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Looking for an MBA resume guide?

Writing the perfect MBA resume can be complicated with the changing industry standards, but if you put effort into it, you can get a step closer to your dream job. Modern technology and recruiting policies won't get easier, but this guide will help you land yourself the shortlist for your desired job.

Given below is a summary of our MBA Resume 2023 guide:

• List down your information in the reverse chronological resume format to reflect on your most recent and relevant professional undertakings.
• Mention your work experience in one-liners to make your points brief and specific.
• Include your contact details such as contact number, email address, personal website links, etc.
• Summarize your resume in 3-4 lines maximum for giving an insight into your entire B school resume.

By the end of this guide, you will also be able to write a job-winning MBA application resume and have answers to the following questions:

• What is an MBA resume?
• What is a good resume for MBA?
• How do you write MBA on resume?
• How to list your MBA resume skills in the best manner?
• What to add to the education section of your MBA resume?
• How to summarize your B school resume?

You can also go through our other existing blogs that can help you get a better understanding of making an impression in the job market as a professional:

What Is an MBA Resume & Why Do You Need It?

An MBA application resume is the first official means of communication through which you can either be recognized or go unnoticed by the recruiters.

Since most recruiters rely on the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) to filter through hundreds of resumes, you need to rank high on the ATS.

You need an ATS-targeted resume that consists of the keywords used by the recruiters to describe the job profile that you are applying for.

MBA Professionals Average Salary

The given graph highlights the comparison of average annual salaries offered in various regions of the globe:

SOURCE: Collegedunia

How to Write Your MBA Resume

The following stages can help you to write a flawless resume:

Before you start drafting your MBA application resume, create a master folder wherein you can stack all your pieces of information.

Do not worry about any unclear details and information that you are not sure about because this folder can be used in the present timeline as well as for any possible updates of your MBA resumes in the coming future.

Creating this master folder can save you time by gathering all your required details in one place and help you to avoid collecting scattered pieces of information.

B school resume Sections

A resume is ideally divided into different sections . Given below are the standard sections that need to be curated in your MBA application resume at all times:

You can make use of the optional sections if you are a fresher or if you think it will provide anything of value. Make sure you do not let your resume be longer than one page.

Also read: How to contain your resume within one page?

Resume Format for MBA

There are three types of resume format for MBA that you can use depending on your expertise level.

• Reverse chronological format: By listing your work experience in reverse chronological order, it is one of the most recruiter and industry-friendly resume formats
• Functional format: If you are a fresher or do not have much experience, functional resume format for MBA is the best way to focus on your skills instead of work experience.
• Hybrid/Combination format: As the name suggests, it is the resume format for MBA that ensures you get the best of both.

Also read: Which resume format for MBA should I choose?

MBA Resume: Professional Experience

In a resume, the professional experience section is one of the most important sections and can make or break your candidacy.

Use the following three factors while framing your professional section to raise your chances of being shortlisted:

• Frame one-liner points
• STAR format
• Group & Highlight

STAR Format

The STAR format can help you create the cause-effect relationship between your contributions and the achievements in your professional experience section.

STAR stands for the following points:

• S stands for the situation /backdrop/context of your contributions to an organization.
• T stands for the actual task that was assigned to you as part of your roles and responsibilities.
• A stands for the action and the strategy that you used to execute any task assigned to you.
• R stands for the result /outcome of your action in the form of an achievement figure.

Frame One-Liner Points

Let us look at the two of the best MBA resume examples given below to discuss and understand the importance of framing your professional experience:

MBA Resume Example 1:

"Successfully redesigned the strategy of communicating with the customers to increase the revenue of the organization by 20% within a year by assisting the Head Accountant. Reduced the requests for refunds of customers by 20% and labor costs by $1 million by implementing a customer service process. Settled an analysis of a business optimization project to decrease the monthly expenses by 10%. Analyzed accurate documentation of finances for all departments of the organization to decrease 20% errors. Recorded costs for every month to create a suitable pricing scheme that led to the achievement of 100% customer loyalty."

MBA Resume Example 2:

• Redesigned customer communication to increase 20% revenue within a year by assisting the Head Accountant
• Reduced 20% refund requests & labor costs by $1 million by implementing customer service process
• Settled an analysis of business optimization project to decrease monthly 10% expenses
• Analyzed accurate documentation of finances for all departments to decrease 20% errors
• Recorded costs every month to create a suitable pricing scheme for 100% customer loyalty

In conclusion, always write one-liners to state your professional experience and avoid bulky and lengthy paragraphs.

Also read: Best sample resumes for business school

Group and Highlight

Now let us look at the two of the best resumes for business school to discuss and understand the importance of grouping and highlighting:

• Felicitated for creating 10+ marketing campaigns to raise brand awareness

Strategic & Financial Planning

Financial Documentation & Analysis

In conclusion, grouping & highlighting (example 2) can make your resumes more organized for the recruiters to read and comprehend your professional experience section.

Here's a resume sample showcasing what an ideal professional experience section looks like:

Find out more: Craft a perfect professional experience section

MBA Graduate Resume Skills Section

You should frame your key skills section as the second to last step of your MBA application resume writing.

Some of the common skills that an MBA professional needs to possess and highlight on a resume are listed below for reference:

Scan through your resume and pick out the most significant highlights of your career in the form of keywords that have been used by the recruiters to describe the job profile that you are applying for.

Doing so can also help you rank high on the ATS which can help you get the required shortlist from the recruiters for the targeted job.

Picking the most suitable keyword can be complicated at times but you need not worry because the experts at Hiration can help you pick the perfect keywords to frame the perfect key skills section.

Look at the given MBA resume samples showcasing the perfect key skills section:

Also read: What skills should I add to my resume?

MBA Resume: Header

The resume header of your MBA application resume is what appears at the very top, and here's what you need to know about it:

• Your full real name should be written at the topmost part of your resume.
• The header of your MBA application resume should be written in the largest range of 16-20 font-size .
• If you have a middle name, write only the initial of your middle name, e.g: Faith Hugh Logan should be written as "Faith H. Logan".

Refer to the example given below showcasing the ideal resume header for your MBA application resume:

MBA Resume: Personal Information

An ideal personal information section should contain:

Contact Number

Email address, current location.

• Website Links (if any)

Hiration Pro Tip : Try to avoid giving details of your marital status, religious affiliation, or political inclination in your resume unless explicitly asked for. Most countries have forbidden it by law to mention these things as it may lead to biased hiring.

You need to provide your contact number because there may be times when the recruiters would want to interview you over the phone or get a verbal confirmation for any likely shortlist.

Always provide only the functional and active contact number by using the correct resume format for MBA given below:

• Use your country’s ISD code as a prefix before your phone number
• Put a plus sign (+) before the ISD code
• Eg: +1 37648 21511

Emails can be considered a convenient means of communication between you and the recruiters. Provide your email address that has your real name for any official or professional purposes.

Example: [email protected] or [email protected]

Strictly avoid fancy and childish made-up names in your official email IDs as it can make you seem like an immature applicant who is not serious about one's career.

Example: [email protected] or [email protected]

If you do not have an official email ID with your real name, create one right away.

Follow the given resume rules while writing your location in your resumes for MBA application:

• If you are looking for a job in your country, mention the city and state of your residence. On the contrary, simply write your city and country of residence if you are looking for a job outside the country.
• Avoid giving your house number, street number, and locality name as they are of no use to the recruiters.

Keep in mind that you should give out only the required information and strictly avoid any unnecessary pieces of information on a resume.

To know what an ideal personal information section should ideally look like, take a look at the resume sample below:

MBA Resume: Profile Title

Profile titles can be regarded as your level of professional identity and status in a resume.

It ideally communicates the following facts to the recruiter:

• Your current designation.
• Your functional industry.
• Your level of seniority in your line of work.

Write it as the second-largest text in your MBA application resume after your resume header in the font range of 14-16 font size .

Exaggerating your profile title will pass off as intentionally cheating the recruiters; hence you need to compose it accurately.

Given below is a resume sample showcasing the ideal profile title for your MBA application resume:

MBA Resume: Education

"Should I include high school on resume?"

Well, any MBA-related job profile requires you to possess a certain level of degree in the relevant field of study and so it is necessary for you to mention your educational qualification on your MBA resumes accordingly.

The education section of your resumes for MBA application should ideally consist of:

• Name of the school/university you have attended.
• Name of the courses you have pursued.
• The location of your school/university.
• Enrollment and graduation dates in the mm/yy format .

Here is a resume sample showcasing the ideal education section for your MBA application resume:

Also read: How to list education on your resume

MBA Resume: Additional Information

Additional sections should be created when you have to add any information related to any productive hobby you keep or language(s) that you can speak/write.

Speaking more than one language can help you communicate with your colleagues or customers/clients, which can help you manage better and broader communication with others.

The resume sample that we have attached below shows what a perfectly composed additional information section of your resume should look like:

MBA Resume Summary

Do you need a summary on a resume?

Well, it depends on the years of work experience that you possess.

Here is a list of what you should follow and keep in mind if you have to write a great resume summary :

• Write your MBA resume summary at the end of your resume-making process, making it easy to decide what to put in your summary.
• Pick the highlights of your career from your work experience section.
• Try to include the keywords that the recruiter has used in the job listing.
• Do not write a resume summary that exceeds 4 lines.
• Write your MBA resume summary only if you have worked for over 3 years.
• If you have worked for less than 3 years, write an MBA resume objective instead.

Attached below is a resume sample showcasing the ideal resume objective for your MBA application resume:

MBA Resume Objective

As per the ideal resume rules, write an MBA resume objective if you:

• Have limited work experience of fewer than 3 years.
• Are a fresh graduate writing an entry-level resume.

Instead of writing a list of things you are looking for, mention all you can deliver to your next organization.

The role of your resume objective is to sell your skills as a professional and to convince the recruiter that you are the perfect candidate for the targeted job profile.

MBA Resume Sample

Given that you followed all of the tips, here is what an industry-friendly MBA resume looks like:

• Assisted the Head Accountant in redesigning strategy for customer communication boosting revenue by 20% within a year
• Implemented a customer service process to reduce 20% refund requests & direct labour costs by USD 1 million
• Settled an in-depth analysis of business optimization project to decrease monthly expenses by 10%
• Analyzed financial documents accurately for all departments and decreased errors by 25%
• Recorded standard monthly costs to create a suitable pricing scheme that increased customer loyalty to 100%
• Felicitated for creating 5+ online marketing campaigns to raise brand awareness in the market
• Top 5 percentile of the class
• Top 15 percentile of the class

Key Takeaways

• Your resume header should be framed in the range of 16-20 font size, and your profile title should be framed in the range of 14-16 font size.
• Use the mm/yy format throughout your resume to provide your education and work experience.
• Provide your personal information specifically and avoid any unnecessary information that the recruiters do not require.
• Use one-liner points to state your roles & responsibilities while using the STAR format to curate each point.
• Organize similar points under unique groups and bold your key achievements to highlight them under each point.
• Start every point with a power verb to give an impactful start your work experience.
• Keep your resume objective/summary limited to only 3-5 lines and avoid making a resume of more than one page.

