Designing an Impactful Resume - Crafting Your MBA Application
Mastering the Art of a Winning Resume Template
The resume provides a quick and concise snapshot of your professional background, including your work experience, skills, and achievements. Admissions committees can efficiently review your qualifications and assess your overall fit for the MBA program.
A well-constructed resume allows you to highlight your work experience and key achievements in a clear and organized manner. This information is essential for showcasing your professional growth and accomplishments to the admissions committee.
Your resume becomes a crucial element during interviews, serving as a basis for questions and discussion topics. This is particularly significant in blind interviews, where the interviewer has only reviewed your resume. Excelling in crafting your resume positions you for success in the interview, marking the final step in your application process.
Why is a resume a crucial component of MBA applications?
1. Quantifiable Impact:
Including quantifiable achievements in your resume allows you to demonstrate the impact you've had in your previous roles. Admissions committees appreciate specific examples of how you've contributed to projects, teams, or organizations.
Ensure that each achievement in your resume is accompanied by a numerical value or percentage to highlight the tangible impact you've made.
2. Skills and Competencies:
Your resume provides an opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies, both technical and soft. This information helps admissions committees assess your readiness for the academic and professional challenges of an MBA program.
3. Career Progression:
A well-crafted resume outlines your career progression, showcasing the trajectory of your roles and responsibilities. This helps admissions committees understand the evolution of your career and assess your potential for future success.
For various positions held within the same company, outline the career progression and how the responsibilities have evolved throughout your stint at the company.
4. Alignment with Program Goals:
Your resume should highlight experiences and skills that align with the goals and values of the MBA program to which you are applying. Admissions committees seek candidates who can contribute meaningfully to the program and leverage their experiences for the benefit of the community.
Keep in mind these things to nail your resume formatting
Length
Most MBA schools expect a professional resume. Which means keep your MBA resume under one page
Font and Size
Go with the classic fonts:
Calibri
Arial
Garamond
Times New Roman (Most recommended)
Keep the font size at 11 or 12 points, with 14 for the headings. Don’t make the adcoms use magnifying glasses to read your resume.
3. Color
Always keep it in black and white. At most, colours can be used to highlight the headings.
4. File Type
Most schools' application portals will specify the file format for your resume, but generally speaking, you'll be submitting a PDF. It's clean, clear, and looks professional.