The Application Process

Excerpted from MBA Expert Insights Blog:

They were the best of resumes. They were the worst of resumes.

As a Director of MBA Admissions for 15 years, and now, as an MBA admissions consultant, I see two types of resumes from MBA applicants.

The first type, I'll call it the "Descriptive Resume," provides thorough descriptions for each position held. Typically, candidates will base their resume terms off of their organizational position description.

The second type, I'll call the "Evidence-Based Resume," contains some descriptive information for each position, but quantifies the volume of responsibilities and provides specific evidence of the results of the effort.

Which type of resume do you think is most effective with admissions committees and employers? Which type of resume do you have?

Your Resume Is Your Story

Your resume tells the story that you decide that it tells. MBA Admissions Committees and employers respond more positively when you tell the story of what you did, how you did it, and what results you achieved.

Your professional position descriptions are a good place to start, but in order to develop the more effective "evidence-based resume" you need to go further.

How To Make Your Resume Evidence-Based

It's quite simple, really. Every statement in your resume should patterns such as these:

Describe - Quantify volume, identify increases or decreases from your actions
Describe - Prove your success with positive outcomes
Describe - Provide results with numbers, percentages, or other metrics


Shortcuts To Results-Oriented Information

Ideally, everyone would keep good records of their professional accomplishments. That's not always the case, though. Here are some shortcuts to lead you to evidence for your evidence-based resume.

Look at your past performance reviews. Where did you receive praise? What was that based on?
Do you maintain an "attaboy" file of congratulatory emails and notes from others on your successes? Look through this material to identify other successes.
Ask colleagues for their feedback on outstanding contributions you've made. Are those items that could be quantified in your resume?
Assess your strengths. I use the StrengthsFinder tool with my clients to identify their top five professional strengths. We then go through their resume to identify the areas where their professional strengths played a role in their professional accomplishments. The StrengthsFinder is also a great way to create a personal brand for your resume and MBA application.

Many Thanks To Charles Dickens

To take generous poetic license yet again, if you want your resume to flourish in "the spring of hope" and not languish in "the winter of despair," make sure your resume describes your successes and provides the evidence.

Want Me To Review Your Resume?

As an MBA Admissions Consultant, I work with MBA applicants on all aspects of their MBA applications. Resumes, essays and interview preparation are my strengths.

If you'd like to have me provide you with a free resume review, contact me for a Free 30-Minute Consultation. I'll give you feedback on how you can strengthen your resume and your MBA applications.