How to Make Your Resume Stand Out When Applying for an MBA
When putting up a resume for your MBA application, bear in mind that it is not the same as the resume you would submit in a job application. Too many details in your MBA application resume might be detrimental. You should, however, highlight your critical thinking and decision-making ability. Here are some pointers to assist you determine what material to include and exclude from your MBA Application resume.
What to include or not include
Because MBA programs are meant to educate students for management responsibilities that need a diverse set of skills, a business school application resume should reflect a wide variety of skills. As a result, your resume should not overemphasize skills specific to one industry. The main distinction is that MBA resumes should emphasize personal strengths that are valuable in all industries, such as a collaborative spirit, a history of leading others, the ability to understand and prioritize the "bottom line" purpose of work assignments, and the ability to contribute to a company's "big picture" goals.
The first thing the admissions committee looks at, according to Sue Oldham, associate dean of MBA operations at Vanderbilt University, is career advancement. And being successful in the workplace does not always imply working for a "name-brand" or having an outstanding job title. Include times when someone recognized potential in you and gave you an opportunity at something different in your MBA Application resume.
Leadership success stories should also be included on resumes. Did you make significant contributions to a community or organization while in a position of authority? For instance, did you organize a successful fundraiser, and how much money did you raise? Have you led corporate sales campaigns? Include how many sales were increased as a consequence.
An MBA application resume should also include information on foreign language abilities, international travel, and time spent living abroad. If you have a global experience, you will have an advantage in the business school admissions process since business schools seek students who will lead multinational business operations.
Participation in elite competitive sports teams or recognized musical performance groups is a significant advantage on your MBA application resume. These kind of operations need a high level of discipline and collaboration, both of which are important in the corporate world.
Avoid making a laundry list
One typical error is to mention all of your extracurricular activities instead of focusing on the most essential and remarkable ones.
Areas of interest and professional affiliations are sought by the admissions committee.
If your face lights up during an admissions interview when you describe a certain extracurricular activity, it means it belongs on your application resume.
You should also highlight your critical thinking and decision-making skills. Data analysis skills, for example, are extremely valuable across numerous businesses.
Your MBA Application resume should be one page long - this is a summary of who you are. Inserting irrelevant information in your resume might be considered counter productive. In your resume, for example, describe the amount of hours you spent on a certain project.
Furthermore, your high school achievements are no longer relevant; delete them.
Another common blunder is discussing mundane employment activities and responsibilities that are unlikely to pique the interest of admissions officers.
Surprising admissions officers by demonstrating a high degree of skill in an area that is not stressed in your job is one strategy to wow the admissions committee. A salesperson who exhibits quantitative aptitude, for example, may impress the admissions staff, as could an engineer who demonstrates communication abilities. Fight the stereotype of your profession.