Believe me, I get your frustration.

MBAs are typically addressed in listings along the lines of “MBA preferred,” not as a requirement of the role. Not having earned one does not disqualify an applicant off the bat, and any hiring manager worth their salt will have worked closely with the marketing team and is going into the process with a carefully crafted list of very specific attributes and criteria/experience types they are looking for in candidates. If you check these boxes and then also happen to have an MBA, well great!

The application obstacles you’re encountering is a separate point of discussion. This is very much the nature of the experience specific to the industry and is more or less intense across functions. Yours is one of thousands of applications received each week, each blending into the next.

What I know is readily apparent and very long and well-known… no big secret to share, unfortunately. To get your foot through the door, you must have a connection ready and waiting to open it for you. Without someone at the company helping to facilitate things and keep tabs on/oversee your place in the process, it’s going to be virtually impossible to be successful as an applicant. and is nearly unheard of.

No not in healthcare generally

Related Posts

Starting work in a month (MBB), scored a 730 GMAT in June. Worth studying again to retake before I start? White male working in NA

like

I'm about to start my part-time MBA. Already feel like dropping out...

like

What kind of exit opportunities are there for tax senior? Looking into getting an MBA. Any thoughts?

What is your plan B if you don’t get into any of the schools you have applied to? I don’t have one

likehelpful

Enrolled in Stern for a few weeks.
The number of the alumni and current students that go to top consulting firms FT& summer intern are countless even for a small class size.
Stern is way more than a finance school. Given its location, do you want to spend your 2 years in a rural area or heart of Manhattan? Location is almost everything for business school. (I have a friend in Cornell that frequently travels about 5 hours to NYC for events.)

like

Working on some law firm applications tonight and it sucks that I know that I am so capable and have a strong work ethic but firms can’t see beyond grades or the fact that I didn’t go to a t14 law school or prestigious undergrad. I’ve worked twice as hard and feel like I’ve barely even gotten half as much. It’s discouraging sometimes especially because I worked so hard with pretty much no guidance (first gen, poc, low-income) to get into college and do well and then get into a t30 law school

like

Thoughts on EW MBA from Booth/Kellogg/Haas. Currently SC at Deloitte and want to transition to tier 1 consulting firms

like

What is the historical practice for EYP members getting an MBA (FT or Exec)?

like

Have you seen anyone secure MBA internships as an EMBA student?

like

Looking for roles on the Customer/Marketing/Sales Consulting side of things. MBA w majority of time in industry looking to make a switch.

like

Thoughts on masters from oxbridge? I'm interested in a PhD after but also want some flexibility to work for a bit after back in consulting.

Thinking of either mba+social science focused masters, then target US PhD. I don't currently have research experience.

like

What are everyone's thoughts on executive MBA vs. traditional MBA? I'm currently pursuing a traditional MBA but sometimes I wonder what could've been 😅

like

Is CSCP worth it? 2 years out of school and know i want to be/stay in the supply chain field but torn between prioritizing that or GMAT right now. Feels like id be way more motivated in studying for this over GMAT rn too

like

I’m tutoring levels 1-3 and eager to assist. Dm me. Wharton mba cfa

like

Hello All, I’m a project manager but seeking to pivot into UX Research. I do have some experience but don’t have a portfolio yet. Can anyone advise if I should focus on going through a bootcamp or focus on getting a Masters in HCI? Or just building a portfolio with the experience I do have? There are very few entry-level roles and many places are only hiring “Sr UXR” with 3-5+ years of experience! Any tips on how to break into this field and/or stand out as a junior applicant?? Thanks!

like

Is there a "too old" stage to pursue a master's? Currently 25, 3 YOE

like

Hi everyone! In this field, when choosing a masters degree program is it more beneficial to get a degree in Human Resources to further my knowledge in HR (my undergraduate degree is in Economics) , an MBA, or Data Science Degree due to the fact that HR is becoming more data driven as well as get a PHR / SHRM-CP certification?

like

Possible to break into buy side finance after 1 year MBA at INSEAD, LBS, Columbia Business School, or Kellogg? I have 4 years MC exp and a Masters

like

M7 Bschools with most scholarship opportunities for vets?

Hi I don’t work at Deloitte but requesting some advice. On h1b right now, plan to go to grad school next year. Planning to pause h1b switch to f1 and then switch back after grad. Has anyone done this?

More Posts

like
like

Today is supposed to be our “day off.” I always laugh when I see emails announcing special days off. What’s even funnier are the reminders about “half days.” Hilarious.

likefunny

First time working as a senior and Manager doesn’t review or have time for many questions. Deff trying my best but very hard to be efficient when it’s takes time for me to understand everything (planning). anybody in the same situation?

like

I'll stick around for the bonus but want to make my side hustle my main career next year.
The side hustle is Scentsy...

funnylike

Hey guys.
Anyone working here as technical writer in automobile domain? If so, how is the scope in this field? I am asking this because currently I am thinking of switching to a different field due to low pay and lack of growth (thats what I heard). Anyone please suggest me if it is worth continuing in this field since I am an entry level candidate.
Thank you.

I have ADD and occasionally make small mistakes in my work, like leaving a word missing when editing sentences, small formatting errors or leaving an internal comment in drafts sent to clients. All partners have been very understanding and care about the quality of my work, and no client has ever complained. Partners and clients praise my work.

