Top MBA Recruiters: American Express
The fact that “Don’t leave home without it,” once American Express’ omnipresent tagline, is now “Don’t live life without it” speaks to its transformation. Its YouTube channel features content ranging from “Unlock the Money,” showing the evolution of various startups, to “Epic Everyday,” which offers crafty lifehacks like how to make smoothie ice cubes. Not just a credit company anymore, AMEX has billed itself an “engine of commerce.”
Like many global financial services groups in 2019, AMEX has learned that to thrive, it must adapt to meet the many needs of the millennial consumer. This, along with its wide variety of job opportunities and a top global recruitment program, make it a great place to work for MBAs.
Why American Express?
With over 65,000 employees worldwide, American Express was ranked 13th by Fortune on its “100 Best Companies to Work For” list in 2019. One of its major attractions is the recent added focus on work life balance, and it now offers a whopping five months of family leave time for new parents. Other benefits include generous healthcare coverage which begins on day 1 of employment, wellness and prevention programs, and tuition assistance. American Express also offers a variety of virtual positions, along with a compressed work week.
The company also matches employee donations to nonprofits, offers a variety of volunteer opportunities, and prioritizes environmental sustainability efforts across all levels of employment. It has also earned 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index for LGBTQ—inclusive workplace policies and practices. In addition, AMEX was voted the “Best Company for Diversity” by Black Enterprise in 2017 and one of the “Top Companies for Women in Tech” in the same year.
Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Fort Lauderdale are listed as key cities for external hiring and internships, and the New York City headquarters is a top hiring location as well.
American Express Salaries
Glassdoor reports the typical American Express Analyst salary at $72,034. Managers make $101,000, while Senior Marketing Managers make $118,000. Top salaries are $149,000 for Marketing Directors and $196,000 for Vice Presidents.
Starting an American Express Career
American Express’ recruitment program is robust, and it hires MBA interns across all disciplines. According to one recruiter, “The culture and people at AMEX are what make it a great place to intern … [it’s] an environment centered around collaboration.” Interns can find opportunities in the following areas:
- Consulting
- Finance
- Marketing
- Operations
- Human Resources
- Risk and Governance
One former intern says, “Many of the casual coffee chats of my intern days have developed into true mentor-mentee relationships in my full-time career.” The 12 week summer internship program is offered in New York, Phoenix, or Fort Lauderdale, and AMEX also offers ‘talent communities’ in which students and professionals can track available opportunities and find matches for their abilities. Having shifted in the past decade to a focus on digital commerce, AMEX seeks MBA graduates who are well versed in data analysis, no matter what position they seek.
Top recruiting schools for AMEX include the New York University Stern School of Business, Columbia Business School, the University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business, Cornell’s SC Johnson School of Management, London Business School, IESE Business school in Barcelona, IIT Bombay, and IIM Ahmedabad. Roughly 250 interns and full-time hires are brought into the company each year, according to recent figures.
A final helpful piece of American Express career advice offered by a recruiter:
“It’s your job to sell us on your passion. I also need to understand that you know what the job is. That might seem obvious, but a lot of people come in unprepared. I love questions from candidates that look to the future: ‘What do my first 90 days look like?’ ‘What are the key things you’d like to help me to achieve?'”
MBA Jobs: Business Strategy Manager
In order for businesses to succeed, it needs to have an excellent idea, leaders to sell that idea, and a staff to ensure that the idea can come to fruition. While it’s possible for one person to handle these responsibilities on their own, the lone ranger business model is not sustainable as the company expands.
Enter: the Business Strategy Manager, a role tailor-made for adept planners and creative problem-solvers.
What is a Business Strategy Manager?
Think of the business strategy manager as the glue of the C-suite. CEOs, COOs, CFOs, and other leaders all (theoretically) have excellent ideas for how to lead a company, but it is the business strategy manager’s job to transform raw ideas into a cohesive, realistic plan that drives the company forward, creates a profit, and develops a competitive advantage.
The best business strategy managers know what makes a company either sink or swim, and they use that knowledge to develop and execute their strategy.
Here is a representative sample of business strategy manager responsibilities:
- Strategy definition
- Strategic planning
- Strategic performance management
- Strategic risk management
- Data analysis
- Collaboration
How Much Does It Pay?
