Job Trends - Top Mba

2015/16
QS TopMBA.com
Jobs & Salary Trends
Report
Mansoor Iqbal (BA University of Leicester, MA University College London)

Benjamin Clayton (BA University of Cambridge)
Introduction and Methodology
Since 1990, the QS Intelligence Unit, in col- tive companies. We ask them to tell us
laboration with TopMBA.com, has conducted about current and future levels of hiring
an annual survey of MBA employers world- and remuneration, and use this to map out
wide to determine trends in international global, regional and industry trends.

2 salaries and recruitment. QS is proud to
The 2015 QS Employer Survey is as exten-
produce the longest-established, geograph-
sive as ever and presents an unrivalled
ically-broadest and most-comprehensive
overview of the world MBA recruitment
global review of MBA jobs and salary trends.
market. For the purpose of this report,
The survey is targeted at those with respon- responses were received from 3,952 com-
sibility for MBA recruiting in their respec- panies in 88 countries.
Contributors
Mansoor Iqbal Benjamin Clayton
(BA University of Leicester, (BA University of Cambridge)
MA University College London)

Benjamin is an analyst with the QS Intelli-
Mansoor is the author of the report and the gence Unit, where he focuses on business
editor of TopMBA.com. He is a higher and schools, MBAs, and the development of the
business education specialist with a back- English language as a method of instruc-
ground in consumer journalism, and has tion. He holds a BA in politics, sociology and
worked at QS since 2011. Mansoor studied international relations.
English literature at both BA and MA level.
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Contents
Introduction and Methodology 2

0. Fast Facts 4
1. Global Trends in MBA Jobs and Salaries 6
1.1 Growth in MBA jobs by region 6
1.2 Top 20 countries for MBA demand 8
1.3 Compensation by region 9
1.4 Growth in MBA jobs by industry 11
1.5 Salaries by industry (US & Canada and Western Europe) 13 3
2. Long-Term Trends in MBA Jobs and Salaries 15
2.1 Index of long-term hiring trends 15
2.2 Long-term trends in MBA salary levels 16
2.3 Long-term trends in functional roles 17
3. US & Canada 18 6. Eastern Europe 30

3.1 MBA hiring trends 18 6.1 MBA hiring trends 30
3.2 Which regions do employers from 19 6.2 Which regions do employers from 31
the US & Canada look to when hiring Eastern Europe look to when hiring?
3.3 Salary trends 20 6.3 Salary trends 31
3.4 Top salaries by school 21 7. Latin America 33
4. Western Europe 22 7.1 MBA hiring trends 33
4.1 MBA hiring trends 22 7.2 Which regions do employers from Latin 34
4.2 Which regions do employers from 23 America look to when hiring?
Western Europe look to when hiring? 7.3 Salary trends 34
4.3 Salary trends 24 7.4 Top salaries by school 35
4.4 Top salaries by school 25 8. Middle East & Africa 36
5. Asia-Pacific 26 8.1 MBA hiring trends 36
5.1 MBA hiring trends 26 8.2 Which regions do employers from the 37
5.2 Which regions do employers from 27 Middle East & Africa look to when hiring?
Asia-Pacific look to when hiring? 8.3 Salary trends 37
5.3 Salary trends 27 8.4 Top salaries by school 38
5.4 Top salaries by school 29
9. What Employers Look For 39

9.1 Desired skills vs. satisfaction 39
9.2 Preferred years of work experience among employers 2011-2015 41
9.3 Functional roles offered 42
10. Who Responded to the QS Employer Survey? 43
10.1 Regional breakdown of MBA employer respondents 43
10.2 Employer response by size 2015 43
10.3 Employer response by industry 2013-2015 43
10.4 Sample of responding employers by region 2015 44
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0. Fast Facts
1. Global Trends in MBA Jobs and Salaries 3. US & Canada
14% growth in MBA jobs globally. Stellar year for the worlds
US and India remain worlds biggest most mature market, with 26%
4 markets for MBA jobs. growth in opportunities.
Growth in nearly every industry Employers in the region becoming more
outstrips predictions. global in their hiring outlook.
Mixed results in terms of compensa-

4. Western Europe
tion levels, with some regions far-
A good year, with 9% growth in jobs
ing better than others.
significantly exceeding expectations.
2. Long-Term Trends in MBA Growth driven by technology
Jobs and Salaries and industry & non-profes-
Industry & non-professional services sional services sectors.
sector growing rapidly.

5. Asia-Pacific
Slow recovery towards pre-recession
Rapid growth shows no signs of abating,
peak for MBA salary levels in the US &
with an 18% rise in opportunities.
Canada and Western Europe.
India and China the engine rooms
of growth, with the jobs mar-
ket in the latter showing signs of
increasing maturity.
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6. Eastern Europe 8. Middle East & Africa
A slower year for the region, with only Growth is slower than anticipated
4% growth reported, though 2015/16 at 8%, with a further slowdown
expected to be a much stronger year. predicted next year. 5

A bad year for Russia with reduced Employers in the region are the
salary offers compounding worlds most outward looking.
reduced opportunities.
9. What Employers Look For
7. Latin America Soft skills are an area for concern,
Not a good year for Latin American with a clear disparity between
MBA employers, who report only 1% employers expectations and
growth; better expected in 2015/16. satisfaction levels.
Brazil has experienced a slow- There is a long-term trend towards
down, while Mexico and Peru have hiring more-experienced candidates.
seen healthy growth.
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1. Global Trends in MBA Jobs & Salaries
1.1 Growth in MBA jobs by region
26 4%
% 9%
18
%
6 8%
1%
Region 2014/2015 (forecast) 2014/2015 (actual) 2015/2016 (forecast)

Asia-Pacific 8% 18% 13%
Eastern Europe 5% 4% 17%
Latin America 8% 1% 14%
Middle East & Africa 12% 8% 3%
US & Canada 9% 26% 14%
Western Europe 3% 9% 2%
Global 14% 11%
The most eye-catching figure in this years report is the 26% growth in MBA jobs in the US &
Canada a stunning recovery in a region which has experienced sluggish progress in the years
following the Great Recession. As recently as 2012/13, the regions growth figure was as low as 2%,
so this represents an amazing turnaround which, as we can see, far exceeds expectations.
Growth in Western Europe a region for Recent years, however, have shown us that
which tumult seems to have become the the MBA has become a truly global quali-
norm will also make for welcome reading. fication, best demonstrated by its aston-
For the first time in a good number of years, ishing rise in Asia-Pacific. Indeed, during
the worlds two most mature MBA markets times of slow growth in the US & Canada
seem to be in rude health an indicator of and in Western Europe, it has been noth-
the resilience of the MBA degree. ing less than strident in the eastern power-
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houses across the Asia-Pacific region the engine
room of growth in MBA hiring in recent years.
The surprise this year is that while we expected
a leveling out as Asia-Pacifics markets grow
ever more mature, the appetites of the regions

