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Professional Resume - Word Count

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wayofjungle Rising GMAT Star
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Professional Resume - Word Count Post Wed Aug 08, 2012 1:38 pm
I'm seeking advice on word saturation for the resume on my bschool application. Because the resume for school is different from a resume for job-hunting, I'd like to know if it is okay for the resume to be quite jam packed with words. In a traditional professional resume I would make an effort to keep the content minimal, as to encourage a potential employer to actually review it. On the bschool application, I would like for it to read well and include as many details as possible. Subsequently, I know it would look overwhelming to an employer.

What is the general guideline to follow?

I don't know if this metric is valuable, but, currently, my word count is 504 words, at 10pt font with 1/4" margins.

Thanks!

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Post Wed Aug 08, 2012 2:48 pm
Your MBA resume should include all of your professional history and accomplishments in the most precise and concise manner.As for the details,you have your essays to detail out those accomplishments.

Actually,without taking a look at your resume, it is difficult to say if it would be overwhelming for the Ad Com. However, I have seen well- written resumes within the range of 500 words. I can only suggest you to cut off fat and make your resume crisp without compromising on relevant information.

I hope it helped

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Jon@Admissionado MBA Admissions Consultant
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Post Wed Aug 08, 2012 11:48 pm
There is no word count for resumes. You can make one page resumes as many words as you can fit, as long as you keep to a reasonable font size and margins. If you have more stuff that you want to get in, then you should be fighting to find ways to get it in.

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rhunter Just gettin' started!
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Post Thu Aug 09, 2012 10:26 am
At 30 years old, I am on the higher side of the curve for work experience when compared to an "average" applicant. I have also been very busy in the experience I have gained in my 6 years out of school - unusually busy when compared to many of my peers. I am concerned that if I try to fit everything on one page, the brevity of it would not do my background justice. For more experienced applicants, is it really frowned upon to exceed one page?

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Post Thu Aug 09, 2012 10:36 am
I have worked with applicants with as much experience as you have ,and they could fit their work experience in one page. As you are aware, brevity is the key here.So follow the principle of 'less is more 'and try your best not to exceed one page.

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wayofjungle Rising GMAT Star
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Post Thu Aug 09, 2012 2:31 pm
Thank you for the replies.

Slightly different topic, but hoping someone will read this and reply. I've made an effort to list the website for each of the organizations I've been a part of (where I feel it is important) because I want the ad com to be able to verify/get a feel for each of the organizations to some extent.

Do you think they will actually go to the address if I list it in the resume, or is this an example of an unnecessary detail that should be removed in favor of concision?

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Post Fri Aug 10, 2012 4:03 am
rhunter wrote:
At 30 years old, I am on the higher side of the curve for work experience when compared to an "average" applicant. I have also been very busy in the experience I have gained in my 6 years out of school - unusually busy when compared to many of my peers. I am concerned that if I try to fit everything on one page, the brevity of it would not do my background justice. For more experienced applicants, is it really frowned upon to exceed one page?
Actually, the majority of schools will accept up to two pages, and I've had lots of folks apply with two page resumes, so if you have enough materials go for a two-pager.

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