What MBA Recruiters Are Looking for in 2025

MBA recruiting looks a little different every year, but the fundamentals never change: Employers want to hire motivated candidates who show curiosity, professionalism and a clear sense of direction.

At Rice Business, the Career Development Office (CDO), a key professional resource for MBAs looking to connect with employers and alumni, recently hosted an event called “Recruiter Real Talk” to share insider tips on today’s MBA job market. Recruiter panelists Dana Vasquez ’24, Katie Sanborn ’19, Madeleine Tunnard ’23 and Kuanysh Samigollayev ’23 offered candid advice on how students can navigate the recruiting journey with confidence.

1. Start Early

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Recruiting timelines vary by industry. If you’re considering a role in a specific industry, like investment banking, begin preparing as soon as possible — even before the first day of your MBA program. Don’t wait until the first semester’s over in order to figure out if a field is for you. Begin attending information sessions, networking events and coffee chats immediately.

Why? Because timelines in some industries are accelerated, and opportunities can pass quickly. As one recruiter put it: “You can always step back later, but you can’t rewind the clock.”

In fact, the earlier you apply for the Rice MBA, the sooner you’ll unlock the opportunities, insights and connections with students and alumni to help you hit the ground running. And once you’re here, make sure to connect with second years — they’re your best advocates and most reliable guides across industries.

2. Treat Every Interaction Like an Interview

From the first handshake at a networking event to a quick exchange in McNair Hall, recruiters notice how you show up in every conversation, not just the formal recruiting events. That means:

• Dress appropriately, even for coffee chats.
• Be professional in your tone, whether by email or in person.
• Assume that everything you say will make its way back to the hiring team.

Katie Sanborn ’19 put it best: “Every interaction you have, consider it an interview.”

2. Referrals and Relationships Matter

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Recruiting isn’t a numbers game, so submitting 50 applications without meaningful connections won’t get you very far. But internal referrals, built on authentic conversations, can make all the difference. The strongest candidates:

• Build genuine relationships before asking for a referral.
• Come to coffee chats with specific questions.
• Follow up quickly and thoughtfully, showing you’ve learned something new.

Recruiters remember the students who make them feel like the conversation mattered. 

4. Show Curiosity (And Attention To Detail)

No matter what industry you’re seeking your next role in, recruiters are looking for MBA students who are curious, adaptable and genuinely eager to learn. 

Recruiters are also paying attention to the little things: Does your cover letter seem to be AI-automated or vague? Did you spell the company name correctly in your email? Did you address the recruiter properly? Typos, copy-paste errors, small mistakes and overgeneralizations can cost you an opportunity.

Pro tip: Set a short delay on your emails to give yourself time to catch errors before they send.

5. Demonstrate Fit Over Time

In early coffee chats, recruiters don’t expect you to know everything about their company or the role. But as you progress, they do expect you to get more specific. Try to reference what you’ve learned about a company’s culture, values, team structures or projects over the course of recruitment.

That progression shows you’re learning, retaining information and building intentional relationships, which will help you stand out in today’s recruiting landscape.

6. Know Your Goals

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When weighing industries, roles or timelines, reflect on your priorities and non-negotiables by asking yourself questions like:

• What kind of lifestyle do I want?
• Where do I want to live?
• How much am I willing to travel or work each week?

If you’re pivoting or still deciding what field is for you, your time in the Rice MBA program is a unique opportunity to “test drive” different fields. One rule of thumb is to pay attention to what energizes you and what drains you. 

7. Don’t Forget the Bigger Picture

Recruiting is important — but it’s not the only reason you’re here. Your two years at Rice Business are also about finding community, networking, and growing through clubs, conferences, labs and so much more. 

The panelists reminded students to lift each other up during the recruitment process. It’s much easier to go through with support by your side, and there are plenty of opportunities to go around. But how you treat your classmates and peers will shape your reputation long after graduation.

Final Tip: Use Your Resources

The best news? You don’t have to figure this out alone. The CDO team is in constant conversation with employers and recruiters, so their guidance reflects what companies are actually looking for in candidates right now.

Just like the two-year MBA journey, recruitment will work best for you when you dedicate the time and efforts to it. Make the most of your time at Rice Business, foster strong relationships, use your resources — and you’ll be ready not just to land a job, but to launch a meaningful career.
 

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