Applying to an MBA program may be exciting yet nerve-wracking — especially considering that most business schools have strict requirements that applicants must follow in order to even be considered for admission. One of those requirements entails submitting an MBA resume, which is typically a one-page document detailing the qualifications and achievements that could make you a good fit for the program.
If you are looking to make a positive impression with a skillfully crafted MBA resume, there are a few things to keep in mind as you get started.
Understanding the Essentials of an MBA Resume
What sets an MBA resume apart from a “traditional” resume that you might use to apply for a job? And what makes your MBA resume such an important component of your graduate program application?
Key Differences Between an MBA and Job Resume
Both MBA resumes and conventional job resumes are documents used to highlight an applicant’s relevant skills and experience. However, when compared to a job resume, an MBA resume tends to be more centered on the types of achievements and skills that are specific to excelling in an MBA program. Typically, MBA resumes are reviewed by business school admissions teams and may be viewed as a complement to other application materials (like a personal statement or letter of recommendation).
The Importance of a Well-Crafted MBA Resume
Just as a resume could be critical to landing a job interview, a well-crafted MBA resume could demonstrate your qualifications to the admissions team among the many other applicants who are vying for a spot in a graduate-level business program. In some schools, MBA programs may be highly competitive, and not every qualified applicant will get in. By tailoring your MBA resume to highlight your specific skills, experiences, and achievements in a compelling way, you may be able to improve your chances of acceptance.
On the other hand, a poorly written or formatted MBA resume could have the opposite effect, which is why you should set aside plenty of time to draft, edit, and polish your resume before submitting it with your application.
Preparing to Create Your MBA Resume
Before you sit down to create your MBA resume, you might consider the following to make the process a little easier on yourself:
Gathering Necessary Documents and Information
Start by gathering the information and documentation you need to craft your resume as accurately as possible. Every detail matters here, so you want to be sure about employment dates, grade point averages (GPAs), and any other specific achievements listed. Having access to your previous academic transcripts, certificates of achievement, and other relevant documents may prepare you to craft your resume with greater precision.
Identifying Your Unique Selling Points
As you prepare to draft your MBA resume, it may also be helpful to write down a list of “selling points” or facts that may distinguish you from other program applicants. Perhaps you have a great deal of experience working in the field, or maybe you maintained an exceptional GPA in your undergraduate program. Regardless, having a list of at least a few selling points could help you better format and focus your resume content to highlight what makes you a solid fit for business school.
Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your MBA Resume
Now that you have a general idea of what you want your MBA resume to highlight, below are some practical steps you may follow to craft a resume from start to finish:
Step 1: Choosing the Right MBA Resume Format
An MBA resume should look similar to a job resume in the sense that you should list your contact information at the top, followed by a qualification’s summary. From there, decide which subheadings to include next. In general, it is best to include the most relevant information at the top, with less important or relevant details toward the bottom of the page.
In addition, aim to keep an MBA resume to a single page. Any longer than that could put your entire resume at risk of being overlooked. After all, admissions committees often have hundreds of resumes to sift through — so those that are concise and to-the-point are ideal.
Step 2: Writing a Compelling Professional Summary
What should you include in your professional summary? This is typically one of the first things an admissions professional would read, so it is important for it to stand out. Generally, your summary should be no more than one or two sentences that recap your achievements and qualifications. It may be helpful to think of this section as an elevator pitch of sorts.
Step 3: Detailed Experience Section
Once you get into your professional experience section, you may expand further on your professional summary with specific information about your related work experience. This may include not just paid positions but also any internships or volunteer work you have done that relates to your MBA goals. This section could be an ideal place to include any specific performance metrics that could help you stand out from other applicants.
Step 4: Education and Certifications
Additionally, an admissions committee will want to know about your previous educational experience. This should include details about what you studied, when you graduated, and your academic performance. It may be helpful here to list any related business classes you took as part of your previous program(s), too, along with any certifications or designations you earned.
Step 5: Highlighting Skills, Languages, and Extracurriculars
Use your resume as an opportunity to highlight not only your business skills and acumen but also other competencies that could apply to your career in business. If you speak more than one language, for example, this might be worth listing on your resume, especially if you are interested in pursuing a career in international business.
Enhancing Your MBA Resume
Even once you have a draft of your MBA resume that you are happy with, you should still be prepared to go through at least a couple of rounds of revisions to enhance your resume and help yourself stand out.
Incorporating Keywords for ATS Optimization
Many business schools may use applicant tracking systems (ATS), which automatically scan resume content to help admissions committees filter through applications and streamline the process. As you refine your document, then, it may be wise to incorporate some buzzwords that could optimize your resume for ATS. Some examples of keywords you may want to include (where applicable) include:
- Process improvement
- Project management
- Strategic planning
- Management and leadership
Showcasing Achievements With Quantifiable Metrics
Whenever possible, you may also want to include quantifiable metrics on your resume to differentiate your MBA application. These may be especially useful to include in reference to your own professional experience, particularly when alluding to the size of the team you led, the percentage of projects you helped complete on time, or even the total return on investment (ROI) you helped achieve.
Ready to Pursue Your MBA Degree?
As with any other aspect of your graduate school application, you should set aside plenty of time to draft, revise, and refine your MBA resume until it is polished. By making sure to follow proper MBA resume format while highlighting the skills, achievements, and other details that set you apart from other applicants, you may be able to increase the likelihood of being accepted into the program of your choice.
Still looking for the right program to suit your learning style and professional goals? Post University is proud to offer a Master of Business Administration program that is available in both online and on-campus formats for your convenience. With thirteen different concentrations from which to choose, you are free to focus on the niche that best aligns with your interests. Request more information about this program or start your online application today — no GMAT required!
Thank you for reading! The purpose of this blog is to provide general information to the reader, and as such, this information may not directly relate to programs offered by Post University.
Please note jobs and/or career outcomes highlighted in this blog do not reflect jobs or career outcomes expected from enrolling in or graduating from any Post program.