MBA Jobs Market To Struggle Post-COVID-19

Over 60% of employers lack confidence in the state of the global economy, which is a worrying sign for the MBA jobs market, according to a new report from the Association of MBAs (AMBA)

New research from the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and Business Graduates Association (BGA) shows concern for the global economy and a hyper competitive MBA jobs market in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The MBA employers report surveyed more than 1,000 employers that recruit MBA-specific roles. It found that despite viewing MBA-grade managers in a positive light there is a lack of confidence in the future of both global and local economies.

The survey opened at a time when the majority of the world was beginning to implement lockdown measures as a result of COVID-19. The survey closed as restrictions in many parts of the world were beginning to ease.

MBA recruitment prospects

Furloughed staff, job cuts, and the financial pressure placed on companies amid the pandemic mean that many companies have scaled back or frozen MBA recruitment for the time being—especially in the industries that have been hit the hardest, like hospitality and travel.

That is reflected in the report, as more than a quarter of employers (28%) believe there are too many candidates for too few jobs.

Current confidence is low, with more than six out of 10 employers (61%) stating that they were either ‘not very confident’ or ‘not confident at all’ in the state of the global economy.

MBA employers have an equally bleak view of the state of local economies, with 60% saying they were ‘not very confident’ or ‘not confident at all’ in the state of their own country’s economic performance.

The MBA jobs market is set to be even more competitive in the wake of the pandemic.

Across the survey, the mean number of new positions relevant to MBA graduates in the last two years at each company was 20. The mean number of MBAs applying for senior roles across respondent’s organization’s in the past two years was 93.

That shows that even before the pandemic the MBA jobs market was hypercompetitive. And the report shows in the wake of COVID-19 an approach of conservatism, cost cutting, and recruitment freezes among employers. But it’s not all bleak.

While more than a third of survey participants (35%) think they will be recruiting ‘a lot fewer’ management leaders than 2019, 14% do think they will be recruiting more management leaders than last year and 16% believe their recruitment of MBA-relevant roles will be the same as 2019.