7
employers for MBAs have shown no signs of dull-
ing, with yet another year of remarkable growth.
Unfortunately, growth has not exceeded expec-
tations universally. It has been a particularly hard
year for MBA employers in Latin America, while
Eastern Europe has fared little better. In both
regions, however, employers are optimistic that
this time next year, we will have more positive
findings to discuss.
While opportunities in the Middle East & Africa
have not quite grown to last years high expec-
tations, 8% is a considerable improvement on
2013/14s growth of 2%. After a few years of
overoptimistic predictions, however, it does seem
like employers have cooled their expectations
for 2015/16 in the youngest of MBA markets. The
current level of hiring, it seems, is perhaps suffi-
cient for the regions needs.
26% growth in MBA jobs in the US & Canada

a stunning recovery in a region which has experienced sluggish progress in
the years following the Great Recession.
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UNITED
N STATES 1
1.2 Top 20 countries for MBA demand
INDIA 2 The US, as one might expect of the MBAs birthplace and
the worlds largest economy, leads the way in the terms

BRAZIL 3
of its sheer volume of MBA jobs. Indias presence in sec-
8 UAE 4 ond place is testament to the regard in which the degree
is held in the South Asian nation (Pakistans presence in

CANADA 5
this list can be read along the same lines), while the other
three BRIC countries are also present. Naturally, the rapid

SINGAPORE 6
growth these nations have experienced calls for the busi-
SOUTH KOREA 7 ness expertise that MBAs can bring to the collective table.
CHINA 8 Elsewhere, we see traditional big hitters in MBA hiring
assuming their positions in the table: the likes of Japan,

PERU 9
South Korea and Singapore in Asia-Pacific; the UK, Ger-
MEXICO 10 many, Spain and Italy in Europe, and Canada and Mexico
in the Americas. Oil-rich Middle Eastern nations, Saudi

SAUDI ARABIA 11
Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also offer plentiful
ITALY 12 opportunities for MBAs.
JAPAN 13 Egypt and Peru might be the more surprising inclusions
here. Egypt, however, has enjoyed a surge of MBA hiring

RUSSIA 14
over the past year driven by the financial services sec-
EGYPT 15 tor, while Peru has been something of stronghold in MBA
hiring for the past few years after enjoying a period of

SPAIN 16
rapid economic growth.
GERMANY 17
UK 18
PAKISTAN 19
KAZAKHSTAN 20
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1.3 Compensation by region
MBA salary and bonus levels by region (total compensation)

*all figures are in US dollars, US$
% Change % Change
Region 2013 2014 2015 (13-14) (14-15)
US & Canada $112,700 $128,600 $123,400 +14% -4%
Latin America $76,800 $71,400 $54,500 -7% -24% 9
Western Europe $109,000 $112,600 $111,100 +3% -1%
Eastern Europe $69,500 $72,700 $62,300 +5% -14%
Middle East & Africa $81,900 $70,300 $81,000 -14% +15%
Asia-Pacific $88,800 $86,000 $95,200 -3% +11%
MBA salary levels by region

% Change % Change
Region 2013 2014 2015 (13-14) (14-15)
US & Canada $90,000 $97,700 $97,300 +9% -0.40%
Latin America $58,900 $55,500 $46,200 -6% -17%
Western Europe $88,800 $90,600 $91,300 +2% +1%
Eastern Europe $61,700 $54,900 $53,000 -11% -3%
Middle East & Africa $65,300 $57,700 $68,700 -12% +19%
Asia-Pacific $68,300 $68,000 $69,200 -0.40% +2%
MBA bonus levels by region

% Change % Change
Region 2013 2014 2015 (13-14) (14-15)
US & Canada $22,700 $30,900 $26,100 +36% -16%
Latin America $17,900 $15,900 $8,300 -11% -48%
Western Europe $20,200 $22,000 $19,800 +9% -10%
Eastern Europe $7,800 $17,800 $9,200 +128% -48%
Middle East & Africa $16,600 $12,600 $12,300 -24% -2%
Asia-Pacific $20,500 $18,000 $26,000 -12% +44%
Sadly, it cannot always be the case that to bonus levels. Indeed, in terms of
we see unbroken upward trajectories salary alone, we actually see a marginal
across the board. So it is with the MBA increase in Western Europe. In both
compensation levels reported this year, cases, the decline is also only a one-
which in most cases have declined a year trend, and indeed, the packages
little. In the US & Canada as well as in on offer are most certainly generous
Western Europe the declines have been (particularly, as you will read later, if
small, and also seem to be tied largely one attends a top school).
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Latin America and Eastern Europe have been hit a little harder. In both cases, salary lev-
els stand slightly below their figures in 2013. In the case of the latter, this can again be
explained largely by declining bonus levels the regions decline in salary levels is far less
pronounced. Indeed, it seems a huge increase in bonus levels in 2014 renders the figures
from that year as something of an outlier, so we need to take this with a pinch of salt. There is
10 no such qualification to be made in Latin America, which has traditionally been the region in
which salary levels on offer have been among the lowest in the world; 2014/15 has clearly
been a challenging year for the regions employers.
The Asia-Pacific growth story continues unabated

and the regions potential is demonstrably far from exhausted.
Asia-Pacific has remained relatively consistent in terms of salary levels, though improved
bonuses in 2014/15 have seen total compensation packages improve. It is certainly positive
that despite the huge surge in the MBA hiring, employers are still eager to pay a premium for
MBA talent. The Asia-Pacific growth story continues unabated and the regions potential is
demonstrably far from exhausted. Salaries in the Middle East & Africa have recovered after
a small dip last year this is perhaps the region in which one can expect the greatest degree
of volatility, given the relatively small pool of employers.
Top 10 countries for MBA salary
Country of Employer Average Salary Average Bonus Total

1. New Zealand $145,000 $10,000 $155,000
2. Switzerland $131,100 $21,400 $152,500
3. Australia $124,800 $27,100 $151,900
4. United States $103,300 $22,400 $125,700
5. Singapore $101,500 $46,000 $147,500
6. United Kingdom $98,500 $22,600 $121,100
7. Spain $93,100 $15,400 $108,500
8. Canada $92,800 $26,800 $119,600
9. Ireland $89,400 $15,700 $105,100
10. Germany $79,700 $8,900 $88,600
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1.4 Growth in MBA jobs by industry
Share: MBA jobs by industry 2015
c. d. e.
f.
a.
u. b.
t. g.
s.
r. 11
q.
h.
p.
o.
n.
v. i.
k.
m. l.
j.
a. Aerospace / Defense h. Financial Services / Banking

o. Public Sector/Govt./Nonprofit
Share MBA jobs: 0.3% Share MBA jobs: 18.1% Share MBA jobs: 1.7%
2014-15 forecast: 0% 2014-15 forecast: 5% 2014-15 forecast: 8%
2014-15 growth: 8% 2014-15 growth: 9% 2014-15 growth: 16%
2015-16 growth forecast: -3% 2015-16 growth forecast: 5% 2015-16 growth forecast: -4%
b. Construction / Property
Share MBA jobs: 4.1%
i. IT / Computer Services p. Recruitment / HR services
Share MBA jobs: 11.3% Share MBA jobs: 3.5%
2015-16 growth forecast: 14% 2015-16 growth forecast: 19% 2015-16 growth forecast: 5%
c. Consulting / Professional Services j. Law

q. Retail
Manfacturing / Engineering Telecoms

d. Consumer Goods
k. Share MBA jobs: 7%
r. Share MBA jobs: 3.4%
Education Media / Entertainment & Arts

e. l. Share MBA jobs: 0.4%
s. Transportation/Distribution
2014-15 forecast: - 2014-15 forecast: 2% 2014-15 forecast: -3%
Electronics / High Technology

f. Share MBA jobs: 6.3%
m. Metals / Mining t. Travel/Leisure/Hospitality
2014-15 growth: 16% 2014-15 growth: 3% 2014-15 growth: -10%
g. Energy n. Pharma/Biotech & Healthcare

