Hi,

I am a financial analyst on a private banking team in Los Angeles for a very prestigious financial services firm. I have been here for one year and plan on entering business school after my third year. I have been concerned about my "advancement" within the team and how business schools look at promotions.

Typically, an analyst is an analyst for three years and doesn't really get a "promotion" until after that point. Although my responsibilities have increased and my performance has improved, I am cognizant that admissions committees want to see "progression" in your first job. Is this going to hurt me when I apply for school? I have a great job with great pay, and I would perhaps categorize it as a top 10% position coming out of undergrad (the only jobs that are "more prestigious" would be I-banking and consulting).

Please let me know what admissions committees will be looking for and how I can convey that this position really is an achievement. Thanks!

Buzz

Hi Buzz,

Thanks for writing and I commend you on thinking about an MBA so far in advance -- the foresight should definitely help you frame your application.

In regards to your lack of promotion, you'll want to definitely show a measured increase in responsibility over time. Additionally you can instruct your recommenders to mention in their letter that a lack of promotion isn't a poor reflection of your work but rather standard company procedure.

Best of luck,

Daniel Richards
http://www.mbamission.com

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Hi buzz, it is good to see someone aspiring to do MBA. It is true that admission committees want to see progression in the candidate’s job, but you must remember that the people inside the admission committee have good idea of different sectors and how private banks functions. So it won’t make any problem if you don’t show any progression in your current job.