Go to Hiration resume builder and create a professional resume for yourself. Additionally, reach out to us at [email protected] and you can get 24/7 professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries.

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MBA Resume Examples + Writing Guide for 2024

You’re a talented professional. You’re smart. You’re enthusiastic.

The time has come to get an MBA degree - one that really opens doors .

But to secure a place in that elusive MBA program, you need a resume that works.

The problem is that the best MBA programs attract thousands of talented professionals from all over the world.

The good news is that you’re about to beat them all .

All you have to do is follow the strategies in this guide!

• A job-winning MBA resume example
• How to create an MBA resume that hiring managers love
• MBA-specific tips and tricks to make your resume stand out

Now, before we get to the juicy details, here’s some inspiration.

An MBA resume example, created with our very own resume builder :

Follow the steps in this guide to create a job-winning MBA resume of your own!

Feel free to check out our related resume examples if you are interested in a specific job position:

• Business Analyst Resume
• Financial Analyst Resume
• Executive Assistant Resume
• Consultant Resume
• Administrative Assistant Resume
• Office Assistant Resume
• Accountant Resume
• Bookkeeper Resume
• Bank Teller Resume
• Banking Resume
• Career Change Resume

How to Format an MBA Resume

Admission committees receive thousands of applications every year.

As such, they tend to skim-read as they go through the pile of resumes.

To make their job easier, and to put the odds in your favour, you need to use the correct format.

Also, the hiring manager will think again before choosing an applicant whose resume lacks professionalism.

The most common resume format is “ reverse-chronological ”, so we’d recommend this format for your MBA resume:

There are two other popular formats that you could try:

• Functional Resume – This resume format design is for those who have a lot of valuable skills, but don’t have the professional experience. As such, this format is ideal for those who are transferring to a new industry or have gaps in their employment history.
• Combination Resume - As the name suggests, a combination resume is a combination of “Functional” and “Reverse-Chronological”. As such, this format is ideal for those who have both skills and experience.  

Once you’ve decided on the format, you need to get your resume layout right.

For a professional layout, here’s what we recommend:

• Margins - One-inch margins on all sides
• Font - Pick a font that stands out, but not too much. 
• Font Size - Use a font size of 11-12pt for normal text and 14-16pt for headers
• Line Spacing - Use 1.0 or 1.15 line spacing
• Resume Length - Don’t go over the 1-page limit. If you’re having trouble fitting everything into one page? You may want to view these one-page resume templates .

Use an MBA Resume Template

Word is great for a number of purposes, but as a resume builder is not one of them.

Imagine this: you create the perfect resume, make one change, and then the whole thing falls apart.

In fact, you’ll likely find yourself playing around with the formatting for longer than you take to write the contents.

To make your life easier, use an MBA resume template .

What to Include in an MBA Resume

The main sections in an MBA resume are:

• Contact Information
• Work Experience

For a resume that stands out even more, try adding these optional sections:

• Awards & Certification

Interests & Hobbies

It’s now time to go through each of those sections, and explain how to write them...

Not sure which sections to use for your MBA resume? Check out our guide to What to Put on a Resume .

• Certain schools have specific rules in place, which means that you read the application requirements before writing your resume or choosing a template. You may be forced to use the school’s predefined resume templates.

How to Correctly Write Your Contact Information

You could create the best resume in the world, but if you make mistakes in the contact section, you won’t be receiving any phone calls. 

For your contacts, include:

• Professional Title
• Phone Number - Quadruple check this! 
• Email Address - Make sure to use a professional email address ([email protected])
• Portfolio Link - Behance, Dribble, or your personal website
• (Optional) Location - Applying for a job/program abroad? Mention your location.
• Josh Fakenham - MBA Graduate. 101-358-6095. [email protected]
• Josh Fakenham - MBA Whiz Kid. 101-358-6095. [email protected]

How to Write an MBA Resume Summary or Objective

Did you know that recruiters spend less than 6 seconds reading each resume?

This means that you have only a few seconds to impress the reader.

You need a message that shows the value that you’ll bring, and fast!

The best place for this message is right at very top of the resume. 

This top paragraph is known as a resume summary or resume objective.

Although the two are very similar, there are a couple of differences:

A resume summary is a 2-4 sentence summary of your professional experiences and achievements.

• Professional Marketing Analyst with 5+ years of experience in creating ads, writing copy, and overseeing campaigns. Improved revenue by 34% for Company X in 2017. Looking to leverage my marketing expertise to contribute to School X’s knowledge exchange.

A resume objective is a 2-4 sentence snapshot of your professional goals and aspirations.

Enthusiastic Business Management graduate, with one year experience as a freelance marketing consultant. Created creative copy for Client X, which increased conversions by 65%. Skilled in SMM, SEO, copywriting, and web design. Seeking a chance to offer my unique insights on marketing, while developing my skills in management.

So, which one do you pick? 

A resume summary if the best option if you have any previous and relevant work experience, whereas an objective summary is the best option if you’re a graduate with little or no work experience. 

How to Make Your Work Experience Stand Out

To get into a competitive MBA program, you need to show that you mean business.

The easiest way to show this: your work experience . 

Sure, your core skills are important too, but professional experience always comes out on top. Start with your most recent/current job, and then follow it with your previous job, and so on. Here’s the general structure of your work experience section:

• Position name
• Company Name
• Responsibilities & Achievements

Business Development Associate

Fishing Tackle XYZ

03/2017 - 03/2020

• Upon hire, completed in-depth business analysis, which lead to a 28% profit increase that year (2017).
• Revamped UX for the website, which boosted revenue by 17%.
• Created an innovated fulfilment system that saved $200,000 in operational costs.

You may have noticed that the above example lists the top achievements , rather than daily tasks. 

So, instead of saying:

“Web design”

“Revamped UX for the website, which boosted revenue by 17%”

So, what’s the difference between the two?

The second statement goes into more depth about how your responsibilities were something that helped the company. Doing this allows your resume to stand out and reveals the value you bring. 

Remember, you need to keep reminding the reader that you are the best choice , compared with other applicants with the same work duties.

What if You Don’t Have Work Experience?

Maybe you’re a recent university graduate with no work experience?

Or maybe, you have a wealth of experience, but none relating to your MBA?

Whichever the reason, don’t worry!

The thing that really matters here is your portfolio.

If you already have some portfolio pieces, feel free to upload them and link to your resume (we’re going to explain how in a bit).

However, don’t worry if you don’t, you can act now.

Here are several ways you can get a portfolio (and get paid for it):

• Work on some freelance gigs.
• Offer your business knowledge to your friends & acquaintances.
• If the above doesn’t work, you can create your own mock-ups! Basically, anything that shows your skills and knowledge.

If you’re a recent graduate, you might want to check out our guide on how to make a student resume !

Use Action Words to Make Your MBA Resume POP!

• “Responsible for”
• “Worked in”

Flick through a bunch of MBA resumes, and you’ll notice one thing: they all include these same words. 

And since you want your resume to stand out, we recommend using power words instead.

Here is a list of power words that make your responsibilities and achievements stand out:

• Conceptualized
• Spearheaded

How to Add a Portfolio to Your Resume

Create a “Portfolio” header, and then link to your website (or Behance / Dribble), and list your relevant portfolio pieces. It should look like this:

www.mikebusiness.com

• E-Commerce – Created an online shop as part of a university competition
• Business Plan – Created a business plan for a local company that wanted to expand operations
• Web Design – Managed a Kickstarter campaign for an innovative cooking brand – successfully raised $400,982

Don’t want a dedicated portfolio section? Just link to your online portfolio in your contact information section.

How to List Your Education Correctly

Welcome to the education section!

If you’re lacking experience with a company or on your own projects, your education is the best chance to impress on an MBA resume .

Simply list out your education entries, like this:

• Degree Type & Major
• University Name
• Years Studied
• GPA, Honours, Courses, and anything else you might want to add

B.A. Finance 

University of Chicago

• Relevant Courses: International Macroeconomics and Financial markets, Introduction to Economics, Business Organisation and Management, Principles of Financial Accounting, Quantitative Methods in Accounting and Finance 

Before we conclude this section, here are some of the most frequent questions we get from MBA candidates (and their answers!):

What if I haven’t finished education?

• Whether you’re still a student, or you dropped out, you should still mention your best education achievements to date. Simply include the years/courses studied, and you’re good.

Should I include my high school education?

• Only if that is your highest education. The hiring manager doesn’t need to know about your high school education if you have a B.A.

What is more important, education or experience?

• Experiences come before education, always. 

Need more answers? Check out our guide on how to list education on a resume .

Top 8 Skills for an MBA Resume

When the recruiter is reviewing your resume, they want to see that you have the correct skills and abilities needed to complete an MBA. 

You see, the person reviewing the applications will have been briefed about a range of skills to look for. If you don’t include the skills they’re looking for, the hiring manager will likely put your resume straight into the “no” pile!

Need some inspiration?

It’ll depend on the specific MBA program you’re applying for, but here are some of the most common and desirable skills...

Hard Skills for MBA:

• Quantitative research
• Big data analysis
• Financial forecasting

Soft Skills for MBA:

• Communication
• Leadership 
• Strategic thinking
• Accept and learn from criticism

Looking for a more comprehensive list? Here’s a mega-list of 150+ must-have skills .

Other Resume Sections You Can Include

Now, the other candidates will all have similar job experiences. 

To stand out, you need to ensure that you’ve got something no other candidate has.

After all, if your resume looks exactly the same as everyone else’s, you’re not putting the odds in your favour.

Utilizing the following sections is the easiest way to give your resume that first-class treatment.

Awards & Certifications

Did you win an MBA award while studying?

Have you completed any MBA-relevant courses on Coursera?

In such a competitive marketplace, be sure to mention any awards and certifications in your resume!

Awards & Certificates

• “User Experience Research & Design” - Coursera Certificate
• Adobe Certified Expert
• “Best Business Pitch Award” - University of Chicago
• Google Analytics Certificate
• “Learning How to Learn” - Coursera Certificate

Are you passionate about business?

Well, that’s exactly what the hiring manager wants to know.

The easiest way to show your love of business is by showcasing the results of your own project.