Given that business strategy managers work directly with the leaders of a company, the salary is competitive. According to Glassdoor, the average salary is $125,899. Business strategy managers can earn an average of $15,993 in cash compensation, which can go upwards of $40,000.
Getting Started
To start, all candidates should come from the business world. A BA/BS in a business-related field (e.g., finance, economics) is a must. Given the high level of this position, most candidates will not get a second glance if they do not have at least two years of rising strategy experience in a professional business setting, not to mention an MBA.
Since negotiation is at the core of the business strategy manager role, successful business strategy manners must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Candidates must be clear communicators and effective presenters. In addition, they must be able to develop relationships with both staff members and stakeholders.
In addition to the people skills, successful candidates will have strong analytical skills. Candidates must be able to translate complex financial data into plain language that can be easily understood by all stakeholders. The expectations placed on business strategy managers require that successful candidates are organized and excellent decision makers. They have to make decisions quickly and soundly. This job is well-suited for those who can keep their cool, no matter what is thrown at them.
Since an MBA degree is required to even be considered for the role, it is worthwhile to consider some schools that have strategy concentrations and can set you up for a future career as a business strategy manager.
University of Florida’s Hough Graduate School of Business
University of Florida’s Hough School of Business offers a flexible curriculum that allows students to start preparing for their careers during their first year of the two-year program. Combined with full tuition scholarships offered to full-time MBA students, Hough is an excellent opportunity for the strategically-minded.
Cornell’s SC Johnson School of Business
At Cornell’s SC Johnson College of Business, students receive a top-notch business education. In their second year, Cornell students can complete a concentration in strategy. This extra knowledge will help Cornell students stand out from the others.
Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business
Ohio State’s Fisher College of Business is an elite business school that has just completed a curriculum redesign that puts students first. Fisher faculty and staff help students construct their MBA so that strategy is their primary concern, rather than just a concentration they complete during the second year.
Top MBA Recruiters: Airbnb
One of the great clichés of the tech industry is the notion of “disruption.” As in, nearly every app, website, or program will disrupt the way we previously conceived of our environment. All this talk of disruption in tech often amounts to a lot of hot air, but not so for Airbnb.
Initially founded as a way for two guys to earn a bit of extra income to cover astronomical San Francisco rent, Airbnb has become a leader in peer-to-peer property rental. Millions of people use the service each year to find temporary lodging in virtually every nook across the planet
As Airbnb’s popularity soars and the company continues to expand its services—it recently acquired HotelTonight, a discount hotel booking service—MBAs with interest in hospitality should consider these Airbnb careers.
Why MBAs Love Airbnb
Airbnb is a young company, launched in 2008. In that short time, it has established itself as a power player in the hospitality industry. With an IPO in the pipeline this year, the company is working to shore up its future. This means further expansion into new markets and new services to maintain company profitability. MBAs who long to play a vital role in the expansion of an already hot brand will find opportunities in spades at Airbnb.
Airbnb compensates MBAs well for their contributions. According to Glassdoor, MBAs who arrive as program managers can earn an average of $117,299 in base salary and $18,868 in a cash bonus. Those who receive stock bonuses can earn an extra $32,669.
In addition to the salary, Airbnb careers have excellent benefits. Employees will find health care, dental care, 401(k), life insurance, and a complimentary snack pantry on pair with most Silicon Valley startups. However, Airbnb offers a few other unique perks.
To start, the company provides stipends to its employees to cover cellphone bills, continuing education, and commuting, whether by bike or by public transportation. In addition, Airbnb provides its employees with a $2,000 travel stipend to stay in any Airbnb property in the world, which essentially gives Airbnb employees gratis accommodations wherever they travel during their three weeks of annual PTO.
Life at Airbnb
One might gather that Airbnb encourages its employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance, which many employees have remarked is actually quite easy. Airbnb employees also seem to enjoy the company of their coworkers, who are often described as thoughtful, intelligent, and nice.
The company has a lenient telecommuting policy. However, most employees come into the office because the provided spaces are worthy of spreads in Architectural Digest. Airbnb hires local architects to customize each office to its city. The employees have noticed; many note that the gorgeous offices are a major benefit of working for the company.
