In late 2009, MinorityMBAs.com conducted a ten-question survey to assess the impact of the economic and job outlook on the attitudes and practices of MBA job seekers. The survey was also intended as a tool to provide actionable information to recruiting organizations targeting these individuals. Members of MinorityMBAs.com were invited to participate. Members of other diverse MBA groups were also asked to take the survey. Overall, the responses illustrate the impact of the current job market on the job search process, the steps participants have taken to make themselves more competitive and an increased flexibility on the part of participants.
Summary of Key Findings
- 65% of respondents characterized themselves as actively searching for a job, 29% as passively searching and 6% as not searching. 58% of our participants graduated from business school within the last five years, 8% graduated between five and ten years ago and 6% earned an MBA over 10 years ago. 28% of the respondents were graduating MBA students.
- 86% of respondents indicated the current job environment has affected their approach to their job search. 68% indicated their job searches have lasted longer than expected.
- 55% of respondents indicated they were more willing to relocate to secure a job opportunity as a result of the current job environment. An increased willingness to relocate jumped to 74% for respondents out of business school for five years or less.
- 91% of respondents indicated an increased willingness to consider a change in career or industry as a result of the current job market.
- 69% of respondents indicated they had altered their resumes in order be more competitive as a result of the current job market. We asked participants to indicate in which ways their resumes were changed. The most common responses were professional resume rewrites, inclusion of quantifiable information, multiple versions for different industries, stronger and more active keywords, highlighting more accomplishments and improved formatting.
- 74% of survey participants expect the job market to recover during 2010. 19% of respondents expect a recovery after 2010. 7% expected a recovery before the end of 2009.
- 50% of respondents indicated online job boards were their primary tools for job searches. 26% selected networking, 12% chose online social networking websites, 10% picked company career websites and 2% selected other. Online job board use jumped to 59% for candidates out of business school for five years or less.
- Respondents were generally optimistic about their job searches. 60% of participants characterized themselves as moderately optimistic and 14% as very optimistic. 26% percent indicated they were not optimistic.
- 49% of respondents indicated salary was the most important factor in choosing their next job. 23% selected title/function, 14% selected location, 8% indicated job security was most important and 4% chose Industry. Within the group of passive job seekers, salary was the most important factor for 56% and location was the most important factor for 21%.
About MinorityMBAs.com
MinorityMBAs.com is the leading job website for top tier minority MBA professionals. MinorityMBAs.com serves over 2,600 diverse MBAs. We offer a full set of recruiting and diversity branding products for companies committed to diversity recruiting at the MBA level. For more information, call us at 1-888-375-3130 or email Contact@MinorityMBAs.com. Return to Home Page 
