-
Target Test Prep 20% Off Flash Sale is on! Code: FLASH20
Redeem
5 Ways an MBA Resume Should Differ from a Professional Resume
Your MBA application is not complete without your resume. Every candidate has one and it can be tempting to use the resume you already perfected to get your most recent job. However, a business school resume differs from a professional resume. Here are the key differences and our tips for optimizing your business school resume!
1. Stay away from industry jargon
In a professional resume, the reader is much more likely to be familiar with the industry and wants to know the details and specifics about your relevant experience. It matters to them which tools you used and industry buzzwords are key. However, the terms you regularly discuss at the office may be foreign to others, including admissions committee members. When in doubt, dont assume the reader is familiar with everything about your job. Focus on language that is more general and easier to use to compare you to other applicants. Adcom members do not need or want all of the technical details anyway!
2. Focus on leadership and transferable skills
While it may be crucial in your current role that you are an expert in SQL, this is much less interesting to admissions committee members. Instead of all of the technical skills you have amassed, focus on the transferable skills you have developed and how you have emerged as a leader. How have you been a thought leader or managed a team/project? If you are going to name professional skills, think about ones relevant to many industries such as analysis or strategic thinking or research. These will be much more compelling in convincing the reader that you can excel in business school and beyond.
3. Dont just list your job description
Admissions committee members dont need to know every detail of your job and what specifically it entails. Instead, think about your key accomplishments and highlights. What key initiatives did you lead? What projects did you succeed in? How did you go above and beyond in your role? How did you excel, particularly in relation to your peers? Focus on the highlights. It is ok to leave some things you worked on out, especially if they wouldnt sound impressive to someone outside of your company.
4. Include results!
Learnings, takeaways and results are the most important items to include in your business school resume. This can and should include both personal growth over time and your impact on business performance. The more specific and measurable your results are, the better. Think of items such as increased performance 30% over previous year or drove $1M in new business through x, y, z.
5. Show them another aspect of your profile
Successful business school students are active outside of work: in their communities, in athletics, with organizations, etc. They have hobbies or specific language skills. They won awards or earned certifications. They got involved on their campuses or at work outside of the scope of their jobs. These details are important to show readers another aspect of your candidacy. However, keep in mind quality over quantity! A laundry list of activities or an organization you volunteered with once wont help (and including such might even hurt your creditability.)
***
Personal MBA Coachhas worked on countless resumes over the years and there has never been a resume we couldnt improve! Dont hesitate to reach out today and discuss how we can help! We have been helping clients get into the schools of their dreams for over 10 years with a 96% success rate. See the difference our boutique one-on-one approach can make. Call +1-617-645-2424 or email:[email protected]today!
Recent Articles
Archive
- April 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009