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gmatnoob
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Questions regarding some application questions 15 Dec 2007, 20:52
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I'm wondering how much overlap there should or shouldn't be in my resume and employment history required in the application.

Things like job responsibilities, etc. will undoubtedly be repeated in both places. Is that ok? If not, how should I focus what I write in the two things?
Examples?

Also, I'm a software engineer and the application asks to describe the job function of my current job. The closest thing I see is IT and Other. IT really isn't accurate. What do most software developers put for this?

Thanks.
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Questions regarding some application questions 16 Dec 2007, 17:49
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I'm planning to apply for Fall 09 and I have a similar question. I have a degree in Industrial Engineering and my current job involves developing optimization models to reduce cost or increase revenues. Though key deliverable as far as company is considered is an optimization software, the primary reason I have this job is my Operations Research skills i.e. formulating and developing models. Implementation part as such involves lot of programming. Do I fall under IT category or other Engineering? I have been in transportation industry for 7 years, Do I fall under that category.
A few wise people have told me that MBA application process leads to introspection . Who thought I would be stumbling in as simple a question as what do I do for a living?
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Questions regarding some application questions 08 Jan 2008, 07:03
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Bump. I would appreciate if Gurus in this forum can answer my query.
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Questions regarding some application questions 08 Jan 2008, 07:48
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Travel09- I am a graduate degree in OR as well and work in optimization in the financial services industry. So as I see it, your industry will be Engineering (or if there is an option to be very specific- Transportation Engineering). Your job function could be business development/research etc. So, dont know if it helps.
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Questions regarding some application questions 08 Jan 2008, 07:57
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I dont think that this part of the application is all that important. Its probably used mostly to help sort and categorize applicants. Use whatever is closest to your industry and function. I know I work as an engineer for the government in an energy related area. I used engineer as a function but choose government over energy for industry, but easily could have gone the other way.

Don’t over think the check blocks or pulldown menus on the applications. The important details you personally fill out, if you don’t put the exact right thing for this its not gonna keep you out of the school.
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Questions regarding some application questions 08 Jan 2008, 09:08
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Thanks dosa_don and riverripper for your reply.
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Questions regarding some application questions 08 Jan 2008, 11:43
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Travel, sorry for the late reply, but yes, as dosa and river said, it doesn't matter as much, since the adcoms will be reading your essays, resume, and recommendations, and they can figure out what you do.

I have an engineering background, worked as an engineer in the defense/aerospace industry for the past 6.5 years, but recently am doing business development, so I listed business development/strategy and defense/government/aerospace as my industry.

Though in your special case, I would probably choose engineering instead of IT, just because of the slight stigma with the ultra-competitive IT pool. The adcoms are smart enough to realize you're not IT, but why give them a possibility to make the mistake of putting you in the IT pool? :P

My 2 cents.
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Questions regarding some application questions 08 Jan 2008, 13:49
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gmatnoob
I'm wondering how much overlap there should or shouldn't be in my resume and employment history required in the application.

Things like job responsibilities, etc. will undoubtedly be repeated in both places. Is that ok?
Show more

I think for most people there will be overlap. Unless you've compressed your resume to the point where you're leaving out key details, applicants are naturally going to have overlap. I would try to avoid using the exact phrasing from your resume, but I think it's acceptable for there to be repetition. After all, the resume and employment history are asking for essentially the same thing.
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Questions regarding some application questions 08 Jan 2008, 13:58
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kryzak

Though in your special case, I would probably choose engineering instead of IT, just because of the slight stigma with the ultra-competitive IT pool. The adcoms are smart enough to realize you're not IT, but why give them a possibility to make the mistake of putting you in the IT pool? :P

My 2 cents.
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Thanks for the reply Kryzak. What you say makes sense.
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Questions regarding some application questions 22 Oct 2025, 07:15
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Hi I can relate to your questions about application essays they can really be confusing at times especially when trying to balance showing achievements and personal growth. One thing I have found helpful is to focus on specific examples where your actions led to clear results even small ones because admissions committees really appreciate concrete stories. Also combining leadership and teamwork in a single example can make your answers more compelling. On a practical note while managing application tasks I sometimes rely on services like for smooth travel arrangements so I can focus on prep without stress. how are you deciding which questions to tackle first are you starting with the ones you feel strongest about or the ones that seem trickiest?
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Questions regarding some application questions 28 Oct 2025, 02:23
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Your MBA application essays are your chance to shine, to go beyond your resume and showcase the experiences, insights, and aspirations that make you a unique candidate. However, even the most accomplished applicants can stumble by making easily avoidable mistakes.

For MBA essay tips and how to avoid mistakes, please visit:
https://aringo.com/mba-essay-red-flags-avoid-these-mistakes-to-ace-your-application/