u. Utilities
v. Other
2014-15 forecast: 8%
2014-15 growth: 17%
2015-16 growth forecast: 10%
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Breaking down MBA job growth by industry shows just how good a year its been for MBA hir-
ing. With only two exceptions, we see growth that has outstripped our predictions often by
quite some distance. Many of the biggest figures come from smaller sectors consumer goods
and construction/property, for example. This demonstrates the growing diversity of the degree,
with organizations in more and more sectors looking to leverage those with the business exper-
12 tise afforded by MBA study. QSs annual research into prospective MBA students shows a con-
comitant rise in the diversity of the applicant pool to match this. One of the biggest surprises
among these rises comes from the pharmaceuticals/biotech & healthcare industry, which has
experienced a slowdown in recent years to the extent where we anticipated no growth this year.
Instead, we see a very healthy 17% increase, with a similar increase predicted for next year.
Growth, however, is not limited to smaller MBA
job sectors. As a consequence of some of the
astounding growth we see elsewhere, con-
sulting/professional services accounts for a
smaller percentage of the worldwide markets
total than in previous years, yet this years
growth of 24% signals that the sector is in
confident shape. In the competitive and entre-
preneurial age in which we live, it seems there
is a great call for external business expertise.
Weve also seen confident growth of 9% in the
financial services industry.
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1.5 Salaries by industry (US & Canada and Western Europe)
Average Average Average Average

Industry Sector Salary Bonus Total Industry Sector Salary Bonus Total
Media /
Aerospace /
$94,000 $25,000 $119,000 Entertainment $66,000 $6,000 $72,100
Defense
& Arts
13
Construction /
$92,400 $28,200 $120,700 Metals / Mining $86,100 $31,400 $117,500
Property
Consulting / Pharma /
Professional $87,400 $19,500 $106,900 Biotech & $97,800 $22,000 $119,800
Services Healthcare
Public Sector
Consumer
$67,100 $22,400 $89,400 / Govt. / $95,700 $15,500 $111,200
Goods
Nonprofit
Recruitment /
Education $83,300 $19,000 $102,300 $81,100 $23,700 $104,800
HR Services
Electronics
/ High $89,900 $18,900 $108,800 Retail $83,100 $50,000 $133,100
Technology
Energy $80,000 $20,000 $100,000 Telecoms $50,300 $8,400 $58,700
Financial
Transportation
Services / $99,000 $30,600 $129,500 $91,300 $12,100 $103,400
/ Distribution
Banking
IT / Computer Travel / Leisure

$89,600 $32,300 $121,900 $87,000 $8,500 $95,400
Services / Hospitality
Law $165,000 $25,000 $190,000 Utilities $83,700 $11,000 $94,700
Manufacturing
$94,400 $14,100 $108,500 Other $92,600 $15,000 $107,700
/ Engineering
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For our consideration of MBA salaries by In terms of the more mainstream MBA
industry, we limit ourselves to the mature professions, while pay packages have
MBA markets of the US & Canada and never been anything short of generous in
Western Europe. These figures should the sector, it has been a stellar year for a
make for happy reading, with total com- resurgent financial services industry, and
14 pensation comfortably into six figures only the outliers are rivaling the pay pack-
across the vast majority of industries. ages it currently offers. Confidence and
returns are on the up.

Smaller sectors when it comes to MBA
jobs, such as law, aerospace/defense, Consulting has remained fairly level; as
metals/mining and retail tend to throw up evidenced by the strong growth in jobs
high figures as a result of both the niche, witnessed by the sector, it is a diversify-
specialized knowledge required as well ing space in which the big names (which
as the innate lucrativeness of the indus- offer the highest salaries) are no longer
tries in question. In addition, there is the the only players in town. The presence
smaller sample size to consider here of smaller boutique firms must be taken
simply put, these are sectors which very into account when considering the over-
few MBAs will be targeting. all average figure though this years
number could hardly leave many with
cause for complaint.
The IT/computer services and the elec-
tronics/high tech sectors, between which
there is much overlap, also offer com-
pensation packages at which few would
baulk, with the former not too far behind
financial services and the latter a touch
ahead of consulting. The closeness of
these figures can be taken as further tes-
tament, should it be required, of the tech-
nology sectors status as the third major
player in MBA hiring.
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2. Long-Term Trends in MBA Jobs and Salaries
2.1 Index of long-term hiring trends
Technology
Finance
Consulting
Industry
15
5 1 2
6 10
4 1 2
0
3 1 2
7
0
2 1 2
0
1 1 2
0
0 10 2
0
9 1 2
8 0 2
6
0
7 00 2
0
6 0 2
5 0 2
0
5
4 00 2
0
3 0 2
2 0 2
0
1 0 2
4
0
0 0 2
0
9 0 2
0
8 9 2
3
0
7 9 1
9
6 9 1
9
5 99 1
2
9
4 9 1
3 9 1
9
2 9 1
1
9
1 9 1
9
0 9 1
9
9 1
9 9
0
1
This graph maps out long-term trends in MBA hiring, looking at finance, consulting, technology and
industry, to see how they have compared over the past 25 years in terms of growth, relative to pre-
vious years. For these purposes we have grouped together aerospace/defense, electronics/high tech-
nology, IT/computer services and telecoms as technology and everything else under industry.
One of the most eye-catching trends here with slight hiccups here and there for
is the rise of the last category. In 2013 it example, the bursting of the dotcom bub-
pulled into the lead, and we anticipate this ble had a negative effect just over a decade
lead to grow further in the years to come, ago though, more recently, the Great Reces-
while growth levels in other sectors ought sion did not cause as much damage outside
to remain relatively stable. This points, once of the finance sector.
more, to the diversity of MBA skills (and

Average growth since 1990 has stood at
indeed, among those taking the degree).
around 15%. We expect this to slow to a
With sustained competitive advantage
more sustainable level in years to come.
becoming ever more elusive across indus-
With the impressive growth figures being
tries, the expertise of MBAs is demanded by
reported this year, however, it would also
an increasingly diverse range of employers.
be wrong to rule out a continuation of
All four of our groupings have enjoyed this strident average.
steady upward curves in recent years and
over the larger scale of this exercise, albeit
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2.2 Long-term trends in MBA salary levels Average MBA
Year Salary ($)
1999 $73,800
$1
00 2000 $78,150
,00
0
2001 $82,250
2002 $73,900
2003 $75,200
$8 2004 $83,250
0,0
00 2005 $85,000
2006 $89,550
2007 $93,250
2008 $95,250
16 $6
0,0 2009 $91,500
00
2010 $89,650
2011 $92,700
2012 $91,400
9
9
9
1
2013 $90,930
0
0
0
2014 $94,130
2
1
0
0
2015 $94,260
2
2
0
0
2
3
0
0
2
4
0
0
2
5
0
0
2
6
0
0
2
7
0
0
2
8
0
0
2
To map out longer-term trends in

9
0
0
2
0
1
0
MBA salaries, we once again restricted

2
1
1
0
2
our focus to the US & Canada and Western

1
0
2
3
1
0
2
Europe, the two most mature markets for MBA hiring.