Airbnb Careers
The firm has four core values:
- Champion the Mission
- Be a Host
- Embrace the Adventure
- Be a “Cereal” Entrepreneur
Successful candidates will be able to explain how their skills and talents fit with these core values.
The interview process for the product manager position starts with a phone interview. If approved, candidates will venture to the Airbnb office for a full day of interviews and examinations. This includes case study presentations and multiple interviews. If the company considers you a fit for its company, it will extend an offer.
As noted above, cultural fit is extremely important at Airbnb. The company encourages candidates to set aside some time to consider how they might contribute to the culture at Airbnb. The company recommends making contact with a current employee to help gather information on what Airbnb expects regarding its core values.
Company Battle: Morgan Stanley vs Credit Suisse
MBA graduates on the prowl for post-graduate employment opportunities would do well to investigate international banking giants Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse, both of which offer many attractive perks to employees.
New York City’s Morgan Stanley primarily handles the investments and assets of governments, corporations, and institutions. Zurich, Switzerland-based Credit Suisse is highly regarded for its bank-client confidentiality and overall discretion with regard to client information.
Morgan Stanley vs Credit Suisse: Salaries
The most common entry-level position for MBA graduates is as an associate. Luckily, associates are compensated handsomely at both companies.
Morgan Stanley offers an average salary of $108,659 according to Glassdoor data, with the possibility of an additional $21,732 in bonuses, on average.
Credit Suisse remains competitive with Morgan Stanley at an average annual salary of $111,572 and an average overall pay of approximately $112,000. However, there is the potential for healthier bonuses at Credit Suisse, with a ludicrous average bonus pay of $67,980. Still, reviews from current and former Credit Suisse employees on Glassdoor seem to suggest that bonuses are actually few and far between. Whereas reviews from Morgan Stanley employees suggest that they are more generous.
Morgan Stanley vs Credit Suisse: Company Culture
Credit Suisse and Morgan Stanley actively fosters inclusion in the workplace, with a number of key diversity initiatives. In addition, both banks have implemented innovative strategies to demonstrate corporate responsibility and philanthropy.
Credit Suisse offers several employee networks designed to foster collaboration, including networks for family, women, veterans, LGBT professionals, and POC professionals. Additionally, Credit Suisse offers the Real Returns™ Program, which offers senior bankers the chance to return from an extended career break.
Morgan Stanley also encourages their employees to volunteer regularly, as exemplified by its Global Volunteer Month, the most recent iteration saw 48,000 employees in 36 countries volunteer over 262,000 hours of their time.
Morgan Stanley’s Vice Chairman Tom Nides and Chief Human Resources Officer Jeff Brodsky, shown with over 300 volunteers during the company’s 2018 Global Volunteer Month.
Credit Suisse is known for its collaborative working environment and flexible working hours. Morgan Stanley, on the other hand, promotes a supportive workplace culture, but work occurs at a much faster pace and over longer hours. Some might find the fast-and-furious approach preferable, as it offers more learning opportunities, but it can be difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Both banks rank highly by various publications on workplace cultures, but Morgan Stanley seems to consistently come out on top. According to Vault, Credit Suisse ranks at 19th as the best place to work, whereas Morgan Stanley comes in 4th. eFinancialCareers also ranks Morgan Stanley as the 4th most ideal employer, citing its competitive bonuses and salaries, as well as its progressive initiatives on issues like workplace diversity and corporate social responsibility. Despite their attractive salaries, positive office environment, and accommodating working hours, Credit Suisse comes in slightly behind at 10th. Finally, Glass Door ranked Morgan Stanley at 100 overall in its 2019 list of ‘Best Places to Work.’
Morgan Stanley vs Credit Suisse: Hiring Rates and Versatility
Morgan Stanley features over 57,000 employees, spread out over 41 countries. There are opportunities to work in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, and Asia Pacific.
Credit Suisse features 46,840 employees working across 50 different countries. However, a number of positions are only available in Switzerland. In spite of these figures, Credit Suisse claims that there are still many opportunities for mobility, both internally (with respect to opportunities to work across departments as well as potential promotions) and geographically. In 2017, 4,100 employees made an internal move and 47 percent of vacancies were filled internally.
