Resource Guide
Key MBA skills employers look for
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is designed to give students the business know-how they need to excel in a wide variety of careers, including financial management, business operations, and marketing. If you’re interested in transitioning from a specialized role into an administrative or managerial position, an MBA program can teach you the skills employers seek.
To learn more, check out the infographic below, created by Pearson Pathways.
MBA graduates are expected to learn about the standard business curriculum and develop the skills they’ll need for leadership roles.
Core curriculum
An MBA program typically offers courses on accounting and finance, business ethics and law, business strategy, communication, economics, human resources, marketing, operations management, sales, statistics, and technology.
Program takeaways
MBA programs provide a broad business education. Graduates learn to analyze problems, develop strategies, and communicate with coworkers and business leaders. MBA programs also develop students’ leadership skills, cultivating a results-driven mindset and the ability to guide cross-functional teams toward common goals.
Upon graduation, MBA graduates should understand both formal and informal leadership concepts.
Formal leadership
Formal leadership arises from a position of authority but doesn’t inspire commitment. This form of leadership involves transactions, coercion, and co-option. It is only effective if those who report to the leader believe in their formal authority and see immediate benefit for themselves.
Informal leadership
Informal leadership is significantly more important than formal leadership and requires learning through experience, feedback, and coaching. Unlike formal leadership, informal leadership focuses on the interpersonal aspect of business relationships and inspires commitment because those who report to the leader believe in them and find intrinsic value.
Reviewing common roles that MBA graduates fill provides a better sense of how the skills developed in an MBA program are applied to specific job responsibilities. The following are top jobs for MBA graduates.
Marketing managers help businesses develop strategic plans, differentiate themselves from competitors, reach new customers, and grow market share. Job openings for this position are expected to grow by 10% between 2020 and 2030.
Medical and health services managers help health care organizations address logistical challenges, keep detailed records, and ensure regulatory compliance. Job openings for medical and health services managers are expected to grow by 32% between 2020 and 2030.
Management consultants help companies navigate structural changes and overcome serious obstacles, assess management problems and develop solutions, and develop growth strategies. The starting salary for management consultants at the top three management consulting firms is about $165,000, including a signing bonus.
Financial managers help companies prevent and address cash flow problems, keep expenses within a company’s budget, and inform financial investment decisions. Job openings for this position are expected to grow by 17% between 2020 and 2030.
Business operations managers help businesses transition their workers to remote work environments, address logistical challenges, manage deadlines, and enforce quality standards to boost efficiency. Job openings for business operations manager positions are expected to grow by 9% between 2020 and 2030.
Understanding what skills recruiters and employers are looking for — and, in some cases, failing to find — can help you develop an education strategy and identify programs that offer you the best opportunities to advance your career.
Skills recruiters look for in MBA graduates
Recruiters expect MBA graduates to possess strong skills in leadership, strategic thinking, communication, and problem solving. MBA graduates should have the ability to handle the complex global business environment and be ready to hit the ground running once hired.
Skills employers look for in MBA graduates
Employers expect MBA graduates to work well with people from diverse backgrounds, to solve complex problems, and to build, sustain, and grow a professional network. MBA graduates should have a nuanced understanding of the digital business environment and possess strong time management and prioritization skills.
Skills employers struggle to find in MBA graduates
Unfortunately, employers struggle to find certain skills in MBA graduates, including the ability to use social media, train others, perform financial forecasting, analyze big data, and create brand stories.
An MBA degree can open many doors for graduates possessing a clear understanding of how their education will help them achieve their career goals. By taking into consideration the skills employers are looking for, prospective MBA students can increase their chances of success in the workplace.