4
1
0
2
5
1
This years figure is up very slightly on 2014s though, perhaps

0
2
it would be more accurate to label this as stability rather than growth.
It not the highest figure weve ever reported that came in 2008. It is, however,
an astounding 28% higher than the levels seen in 1999.
As you can see, there have been dips as for reasons we hardly need to spell out
well as rises over the 17-year period we here. We have seen a few fluctuations here
are taking into consideration here. The and there in the years thereafter, but it
dotcom crash saw lower salaries offered seems that since 2013 we have returned to
in 2002 and 2003 than in the preceding or a steady upward curve; this is now the first
following years, and a steady upward tra- time weve been able to look back at two
jectory was interrupted in 2009 and 2010 consecutive years of growth since 2008.
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2.3 Long-term trends in functional roles
Role 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Consultant 39% 37% 37% 34% 34%
E-Commerce 10% 8% 9% 10% 10%
Finance - Advisory 29% 26% 28% 22% 23%
Finance - Other 39% 33% 44% 36% 42%
General Management 43% 41% 44% 36% 37%
IT / Technology 26% 24% 21% 25% 20%
Marketing 44% 41% 36% 38% 38%
Operations / Manufacturing 23% 24% 24% 23% 23% 17
Other Roles 11% 10% 34% 30% 6%
Sales / Business Development 40% 42% 46% 44% 28%
Strategic Planning 42% 40% 19% 17% 44%
Supply Chain / Logistics 23% 25% 9% 7% 18%
While much of the discussion around MBA hiring trends revolves around industries, it is also
important to take functional roles into account; function being, of course, one of the three main
forms that an MBA-enabled career change can assume.
Over the five years in our sample, it has sumably after most companies had already
been into finance roles split between found who they were looking for at a point
advisory and other which most compa- in time when the spotlight really began to
nies hire MBAs, as one might expect. Con- shine on supply chain management. This
sultants and marketers are also consist- year, however, has seen a resurgence of
ently in high demand. hiring into supply chain and logistics roles
perhaps simply due to inevitable need to

It should be noted that companies may
renew talent after some years.
choose multiple options for this part of our
survey, given that they may have diverse The years 2013 and 2014 also saw a decline
requirements to be met by MBA talent. This in companies looking for strategic planning
also means, however, that this is exercise professionals, which this year leapt back to
is somewhat open to volatility, given the its position as the number one functional
ever-shifting requirements of each com- role offered to MBAs by employers, if we
pany as well as the general mutability of separate the two finance functions. It may
the business landscape. be that after a couple of years of relative
stability we are returning to a more com-

We see this evidenced in the demand for
plex, unpredictable business (and wider)
supply chain/logistics professionals, which
landscape. Who better to navigate such a
declined massively in 2013 and 2014, pre-
terrain than an MBA?
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3. US & Canada
26
%
14
%
10
%
18
3.1 MBA hiring trends
l )
ua
t )
ct
)
as
t
as
(A
ec
ec
or
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(F
4
(F
6
1
5
/1
0
/1
5
4
1
1
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2
2
The 26% growth in new MBA job opportunities Consulting 26%
in the US & Canada is surely the headline story

Finance 17%
of this years QS TopMBA.com Jobs & Salary
Technology & Telecommunications 29%
Trends Report, far in excess of the 10% growth
we anticipated. Recovery has been slow since the Industry & Non-Professional Services 6%
banking crisis of nearly a decade ago, but with the

Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare 36%
US economy proving increasingly muscular (after
weathering the storm rather well, however, things Canadian telecoms and consulting
look less positive for Canadas economy at the industries in particular have been
time of writing) it seems things are looking much strong drivers of growth in MBA jobs.
better for MBA employers.

The US financial services sector
Growth is spread over a range of industries. The seems to be in confident shape, and
technology sector is the fastest growing of the like Canada, the nation has enjoyed
groupings we employ. US tech companies now a surge in consulting hiring which we
represent some of the worlds most ubiquitous expect to continue into next year (in
brands both in the business world and the both nations). The rapid increase in
household. Their appetite for global domination hiring in the pharmaceuticals space
continues, and with that comes an appetite for in both nations marks an impressive
MBA talent. We anticipate this to continue next recovery for this sleeping giant of an
year, albeit at a slightly more sustainable rate. Its industry in terms of MBA jobs.
not just the US which has seen growth though; the
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3.2 Which regions do employers from the US & Canada look to when hiring?
19
100
50
US & Latin Western Eastern Middle East Asia-

Canada America Europe Europe & Africa Pacific
US & Canada 99% 22% 35% 24% 19% 32%
Geographical scope of hiring
2014 2015
Global 19% Global 38%
Local 13% Local 20%
National 63% National 32%
Regional 5% Regional 10%
We have seen a significant shift in terms These same employers, however, also seem
of the geographical extent of employers to be looking further afield obviously with
in the US & Canada this year. A notably a view to expanding globally. With growing
larger proportion of employers are hiring middle classes around the world - as well
on a global scale this year as compared to as nations in which relative affluence is
previous years, while the proportion of the norm - hungry for technology, the
those hiring on a national scale has fallen. globalization of the supply chain, and
This does not mean that North American international financial markets remaining
employers are no longer looking to US or volatile and complex, there is great demand
Canadian talent. Indeed, no other region for internationally-savvy MBAs.
reports as high a percentage of employers
looking to their own region for new hires.
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These graduates may well come from within latters rapid ascent to the same. Insight
the region, but employers can also see the into these markets, therefore, is crucial for
benefits in looking further afield. Western businesses with global aspirations. They
Europe and Asia-Pacific are the most favored are also the regions (particularly Western
regions unsurprisingly given the formers Europe) which boast the strongest business
20 established powerhouse status and the schools outside of North America.
3.3 Salary trends
Year on Year
US & Canada Average Salary Average Bonus Trend
Canada $92,800 $26,800
Increase
United States $103,300 $22,400
Increase
By Region $99,300 $24,000
Salary trends in the US & Canada are susceptible to global unpredictability. The
positive this year, with both nations seeing vitality and global dominance of innovative
an increase in compensation (these figures US MBA employers in the tech space on the
pertain to employers based in the region as other hand looks like something in which
opposed to the figures in section 1.3 which the nation can remain confident (as much as
also include those hiring in the region who one can be confident of anything in this age
are not be based there). Stronger than of peaks and troughs). In Canada, despite
expected growth, as the US continues to economic difficulties, it seems that MBA
recover and strengthen, will have played hiring is in fairly robust shape; resultantly,
its part, with the financial services sector so are the salaries on offer.
looking tougher, though obviously still
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3.4 Top salaries by school
US
Threshold: $110,000
Average Salary,
School State Class of 2014 (US$)
Stanford Graduate School of Business California $129,600 21
Harvard Business School Massachusetts $125,000
University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) Pennsylvania $123,400
University of California, Berkeley (Haas) California $121,800
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan) Massachusetts $121,300
University of Chicago (Booth) Illinois $120,000
Northwestern University (Kellogg) Illinois $119,200
Columbia Business School New York $118,700
Dartmouth College (Tuck) New Hampshire $117,900
University of Michigan (Ross) Michigan $115,300
Duke University (Fuqua) North Carolina $114,100
University of Virginia (Darden) Virginia $112,300
New York University (Stern) New York $112,100
Cornell University (Johnson) New York $110,900
University of California, Los Angeles (Anderson) California $110,300
Canada
Threshold: $80,000
Average Salary,
School State Class of 2014 (US$)
University of Calgary (Haskayne) Alberta $94,300
York University (Schulich) Ontario $87,000
University of Ottawa (Telfer) Ontario $83,500
Queens University (Smith) Ontario $81,500
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4. Western Europe
9%
3%
2%
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2
While it does not compare to the astounding Consulting 0.2%
growth we see in North America, the figure

