Over the next four weeks, I will be posting tips for each section of the MBA application: CV, recommendations, essays, application boxes. Stay tuned!
This week, let's start with your CV - which you can complete right now, before essay topics are released. Now let's get down to it.
If I can brag a bit - MBA Career Services love my résumés. "Don't you dare change a single word!" were the words spoken to my client who started at Stanford GSB last fall. It went into the resume book as-is.
Most of his colleagues started almost from scratch.
THE MANTRA: SUCCINCT, YET COMPLETE
• Every single word has a purpose. Pare it down.
• It uses universal language instead of industry jargon, to the extent possible.
• One page only, but maximize space horizontally.
• Give context: provide a one-line company description if needed.
• Give context: provide a job scope statement under your role.
• Each bullet is an accomplishment that states a result and an action.
• Results: ideally, making money, saving money or saving time.
• Anyone from any industry would be able to step into your resume, and comprehend the value of what you have done.
• There is space to breathe on the page. It has white space, and the reader feels good when they look at it. It looks inviting.
• It includes "fun facts" about you and demonstrates community leadership.
Next week - let's delve into the letters of recommendation. Meanwhile, get to work on your resume!