Here are some ideas:

• Start your own e-commerce shop
• Giving business consultation to local businesses 
• Reviewing business plans of friends & family

The project section should look something like this…

Your resume is designed to impress the hiring manager. 

And what better way to make a lasting impression than by revealing that you speak multiple languages. 

Besides, being able to speak a second (or third) language can always come in handy, even if the MBA doesn’t specifically require it.

If this relates to you, and you have space in your resume, definitely include a languages section.

Make sure to split the languages by proficiency:

• Intermediate

With the rise in MBA popularity, employers are looking for more than just hard skills and qualifications. 

Your resume needs to stand out from the competition, and one of the easiest ways to do this is to become relatable.

The best way to become relatable is to talk about your hobbies and interests.  

If you’re not sure which hobbies & interests to mention, you can read our guide! 

Match Your Cover Letter with Your Resume

MBA programs are competitive. 

So competitive, that a resume and a list of references simply won’t cut it.

So what’s the answer?

Well, a cover letter!

Here’s the thing: a well-written cover letter tells the recruiter that you want a place in this exact MBA program, not just sending a generic resume to all programs. 

As such, a cover letter can significantly boost your chances of landing that prestigious MBA!

Here’s how to get the structure right:

And here’s what to write in each section:

Contact Details

Your personal contact information, including full name, profession, email, phone number, location, and website (or Behance / Dribble).

Hiring Manager’s Contact Information

Full name, position, location, email

Opening Paragraph

Your introduction should be very strong. If you don’t manage to hook the hiring manager here, chances are, they’re not going to read the rest of it. So, mention…

• The position you’re applying for
• Your experience summary and top achievement

Once you’ve got the hiring manager hooked, you can go through the rest of your background. Some of the points you can mention here are...

• Why you want to work for this specific company
• Anything you know about the company’s culture
• What are your top skills and how are they relevant for the job
• If you’ve worked in similar industries or positions

Closing Paragraph

This is where you:

• Wrap up any points you missed in the body paragraph
• Thank the hiring manager for their time
• End with a call to action. Something like, “I’d love to discuss further how my experience as an X can help the company with Y”

Formal Salutations

Use a formal closing, such as “Best regards” or “Sincerely”.

An MBA is hard, but so is writing a convincing cover letter. For extra guidance, we’ve covered you with your step-by-step guide on writing a cover letter .

Key Takeaways

Followed everything in this guide? Then you’re in the best position to get that elusive MBA placement.

Before we finish up, let’s quickly go through everything we’ve learned:

• Select the right formatting for your MBA resume. Try the reverse-chronological format, and then follow the best practices in regard to the layout. Remember, keep everything looking professional
• Use a resume summary or objective to catch the hiring manager’s attention immediately
• For the work experience section, talk more about your achievements instead of your daily responsibilities
• Build a portfolio that shows examples of your skills
• Match your MBA resume with a convincing cover letter

Suggested Reading:

• How to Ace Interviews with the STAR Method [9+ Examples]
• Guide to Green Careers - All You Need to Know
• 26+ Biggest Interview Mistakes (To Avoid in 2024)

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How to Write an MBA Resume That Stands Out

Writing a winning MBA application resume is your ticket to getting accepted to your dream MBA program.

Your resume is a chance to showcase your business acumen, education, and professional experience, as well as your soft skills.

One thing’s for sure: Putting in the time and effort to craft a strong MBA resume will stand you in good stead for competitive programs at top business schools like Harvard and Stanford.

But figuring out what to include in your MBA resume can sometimes feel overwhelming.

You’re probably wondering how long your resume should be, what you should include, and/or whether you need a different resume than the kind you’ve used for a job application.

This article will explain how to showcase your skills and create a competitive advantage that sets you apart from your peers and gives you the best chance of becoming a successful MBA applicant.

Read on to learn about the best MBA resume format and how to make your MBA application resume stand out, including:

• What to include in your MBA application resume
• How to structure your MBA resume
• How to craft an MBA resume objective
• How to best highlight your work experience, education, and skills
• Real MBA resume example

How an MBA resume differs from a job resume

The first thing you might be wondering is if a resume for an MBA application is the same resume that you use to apply for a job.

The short answer is no.

While a career resume seeks to inform how you can meet a job description or fulfill certain roles and responsibilities, an MBA resume should communicate your value and impact on the business world, today and in the future.

An admissions committee wants to see that you’re a way-shower. They want to see your capacity for leadership and innovation, that you can work well with teams, and that you can use critical-thinking skills to achieve success.

Understanding this goal will not only help inform how you will structure your resume but also what to include and how much time to spend on it.

Why spend time on your MBA resume

Among MBA programs from across the globe, the MBA resume is second only to academic transcripts and entrance exams when it comes to the MBA interview process.

What to include in your MBA resume

When it comes to your MBA application, the MBA resume is your time to shine. You’ll want to focus on including the most relevant information about your past education and professional experience.

Xavier Arola Perez, head of career services and entrepreneurship at GBSB Global Business School, recommends including six basic components in your MBA resume:

1. Contact information

2. Objective/summary

3. Work experience

4. Education

5. Technical skills

6. Achievement/awards

Although you may have worked in a variety of jobs and volunteering roles before applying for your MBA degree, in this short document you’ll want to only select examples that highlight your business leadership, impact, and skills.

“Include specific accomplishments and achievements that set you apart and that are transferrable to the MBA program for which you are applying,” says Jerry Wang, associate director of career and leadership for MBA programs at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Concentrate on examples where you can demonstrate business leadership and growth to help admissions committees see the value you offer their MBA program and easily determine your aptitude for business school.

Get started with GradSelect Elevate - a free tool to practice for future video interviews. Quickly get unbiased feedback on your skills, and confidently stand out to your target programs.

How to structure your MBA application resume

You want your MBA resume to be clear, simple, and easy to read for admissions committees.

It’s best to structure your MBA resume with your contact information and objective at the top, followed by your education and most recent work experiences, and concluding with a desirable skills and accolades section.

List your education and work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent accomplishments first.

Use bullet points, lines, and headers to clearly identify the different sections and articulate your applicable experience.

You can use lines and headers to break up your resume and bullet points can be used to summarize key points and stress important information as well as increase readability.

For example, you may use a bullet point for each of the schools in your education section, or a list of bullet points to highlight business achievements or technical skills.

How to write an eye-catching MBA resume objective

Think of your resume objective as your elevator pitch.

It’s a succinct paragraph (2-4 sentences) at the top of your resume that briefly describes your career history and what differentiates you from your peers.

Essentially a resume summary, your objective should describe the value you bring to an MBA cohort and how your experience will best serve the programs you’re applying for.

Consider adapting your objective for each application you’re submitting and be sure to use any applicable keywords that align with the program.

Overall, see this section as a way to differentiate yourself from the masses and stand out during the application process.

MBA candidate and driven finance professional with over six years of experience designing successful investment portfolios for top-tier clients. Honored as top account executive for last three years based on an average return of 17 percent and a 100 percent client retention rate. Team lead, member of the negotiations committee, and founded sustainability initiative aimed at reducing waste and offsetting carbon footprint.

How to describe work experience on an MBA resume

The bulk of your MBA resume should be reserved to showcase your work experience and the growth of your career.

Start by listing the name of the organization, your job title, and how long you worked there.

Then, for each position, create a bullet point (2-6 bullet points) for each of your achievements in that role. Avoid making your list sound like a job description­—this is your chance to tell your story about the impact you’ve made and share important moments in your career.

“It's not your life story, but a summary of the key, relevant achievements,” notes Margaret O’Neill, head of careers at Cambridge Judge Business School.

Use key metrics and numbers that quantify what you’ve accomplished with the company, voluntary organization, or college society.

Focus on leadership, business administration, and how you contributed to the overall growth and success of the organization and use positive, action-oriented language to describe your outcomes.

“Try to clearly state the action you took, and the results achieved. Begin each bullet point with a strong action verb and be sure to highlight transferable skills and feature relevant keywords,” advises Beth Briggs, associate dean of career services at New York University (NYU) Stern School of Business.

A tried and tested MBA resume strategy is the PAR method , which involves stating the ‘Project’, ‘Action’, and ‘Result’ of each example you include as this can help to quantify your accomplishments.

Try to avoid these common MBA resume mistakes  like including vague descriptions of your experiences that don’t present your talents in the best light.

Oracle – Austin, TX | Product Marketing Manager | January 2018-Present

Increased annual product sales by 10% by designing, executing, and measuring integrated, multichannel marketing strategies that increase awareness, generate new leads, and nurture existing relationships.

How to write an education section of an MBA resume

If you feel that your work experience is less robust than you want, be sure to put your education section at the forefront of your MBA application resume. To start, include the following details:

• Major/concentration
• Any minors (if applicable)
• Graduation date
• Awards/honors (if applicable)

In addition, share any extracurricular activities, college societies, or study abroad opportunities that demonstrate your interests and business leaderships skills.

Discuss your studies and how your experience has prepared you for leadership in the business world.

University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA | Graduated May 2015

B.A. Economics, GPA: 4.0, summa cum laude

Study abroad: London, United Kingdom, January-May 2014

How to showcase your skills and awards

The final piece of your MBA resume is your opportunity to share the special skills and accolades that make you a desirable MBA applicant.

Discuss any awards you’ve received and how you earned this recognition.

List out any relevant certifications and your mastery level of the systems you utilize.

Make note of any publications that have published your work or quoted you for expertise.

This section can include highlights from either your education or work experience.

Use this section as a place to share the skills and accomplishments that make you unique and help distinguish your application from the pack.

Finally, make sure this section includes details that you’ll want to discuss more during your MBA interview.

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
• Fluent in English, Spanish, and French
• Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher

How to best format your MBA resume

Once you’ve added your information, it’s time to format your resume.

Since the average hiring manager spends just 7.4 seconds reviewing a resume, MBA admissions committees with stacks of MBA resumes to review are likely to take a similar approach.

The best way to ensure whoever is reviewing your MBA resume catches the most important details about you is to limit your resume to 1-2 pages.

Applicants with less than 10 years of professional experience may opt for a one-page resume, and two pages if you have more than this.

When considering your MBA resume format, remember that clean and concise is always best.

• Font : Choose a legible font like Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial in 11 or 12 point size
• Margins : One-inch margins
• Line height : Approximately 1.0 line spacing
• Details : Avoid complex charts or graphics that divert attention

This approach will stand you in good stead if the business school you’re applying for uses Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) systems or other software tools.

“You don't want the recruiter to spend time trying to orient themselves to your formatting. Boring is generally better unless you're applying for something in design or art,” says Jerry from UNC Kenan-Flagler.