Finance 3%
reported here by Western European employers is
extremely positive for a region in which growth
has been sluggish in recent times. Indeed, given Industry & Non-Professional Services 34%
the seemingly ever-present economic turmoil

Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare -1%
from which much of region has suffered over
the last seven years, this figure can be read as It is, however, the industry and non-
extremely reassuring and another indicator of professional services space in which
the MBAs resilience. weve seen the strongest growth. It
seems a diverse range of employers

The regions growth in consulting and finance
are actively seeking MBA talent to
has been modest. That said, growth in the UK, as
help navigate these uncertain waters.
ever, is driven chiefly by the City. In Switzerland
We see this evidenced, most notably,
the financial services sector is also the engine
in the huge growth in MBA hiring in
room of MBA hiring, though levels have remained
Italys manufacturing/engineering
flat. Technology & telecommunications hiring, on
sector, a sector which has also grown
the other hand, has shown healthy growth across
significantly, albeit less spectacularly,
Western Europe; in no small part due to the
in France and Germany.
presence of London and Berlin in the region, two
of the worlds most vibrant tech hubs. Germany in
particular has seen solid growth in the technology
sector (as well as in consulting).
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4.2 Which regions do employers from Western Europe look to when hiring?
100
23
50

Western Europe 32% 26% 85% 50% 25% 29%
Geographical scope of hiring
2014 2015
Global 36% Global 35%
Local 10% Local 12%
National 34% National 33%
Regional 20% Regional 20%
Western European employers have Though the figure is still significantly higher
traditionally been outward looking. We than it is for any other regional hiring scope,
see little change this year, with just over a Western European employers are in fact the
third of employers employing on a global least inclined towards targeting candidates
scale, and 20% within the region as a from within their own region. Half of this
whole. The biggest surprise might be that years sample of responding employers
they are now being outdone in terms of reported looking to their neighbors in
global-scale hiring by employers in the US Eastern Europe also, with freedom of
& Canada. The difference is small enough, movement across the two regions making
however, that it might be fairer to call this this one of the more feasible examples of
further proof, were it needed, of the MBAs cross-regional hiring.
status as a global degree.
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The US & Canada ranks next, unsurprisingly next. However, employers from this diverse
given the resonances and high level of trade region report relatively high figures across
between the two, with Asia-Pacific coming the geographical board.
24 4.3 Salary trends

Year on Year
Western Europe Average Salary Average Bonus Trend
Belgium $78,300 $7,300
Decrease
Denmark $68,800 $5,600
Decrease
France $71,400 $26,400
Decrease
Germany $79,700 $8,900
Decrease
Ireland $89,400 $15,700
Increase
Italy $63,300 $12,000
Decrease
Netherlands $78,300 $16,800 -
Norway $157,300 $62,900

Increase
Portugal $50,000 $20,000
Decrease
Spain $93,100 $15,400
Increase
Switzerland $131,100 $21,400
Increase
United Kingdom $98,500 $22,600
Increase
By Region $85,900 $19,600
We see a mixed story in terms of MBA salary one would hope to find them, with five of
levels in Western Europe with declines in the worlds top 10 salary levels by country
Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy to be found in Western Europe (Norway has
and Portugal offset by increases in Ireland, been excluded due to the smallness of its
Norway, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. sample size) including Germany, in spite of
its decrease this year.

As mentioned previously in this report,
however, we cannot always expect to see a The figures on offer in Italy and Portugal
constant upward trend in salary levels. Offers are perhaps the exceptions, though the
made, it seems, are largely in the region positive trends in hiring in the former
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mean that we can at the very least hope Spain may also serve as an example of the
for an improvement there. The healthiness possibility of a more positive narrative in a
of salary levels currently available in troubled Southern European nation.
25
Threshold: $100,000
Average Salary,
School Country Class of 2014
University of St. Gallen Switzerland $130,000
Business School Lausanne Switzerland $122,000
IMD Switzerland $121,500
London Business School United Kingdom $118,900
Aberdeen Business School, The Robert Gordon University United Kingdom $115,000
Mannheim Business School Germany $114,500
INSEAD France $114,100
EDHEC Business School France $111,700
Cass Business School United Kingdom $109,400
University of Strathclyde Business School United Kingdom $107,000
IESE Business School, University of Navarra Spain $103,100
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5. Asia-Pacific 18
%
13
%
8%
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2
It has been another good year for MBA jobs in Consulting 35%
Asia-Pacific, the standout region in growth terms

Finance 15%
in recent years. Growth in 2014/15 far outstrips
our expectations, driven by large increases in
MBA hiring in both India and China. We anticipate Industry & Non-Professional Services 25%
another strong year in 2015/16. Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare -1%
Part of Asia-Pacifics strength comes from the

however, is the massive rise in
breadth of opportunities in this huge and diverse
hiring in consulting and professional
region. The tech sector has been the key driver
services an indication of Asia-
of growth in recent times, and this has been
Pacifics growing maturity as an MBA
another good year, particularly in China, India
jobs market. While India, Australia,
and, to a slightly lesser extent, South Korea. The
Pakistan and South Korea have all
finance sector has also enjoyed healthy growth,
enjoyed increases, recruiters in China
and not just in the Tiger economies. Indeed,
can take most of the credit for this
hiring in Singapore has remained relatively level.
incredible rise. Western MBAs looking
It is once again China and India that are driving
for opportunities in this space would
growth in this respect, and even the Pakistani
do well to look east.
financial services sector (naturally, from a lower
level) has seen growth. Outside of the bigger markets,
employers in Vietnam and

MBA hiring in industry and non-professional
Malaysia also report very
services, following the global trend, is also on the
healthy levels of hiring.
up. Australia joins the regions two BRIC economies
in driving growth this time. The standout story,

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5.2 Which regions do employers from Asia-Pacific look to when hiring?
100
27
50

Asia-Pacific 34% 18% 29% 22% 23% 91%
Speaking of the opportunities for those the interest of fewer than one in five
looking east, it seems that employers in Asia- recruiters. It is Western recruits, however,
Pacific are fairly keen to bring in expertise who are clearly the most in-demand.
from outside the region to offer a different

The figure posted for in-region hiring is
perspective, particularly those from key
towards the lower end of the scale, though
trading partners in the US & Canada. Western
this is certainly not an indication that
Europeans are also in high demand. Other
employers are not looking for new recruits
regions are being targeted to a lesser extent,
within Asia-Pacific.
with only Latin American recruits registering
5.3 Salary trends
In terms of MBA salary levels, the trend same for India, in which the volume of MBA
is largely upwards in Asia-Pacific, with jobs and the popularity of the degree sees
employers from New Zealand and Australia salary levels which may be somewhat less
proving particularly generous. China can appealing for the expat. China is, in fact,
couple impressive growth with improved reporting higher salary levels than Hong Kong
salary levels, though we cannot say the this year (that our survey is self-selecting
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must be borne in mind when considering MBA markets the levels of hiring we see in
findings such as this). Employers based in Vietnam and Malaysia, in particular, are an
Singapore, whose strength is based on its indication of growth among this grouping
strong financial services sector, however, which may well mean that a few years down
28 continue to pay out some of the worlds the line well be looking at much improved
best salaries. Salary levels are, as would figures. Decreases in MBA salary levels in
be expected, lower across the other ASEAN Japan and South Korea are perhaps the only
nations, though these are, of course, younger negative finding to report here.
Year on Year
Asia-Pacific Average Salary Average Bonus Trend
Australia $124,800 $28,400
Increase
China $70,200 $30,600
Increase
Hong Kong $76,700 $22,500
Increase
India $22,700 $3,700
Decrease
Indonesia $50,000 $15,000 -
Japan $46,900 $18,300

