Resume for MBA Admissions

Question

Folks,
Most applications ask you to upload the resume. 
Does anyone know of a particular format that schools like?

Ofcourse, since we are not applying for a job, it should loook different. I was wondering if there are tempates out there or if someone can point me to one?

And why do some universities still want resume, when the applications have questions on employment history and responsibilities as well as extra-curricular activies??


Thanks!!

-Hindustan

Hindustan · Answer

Guys, need help and reply to this post. :-)

mbadart07 · Answer

Hi hindustan,

Schools ask resume to find out how you will approach a prospective employer while you are pursuing your mba. Obviously schools would like to admit applicants whose resumes look attractive to prospective employers. More than the resume format, they need to know how best yet simple, you are able to sell yourself. The format for writing a resume is similar to job apps resume. 

Well i think this is the reason that schools ask resume.. would welcome any comments 

cheers
sid

Hindustan · Answer

Thanks Sid.

That does help. 

So does that mean that the MBA resume should still have an objective title: example:


 Objective: To seek an exignent position in XXX, by YYY....ZZZ. 

Having as above looks like i am applying for a job, but in reality its just school, so i should not have the objective title?

rhyme · Answer

No. Also, for hte love of god, don't use the word exigent. It REEKS of thesaurus.

Here is my advice.

Remember a few things.

1) Your objective here is not to get a job, its to get into graduate school.
2) With that in mind, write more about your leadership and less about your day to day tactical responsibilities.
3) Remember that the adcom may not be in your field, so telling him/her that you developed a "bifurcated distilling multi optional drill bit" probably won't mean a thing. Similarly, they are going to care less if you have experience with "C++/Java/COBOL/PASCAL" whatever, again, because it means little to them other than "It's a programming language". Your job title would make it clear you are a developer anyway. Specific skills in this regard aren't going to win you jack.
Focus less on industry terminology and more on selling yourself. For example, lets say you are in the car manufacturing industry, if an interviewer asked you about your role you might say "I developed Ford's double intake valve for us in the RJ392 engine, increasing airflow and fluid viscosity by 22%." Great for the interviewer who knows about that. Bad for the adcom. If someone you never met asked you what you did for Ford, you'd reply: "I developed a modifcation for the engine you probably have in your focus. It reduces the reaction time between you push the pedal and the car snaps forward. Makes it snappier." Good. You are almost there. Now, take that and make it a real improvement as if you wanted to impress. "Developed new engine technology increasing vehicle responsiveness by roughly 22%. My design is now part of every Ford Focus made."

Take the first statement:
"I developed Ford's double intake valve for us in the RJ392 engine, increasing airflow and fluid viscosity by 22%."

And the last:
"Developed new engine technology increasing vehicle responsiveness by roughly 22%. My design is now part of every Ford Focus made."

Same thing right? But what packs more punch? 

Lets do the same for computer science for, I don't know, Geico.

"Utilized .NET 2.0 framework to develop new ASP.NET driven customer focused website on a SQL Server 2000 backend." 

Yawn.

What do you do for Geico again?

"I developed a new website for their customers to use." 

Great, now tell me again what you do for Geico, but impress me. 

"Developed new website for global rollout of claims processing at Geico. The website now recieves over a half million visitors a year, is utilized by a staff of over 2,000 global claims officers, and process up to $100M in claims a year. This reduced claim turnaround time from an average of 14 days to 3."

Get it yet?

mbadart07 · Answer

Great post rhyme,

absolutely right in what you said. Most important characteristics of a resume is that it should be clear and specific, Clear so that the adcoms can understand the business, specific so that you point out your achievements, not just give a generic description.

cheers,
sid

AugustAcademy · Answer

Great post Rhyme - I'm reposting this on August Academy's blog - I'll link back to your GMAT club profile. Please get in touch if you would like to link back to your linkedin profile, etc.

Thanks,
karthik

ARINGO · Answer

All MBA programs require a 1-2 pages resume for MBA in their applications. In many cases this is their first impression of your accomplishments and potential.
For MBA resume tips, requirements and templates visit this page: https://aringo.com/mba-resume-tips-and-requirements/

Remember, your resume is one of the first documents the admissions committee will review. Don’t make the common mistake of submitting a “bare bones” list of responsibilities, or a multiple-page, mini-booklet detailing every project you’ve been a part of. For more tips on how to write great business school resume read this post:
https://aringo.com/hacking-the-mba-appl ... ol-resume/

MBAbot · Answer

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Resume for MBA Admissions

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