If you want to add a pop of color at the top of your MBA application resume, then choose something that allows for a good level of contrast between the text and the page. Otherwise, a black and white MBA resume works perfectly well.

Differentiating your MBA resume for each business school

An MBA resume should always be specific and tailored to the program you’re applying for, so avoid handing in the same one you’ve used for jobs or other MBA applications.

Every business school has different values and specialties, so weave these elements into each resume to stand a good chance of impressing the MBA admissions committee.

For instance, if you’re applying for a business school that’s known for its strength in marketing, you might want to outline the targeted advertising projects you’ve worked on during your professional career as a marketing manager or how you oversaw a college society’s annual marketing budget.

Meanwhile, if you’re applying for one of the best MBA programs renowned for entrepreneurship, you’d want to focus more on the ways you’ve engaged with entrepreneurship or worked on a business idea with a colleague or classmate.

Tailor your resume to each application and highlight the experience and skills that prove that you’re one of the talented professionals that deserves a seat in this specific MBA program.

To get more top MBA resume tips and access MBA resume examples and templates, download the free BusinessBecause Resume Guide: 10 Steps To A Winning Resume .

Your MBA resume is a key component of the admissions process and is an opportunity to set yourself apart from the crowd.

See this as a chance to convince admissions committees that you’re the best candidate for their program by carefully crafting a story that shares your exceptional skills and experiences.

Ready to dive into the other components of your MBA application? Use this interactive tool  to find out which aspects of your application carry the most weight when it comes to admissions decisions so you can focus your time and attention on the sections that matter most.

Get started with  GradSelect Elevate  - a free tool to practice for future video interviews. Quickly get unbiased feedback on your skills, and confidently stand out to your target programs.

MBA Resume Examples & Analysis [With Template]

Looking for inspiration to create a standout MBA resume? This article features comprehensive MBA resume examples and analysis, along with a downloadable template to help you craft a winning resume that showcases your skills and experience in the competitive business world.

Posted January 23, 2024

Featuring Geri T. and Andy P.

Applying to Top MBA Programs as a Consultant

Wednesday, april 24.

11:00 PM UTC · 60 minutes

Table of Contents

In the competitive world of business, having a well-crafted resume is essential, especially for those pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. An MBA resume serves as a crucial component of your application, showcasing your qualifications, achievements, and skills. In this article, we will explore the importance of a well-crafted MBA resume and provide you with practical examples and analysis.

How Important is a Well-Crafted MBA Resume?

A well-crafted MBA resume can make a lasting impression on recruiters and admissions committees. It goes beyond a traditional resume, highlighting your educational background, professional experiences, and unique qualifications. By strategically organizing and presenting your information, you can effectively convey your suitability for MBA programs and potential future roles in business leadership.

When it comes to MBA applications, the resume plays a crucial role in showcasing your abilities and potential. It serves as a comprehensive snapshot of your qualifications, acting as a bridge between your achievements and the admissions committee's evaluation criteria. While other application components, such as essays and recommendation letters, provide a holistic view of your profile, the resume allows you to showcase your academic and professional accomplishments concisely.

One key aspect of the MBA resume is its ability to highlight your unique strengths and illustrate how your experiences align with the objectives of an MBA program. It is not just a list of your educational and professional background; it is an opportunity to demonstrate your potential as a future business leader.

The Role of an MBA Resume in Your Application

The MBA resume serves as a comprehensive snapshot of your qualifications, acting as a bridge between your achievements and the admissions committee's evaluation criteria. While other application components, such as essays and recommendation letters, provide a holistic view of your profile, the resume allows you to showcase your academic and professional accomplishments concisely. It is an opportunity to highlight your unique strengths and illustrate how your experiences align with the objectives of an MBA program.

When crafting your MBA resume, it is essential to consider the specific requirements and expectations of the programs you are applying to. Each school may have its own preferences and guidelines for resume format and content. Researching the target schools and understanding their values and priorities can help you tailor your resume to make it more impactful and relevant .

Furthermore, the MBA resume should not be seen as a mere summary of your academic and professional history. It should be viewed as a marketing tool that showcases your potential and demonstrates why you are a strong candidate for an MBA program. It is your chance to make a compelling case for yourself and convince the admissions committee that you have what it takes to succeed in the program and make a significant impact in the business world.

Key Elements of a Successful MBA Resume

A successful MBA resume incorporates various key elements that not only demonstrate your academic credentials but also reflect your potential as a future business leader. These elements include:

• Clear and concise contact information and objective statement.

Providing accurate and up-to-date contact information is essential for recruiters and admissions committees to reach out to you. Additionally, including a well-crafted objective statement can help convey your career aspirations and align them with the objectives of the MBA program you are applying to.

• Highlighting your educational background and MBA qualifications.

Your educational background, including your undergraduate degree and any relevant coursework, should be clearly stated in your MBA resume. Additionally, highlighting any MBA-related qualifications, such as certifications or specialized training, can further enhance your candidacy.

• Detailing your professional experiences and accomplishments.

Your professional experiences play a crucial role in demonstrating your skills, leadership abilities, and industry knowledge. It is important to provide detailed information about your roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments in each position, showcasing your impact and contributions.

• Showcasing your relevant skills and certifications.

In addition to your educational and professional background, it is important to highlight any relevant skills and certifications that are valuable in the business world. This may include proficiency in specific software or programming languages, project management certifications, or language fluency.

By incorporating these key elements into your MBA resume, you can create a comprehensive and compelling document that effectively showcases your qualifications and potential as a future business leader.

Start with the Basics: Contact Information and Objective

Creating a professional impression begins with a clear and concise contact section. Include your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile link. Providing this information ensures that recruiters or admissions committees can easily reach you for further evaluation.

When it comes to crafting the contact section, attention to detail is key. You want to present yourself in the best possible light, so consider using a clean and professional format. Choose a font style and size that is easy to read and consistent throughout your application. This will give your contact section a polished and cohesive look.

Additionally, it's important to pay attention to the details of your email address. Make sure it is professional and does not contain any informal or inappropriate language. Your email address should reflect your professionalism and be something that you would feel comfortable sharing with potential employers or admissions committees.

Crafting a Professional Contact Section

When crafting the contact section, use a clean and professional format. Consider using a consistent font style and size. Additionally, ensure that your email address is professional and does not contain any informal or inappropriate language.

Another important aspect to consider is the placement of your contact information. It should be easily visible and located at the top of your resume or application. This ensures that recruiters or admissions committees can quickly find your contact details without having to search through the entire document.

Furthermore, including your LinkedIn profile link is a great way to showcase your professional network and online presence. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and reflects your current skills, experiences, and achievements. This will provide recruiters or admissions committees with additional information about you and allow them to further evaluate your qualifications.

Writing a Clear and Concise Objective

Your objective statement serves as a brief summary of your career goals and aspirations. Keep it concise, focused, and tailored to your specific MBA program. Highlight your motivations and how the program aligns with your professional aspirations. Avoid generic statements and instead focus on showcasing your unique value proposition.

When writing your objective statement, it's important to be specific and targeted. Research the MBA program you are applying to and understand their values, mission, and goals. This will allow you to tailor your objective statement to align with what the program is looking for in a candidate.

Furthermore, make sure your objective statement is realistic and achievable. It should reflect your genuine passion and interest in pursuing an MBA, while also demonstrating that you have a clear understanding of what you hope to achieve through the program. This will show recruiters or admissions committees that you have carefully thought about your goals and are committed to your professional development.

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Highlight Your Education and MBA Qualifications

When presenting your educational background and MBA qualifications, it is crucial to highlight your accomplishments and convey the relevance of your learnings to the MBA program.

How to Effectively List Your Education

List your educational qualifications in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent degree. Include the school name, degree earned, major or specialization, and graduation date. Additionally, highlight any academic recognition or honors you received.

Showcasing Your MBA Achievements

While presenting your MBA qualifications, emphasize your academic accomplishments, such as relevant coursework, research projects, or leadership roles. Highlighting these achievements indicates your commitment to academic excellence and your ability to contribute to the MBA program's intellectual environment.

How to Detail Your Professional Experience

One of the key aspects of an MBA resume is showcasing your professional experiences, as they demonstrate your practical application of business skills and knowledge.

Choose the Right Job Experiences to Include

Select job experiences that align with your MBA program's objectives and emphasize transferable skills. Include positions that highlight your leadership abilities, project management, problem-solving skills, and industry knowledge. Be selective and focus on the experiences that best showcase your growth and impact.

Use Action Verbs and Quantifiable Achievements

To effectively communicate your professional experiences, use action verbs to describe your accomplishments. Quantify your achievements whenever possible, whether it's financial results, project deliverables, or process improvements. This not only provides context but also demonstrates your ability to drive tangible outcomes.

Showcasing Your Skills and Certifications

In addition to your education and professional experiences, emphasizing your skills and certifications can further enrich your MBA resume.

Identifying Relevant Skills for an MBA Graduate

Identify key skills sought after in the business world, such as leadership, teamwork, analytical abilities, communication, and problem-solving. Tailor your skills section to reflect these competencies, and provide concrete examples of how you've demonstrated them in your academic or professional experiences.

Listing Certifications and Additional Training

If you possess relevant certifications or have completed additional training, include them in this section. These credentials can further demonstrate your commitment to professional development and highlight your readiness to excel in an MBA program.

In conclusion, a well-crafted MBA resume is crucial in showcasing your qualifications, experiences, and skills to admissions committees and potential employers. By understanding the importance of a well-crafted resume, organizing your information effectively, and tailoring your content to highlight your unique value proposition, you can maximize the impact of your MBA application. Use the above examples and analysis to create a standout resume that sets you on the path to success in the competitive world of business.

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How To Write MBA Resume: Examples + The Complete Guide

Your resume has the potential to be the single most important page of your application. Do you want to know why?

It is the only document that comprehensively reflects your professional and academic background. This snapshot is important for giving the Admissions Committee (AdCom) an idea of who you are before they dive deep into your story.

Most schools have ‘blind’ interviews. This means your interviewer would have only read your resume before they meet you (‘non-blind interviews are ones in which the interviewer has seen your entire application. HBS and MIT have non-blind interviews).

Most candidates applying to business school haven’t had to make a resume for at least three or four years. Also, they last made a resume when looking for a job. Here is what you need to look at to ensure your resume is business-school-ready.

MBA Resume Examples

Here are some examples of MBA resumes to help give you an idea of what to write.

Here is the first MBA resume template.

MBA Professional

787-987-0987

linkedin.com/

Experienced marketing executive with a proven track record, boasting over 5 years of expertise in spearheading digital product launches. Successfully devised and executed seven online campaigns for Deluxe products, contributing to a 30% surge in revenue. Demonstrated a keen ability to elevate customer retention rates by an impressive 60%. Eager to harness the knowledge framework offered by Harvard to pioneer innovative marketing solutions tailored for the dynamic digital landscape.

Marketing Manager

Zyna Deluxe, Dallas, TX

April 2018-Present 

• Managed a team of ten to develop and execute successful social media campaigns resulting in client revenue gains of 40% 
• Implemented a successful multi-platform SEO campaign that improved organic hits by 50% and brought 10,000 new subscribers in 1 year 
• Increased conversion rates by 30% by innovating targeted campaigns based on qualitative data analysis models 

Marketing Analyst

January 2016-August 2019

• Created TV and print campaigns for the perfume division that resulted in revenue increase by 30%
• Published a white paper in the Content Marketeers Associate Quarterly on “Qualitative Data Analysis and Targeted Advertising in the Digital Age”

BA in English Literature, Minor in Business – UCLA, CA

September 2013-April 2017

• GPA 3.8, high honors
• Winner of Dean’s Award for collaborative research paper “Evolution of Privacy in Advertisements and the Impact on Social Media Business Practices”
• Selected for the Adam Wright Business Leadership Program

Additional Achievements

• Presented at the AMA Annual Conference 2019 on the topic of Growing Cross-Platform Social Media Engagement via Quantitative Data Analysis
• Led the UCLA Sparks Collegiate Gymnastics team to victory at the 2016 NCAA tournaments
• Affiliate marketing
• Ideation leadership

Accomplished marketing strategist with over 7 years of experience driving digital product launches. Successfully conceptualized and executed ten online campaigns for Premier Solutions, resulting in a 25% revenue surge. Demonstrated expertise in elevating customer retention by 50%. Excited to apply Harvard's knowledge framework to revolutionize marketing strategies for the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Experience 

Digital Marketing Manager

Premier Solutions, San Francisco, CA

August 2017-Present

• Led a dynamic team of fifteen, executing impactful social media campaigns that contributed to a 30% increase in client revenue.
• Spearheaded a comprehensive SEO initiative, resulting in a 45% boost in organic hits and the acquisition of 20,000 new subscribers within a year.
• Achieved a 40% increase in conversion rates through innovative targeted campaigns grounded in qualitative data analysis models.

Senior Marketing Analyst

June 2015-July 2017

• Pioneered TV and print campaigns for the electronics division, contributing to a 25% increase in revenue.
• Published a white paper in the Marketing Insights Journal on "Revolutionizing Digital Advertising through Advanced Qualitative Data Analysis."

BA in Communications, Minor in Business – UC Berkeley, CA

September 2010-May 2014

• Graduated with a GPA of 3.9, earning highest honors.
• Received the Berkeley Excellence in Business Research Award for outstanding contributions to collaborative research on "Consumer Behavior in the Digital Era."
• Selected for the Berkeley Leadership Development Program.
• Presented at the AIMA Digital Summit 2019 on "Strategies for Enhancing Brand Visibility in a Crowded Digital Landscape."
• Coached the UC Berkeley Rowing Team to victory at the 2013 Collegiate Rowing Championships.
• SEO research
• Google analytics

Accomplished finance professional with over 8 years of experience excelling in investment management. Proven track record of driving portfolio growth and delivering exceptional returns. Led strategic initiatives resulting in a 20% increase in assets under management. Eager to leverage Harvard's comprehensive knowledge framework to pioneer innovative investment strategies for a dynamic financial landscape.

Portfolio Manager

Quantum Investments, New York, NY

September 2016-Present

• Successfully managed a diverse portfolio, achieving a consistent 15% annual return on investment.
• Spearheaded strategic partnerships and new investment initiatives, contributing to a 20% increase in assets under management.
• Implemented data-driven investment strategies resulting in improved risk-adjusted returns and client satisfaction.

Financial Analyst

BlueStar Capital, Chicago, IL

June 2012-August 2016

• Conducted in-depth financial analysis, leading to the identification of profitable investment opportunities and risk mitigation strategies.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement innovative financial models, resulting in a 25% reduction in portfolio risk.
• Published research reports on emerging market trends and investment opportunities, contributing to the firm's thought leadership in the industry.

BSc in Finance, Minor in Economics – University of Chicago, IL

September 2008-May 2012

• Graduated with honors and a GPA of 3.7.
• Recipient of the Finance Excellence Award for outstanding performance in investment analysis and portfolio management.
• Engaged in the Chicago Financial Leaders Program.
• Presented at the CFA Institute Annual Conference 2018 on "Navigating Volatility: Innovative Approaches to Portfolio Management."
• Co-founded the University of Chicago Investment Club, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among finance enthusiasts.
• Strategic investment management
• Analytical risk assessment
• Innovative financial modeling and analysis

Now that you’ve seen these MBA resume samples, make sure that yours looks similar to this format. It’s important that you use these MBA CV templates as inspiration, and not copy directly from them! 

Format and Layout for an MBA Resume

Before you start your MBA admission resume, you should look at the format and layout of one. Here is what you should expect your resume to look like. 

MBA Resume Formatting

Ensure your resume is one page long. The admission committee has little time to read a lengthy two-page resume. You might have something interesting and impactful buried away on the second page. It’ll be a shame if the AdCom never gets to it.

Don’t focus on internships and college experiences unless you apply for deferred admission.

Unless there is an extremely impactful college experience, don’t mention it in your resume. There is a premium on real estate when you are drafting your resume. You are already listing the name of your institution and degree. Beyond this, make sure the college experiences you list are extraordinary. 

This does not hold for college seniors or graduate students applying to deferred MBA programs. Don’t worry about focusing on college experiences if you are a college senior or graduate student – you will be evaluated on a different set of criteria.

Font and Spacing

Choose a simple template that is easy to read, has enough space between lines, and uses a clean font. You should choose Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial font style and size in 11 or 12-point size. Also, don’t use elaborate or over-designed templates that might be appropriate for marketing or design professions.

For an MBA program resume, opt for a professional and understated color palette. Use classic neutral tones such as black for text and headings and shades of gray for depth. Maintain a clean and readable look with a white or light background. 

Consider sparingly adding deep, rich colors like burgundy or navy for elegance. Consistency in the color scheme is vital for a polished appearance. Avoid overly bright or distracting colors, focusing on presenting qualifications and achievements clearly and cohesively.

It's recommended to use the PDF file type. PDFs maintain formatting consistency across devices and are universally accepted. They are secure and less prone to alterations, providing a professional, standardized presentation for print and digital submissions.

Cover Letter Format

For an MBA cover letter, use a professional format. Begin with a formal greeting and a brief introduction. Explain your motivation for pursuing an MBA, linking it to your career goals and the specific program. Highlight relevant experiences and skills in the body paragraphs. Close with a strong conclusion expressing gratitude. 

Keep the letter well-formatted, error-free, and tailored to the program or job requirements. Maintain a professional tone and aim for a concise, one-page length.

MBA Resume Layout and Sections

Depending on how many years of experience, your resume may look different, but not by a lot. Here are the resume layout and sections for experienced applicants and applicants with less than two years of experience. 

Experienced Applicants

For experienced MBA applicants, a well-structured resume begins with a clear header and a concise summary stating career goals. Prioritize the professional experience section, detailing roles in reverse chronological order, focusing on achievements. Include a skills section showcasing key competencies, followed by education details and relevant honors. 

Optionally, incorporate sections for certifications, affiliations, and community involvement. Maintain a clean and organized design, tailoring the resume to align with the specific MBA program's criteria.

Applicants With Less Than 2 Years of Experience

For MBA applicants with less than two years of experience, the resume layout should prioritize academic achievements and potential. Begin with a clear header and an impactful objective statement outlining career goals within the MBA context. Emphasize the education section detailing degrees and honors. 

Include internships, part-time roles, or relevant projects under the experience section, focusing on skills gained. Highlight key competencies in a skills section and showcase extracurricular activities, certifications, or volunteer work. Maintain a clean design, using bullet points for readability, and tailor the resume to connect with the specific criteria of the MBA program.

MBA Resume Writing Style 

For an MBA resume, adopt a clear, concise writing style focused on achievements and skills. Start with a strong summary statement. Use action verbs to emphasize accomplishments and quantify achievements in professional experience. Clearly articulate transferable skills relevant to an MBA program, maintaining a formal and professional tone. 

Organize information logically with bullet points for readability and tailor the content to align with program or industry requirements. Proofread diligently for accuracy and coherence.

Language to Incorporate in Your MBA Resume

Here are what you should incorporate in your resume. 

Punchy and Accessible

Your resume should be direct. Don’t over explain or provide unnecessary detail about your background and experiences. For example, if you are listing language skills in your resume, English doesn’t need to be there.

Your entire application is in English, so the AdCom knows that you speak the language. However, it’s worth adding a language skills section if you have extraordinary language skills and are fluent in say six different languages.

Use Metrics‍

Quantify the impact of your work as much as possible. Numbers speak louder than just words. For example, saying that you ‘grew the revenue of a business line’ is not as impactful as saying your ‘strategy led to a $15M increase in revenue in 6 months’.

Don’t Use Industry Jargon ‍

You never know what the background of your AdCom member will be. They might not be familiar with your industry. It is always good practice to write a resume that anyone with a general business background can understand.

Content to Include in Your MBA Resume

Here is what you should include in your resume. 

Contact Information 

Include your full name, phone number, email address, and, if relevant, a link to your LinkedIn profile. This section is essential for prospective admissions committees to reach you.

Resume Summary or Profile

Begin your resume with a concise summary or profile discussing your career goals and key strengths. This section provides a quick overview of what you bring to the table.

Work Experience 

Outline your professional journey in the work experience section. Emphasize achievements, responsibilities, and quantifiable results from each role, showcasing your practical skills and contributions.

Present details about your academic background, including degrees earned, institutions attended, graduation dates, and any academic honors or awards. This section helps establish your educational qualifications.

Additional Information and Achievements 

Use this section to highlight additional relevant information, such as certifications, languages spoken, or any notable accomplishments that contribute to your overall profile.

Conclude your resume with a dedicated skills section. Highlight key competencies that align with the MBA program or industry requirements. This provides a quick reference to your abilities and strengths.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Substance, not shine.

Use adjectives where necessary, but don’t overdo it. Words such as ‘Led’, ‘Founded’, or ‘Created’ can create a lot of impact. However, you should avoid using adverbs as they rarely add value to a resume. Also, don’t just focus on your tactical day-to-day responsibilities when writing your resume.

Instead, focus on the impact that you had. When writing your resume, entire sentences are not necessary and words such as ‘a’, ‘an’, ‘the’ aren’t always needed.

Reflect Growth

The AdCom is interested in seeing your career and leadership progression. This is especially true for applicants from industries that have non-traditional job titles. Engineering is one such industry. Be sure to highlight moments in your career when you assumed a leadership role and delivered results that were not expected from someone with your tenure.

Complement Your Essays

Your resume should not feel disjointed from your essays. For example, if one of your essays focuses on the impact that you had during a particular project at your job, make sure that project is mentioned in your resume. Another example is when none of your essays focus on extra-curricular experiences. In such cases, you don’t want the AdCom to think you don’t have any extra-curricular experience so be sure to write about some in your resume.

If you still have questions, check out these frequently asked questions. 

1. How Do You List an MBA on a Resume?

You should list your MBA on a resume by including the name of the university or business school alongside the dates of study or date of graduation. Then, include the official name of the course. 

2. What Makes a Good MBA Resume?

A good MBA resume is concise and emphasizes achievements in a compelling summary. It includes relevant work experience and clear education details while highlighting additional information and skills aligned with program or industry requirements. 

3. How Do I Write a CV for an MBA Graduate?

Creating a CV for an MBA graduate involves presenting academic achievements, skills, and professional experience. Start with a summary outlining career goals. Highlight academic successes, emphasizing relevant coursework and projects. Focus on achievements in the work experience section, showcasing leadership and strategic thinking. 

Tailor the CV to the specific industry, ensuring a professional and consistent format. Conclude with a strong summary that underscores your eagerness to contribute effectively and professionally.

4. How Many Pages Should an MBA Resume Be?

Your MBA resume should be one page. Admission committees are busy and don't have the time to read much unnecessary information. Be concise and include a detailed summary of your achievements. 

Final Conclusion

Now that you better understand how to write an MBA resume, ensure you implement the tips we’ve provided. You must create an impactful resume because admission committees will reference this when deciding whether you’ll get accepted. 

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5 MBA Student Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Your MBA student resume must highlight educational achievements. Focus on your business-related qualifications. Showcase your leadership experience and team management skills. Employers value your ability to lead and collaborate effectively.

All resume examples in this guide

Traditional

Resume Guide

Formatting the layout of your mba student resume: design, length, and more, the experience section of your mba student resume: your professional journey, highlighting essential hard and soft skills for your mba student resume, highlighting certifications and education on your mba student resume, crafting the mba student resume summary or objective: a blend of achievements, aspirations, and uniqueness, extra sections to boost your mba student resume, key takeaways.

An MBA student often struggles with demonstrating the applicability of their theoretical knowledge to practical business situations on their resume. Our guide assists in this challenge by providing specific strategies and examples on how to translate academic experiences into compelling professional achievements, helping to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Our mba student guide will help you perfect your resume by explaining you how to:

• Alight your mba student resume with the role you're applying for ensuring it will be read by the applicant tracking system.
• Tailor your specific mba student experience to get the attention of recruiters.
• List your relevant education to impress hiring managers.
• Discover job-winning mba student professional resume examples to inspire writing yours.

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When it comes to the format of your mba student resume , you've plenty of opportunities to get creative. But, as a general rule of thumb, there are four simple steps you could integrate into your resume layout.

• If you have plenty of experience, you'd like to showcase, invest in the reverse-chronological resume format . This format focuses on your latest experience items and skills you've learned during your relevant (and recent) jobs.
• Don't go over the two-page limit, when creating your professional mba student resume. Curate within it mainly experience and skills that are relevant to the job.
• Make sure your mba student resume header includes all of your valid contact information. You could also opt to display your professional portfolio or LinkedIn profile.
• Submit or send out your mba student resume as a PDF, so you won't lose its layout and design.

Upload your resume

Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

At the end of the day, recruiters care most about how easily they can scan and read your resume layout. Unless you're aiming for a role in a creative field, it might be best to stick with a straightforward layout and format. Instead, put your energy into showcasing your experience.

Essential real estate legal assistant resume sections for a comprehensive overview:

• Header: Enables recruiters to swiftly access your contact details and peruse your latest work portfolio.
• Summary or Objective: Offers a snapshot of your career milestones and aspirations.
• Experience: Demonstrates alignment with job prerequisites and highlights your tangible contributions.
• Skills: Captures the full spectrum of your expertise, making you a compelling real estate legal assistant candidate.
• Education & Certifications: Bridges potential experience gaps and underscores your dedication to the field.

What recruiters want to see on your resume:

• Relevant past work experience: Demonstrates the ability to apply business and management principles in a real-world setting.
• Educational qualifications: Academic accomplishments including GPA, relevant coursework, and the prestige of the institution attended can be considered as indicators of potential performance.
• Leadership experience: This could be related to work, school projects, or extracurricular activities, demonstrating the ability to lead teams and projects successfully.
• Skills specific to the job: These could include proficiency in data analysis, financial modelling, strategic planning, project management, knowledge of specific business software etc.
• Interpersonal skills: Communication skills, teamwork, negotiation abilities, and other soft skills are often highly valued in MBA roles.
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The experience section is your platform to narrate your professional story. Recruiters scrutinize this section to gauge your unique value proposition.

Here are five steps to craft a compelling experience section:

• Highlight relevant roles, including the company, role description, and tenure, supported by up to six bullet points per role.
• Emphasize tangible outcomes of your contributions, using quantifiable metrics where possible.
• Integrate positive feedback or endorsements to bolster your claims.
• Ensure verb tense consistency when detailing responsibilities.
• Summarize significant achievements relevant to each role.

Explore how seasoned mba student professionals have crafted their experience sections to secure roles at industry-leading firms.

• Led market research initiatives, analyzing industry trends and competitive landscape, resulting in strategic recommendations for product development.
• Developed financial models and conducted valuation analysis to support investment decisions, contributing to a 20% increase in portfolio returns.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline business processes, reducing operational costs by 15%.
• Managed project timelines and budgets, overseeing the successful implementation of a new CRM system across multiple departments.
• Presented findings and recommendations to executive leadership, influencing key business strategies.
• Conducted market analysis and competitive benchmarking, identifying growth opportunities that led to a 30% increase in market share.
• Implemented cost-saving initiatives, optimizing supply chain operations and reducing procurement expenses by 10%.
• Collaborated with sales team to develop pricing strategies, resulting in a 15% improvement in profit margins.
• Led cross-functional teams in executing product launches, coordinating marketing campaigns, and achieving 25% revenue growth.
• Created and delivered training programs for new employees, enhancing team productivity and reducing onboarding time by 20%.
• Analyzed customer data and segmentation to identify target markets, driving a 40% increase in customer acquisition.
• Developed and implemented digital marketing strategies, resulting in a 50% improvement in online conversions.
• Collaborated with product development teams to launch new products, achieving a 20% increase in sales within the first year.
• Managed vendor relationships and negotiated contracts, reducing costs by 10% while maintaining quality standards.
• Led a team of interns, providing guidance and mentorship in market research and data analysis projects.
• Conducted financial analysis and developed business cases for investment opportunities, resulting in $5 million in secured funding.
• Implemented process improvements, optimizing workflow and increasing operational efficiency by 25%.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and execute marketing campaigns, driving a 30% increase in customer engagement.
• Led the implementation of a new ERP system, streamlining operations and reducing inventory holding costs by 15%.
• Provided strategic recommendations to senior leadership based on market research and competitive analysis.
• Developed and executed strategic initiatives to expand into new international markets, resulting in a 50% increase in global revenue.
• Analyzed financial statements and prepared forecasts to support budgeting and financial planning, resulting in improved cost control and a 10% reduction in expenses.
• Collaborated with engineering teams to optimize product design, resulting in a 15% reduction in manufacturing defects.
• Managed cross-functional project teams, coordinating activities and ensuring timely project delivery within budget constraints.
• Conducted customer satisfaction surveys and implemented strategies to improve customer experience, leading to a 20% increase in customer retention.
• Developed and executed marketing campaigns, resulting in a 30% increase in brand awareness and a 25% growth in customer base.
• Analyzed market trends and customer insights to identify new product opportunities, resulting in a successful product launch with a 20% increase in sales.
• Collaborated with sales team to develop pricing strategies and incentive programs, increasing average deal size by 15%.
• Managed key client accounts, fostering strong relationships and achieving a 20% increase in customer satisfaction ratings.
• Led a team of marketing interns, providing mentorship and guidance in executing various marketing initiatives.
• Developed and implemented strategic sourcing strategies, resulting in a 15% reduction in procurement costs.
• Analyzed sales data and market trends to identify opportunities for revenue growth, leading to a 20% increase in sales within two years.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to optimize supply chain operations, reducing lead times by 25%.
• Managed supplier relationships and negotiated contracts, achieving cost savings of 10% while maintaining quality standards.
• Led the implementation of a new inventory management system, improving accuracy and reducing stockouts by 30%.
• Conducted market research and competitive analysis to identify new business opportunities, resulting in a 25% increase in market share.
• Developed financial models and conducted ROI analysis for investment projects, supporting decision-making process with accurate data.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and execute marketing campaigns, resulting in a 30% increase in lead generation.
• Managed client relationships and delivered high-quality consulting services, achieving a 95% client satisfaction rate.
• Led the implementation of a CRM system, improving sales team productivity and increasing customer retention by 20%.
• Developed and implemented strategic initiatives to enter new markets, resulting in a 40% increase in international sales.
• Analyzed financial performance and prepared forecasts to support budgeting and financial planning, resulting in improved cost control and a 10% increase in profitability.
• Collaborated with engineering teams to drive product innovation, resulting in a 20% increase in new product launches.
• Managed large-scale projects, coordinating activities across multiple departments and ensuring on-time delivery within budget constraints.
• Implemented customer relationship management strategies, resulting in a 15% improvement in customer satisfaction ratings.
• Led market research and competitive analysis to identify growth opportunities, resulting in a 30% increase in market share.
• Developed and executed marketing strategies, driving a 25% increase in brand awareness and a 20% growth in customer base.
• Collaborated with sales teams to develop pricing strategies and promotional campaigns, resulting in a 15% improvement in profit margins.
• Managed key client accounts, fostering strong relationships and achieving a 25% increase in customer retention.
• Led a team of marketing specialists, providing guidance and mentorship in executing successful marketing initiatives.

Quantifying impact on your resume

• Include your GPA, especially if it's high or you graduated with honors, to demonstrate academic achievement and diligence.
• List the number of projects you have led or managed during your course or in previous roles, showing your leadership skills and ability to handle responsibility.
• Highlight any quantifiable results from these projects such as cost savings, percentage growth, revenue increase, or efficiency improvements to underscore your impact.
• Mention the size of teams you've managed or collaborated with to display your teamwork skills and ability to handle group dynamics.
• State the amount of money you've handled, managed or raised in prior roles or internships to prove your financial acumen and trustworthiness.
• Indicate the number of clients you've worked with or markets you've served in previous experiences to show your customer service skills or international prowess.
• Describe your proficiency with data analysis tools through a percentage indicating familiarity or mastery level. This illustrates your ability to understand and leverage business data.
• Report any measurable improvements or achievements in previous roles related to key performance indicators (KPIs) to showcase your focus on business outcomes and success.

Strategies for candidates with limited or no experience

Even if you're light on experience, other facets of your mba student resume can resonate with job requirements:

• Education: Detail skills acquired that dovetail with job expectations.
• Internships & Temporary Roles: Spotlight roles that underscore your relevant expertise.
• Skills: Address both foundational and nuanced job qualifications.
• Strengths & Achievements: Illuminate the distinct value you bring, even if you're newer to the industry.
• Resume Without Work Experience
• Resume Job Description

Remember, the experience section isn't just about traditional roles. It's a space to highlight all professional learning, whether from internships, contract roles, research projects, or other relevant experiences. If it's added value to your skill set for the mba student role, it deserves a mention.

Your skill set is a cornerstone of your mba student resume.

Recruiters keenly evaluate:

• Your hard skills , gauging your proficiency with specific tools and technologies.
• Your soft skills , assessing your interpersonal abilities and adaptability.

A well-rounded candidate showcases a harmonious blend of both hard and soft skills, especially in a dedicated skills section.

When crafting your mba student skills section:

• List up to six skills that resonate with the job requirements and highlight your expertise.
• Feature a soft skill that encapsulates your professional persona, drawing from past feedback or personal reflections.
• Consider organizing your skills into distinct categories, such as "Technical Skills" or "Soft Skills."
• If you possess pivotal industry certifications, spotlight them within this section.

Crafting a comprehensive skills section can be daunting. To assist, we've curated lists of both hard and soft skills to streamline your resume-building process.

Top skills for your mba student resume

Financial Analysis

Strategic Planning

Project Management

Business Strategy Development

Quantitative Analysis

Marketing Strategy

Data Analysis

Operations Management

Supply Chain Management

Critical Thinking

Problem-solving

Communication

Time Management

Adaptability

Negotiation

Decision making

The placement of your skills section should align with its importance. If it's a showcase of your most significant strengths, position it prominently near the top of your resume.

Your academic achievements, including certifications and degrees, bolster your application. They showcase your skills and commitment to the field.

To effectively present these on your resume:

• Highlight significant academic achievements or recognitions relevant to the role.
• Be selective; prioritize the most relevant and impressive certifications.
• Include essential details: certificate/degree name, institution, graduation dates, and license numbers (if applicable).
• Present your academic background in reverse chronological order, emphasizing the most recent and relevant qualifications.

For further guidance, explore popular industry certifications.

Best certifications to list on your resume

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) - CFA Institute
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) - ISACA
• Financial Risk Manager (FRM) - Global Association of Risk Professionals
• Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) - APICS

Listing your relevant degrees or certificates on your mba student resume is a win-win situation. Not only does it hint at your technical capabilities in the industry, but also at a range of soft skills, including perseverance, adaptability, and motivation.

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Whether you opt for a resume summary or objective depends on your career trajectory.

• If you have a rich tapestry of relevant achievements, a resume summary can spotlight these accomplishments.
• If you're relatively new or transitioning, a resume objective can articulate your aspirations and how they align with the role.

Regardless of your choice, this section should encapsulate your unique value proposition, blending your technical and interpersonal strengths.

Resume summary and objective examples for a mba student resume

• With a strong foundation in finance and boasting over 10 years of experience in Fortune 500 companies, this MBA graduate brings a nuanced understanding of strategic planning, budgeting, and market analysis. Demonstrated proficiency in data analytics tools and a record of spearheading initiatives leading to a 30% increase in operational efficiency.
• An accomplished professional with 8 years in technology consulting, now armed with an MBA emphasizing strategy and operations. Proficient in leveraging technical skills to drive business solutions and demonstrated ability in managing cross-functional teams to deliver on project milestones, boosting client retention by 20%.
• A seasoned healthcare professional transitioning to management post-MBA, offering more than a decade's clinical experience combined with strong leadership skills. Experienced in process improvement and adept at harnessing data-driven insights, having led a project that resulted in a 25% reduction in patient waiting time.
• Architect turned management enthusiast with an MBA degree, bringing along creative problem-solving abilities honed during 7 years in design-oriented roles. Expertise includes project management and team leadership, with a track record of completing projects 15% under budget and ahead of schedule.
• An ambitious MBA aspirant aiming to leverage academic knowledge in real-world environments. Offering sharp analytical skills and a comprehensive understanding of business operations, seeks opportunities where strategic decision-making and effective communication skills can be utilized to drive growth.
• A recent MBA graduate seeking entry into the world of business strategy, offers a keen interest in data analysis and market research. Adept at identifying trends, creating reports, and presenting findings with clarity, aims to apply these skills in a dynamic organization to contribute to its strategic goals.

Add more sections to show off your unique skills and personality.

• Projects - Include any impressive ones you've done outside of work.
• Awards - Show off any industry recognition.
• Volunteering - Share causes you care about and skills you've gained.
• Personality - Hobbies or favorite books can give a glimpse into who you are.
• Your resume's layout should be both visually appealing and content-rich.
• Emphasize achievements that resonate with the job's requirements.
• Detail your skills, both technical and interpersonal, with real-world examples.
• Ensure the top section of your resume provides a clear snapshot of who you are and what you offer.
• When detailing experience, focus on tasks, actions, and their outcomes.

Looking to build your own MBA Student resume?

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3 MBA Student Resume Examples Proven to Work in 2024

MBA Student Resume

Modern mba student resume, professional mba student resume.

• MBA Student Resume Writing 101

You’re a motivated business professional geared toward helping businesses optimize their financial, promotional, and logistical strategies. That’s why you’re getting out ahead of things and looking to grow your career while studying for your MBA. 

Is your resume optimized for success as you’re growing your career? 

Coming up with the right skills for a resume can seem confusing when you’re still in the process of completing an MBA program. We have the resources you need with our cover letter generator and MBA student resume examples that are proven to be successful in 2024. 

or download as PDF

Related resume examples

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What Matters Most: Your MBA Student Skills & Work Experience

Many MBA students wonder what skills they can put on their resumes while still in school. Fortunately, you have a lot to choose from here. 

You’ve already completed a bachelor’s degree in a business field, so you have many core competencies down. Aim for a mix of those key skills and the position’s needs. For example, skills in financial modeling would be great if you’re applying to be a financial analyst. 

Here are some of the top MBA student resume skills in today’s job market.

9 top MBA student skills

• Microsoft Office
• Collaboration
• Financial Analysis
• Process Improvement
• Monday.com 
• Negotiation
• Project Management
• Team Leadership

Sample MBA student work experience bullet points

Your top skills in process improvement and project management will catch a hiring manager’s attention. Now bring things full circle with detailed examples of past success on the job. 

With your background in business, you’ve studied tons of metrics like lead conversion rates and net promoter scores. Aim to include examples showcasing those popular metrics that will wow hiring managers while reviewing your abilities. 

If you don’t have much work experience, you can include examples from education, hobbies & interests , or work in other fields. For instance, placing first in a competition in your school’s investor’s club would still show a great deal of skill.     

Here are a few samples:

• Adjusted the pricing structure for luxury product offerings to boost return on ad spend by 73%. 
• Implemented Netsuite to track promotional KPIs to reduce data loss by 27%. 
• Created new post-purchase surveys to identify customer needs and concerns resulting in new consumer experience measures that boosted satisfaction scores by 58%. 
• Performed market analysis during a re-branding campaign to identify 5 untapped markets that could be targeted, boosting overall sales by 76%. 

Top 5 Tips for Your MBA Student Resume

• MBA students’ skills are constantly evolving. Therefore, you should list your most recent experiences first on your resume. It’ll give hiring managers a better overview of your current business strategy and analysis abilities. 
• Your attention to detail must be top-notch to understand complex financial documents and performance metrics. Show hiring managers you have the necessary skills with an accurate resume free of grammatical errors. 
• When every dollar spent can make or break the bottom line, hiring managers will want to see a detailed overview of the impact your skills can have. Therefore, using numbers whenever possible is a great idea to emphasize metrics like improved profit margins and cost savings.  
• A one-page resume provides a concise and relevant outline of your key business skills for easy review by hiring managers. Try optimizing what you include for the position. For example, you could include more information about your process improvement abilities if you’re applying to be a business analyst. 
• You must take action and make quick decisions in the fast-paced business environment. Using action words like “improved” or “performed” will make your examples stand out. For instance, you could say you “performed strategic analysis to improve product descriptions, boosting sales by 43%.” 

Try to fill in gaps on your resume or get more personal about your passion for the position you’re applying to. For instance, you could explain how you connect with the company’s mission statement or how you use market analysis to your advantage in decision-making. 

MBA students without much work experience can benefit from a resume objective . For example, a few sentences about how you have three years of experience using Netsuite to manage KPIs and are eager to apply your technical skills as a product manager would work well as an objective. 

Try to fill in with educational experience, hobbies & interests , or an objective to fill out a full page of relevant information. Even other work experiences like performing accurate data entry or providing customer service can still show the ability to make accurate and customer-focused business decisions. 

See an Example of a Successful MBA Resume

This resume from an MBA applicant who got into B-school highlights her versatility and creativity.

See an Accepted MBA Applicant's Resume

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A strong MBA resume tells a story, experts say.

A common misconception about applying to business school , experts say, is the idea that you need to have a certain type of work experience on your resume to get accepted.

Although MBA students often have a finance or consulting background and some work for well-known companies, experts say an elite pedigree is not a requirement for admission to a competitive MBA program.

"Every work experience you have can be extremely valuable," says Barbara Coward, founder of the MBA 360° Admissions Consulting company, adding that a key factor is the level of insight you can share with future classmates based on your professional background – regardless of which business function you specialize in or what industry you work in.

"You don't need to be a product manager at SpaceX to get admissions committees excited about your background," says Coward, a former assistant director of recruitment at the Sellinger School of Business and Management at Loyola University Maryland. "Even regulatory trends in tax accounting are important for your classmates to know about."

Tips for Constructing a Quality Resume

There is no rigid template for creating a compelling MBA resume, although some MBA programs prefer one-page resumes and a particular format. But it is vital that the resume conveys the impact of an applicant's work, Coward emphasizes.