But now, one partner has become super mad and when I explained ADD, he said:

likefunny

Hi Fishes,
I got an offer from Backbase for senior QA role, wanted to know how is the work culture, growth opportunities , job security.
Is it good to move from Oracle with 12 years of exp to Backbase?

like

Im currently working in PwC. So is there any way to move to abroad?

like

Can we say that we already have an offer in the other company interviews?

like

That moment when you realize you did not press Ctrl-s and kept working on your excel sheet for hours 💻 📊

And then.. *drumroll*

it effing CRASHES...!!! #FMFL

🤦🏻‍♂️😖😣😡😤😩😫

like

Salesforce Commerce Cloud - what are your thoughts and is it worth it to specialize in the platform?

Can anybody please refer me to good product company?

I have working experience in banking and financial domain mostly on cards and payments, accounting, payroll projects.

YOE- 10.6

Tech stack- .NET, MVC, WCF, Entity Framework, WEB API, Microservices, SQL, JavaScript, Typescript, Bootstrap, Azure, Git Devops, Jira, API testing, Vulnerability management, Performance analysis

like

Is it possible to get a convenient location transfer in LTIMindtree? Or it can be decided only after the project allocation?

like

Anyone know the email for the recruiter at Mondo Robot?

Best place to get pre-qualified for a mortgage?

I have some collections on my credit report. One from an electric company for $800 (imo they violated terms of contract and sent me to collections in spite of their fuck up), and an apartment for $80~ that charged me a cleaning fee when my apartment was spotless.

Despite these two collections have a 712-720 credit score.

So mortgage lenders care at all about the collections or is it mostly the credit score that matters?

(cont)

like

Question! I just moved(transferred) to another team of my company and received new title, graphic & creative services. I was a senior graphic designer at the previous team. What do you think about my new title? I know that title is not a big thing but why I feel like my title is downgraded here… Good thing is my jobs here at my current team are what I really wanted to do. This is amazing. I love my new team and people here! Super healthy working environment! But just curious about the title.

Any possibility to transfer H1B approval from Infosys to new company? It is not yet stamped

like

Can a company apply for an h1b transfer if I’m not in the country ? Im planning to travel internationally and expecting the h1b transfer process to be initiated the same time…

like

Additional Posts in Pharma and Biotech

Anyone working for AstraZeneca or Pfizer within oncology?

Any big pharma directors here happy to chat? I'm a postdoc and was suggested to apply to Sr/principal scientist or asso. med. dir. positions. I'd be excited for positions that straddle research & clinical trial development but job postings seem to be on either end. I want to look at data and draw decisions like go to trial or not. Need some insight on org. structure and how to go about finding a good fit? If it help, looking for north east positions. TIA!

like

What type of drug test are they going to do?

I’m looking for a Roche referral for a DC based policy role. My previous experience is global policy at WHO/PAHO & Executive Branch.

like

Do we have anyone from Edwards Lifescience? Would love to talk.

like

Hi all,
Looking for a career change, I’ve experience in project management, oncology, health promotion, engagement, inclusion and diversity and hoping to work for a pharma. Happy to relocate and would love some guidance and referral please 🙏🏾

like

Anyone work in alliance management? Would love to learn more about the function!

like

Hello Fish! Does anyone have experience working for IQVIA in a non consulting, corporate role? How’s the work culture?

Hello everyone!

Currently looking to jump from Health Care to Pharma/Biotech. Does anyone work at Gilead and can serve as a reference? The current department I’m in, I do not fit the culture as it is a very archaic way of “managing” people. I have about a decade of a variety of work experience, majority in customer service/coordination/administration.

Would love any assistance if possible!

like

Hi
Applied for a position in Johnson and Johnson Canada. Reached the final round 3 weeks back. After not getting any updates I emailed the HR a couple of weeks back. They responded back telling me that they’ll have an update for me the next week. Again I emailed them on Thursday asking if they have anything for me before the long weekend ( Good Friday & Easter). No response whatsoever. Will emailing them again be inappropriate? I desperately need this job

like

Does AbbVie have a four day work week?

like

Anyone hiring? I’m a PharmD looking to jump from consulting to the industry.

like

I have an interview for a technical writer position in the chemistry field. Coming from a lab based chemistry role I'm use to getting technical questions about my lab experience. With this role I'm interviewing for being office based, I'm not sure what questions they may ask. What interview questions can I expect for a technical writing position?

like

Please help! I’m a CRC who manages Investigator- led clinical research projects and I want to transition to a PM role in industry (I would slightly prefer not a PM role in clinical trials since I don’t have clinical trial experience.) I’ve applied to PM roles at many biotech companies (e.g. Charles River, ICON, Paraxel) but only got 1 interview which didn’t work out. Which companies should I look to for an entry level PM role? Any good startups to consider? Anyone have any insight or advice?

Anyone working at Abbie willing to provide reference? Desperately need one

like

Does anyone have an idea on what salary should be expected when applying to a major biotech company (GSK, Novartis, J&J, AbbVie etc...) as an entry level (3 years experience) Pharmacology & Toxicology master degree with an emphasis in Drug Discovery and Development with technical expertise in electrophysiology/neuroscience domain (several published papers on sodium channels) ?

likehelpful

Considering that the end of this year will probably signal the start of a recession, is this a bad time to jump into a new role in Pharma?

like

Hey fishies! Been a GVP consultant for 3.5 years now, hard work, tough “in trouble” clients, and just haven’t had the chance to work with a team long term! Been in the industry a while, current Head of DSPV and looking to jump back into FT work. Non-MD so it’s hard to find companies that will hire me even though I teach in grad school and headed for my PhD. Any thoughts? Openings?

like

What is the average salary for Clinical Research Associate I?

like

Does anyone work for Boehringer Ingelheim? Would love to ask a few questions!

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal