MBA Application Resume

How to Write an MBA Resume

Your resume needs to make a persuasive argument that shows why you belong in the MBA program you're applying for. While your GPA and GMAT scores are indicators of your ability to think like an MBA student, your resume shows how you've applied what you've learned to your internships and jobs. According to a 2008 survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council, admissions officers and employers that hire graduating MBAs both look for:

• Business management knowledge
• Communication skills including persuasive, presentation and written communication skills
• Technical or quantative skills
• Ability to apply business discipline to any job or function

Make sure your MBA application resume demonstrates that you have the skills and qualities that MBA admissions officers are looking for.  Provide evidence that shows how your education and work experience have helped you achieve your goals.

In addition to serving as a record of your education and employment history, your MBA application resume also needs to be connected to what you plan to do after you earn your MBA degree. Hone in on the results of your actions. To write a strong, results-oriented resume provide factual statements backed up by factual evidence, quantify your accomplishments as much as possible.

Devote the most space to the achievements that relate to your future career goals. Only mention hobbies if they are relevant to your career goals. Work and educational experiences that aren't directly related to your future career goals should only get a brief mention. Show how your past experiences have lead to your future career goals. This guides the admissions officer reading your resume so they see the most important parts of your resume and how your past experiences can indicate future success.

Resume Format

Use a size 10 font. Make sure it's a readable font such as Times New Roman. Use the following subheadings, work experience, education and additional.

The top of your resume should include the following contact information:

• Your name
• Your mailing address
• Your email address
• Your phone number

Your resume should include all post-college along with relevant internships. When listing your work history, be sure to include:

• The name of the company you worked for
• The location of the job
• Dates of employment
• Job title
• Your roles and achievements

Each bullet following a job listing should show what the situation was, how you solved it and what the ultimate outcome was.

Most MBA applicants use the reverse chronological format for their MBA application resume. The advantage of this format is that it shows how your experience and interests have evolved over time. Try to keep your resume to one page.

Resume Tips

Here are some tips you should consider when writing your resume:

• Each job role listed should be followed by no more than four bullets. Each bullet should be followed by no more than two lines.

• Read over the bullets and make sure they accurately reflect your role and business skills.

• Make sure the content of your resume complements the career goals stated in your essays.

• Your past academic accomplishments show what kind of student you'll be, so make sure you include them under the education section of your MBA application resume

• An admissions officer spends a maximum of 45 seconds reading your resume. Make sure your the language and design you use can get their attention.

• In order to keep your resume to one page, only focus on the three or four projects that support what you have said in other parts of the application.

• When discussing your results, be as specific as possible.

• You should also be specific when describing your hobbies.

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