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MBAGuide
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What AdComs look for in a CV and How to stand out (w/ Sample Template)   05 Mar 2024, 00:43
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­­Working with some MBB consultants recently, I realized even those, who have been trained in the first principle approach can make attribution errors when they talk about their work. I bet you too have made an attribution error in your resume or application, at least in the first drafts if not in the final submitted version. Every project you mention on a resume or in a story has two parts: What did you do and what came out of it? You can't write interesting stories without reflecting and connecting these two parts. However, a lack of understanding often leads to incorrect attributions and faulty causal relationships. I this write up, I have tried to share some example that can help you become extra careful and avoid these errors as much as possible in your resumes and essays.

The success of any profession project, e.g. achieving exceptional sales, exceeding quality requirements, increasing the company’s share value, etc., depends on a number of factors. However, in the rush to quantify the impact, B-school applicants either overestimate their contribution or fail to make a direct correlation between “their contribution” and the company’s results. Both lead to an attribution error.

Here are a few simplified examples that might help you see and recogmise the attribution errors you commit so commonly in your Resume

Here is an example taken directly from an MBB consultant’s first resume draft

Event 1 - “Established the very first dedicated pricing cell in ABC Company, the first for a company of this size in the commercial vehicle industry, which will be responsible for pricing all of the company's products.

Event 2 - “Achieved $200 million in sales in the commercial vehicle segment and delivered on our restructuring of after-sales service.”

Can you identify where the gap is?

While a casual reader or an inexperienced admissions coach unfamiliar with business case presentation might let this error pass without feedback, someone who has been through the rigorous scrutiny of an MBA program will immediately recognize the flawed construct.
Consultants are sales-oriented by nature and may even tend to exaggerate in front of their clients. After all, consulting is more or less a sales role. However, from a logical perspective, the two events in this example have little or no causal relationship.

First, setting up a pricing cell does not directly lead to sales.

Second, the $200 million in sales could be the result of something else, perhaps a highly efficient sales force. (This is also why there is a critical thinking section on the GMAT)

Third, our dear MBB applicant is not a sales person at this company, or a sales or marketing guy at all. All he does is turn companies around.

Four, a $200 million in revenue is not the right metric here. Only a sales head in such a company who has grown sales in a new market segment from $ 0 can claim the credit for the entirety of $200 million in sales. There must be another metric that makes more sense for our applicant, which we needed to find after discussion.

Now I can go on and on about other gaps in the tall order claim, but to keep things simple, after the attribution error correction, the content for the connect final resume bullet would look something like this

Event1- Conducted extensive on-ground visits to understand and solve franchise and fleet owners' customer service challenges. Adopted best practices from European models to create and train the first-ever pricing cell with 10 employees, resulting in improved pricing accuracy and efficiency.

Event2- Revitalized the auto giant's commercial vehicle sales  in CountryX resulting in a $30 million increase in sales within 6 months of setting up the new pricing cell and streamlining after-sales operations.

How is this structure better?
1.           Shows how our MBB consultant is a hands on guy who likes to work very closely with the end user to understand the deeper aspects of the problem. (Different from many other consultants who work at a desk in front of excel sheets all the time)
2.           Seeks out and interacts with other players in other countries who have already implemented similar ideas. Has a global reach
3.           Understands impact attribution and has strong business acumen. Gives a conservative estimate of $30Mn sales in additional incremental sales above BAU (Business as Usual) as a goodness from the pricing cell within 6 months (a comparison window). Shows honesty.

Interestingly, contrary to sales-oriented applicants and management consultants, the technology or finance-focused applicants underestimate their contribution altogether. They find it hard to come up with some impact metrics at all, or pigeonhole themselves to a function without simplifying their function or impact.

Here is a real example from an applicant who made the cut to a 1 yr MBA with less years of experience. This person did the attribution exercise during the interview preparation with me and the entries are here in the PAR (Problem Action Result) format.

Problem- Nestle has a business requirement of estimating the amount of strategic inventory to be held to avoid the conditions of stockouts and prevent loss in sales.

How we made it better- In year 2021, Nestle faced frequent stock outs of N product categories (numbers are impactful) in XYZ country and as a result - loss in sales (can quantify). Nestle came to our team to find a solution for their business requirement.

