Dear 2Y Students,

TL;DR

• A significant amount of 2Y full-time recruiting now happens just in time, often close to or after graduation. To help you succeed, we encourage starting early to avoid a crowded summer market.
• Our plan has three phases: (1) Preparation (Jan–Mar) to get resumes, stories, and targets ready; (2) Pre-Graduation Recruiting (Mar–May) to take advantage of early access before the broader MBA talent pool enters the market; and (3) Post-Graduation Recruiting (May onward) with continued – though slightly different – support.
• Report your job search status HERE, so we know how we can help you.

As you think about the remainder of your job search, we want to step back and clearly outline how we will support you in 2Y recruiting, and what to expect in the months ahead.

First, an important reminder: Outside of internship conversions, most 2Y recruiting is “just in time.” Many full-time roles now come together close to graduation or after graduation, rather than months in advance. That timing can feel unsettling, but it reflects how the market is currently functioning. This trend is consistent across most schools in the M7 and M30. See Figure 1 for the YoY trendline.

Figure 1: YoY Wharton MBA Students Graduating with a Job Offer  

We continue to see that strong opportunities do come together after graduation, even if they are not visible early in the spring. Here are a few companies where WG'25 students landed great jobs after graduation last year:

At the same time, we want to acknowledge this honestly: this period can be stressful. The uncertainty and waiting can be hard, and many students experience that stress even while ultimately landing strong outcomes. In some cases, this stress is driven by a desire to start working in September, which leads students to delay their job search until July. By that point, however, the entire M7, and much of the M30, is on the market at the same time, making the market more saturated and significantly more competitive. Our goal is to give you structure, momentum, and support so you can position yourself earlier and avoid some of that pressure.

Three Phases for the 2Y Spring Job Search

We are approaching 2Y recruiting in three phases. These phases are meant to provide structure and optional momentum, not to suggest a single "right" timeline for every student.

Phase 1: Preparation (January 27 – March 8) 

This phase is about putting you in the strongest possible position before opportunities accelerate.

• Attend the Enterprise Recruiting Lab on 1/27 
• Meet with a Career Advisor or Career Fellow
• Update your resume with: 
  • Internship accomplishments (clear, impact-focused bullets) 
  • 2Y Wharton leadership, academic, and co-curricular activities 
• Refresh and expand your behavioral stories using internship experiences 
• Clarify and refine your target companies and roles

Start on these actions now to ensure you are set up well for success.

Phase 2: Pre-Graduation Recruiting (March 9 – May 17) 

This phase is about speed and positioning. 

• Take advantage of Wharton’s early graduation date
• Be part of the first wave of MBA candidates on the market 
• Gain early access to roles before the broader MBA talent pool enters 

By July 1, the full M7 graduating classes are in the market. Most companies are not holding roles open for extended periods, which means the market becomes more saturated and significantly more competitive. Starting earlier gives you first access to the jobs you want, rather than competing later in a much more crowded environment. This is one reason we see some searches extend post-graduation and why early momentum matters. 

Phase 3: Post-Graduation Recruiting (May 18 and onward) 

We continue to support you after graduation, with a few important transitions to be aware of:

• As a new graduate, you will transition in July from the student-facing career advisors you have worked with to our alumni-facing advising team
• That team is highly experienced, though smaller than the student-facing team, which can sometimes mean longer wait times for appointments
• During the summer, our student-facing industry teams ramp up business development and travel to meet with employers and alumni across the U.S., which may reduce advisor availability compared to the academic year
• In the weeks following graduation, access to certain tools and databases (for example, PitchBook and your school Zoom account) will end, based on vendor contracts and graduate status (see WG'25 dates for reference)

See Figure 2 for a side-by-side comparison of Phases 2 and 3.

Figure 2: Key Differences between Phase 2 and Phase 3

While some resources change, our support does not end. We continue to advise and guide graduates through this phase. We know that this period can take time and can be stressful, which is why we strongly encourage you to take full advantage of preparation and advising before graduation. Building this momentum now can make the post-graduation phase less stressful and help you stay competitive if your search extends.

As always, we are here to help. We are excited about your careers and where you are headed post-Wharton. We hope to see you next Tuesday at the Enterprise Recruiting Lab – I invite you to stop by my dedicated 2Y advising station for a quick chat!

Best,

Dr. Sam Jones 
Senior Director

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