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The resume is
possibly the most underrated components of your MBA application. With
essays, scores, uploads and interviews buzzing around the applicants'
head, it is easy to forgot that the
unglamorous resume is often the most referred document
in the application process. Though an average MBA application resume might
get less than half of minute per viewing it is referenced by almost
every application evaluator. So crafting an effective MBA application resume
is as important as developing any other applications component. The basic principles of MBA Resume
writing are as follows:
Not the usual
suspect The
career-oriented resume that you have been editing and updating throughout
your professional life will prove inadequate while attempting to portray
the varied, differing and
additional areas of focused interest and achievement that you will need to
convey to the b-school admissions committee. Keep this objective in mind
and use 30%-50% of the resume for emphasizing your academics, community
activities and hobbies, and give the professional section 50%-70% of the space unlike the
80%-95% you would otherwise.
YOU It is about
YOU; get that focus in every part of the resume.
Connecting to the essays
Your entire application should tell one unified story with a few chosen
themes. So, reemphasize
specific strengths that you want the ad-com to notice
in your MBA application resume.
Your resume should support and accentuate the particular qualities/achievements that are highlighted in your
application, especially in the essays.
Layman
directed Eliminate
industry-specific or technical jargon from your MBA resume. Even in a
job-oriented resume or CV, a preponderance of tech jargon is unwelcome;
but in an MBA resume (as in the essays) presenting to a lay audience is
critical.
Theme ALL
communication is about choosing the right themes and presenting them
credible. Essays,
biographies,
resumes.. whatever. Write
your MBA resume
always bearing in mind that the resume reflects themes and achievements
that will advance your candidature in the business school/s of your
choice.
Substantiate Use the right examples (briefly!) to
strengthen and substantiate your claims. Quantify
whenever possible. Claims without numbers and/or supporting corroboration
will lack value.
Brevity
Keep it short. The shorter it is the more it will be read. Even if if the
b-school does not specify a maximum length, stick to a single page resume.
Truth I have found that the main issue in not being truthful during the
application process, is that the candidate's sincere lack of confidence in
his own application shows through. Be honest.
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