Action- To meet their business requirement, we first classified their materials into buckets of different service levels. For that, we looked at material consumption patterns, demand patterns, demand stability as well as material holding costs, and future forecasts.

How we made it better- I led the data analytics function (show leadership on the project) for designing the solution for Nestle’s OOS problems. I studied material consumption patterns, demand patterns, demand stability as well as material holding costs and future forecasts and suggested safety stock at various service levels. (all are relevant to the problem on hand and show to the adcom the applicant is probably the youngest expert in this domain of business!)

Result- By classifying materials with different service levels, we were able to define safety stock requirements for each material-plant combination as we were able to provide recommended target stock for each material as well as alerts for actions on high-risk materials and its GPS.

How we made it better- I defined new safety stock requirements for each material-warehouse combination and recommended target stocks as well as alerts for actions on high-risk materials and its position(in production, in transit etc). I did this for a 5 warehouse network and the model held strong for 90% Service Levels- Nestle covered 90% of the sales spikes and that equates to $N Mn revenue (if the applicant has an estimate, or else it can be avoided).

A common occurrence of attribution error also happens in the Failure essays where people wrongly attribute failures to vague external circumstances, a bad supervisor, a competitive and jealous colleague and what not. This must not be done as it shows the applicant’s inability to take responsibility. Remember, you can never attribute  the outcome in a business setup to an isolated factor such as yourselves. In a team environment there will always be multiple forces at play. So show this understanding in the Business school applications.


Get personalized advice tailored to your specific situation. Reach out should you need help navigating your unique circumstances in the B School admissions process. We do not cap discussion hours.

Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, former INSEAD admissions interviewer)
Founder, MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com­­­
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What AdComs look for in a CV and How to stand out (w/ Sample Template)   13 Jul 2024, 22:34
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A well-crafted resume is a crucial element of your MBA application and serves as an opportunity to make a strong first impression, highlighting your unique qualifications and achievements.

In this write-up (originally published here), we’ll delve deeper into why MBA resumes are important, top tips for creating your effective MBA resume, common mistakes to avoid, and look at the MBA resume layout along with an example template/ CV.

What AdComs look for in an MBA Resume

MBA admissions committees place a high value on resumes because they provide valuable insights into your qualifications, experiences, and potential contributions to the program.

Here’s why resumes matter and the specific dimensions admissions committees look for in them:

  1. Snapshot of Your Qualifications: Your resume provides admissions committees with a quick overview of your academic background, work experience, leadership roles, and extracurricular activities. It helps them gauge your readiness for the rigor of an MBA program and assess whether your qualifications align with their program’s criteria.
  2. Demonstration of Leadership and Impact: MBA programs seek candidates who have demonstrated leadership skills, initiative, and the ability to make a positive impact. Resumes offer a platform to highlight experiences where the applicant has been promoted, led teams, initiated projects, and contributed to organizational growth.
  3. Alignment with Program Goals: Admissions committees are interested in applicants whose goals align with the mission and values of the MBA program. A well-crafted resume can demonstrate how your background and aspirations align with what the program aims to achieve.
  4. Evidence of Transferable Skills: MBA programs focus on equipping students with skills that can be applied across industries and roles. Resumes provide evidence of transferable skills such as problem-solving, strategic thinking, and effective communication.
  5. Context for Letters of Recommendation: Resumes provide context for the letters of recommendation that applicants submit. They help referees understand the applicant’s experiences, strengths, and areas of growth.
  6. Cohort Composition: MBA programs value diversity in terms of professional backgrounds, industries, and experiences and therefore, admissions committees aim to build a diverse and dynamic cohort of students. Resumes help them understand how each applicant contributes to the overall composition of the incoming class.
  7. Post-MBA Goals: An applicant’s career goals and aspirations are critical components of the admissions process. A well-crafted resume should clearly communicate these goals, helping the committee assess how well the program aligns with the applicant’s trajectory.
  8. Attention to Detail and Presentation: A meticulously prepared resume demonstrates an applicant’s attention to detail, professionalism, and commitment to the application process. It’s a tangible representation of an applicant’s ability to present themselves effectively.