Decrease
Malaysia $38,900 $18,600
Increase
New Zealand $145,000 $10,000
Increase
Pakistan $39,000 $4,000
Increase
Philippines $38,300 $8,300 -
Singapore $101,500 $46,000

Increase
South Korea $60,000 $40,000
Decrease
Taiwan $41,200 $20,600
Increase
Thailand $28,000 $400
Increase
Vietnam $20,000 $4,000 -
By Region $68,300 $25,600
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Asia
Threshold: $50,000
Average Salary,
29
INSEAD - Singapore Singapore $114,100
The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong $94,400
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Hong Kong $85,600
Peking University China $72,100
China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) China $67,200
NUS Business School Singapore $62,400
Nanyang Business School, Singapore Singapore $53,000
Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad India $53,900
The Chinese University of Hong Kong Hong Kong $51,400
Australia
Threshold: $50,000
Average Salary,
University of New South Wales Australia $139,900
The University of Adelaide Business School Australia $130,000
Melbourne Business School Australia $120,300
La Trobe Business School Australia $108,300
Monash University Australia $85,000
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17
6. Eastern Europe %
5%
4%
30
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As anticipated, it has been a slightly slower year

Consulting 4%
for MBA hiring in Eastern Europe, following last
Finance 2%
years 10% increase. Employers in the region
have, however, indicated that they intend to Technology & Telecommunications 40%
increase hiring levels over 2015/16, so we may

Industry & Non-Professional Services 14%
well be discussing a significantly larger figure next
year. Nevertheless, we must still take this with a
pinch of salt as growth does not always live up to

MBA employers in Kazakhstan (we
expectations; indeed, the 10% growth reported
include Central Asia in our Eastern
last year was below expectations though the
Europe grouping), on the other
anticipated figure for that year of 34% was, shall
hand, have reported increased
we say, on the more optimistic side.
hiring, largely across industry & non-
The growth we have seen this year has been professional services sectors. In this,
driven by the technology sector, while growth the education and construction/
levels in industry & non-professional services are property industries have had a
also at a healthy level. Russian tech employers in good year in particular.
particular have enjoyed a good year though MBA
employers in the country as a whole are hiring at
lower levels than in 2013/14. Again, we expect a
recovery next year.
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6.2 Which regions do employers from Eastern Europe look to when hiring?
31
100
50

Eastern Europe 15% 9% 29% 96% 12% 8%
Eastern European MBA employers like in hiring Western Europeans than vice versa.
Eastern European talent, it seems. They Employers key focus at this point in time,
are certainly less interested in hiring we can assume, is on doing business within
MBAs from outside their home region than the region, for which hires from ones own
those based anywhere else in the world. home country or those nearby are perhaps
Naturally, Western Europe is the exception, best suited, for reasons of language and
though it is notable that Eastern European culture as well as business knowledge.
employers are significantly less interested
6.3 Salary trends
Russia, it appears, has not had a stellar year, Russias salary levels, however, remain
with a decrease in average salary levels the second-highest in the region, behind
compounding the slowdown in MBA hiring. Western European-adjacent Poland, in
Perhaps we will see a recovery next year, if which remuneration is at a very healthy
demand increases in line with expectations. level (albeit based on a relatively small
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sample of employers). Kazakh employers However, we must factor in a relatively
report higher salaries, consolidating a good lower cost of living into this equation, as
year for the Central Asian nation. well as the more insular nature of Eastern
European employers.
Salary levels in the region overall are the
32 lowest reported outside of Latin America.
Year on Year
Eastern Europe & Central Asia Average Salary Average Bonus Trend
Estonia $29,000 $6,700 -
Greece $38,000 $5,600

Increase
Kazakhstan $50,000 $3,000
Increase
Lithuania $39,100 $5,600
Increase
Poland $89,400 $8,900
Increase
Romania $33,500 $3,400
Decrease
Russia $67,600 $13,200
Decrease
Ukraine $30,000 $3,000
Increase
By Region $54,000 $9,900
Russia, it appears, has not had a stellar year, Salary levels in the region overall are the
with a decrease in average salary levels lowest reported outside of Latin America.
compounding the slowdown in MBA hiring. However, we must factor in a relatively
Perhaps we will see a recovery next year, if lower cost of living into this equation, as
demand increases in line with expectations. well as the more insular nature of Eastern
Russias salary levels, however, remain European employers.
the second-highest in the region, behind

*salary data for schools in this region not provided.
Western European-adjacent Poland, in which
remuneration is at a very healthy level
(albeit based on a relatively small sample of
employers). Kazakh employers report higher
salaries, consolidating a good year for the
Central Asian nation.
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7. Latin America 14
%
7%
1%
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It has not been a strong year for MBA hiring in

Consulting 33%
Latin America, which has grown by a mere 1%
Finance 18%
far short of the 7% anticipated (growth that would
have matched that which we saw in 2013/14). Technology & Telecommunications -19%
Of course, as with any story, there are nuances.

MBA job opportunities in consulting and finance
Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare 1%
have both increased in number, with rises spread
across the continent. In line with the global trend,

growth across the financial services,
we also see a healthy rise in MBA hiring related to
consulting, and industry & non-
industry & non-professional services. Technology,
professional services sectors.
on the other hand, has had a weaker year.
Peru, on the back of strong recent

Brazil remains one of the worlds biggest MBA
economic growth, is also one of the
jobs markets, with hiring largely centering on
worlds biggest MBA jobs markets.
industry & non-professional services. It has,
Again, hiring is largely within
however, not enjoyed the best of years, with its
the industry/non-professional
huge travel/leisure/hospitality industry seeming
services sector, though 2014/15
to weaken in particular (now that the World Cup is
saw increases to hiring in financial
a thing of the past and its hosting of the Olympics
services and consulting.
is fast approaching, perhaps the strongest growth
in this industry is behind us). Mexico, on the
other hand, has had a better year, with healthy
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7.2 Which regions do employers from Latin America look to when hiring?
34 100
50

Latin America 21% 98% 15% 12% 10% 10%
Latin America is one of the worlds more to the US & Canada when searching for new
insular regions when it comes to MBA hiring, recruits, but beyond that the search seems
which we can ascribe to linguistic issues, to be largely trained on recruits from within
as well as those of business culture, in this Latin America. The percentage of employers
relatively young MBA market. Employers in who look for talent within their own region
the region are most inclined to look north is second only to the US & Canada.
7.3 Salary trends
MBA salary levels are lower in Latin America As with hiring levels, MBA salaries in Brazil
than they are anywhere else in the world, have taken something of a hit this year a
though the significantly lower cost of living similar fate to fellow BRIC nation, Russia.
as compared to Western Europe and the While Mexico and Peru have enjoyed better
US & Canada must be taken into account, years, salary levels in both have declined.
as well as the youth of the MBA jobs MBA employers in Argentina on the other
market in this region. hand the preferred base for international
financial services and consulting firms in the
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region are offering improved packages, Argentinas neighbor, Chile, has seen a
as are those in the smaller markets of reduction, though it can still boast among
Uruguay, Venezuela, Panama and Colombia. the highest salaries in the region.
Year on Year
Latin America Average Salary Average Bonus Trend
Argentina $52,200 $10,100
Increase
Brazil $35,700 $4,300
Decrease
35
Chile $52,800 $8,200
Decrease
Colombia $68,200 $21,800
Increase
Costa Rica $38,000 $3,000 -
Dominican Republic $22,500 $4,000 -
Ecuador $42,400 $4,200

Decrease
Mexico $44,000 $9,600
Decrease
Panama $37,400 $4,100
Increase
Paraguay $17,000 $500 -
Peru $46,200 $7,800

Decrease
Uruguay $72,000 -
Increase
Venezuela $39,100 $4,800
Increase
By Region $44,600 $7,500
Threshold: $40,000
Average Salary,
EGADE Business School - Tecnolgico de Monterrey Mexico $50,000
CENTRUM Catlica Graduate Business School Peru $46,000
IPADE Business School, Universidad Panamericana Mexico $42,000
INCAE Business School Costa Rica $41,500
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8. Middle East & Africa
12
%
8%
3%
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We have seen reasonable growth in the Middle
Consulting 26%
East & Africa, driven by consulting and industry
Finance 2%
& non-professional services, though it has not
quite come at a rate to match our expectations. Technology & Telecommunications 0.1%
This has been something of a regular theme in

the region in recent years; estimates for next year
are, however, conservative.
It is a young MBA market, though in the oil-rich MBA hiring levels in the Emeriti
Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, and in financial services sector, on the other
Egypt, which has enjoyed a huge surge in hiring hand, has gone down in what has
in the financial services, it also can lay claim to been a slower year for the country
three nations in which employers reported some as a whole. Saudi Arabia has fared
of the worlds highest hiring levels in 2014/15. In better, with hiring in consulting,
the case of Egypt, further growth is expected in finance and law playing their parts
a financial services sector which seems to have in an overall increase, in addition
weathered years of political turmoil quite well to a smaller percentage rise in a
and is clearly benefiting from relative stability. large retail sector.
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8.2 Which regions do employers from the Middle East & Africa look to when hiring?
100
37
50

Middle East & Africa 36% 27% 39% 32% 88% 42%
In the Middle East & Africa, we find the most keen to look. As well as geographical
worlds most outward-looking employers proximity, high levels of trade and cultural
business education is relatively young in the resonances, experience gleaned in emerging
region so this is driven by necessity as much economies a little further down the line
as anything. Even the region to which the will be directly applicable to the regions
fewest employers look Latin America is employers. Western Europe edges a little
on the radar of over a quarter of employers ahead of the US & Canada, while Eastern
in the region. It is to the east, towards Asia- Europe registers the interest of around a
Pacific, that employers in the region are third of employers.
8.3 Salary trends
The salary levels reported to us in this young big three, in terms of hiring growth, have
market vary greatly, from a mere $17,000 in all reported decreases in salary levels,
Palestinian territories to an astronomical giving something of a negative edge to the
$205,200 in South Africa (from a relatively positive story, though the levels on offer in
small sample, it should be noted). The UAE are certainly credible. Africas biggest
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economy, Nigeria, has also seen a decline identify the norm. There are certainly clear
in MBA salary levels. It is, of course, harder indications here, however, that employers in
to map out concrete trends in immature the Middle East & Africa are willing to pay a
markets, in which we cannot yet confidently premium for MBA talent.

38
Year on Year
Middle East & Africa Average Salary Average Bonus Trend
Egypt $30,000 $5,000
Decrease
Ghana $50,000 $6,000 -
Iraq $25,000 $4,000

Increase
Nigeria $35,000 $15,000
Decrease
Palestinian Territories $17,000 $1,500 -
Saudi Arabia $30,000 -

Decrease
South Africa $205,200 $22,400 -
United Arab Emirates $66,300 $4,000

Decrease
By Region $71,000 $7,300
Threshold: $60,000
Average Salary,
Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town South Africa $87,000
University of Stellenbosch Business School South Africa $64,500
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AC
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1.5
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9.1 Desired skills vs. satisfaction
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9. What Employers Look For
R U ET
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SATISFACTION
IMPORTANCE
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39
There is a reason - or maybe we should say reasons that employers hire MBAs, and that is the
diverse range of skills that they offer. As part of our survey, we ask employers to specify how
important each of a range of skills are to them, and how satisfied they are that their MBA hires
are in possession of them.
Generally, we see that MBAs meet or are There is also a concerning gap between
close to meeting expectations across a expectations and reality when it comes to
healthy spread of skills. In technical skills strategic thinking something one would
40 such as finance, e-business and marketing, hope MBAs would be in possession of. With
we see a match between the ascribed impor- close to half of our respondent pool hiring
tance and satisfaction. Employers are also into strategic planning roles, it is worrying
satisfied with the global outlook of MBAs, that they feel that MBAs do not possess a
with international awareness and language satisfactory level of strategic thought. With
skills both registering respectable scores. competitive advantage a more and more
difficult thing to maintain, this is certainly

One area in which we find that MBAs fall
an area that schools and candidates alike
short of employer expectations is those
must seek to address. The same can be
which we would call soft skills namely
said, though to a lesser extent, for entre-
leadership, communication and interper-
preneurship. Again a difficult thing to teach,
sonal skills. Could schools be doing more to
but not something for which one would
engender these? Or are employers expec-
want to see a low score.
tations over the extent to which such skills
can be taught unrealistic? Or might it be a To end on a positive note, however, it is
third option that MBAs are more inclined refreshing to see that MBAs score well in
towards developing more quantifiable tech- terms of CSR. In an age when the effects of
nical skills rather than harder-to-judge soft not paying adequate attention to the wider
skills? Whichever it is, there is clearly an impact of a business activities are all too
issue here which needs to be addressed, clear, this is certainly heartening.
particularly when it is a set of skills on which
employers place such a high premium.
One area in which we find that MBAs fall short of employer

expectations is those which we would call soft skills
namely leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
Follow us
%
11
9.2 Preferred years of work experience

%
among employers 2011-2015 22 9%
%
20 5%
%
19
%
39 7%
%
37 %
20
8%
%
40
22
%
19
% 41
2015 6% 28
% 39
%
2014 % 37
%
6% 30
>8+ YEARS
2013 %
>5-8 YEARS
5% 28
>3-5 YEARS
2012 2 8%
6% >1-3 YEARS
0-1 YEARS
2011
7%
Mapping the trend over a few years shows a behind them are more likely to be found in
steady increase in the years of experience possession of them.
for which employers are looking. In 2011,

We might also note that the insecurity that
35% of employers sought employees with
characterized the start of the decade may
three years experience or less; in 2015, this
well have led employers to look for hires
figure has fallen to 28%. On the other hand,
who were not tainted by the events of the
those with at least five years under their
end of previous 5-10 years. Employees
belts were targeted by 27% of employers
with less experience, it might also be noted
in 2011; the figure in 2015 stands at 33%.
if a little cynically may also be offered
Perhaps we can connect this desire lower salary and bonus packages. As we
for more experience with some of the reach relative (the word relative must be
perceived shortcomings in terms of MBA emphasized) stability midway through the
skills we outline in the section above. current decade, employers can now afford
Things like strategic thinking and soft skills to turn to more experienced candidates
may be better learned on the job; ergo, on both counts.
employees with more years of experience
Follow us
9.3 Functional roles offered
Role %
We have discussed MBA job trends largely in Consultant 34%
terms of industries throughout this report (in E-Commerce 10%
Finance - Advisory 23%

line with the remit of this report). But, we also
Finance - Other 42%
ask employers into which functions they hire
General Management 37%
42 MBAs, to get a better idea of the purposes for IT / Technology 20%
which MBAs are being recruited. Marketing 38%
Operations / Manufacturing 23%