Top MBA Recruiters: Netflix
In the 1990s, when you wanted to rent movies, there was only one way to do it: head into a Blockbuster. At least that was the case until 1997 with the advent of Netflix.
When the company first got its start, the world of on-demand streaming was nonexistent. Instead, Netflix.com was a DVD rental and sales site where you paid a low monthly fee for unlimited DVD rentals. By 2005, more than 4.2 million people became members of Netflix and Blockbuster began to fade.
Everything changed again in 2007 when Netflix introduced streaming, where members could instantly watch TV shows and movies online. All you needed was your parent’s password, and the rest is history.
Now, Netflix is a video streaming giant with 139 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime and anywhere, including original series, such as the highly successful Orange Is the New Black and House of Cards.
With all this going for it, it should be no surprise that Netflix is a sought-after employer for MBAs with a keen interest in disruptive tech and entertainment.
Why MBAs Love Netflix
Netflix is famous for its unique company culture. According to Business Insider, the company “does not tolerate either failing employees or ‘brilliant jerks.’” That can be both good and bad depending on your viewpoint. What it does translate into is a company that focuses on “freedom and responsibility,” meaning you’ll be expected to work hard, hit the ground running, and excel in a cutthroat environment.
“Being part of Netflix is like being part of an Olympic team,” Netflix tells the Wall Street Journal in a written statement. “Getting cut, when it happens, is very disappointing but there is no shame at all. Our former employees get a generous severance, and they generally get snapped up by another company.”
The good news is that this equates to impressive pay with 800 employees on Glassdoor giving the company 4.2 stars for “Compensation & Benefits.” On average, a manager at Netflix can expect to earn $178,176, while a senior manager makes $213,243. The key is that you perform and perform well at Netflix. There’s no handholding. Instead, you can expect long hours and a tough work/life balance rating at 3.3 according to Glassdoor.
And there’s no doubt that hard work has paid off for the company. Since 2012, the Netflix stock has increased 2,500 percent and is the indisputable leader in the entertainment industry. It might be a fairly ruthless culture, but it’s working and producing results.
Netflix Careers
According to one former employee who posted an Indeed review in March 2019, “the benefits and the company itself were great: flexibility, values, inexpensive insurance, no dress code, etc.” And others agree.
When you work at Netflix you can expect half free lunches, an amazing kitchen with all kinds of snack and drinks, and fair PTO and sick days. However, you can also expect a demanding schedule that requires you to be on your game and getting the job done.
“Fast-paced, dynamic company, great exposure, and learnings. High impact and good [renumeration] and perks. Many peoples dream company to work for,” one anonymous former director wrote on Glassdoor
Getting Hired at Netflix
Don’t expect getting a job at Netflix to be a piece of cake. According to a 2016 Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) hosted by a purported Netflix employee, the interview process is long, involved, and designed to make sure your personality fits the company culture, and you’re technically capable.
According to the Reddit, you’ll talk to “eight or so people,” some of whom are from HR while others are from higher up in the department where you’re applying to. Typically, if even a single person doesn’t like you, you won’t get the job. You’ll even be flown out to headquarters for an all-day interview just to make sure you’re the right person for the job.
As for what Netflix looks for in its employees, they want you to demonstrate qualities that align with their values. This includes:
- Courage
- Humility
- Curiosity
- Passion
- Being open to providing and receiving feedback
- Scrappiness and grit
- Team player
- Inclusive and self-aware
For more insight, there’s a great Netflix podcast that is all about how the company hires, which you can watch here.
Current Netflix Careers
Generally, Netflix does not high new grads or interns. According to a thread on Quora, Netflix does not consider itself an entry-level company. If you’re an exceptionally skilled candidate or someone with a rare skill, the company may make an exception, but for the most part, the company is looking for employees that already have experience.