Dos and Don’ts of an MBA Resume

Creating a standout MBA resume requires attention to detail and a clear focus on your qualifications and goals. Here are the top must-haves and common mistakes to avoid when crafting your MBA resume:


Must-Haves
  1. Clear Objective: Include a concise objective or summary statement at the beginning that highlights your career goals and how an MBA aligns with them.
  2. Relevant Work Experience: Emphasize your most relevant work experiences that showcase leadership, teamwork, and skills applicable to your MBA goals.
  3. Quantifiable Achievements: Use numbers and metrics to highlight your accomplishments. Quantifiable results provide concrete evidence of your impact.
  4. Leadership Roles: Highlight leadership experiences, whether at work, in extracurricular activities, or in community initiatives. MBA programs value leadership potential.
  5. Education: Clearly list your educational background, including the degrees earned, institutions attended, and graduation dates.
  6. Extracurricular Activities: Showcase involvement in clubs, organizations, volunteer work, or any initiatives that demonstrate your interests and skills beyond work.
  7. Skills: Highlight relevant skills that align with your MBA and career aspirations. Include technical and soft skills.
  8. Consistency: Maintain consistent formatting, font, and spacing throughout the resume. Consistency enhances readability.
  9. Customization: Tailor your resume for each MBA program you apply to. Highlight experiences and skills that match the program’s values and goals.
  10. Proofreading: Thoroughly proofread your resume for grammatical errors and typos. A polished resume reflects your attention to detail.

Key Mistakes to Avoid
  1. Irrelevant Information: Avoid including experiences or details that don’t relate to your MBA goals. Focus on what’s most pertinent.
  2. Overwhelming Length: Keep your resume to one or two pages. MBA resumes should be concise and focused on the most impactful information.
  3. Vague Language: Be specific about your responsibilities and accomplishments. Avoid using generic terms that don’t provide clear insights.
  4. Lack of Results: Don’t just list tasks; emphasize the outcomes and results you achieved in each role.
  5. Excessive Jargon: While industry-specific language can be helpful, avoid using excessive jargon that might not be understood by everyone.
  6. Excessive Detail: While it’s important to provide details, avoid overwhelming the reader with too much information. Stick to key points.
  7. Lack of Focus: Ensure that your resume is targeted and focused. Every section should contribute to your overall narrative.
  8. Inconsistent Formatting: Inconsistent fonts, spacing, or formatting can make your resume appear unprofessional. Maintain a uniform style.
  9. Neglecting Extracurriculars: Don’t overlook your involvement in extracurricular activities. These can demonstrate well-roundedness and leadership skills.
  10. Forgetting to Tailor: Each MBA program has its unique strengths and goals. Don’t submit a generic resume; customize it for each school.

MBA Resume Layout

When it comes to the layout of your MBA resume, clarity and simplicity are key. You want the admissions committees to easily grasp your information.

Here’s a straightforward structure with some guidelines for your MBA resume, starting with the basics and building up to the finer points.
  • Professional Experience: About half to three fourth of your resume.
  • Education: About a quarter or less of your resume.
  • Extracurricular Activities: About a quarter or less of your resume.

You’ll typically begin your MBA resume with basic information like your name, phone number, address, and email. To make your name stand out, you can use a different font or style. Keep your resume to one page and use a clear, readable font. Go for a 10-point font with headings or page breaks to separate each section. Remember to follow any specific formatting requirements from the school you’re applying to.

You can also add a Summary section if you’d like, space permitting. This is a short 2-3 sentence introduction that highlights your most valuable skills. Write it in a descriptive way (like, “Forward-thinking Product Manager who…”) instead of using “I”. Think of it as a brief bio.

After that, get into your Work Experience.


Work Experience Section

Crafting the work experience section of your MBA application resume is crucial as it showcases your professional growth, achievements, and relevance to the program. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating an effective work experience section:

  1. Prioritize Relevance: Select your most recent and relevant job experiences that align with your MBA goals. Emphasize positions where you demonstrated leadership, management, teamwork, and skills applicable to business school.
  2. Layout and Format: Aim to follow some guidelines –
    • Start with your job title, company name, and dates of employment.
    • Use bullet points for each job to present your responsibilities and accomplishments clearly.
    • Use action verbs for each bullet point to showcase impact. Start with the result and then use the action verb. For example “Increased sales by x% by leading a team of 5 associates across market research, client outreach and negotiations”.
    • Keep the format consistent throughout the section.
  3. Focus on Achievements: Rather than just listing tasks, emphasize your achievements and impacts in each role. Showcase your leadership, innovation, and contributions that made a difference.
  4. Quantify Results: Whenever possible, include quantifiable metrics to highlight your accomplishments. Numbers provide concrete evidence of your contributions. For instance, mention how you increased sales, saved costs, or improved processes.
  5. Tailor to MBA Goals: Highlight aspects of your work experience that directly relate to your MBA aspirations. Showcase skills, accomplishments, and responsibilities that demonstrate your readiness for business school.
  6. Use the CAR Method:
    • Context: Describe a challenge or situation you faced in the role.
    • Action: Explain the actions you took to address the challenge.
    • Result: Share the positive outcome or impact of your actions.
  7. Highlight Leadership Roles: If you held leadership positions or managed teams, highlight these experiences. Leadership is highly valued in MBA programs.
  8. Prioritize achievements in every role: For each role you have worked in your total experience prioritize the most impactful and relevant achievements. Let’s say you have held 2 jobs in your professional experience. For each job, prioritize the achievements that created the most impact and list them on top.
  9. Industry-Specific Language: Use industry-specific terminology and keywords related to your field. It shows your familiarity with your industry and may resonate with MBA admissions committees.
  10. Keep It Concise: Be succinct but comprehensive. Aim for about 3-5 bullet points per job, focusing on the most impactful aspects.

Next comes your Education history. 

Education Section

Just include your bachelor’s degree and master’s degree if you have one. Talk more about your education in your essays if it’s important for your application.

If you believe your work experience isn’t as strong as you’d like, make sure to highlight your education at the forefront of your MBA application resume. Begin by incorporating the following information:
  • Institution
  • Degree
  • Major or area of focus
  • Any minors you pursued (if relevant)
  • Date of graduation
  • GPA
  • Achievements or recognitions received (if applicable)

Extracurricular Activities

Lastly, add some Extracurricular activities that highlight your interests and achievements outside of work. This gives a glimpse of your personality and character while keeping your resume professional.


[Example CV of a Software Engineer/ Business Analyst with job switches]

[Name]

[Phone Number] | [Email Address] | [LinkedIn profile]

Work Experience

Senior Business Analyst
ABC Corp. (2021 – Present); Bengaluru, India
- Improved click-through rate for low affluent users by 5% in search ranking algorithm by working with the Product team.
- Increased visit-to-order conversion rates by 33% for Product-X by providing actionable insights and enhancing express serviceability from 40% to 75%.
- Led discussions with Finance and Product teams across the US, Israel and India on analytical solutions and capturing KPIs for multiple product launches like the pricing automation platform.

Software Engineer
XYZ Corp. (2019 – 2021); Mumbai, India 
- Supported a total of 6 applications on card payment domain, resulting in contract extension worth $340K and reducing the SLA time from 45 days to 30 days.
-  Saved re-work costs up to $450K in 1.5 Years by managing a team of developers across Manila and India.
- Enabled team to achieve 98% user satisfaction by providing critical post-release, swiftly resolving user-reported issues.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (2017 – 2019)
University of PQR; XYZ City, India
GPA: 3.8/4.0; Dean’s List

Extracurricular Activities

- Organized 15+ tree plantation drives and lake revival missions in our local community.
- Learned flute from a disciple of Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia for 3 years, and regularly perform in social and office events.
- Trekking enthusiast, completed Tigers Nest trek Bhutan, Beach trek Gokarna making memorable experiences and friends.

Languages: English (Fluent), Hindi (Native), Spanish (Intermediate)

[End of Example template]


Final Thoughts

Crafting a winning MBA resume is an essential step toward securing your spot in a competitive business school. By understanding the unique features of MBA resumes, tailoring them to your goals, and avoiding common pitfalls, you can present a compelling case to admissions committees.

Remember, your resume is not just a list of experiences, but a strategic tool to showcase your leadership potential, accomplishments, and readiness for the transformative journey an MBA offers.

Reach out through the link(s) below for highly-personalized professional support on your B-school applications.

Regards,
Arvind
Founder, admitStreet | Request a free chat
W: https://admitstreet.com | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com | LinkedIn ­
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