Despite the diversity of industries into Sales & Development 28%
which MBAs are being hired, we can see here Strategic Planning 44%
Supply Chain / Logistics 18%

that what you might call traditional roles
Other 6%
predominate. Financial roles register highly,
with 23% of firms hiring MBAs into advisory

a couple of years of lower levels of hiring
roles and 42% in another financial capacity.
into the function) and IT/technology roles
Around a third hire MBAs into consultancy
are slightly more niche, though around one
roles and slightly more into general
in five employers seek both, with slightly
management and marketing. The role into
more looking for operations/manufacturing
which the greatest proportion of MBAs are
specialists. Hiring into e-commerce roles is
being hired, however, is strategic planning (a
significantly lower, but this may be because
rise after a couple of years of reduced hiring
the fact that business takes place online is
into this role, as you can see in the second
simply a reality across job functions in 2015;
chapter of this report).
the need for specialists is reduced, therefore.
This is as you might expect; these are

The main thing we can take from this is
exactly the functions for which MBAs are
that employers are looking to hire MBAs
being trained. Supply chain/logistics roles
over a fairly even spread of traditional job
(though this does mark an increase after
roles, with no function showing any clear
signs of being in, or falling out of, fashion.

employers are looking to hire Opportunities exist for specialists across a
MBAs over a fairly even spread
healthy range of job roles.
of traditional job roles
Follow us
10. Who Responded to the QS Employer Survey?
10.1 Regional breakdown of MBA employer respondents
Middle East & Africa 8%
Asia-Pacific 32%
Latin America 23%
US & Canada 11%

43
Western Europe 21%
Eastern Europe 6%
Total Responses 3946
10.2 Employer response by size 2015
2013 2014 2015

Between 50 and 250 staff 21% 16% 18%
Less than 50 staff 21% 18% 18%
Over 250 staff 58% 66% 64%
10.3 Employer response by industry 2013-2015
0
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Follow us
10.4 Sample of responding employers by region 2015
Asia Europe US & Canada Latin America

Consulting Mu Sigma Inc PwC Accenture Nathan Associates
Partners in Deloitte Sage EY (Ernst & Young)
Performance
Edanz Group Ltd. KPMG Deloitte Simon-Kucher &
Partners
44 Nexia TS Bain & Company Dillon Consulting

Limited
Everis Group
Finance Citibank Capgemini JP Morgan Chase Bancolombia

Standard Chartered HSBC Bank of America Merrill BBVA
Bank Lynch
Goldman Sachs Rothschild Group BlackRock Citibank
United Overseas Bank Barclays Scotiabank Compaa Internacional
de Seguros
Industry Dow Chemical Ocado Rolls Royce Adidas
& Non-Professional
Louis Vuitton Shell Huffington Post Coca-Cola
Services
Toshiba Pfizer BP America Minera Chinalco Per
Johnson & Johnson Amazon Siemens Unilever
Technology Samsung Cisco Wolfram Research British Telecom
IBM Ericsson Elemica Atos
LG IBM Amazon Nextel
Acer Dell Home Depot Arrow Electronics
Follow us
Media partners for the QS Global Employer Survey
iQuesta
1er Emploi, Stage & Alternance
45
Follow us
QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd
QS Quacquarelli Symonds was founded in 1990 and has established itself as the leading global
provider of specialist higher education and careers information and solutions. Education and
career decisions are too important to leave to chance, so QS ensures that candidates have access
to the best tools and the best independent expert information before making a decision.
QS organizes the largest business education event in the world, the QS World MBA Tour and
boasts an extensive product range including print and online publications. It produces a range of
annual primary research reports including the QS TopMBA.com Applicant Survey, the QS TopMBA.
com Jobs and Salary Trends Report and the QS Global 200 Business Schools Report, as well as the
globally renowned QS World University Rankings.
Website: www.TopMBA.com
All information QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd 2015

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Job Trends - Top Mba

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2015/16

Mansoor Iqbal (BA University of Leicester, MA University College London)

wide to determine trends in international global, regional and industry trends.

sibility for MBA recruiting in their respec- panies in 88 countries.

Mansoor Iqbal Benjamin Clayton

(BA University of Leicester, (BA University of Cambridge)

MA University College London)

business education specialist with a back- English language as a method of instruc-

worked at QS since 2011. Mansoor studied international relations.

English literature at both BA and MA level.

Introduction and Methodology 2

3. US & Canada 18 6. Eastern Europe 30

9. What Employers Look For 39

1. Global Trends in MBA Jobs and Salaries 3. US & Canada

4 markets for MBA jobs. growth in opportunities.

Growth in nearly every industry Employers in the region becoming more

outstrips predictions. global in their hiring outlook.

Mixed results in terms of compensa-

2. Long-Term Trends in MBA Growth driven by technology

Jobs and Salaries and industry & non-profes-

Industry & non-professional services sional services sectors.

sector growing rapidly.

of growth, with the jobs mar-

ket in the latter showing signs of

4% growth reported, though 2015/16 at 8%, with a further slowdown

expected to be a much stronger year. predicted next year. 5

salary offers compounding worlds most outward looking.

7. Latin America Soft skills are an area for concern,

MBA employers, who report only 1% employers expectations and

growth; better expected in 2015/16. satisfaction levels.

Brazil has experienced a slow- There is a long-term trend towards

down, while Mexico and Peru have hiring more-experienced candidates.

seen healthy growth.

1.1 Growth in MBA jobs by region

Region 2014/2015 (forecast) 2014/2015 (actual) 2015/2016 (forecast)

room of growth in MBA hiring in recent years.

The surprise this year is that while we expected

a leveling out as Asia-Pacifics markets grow

ever more mature, the appetites of the regions

employers for MBAs have shown no signs of dull-

ing, with yet another year of remarkable growth.

Unfortunately, growth has not exceeded expec-

tations universally. It has been a particularly hard

year for MBA employers in Latin America, while

Eastern Europe has fared little better. In both

regions, however, employers are optimistic that

this time next year, we will have more positive

While opportunities in the Middle East & Africa

have not quite grown to last years high expec-

tations, 8% is a considerable improvement on

2013/14s growth of 2%. After a few years of

overoptimistic predictions, however, it does seem

like employers have cooled their expectations

for 2015/16 in the youngest of MBA markets. The

current level of hiring, it seems, is perhaps suffi-

cient for the regions needs.

26% growth in MBA jobs in the US & Canada

the worlds largest economy, leads the way in the terms

8 UAE 4 ond place is testament to the regard in which the degree

is held in the South Asian nation (Pakistans presence in

three BRIC countries are also present. Naturally, the rapid

CHINA 8 Elsewhere, we see traditional big hitters in MBA hiring

assuming their positions in the table: the likes of Japan,

in the Americas. Oil-rich Middle Eastern nations, Saudi