There are currently more than 450 job openings at Netflix in California, London, Singapore, Amsterdam, Tokyo, and other locations around the world. Those openings include jobs in:
- Business development
- Marketing and public relations
- Finance
- Data, analytics, and algorithms
- Design and product innovation
The best part of every job opportunity at Netflix is the “freedom to do whatever you think is necessary to move the business forward. The worst thing is that nobody will tell you how to spend your time or what exactly you should be working on (outside of setting larger goals for your role),” according to a LinkedIn Q&A
Top MBA Recruiters: S&P Global
In 1869, Henry Varnum Poor published an investor’s guide to the American railroad industry. As it approaches its 160th year, New York City‘s S&P Global, the company that bearing his name, is an elite firm that organizes an index fund for the stock market and provides important financial information to businesses around the world.
S&P Global is one of the largest financial analytics firms in the world, which means that many MBAs who aspire to roles as quants should read on.
Why MBAs Love S&P Global
For those familiar with the Wall Street Journal, S&P Global’s massive international presence in the financial market is hard to miss. MBAs who want to pursue international opportunities or return to their home countries can find many opportunities with S&P Global, operating 65 offices spread across six continents.
Given the prominent position in finance, S&P Global offers extremely competitive wages to its employees. According to Glassdoor, MBAs who begin their careers at S&P Global as associates can earn an average of $110,397, with an additional $15,000 in cash bonuses.
Life at S&P Global
S&P Global and S&P Global Market Intelligence both emphasize strong work-life balance and benefits. In addition to comprehensive health, vision, dental, and retirement benefits, S&P provides employees with support for child and elder care, adoption assistance, and a maternity management program for new mothers. S&P also offers employees a $5,000 refund for continuing education courses.
Another major benefit that employees extol is the high quality of their colleagues, who are described as extremely smart and open to collaboration. Some also mention how S&P Global is a fantastic place to learn about the business and get a foothold in the field.
Landing a Job at S&P Global
The firm operates on three primary principles: relevance, integrity, and excellence. S&P also seeks candidates who embody the following leadership qualities:
- Operate outside-in
- Elevate people
- Adopt a worldview
- Drive performance
- Speak the truth
- Execute with discipline.
It is critical that all prospective employees to understand what these values mean to them and how they can be applied to their work at S&P Global.
The application process is rather straightforward. For example, prospects for the associate position are first screened through a 30-minute phone interview. If the phone interview is passed, candidates are called in for a series of interviews and a two-hour in-house rating assessment, which requires that the candidate writes a one-page recommendation based on information provided to them by the firm.
As noted above, throughout this process, the firm attempts to assess the candidate’s fit within the S&P Global culture. S&P also looks to ensure that candidates have the technical skills necessary to thrive in the job if hired.
The best candidates will have made contact with current employees to review what systems are being used at S&P Global, particularly in their desired area of employment, and will know how their experience and mentality fits with the firm’s values and principles.
Current S&P Global Jobs Openings
The company is currently looking for a litany of MBA talent in and outside of the United States. There are over 300 openings at S&P Global Market Intelligence alone. Just last week, the following positions opened up:
Sales Associate – Investment Banking/Private Equity – New York City, U.S.
While this position does not explicitly require an MBA degree, the company notes that is preferred, in addition to “Investment Management, Hedge Fund, Private Equity and Investment Banking space.” Business school grads with a passion for sales are prime for this role, who will need to “identify key decision makers and influencers with target prospects and execute sales strategy collaborate with sales members, client services, product management, operations, technology, and legal to optimize product and service delivery.”
Product Manager – Digital Storefront – New York City, NY or Charlottesville, VA or Centennial, CO, U.S.
For business school grads less interested in the art of sales and more inclined to the world of strategy, a Product Manager role may be perfect. The role looks for people who can “build out a new digital storefront for all of our data sets products. You will work alongside S&P Global Technology, Commercial, Content and Operation teams to define executable business requirements that are aligned with Clients needs as well as the broader S&P Global strategy and goals.”
An MBA degree is not a requirement for the position. Rather, in line with the experience many MBAs have already earned by the time they earn a degree, the Product Manager should have at least three years of business analysis or project management experience, and four to six years of business experience in general.
Marketing Manager – New York City, U.S.
Business grads with at least five years of related experience may be very interested in the company’s Marketing Manager role in New York. They’re looking for candidates that can craft a compelling marketing narrative, working alongside the sales, research, and product teams, helping to build the brand.