"A resume inherently is all about me, but in business school today, they’re looking for students who will be team players and contribute to the growth and learning of others," she says. "So make sure that on your resume, you’ve shown it’s not just all about me and what I’ve achieved but how I have helped my group and my community.”

MBA hopefuls should design their resume to clarify their identity and achievements, she adds.

"I always say that resumes should not be a scavenger hunt for the reader," Coward adds. "Make it easy for them to make sense of your career so they can advocate for you. Be clear about your value proposition."

Experts say that MBA hopefuls should identify their greatest selling points as candidates and use that information to decide which aspects of their work experience to emphasize.

J. Absinthia Vermut, a 2018 graduate of the Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College in Massachusetts, says when she crafted her MBA application resume, she chose to highlight her accomplishments as a business owner.

Vermut, the founder and CEO of Absinthia's Bottled Spirits, a liquor company, tailored her resume to her audience at Babson, a top-ranked business school in the U.S. News Best Entrepreneurship Program ranking.

Vermut adds that when she arrived at B-school, it was rare for her to encounter a classmate who had experience in her industry. "Having a consumer product goods company ... was definitely a unique perspective, and it really helped me," she says.

The expertise Vermut gained before B-school as a liquor company founder was especially beneficial when she took courses on supply chain and venture capital issues, she says.

Because Vermut was running a company while at an entrepreneurially oriented B-school, she was able to grasp the concepts taught in her classes faster than someone without that experience and could immediately apply the lessons learned in her courses, she says.

The key to writing a strong MBA resume is telling a compelling story, says Judith Hodara, co-founder of the Fortuna Admissions consulting group.

"I would say it is not necessary to be an entrepreneur to do an MBA focused on entrepreneurship, but you need to have a story that really shows why this makes sense for you as a next step," explains Hodara, a former acting co-director of MBA admissions at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School .

Experts note that an MBA application resume needs to align with what is written in other application materials and said during the admissions interview . Such a resume must also be entirely truthful, without exaggerations or fabrications, experts warn, adding that dishonesty on a resume can have serious negative repercussions.

A Look at a Real MBA Resume That Worked

Below is the two-page resume Vermut used in her successful application to Babson. It is annotated with comments by Vermut about why she structured the resume as it appears, and it also includes expert critiques from Hodara and Coward.

Searching for a business school? Get our complete rankings of Best Business Schools .

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MBA Resume: Your Guide to Creating a Perfect Submission

Including 3 resume samples.

A good MBA resume is the key to an impressive MBA application that gets you accepted into the program of your dreams. Along with your MBA personal statement , your resume will create a narrative that will capture the admissions committees' eye. A resume for your MBA application is different than any other resume you would have previously created, whether for job applications or other educational programs. It’s not just about knowing how to write a CV for graduate school . You have to customize your MBA resume to convey the unique value that you can bring to your chosen program. In this blog, we will describe what makes an MBA resume unique, what format and template to use, what to include, how to write it, and tips to make your resume stand out. 

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Article Contents 17 min read

Mba resume samples, mary elliott.

Senior Marketing Director

Phone: 201-668-3292

Email : [email protected] .

Portfolio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary -elliot-2837109

Profile Summary

Driven marketing executive with 4+ years of experience in overseeing digital product launches. Developed and launched 7 online campaigns for Deluxe products that resulted in 40% increase in revenue. Increased customer retention by 56%. Seeking to leverage Harvard’s knowledge framework to innovate new marketing solutions for the evolving digital landscape.

Marketing Manager

Zyna Deluxe, Houston, TX 

Apr 2019-Present 

• Managed a team of ten to develop and execute successful social media campaigns resulting in client revenue gains of 40% 
• Implemented a successful multi-platform SEO campaign that improved organic hits by 50% and brought 10,000 new subscribers in 1 year 
• Increased conversion rates by 30% by innovating targeted campaigns based on qualitative data analysis models 

Marketing Analyst

Zyna Deluxe, Houston, TX

May 2017-Apr 2019

• Created TV and print campaigns for the perfume division that resulted in revenue increase by 30%
• Published a white paper in the Content Marketeers Associate Quarterly on “Qualitative Data Analysis and Targeted Advertising in the Digital Age”

BA in English Literature, Minor in Business – UCLA, CA

Sept 2013-May 2017

• GPA 3.8, high honors
• Winner of Dean’s Award for collaborative research paper “Evolution of Privacy in Advertisements and the Impact on Social Media Business Practices”
• Selected for the Adam Wright Business Leadership Program

Additional Achievements

• Presented at the AMA Annual Conference 2019 on the topic of Growing Cross-Platform Social Media Engagement via Quantitative Data Analysis
• Led the UCLA Sparks Collegiate Gymnastics team to victory at the 2016 NCAA tournaments
• Affiliate marketing
• Ideation leadership

Here's a formatted version of this MBA resume.

Stephen morrigan.

Regional Sales Director

Phone: 204-534-9385

Email : stmorrigan.gmail.com

Driven sales managers with 4+ years of experience. Developed and launched 3 annual sales campaigns which resulted in a 35% increase in revenue. Recruited, trained and managed sales team which became company’s top sales team in 2019. Seeking to expand managerial skills and knowledge of changing digital business landscape.

Bachelor in Communications – University of Notre Dame

Sept 2012-May 2016

Work Experience

Ambrosia Luxury Foods, Chicago, IL

June 2018-April 2020

• Recruited and managed a sales team of 15 sales associates
• Sales team was recognized as #1 in company sales in 2019
• Developed annual sales campaigns in accordance with company budgets
• Assisted in launching an online company store which increased profits by 10%

Sales Associate

August 2016-June 2018

• Increased company’s territory sales by 112% on average, annually
• Developed and designed product packages which reduced sales time and saved customers time and money
• Rapidly promoted to sales director after 12 months as top sales producer
• Team leadership

MBA Resume Sample #3

Mba resume sample #4.

Remember that some schools require students to use pre-defined resume templates and won\u2019t accept any other resume formats. Business schools may also have other specific requirements like how to name your resume file, how to format it, required length, and so on. Make sure you check the admissions requirements to confirm the exact requirements on the website of the schools you are applying to.  ","label":"NOTE","title":"NOTE"}]" code="tab3" template="BlogArticle">

The MBA resume is one of the key components of any business school application. According to many MBA admissions consulting services, a lot of applicants focus on the other components of the MBA application process such as their transcripts, GMAT/GRE scores, letters of recommendation, application form questions, or interview prep, while ignoring the unique nature of the MBA resume. A common misconception is that you can simply include your existing professional resume as part of your MBA application, without any customizations. However, an MBA resume is a unique document that has to be carefully crafted to maximize your chances of impressing the admissions committee. It doesn’t matter how impressive your application is, whether you’ve recently graduated from one of the best undergraduate business schools or achieved amazing professional success, a stellar resume is essential to getting an acceptance letter from the best MBA programs .

An MBA resume is different from a regular job resume as it does not demonstrate functional skills or specific qualifications, but rather showcases your business impact, leadership potential, and collaboration skills. It is a concrete list of your achievements and experiences that tell a story about your suitability for business school and why you have chosen to apply to an MBA program.  

In a resume for a job application, recruiters usually want to see technical skills and employment qualifications that prove you can perform specific types of work. In that situation, you’re competing with other applicants with similar professional backgrounds. When it comes to MBA applications, you are competing against applicants from diverse professional and educational backgrounds, so there are no particular keywords you need to highlight. This makes it more difficult to know exactly what to include and exclude.  

MBA resumes aren’t scanned by machines, but are reviewed by members of a business school admission committee, who will judge the resume as a whole to get an impression of the applicant. That’s why an MBA resume has to present a holistic picture of your life, covering your achievements across different aspects of your personal life and professional career. 

An MBA resume needs to be short and effective, ideally no more than a single page. Creating a memorable one-page resume that successfully highlights your unique suitability for business school is a difficult feat. In that single page, you have to be able to pack in enough information to create a clear, cohesive picture of the value that you are bringing to the business school you’re applying to.  

Importance of an MBA resume in a business school application 

Contrary to what you may think, your resume is the central component of your MBA application. It serves as an introductory document that brings together all the key information about your life, experiences, achievements, and skills. It serves two important purposes in the application process. First, it works as an initial screening tool. Before reading your short answers, MBA admission essays , or any other application components, admissions’ committees will first review your resume. They want to see if your general background, profile, and achievements make your application worth considering.  

Second, if your application proceeds to the interview stage, the resume you submitted serves as a guide for the interviewers. This is because a resume functions like the blueprint of any MBA grad school application, and MBA interview questions are typically based on the resume. Essentially, the resume content dictates the interview content, especially since a lot of MBA admissions interviews use the closed interview format. In this format, the interviewer only has access to your resume and does not see any other part of your application. 

Now that you know what an MBA resume and how important it is in the MBA application process, let’s dive into how exactly to format and complete it. 

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How to Write and Format an MBA Resume 

When it comes to your MBA resume, it’s extremely important to give it the right format and look. Remember that admissions committees review hundreds of resumes for each admissions cycle. Admissions committees for prestigious MBA programs in UC schools and Ivy League schools like Harvard Business School may scan thousands. They won’t spend more than 5 minutes scanning your resume, and within the first 30 seconds, they will form an impression that’s difficult to change! In fact, they will also be judging your choices in terms of formatting and templates as an indicator of your professionalism and communication skills. What’s the point of having an amazing list of achievements if your MBA resume is rejected based on an off-putting aesthetic or formatting errors?  

Let’s go over three key factors that can ensure the perfect look of your MBA resume. 

1. MBA Resume Formatting

Let’s start with the basics of how to correctly format your MBA resume. The key here is to create a clean, professional, compact, well-organized document. The following list captures important considerations to keep in mind: 

Make sure that the format of your MBA resume matches the format of your MBA cover letter in terms of the color scheme, font, spacing and so on. ","label":"Cover letter format","title":"Cover letter format"}]" code="tab2" template="BlogArticle">

2. MBA Resume Layout and Sections

For the admissions committees, your MBA resume is the first indicator of your business acumen and communication skills. That’s why it’s important to have a logical layout with a clear flow of information and well-organized sections. The reviewer should be impressed by your ability to communicate effectively via your one-page resume. And, since admissions officers will most likely be scanning your document, it should be easy for them to find information at a glance.

The most appropriate way to organize the key information in your MBA resume is to arrange it in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent experience in each section.  

The type of sections you include in your MBA resume will depend on your level of experience. Typically, there are two types of MBA applicants – experienced applicants with substantial professional achievements and experiences (i.e. more than 6 years of professional experience), and applicants with less than two years of professional experience, who recently graduated from another degree.

Click each tab to view the key MBA resume sections depending on your level of experience: 

As mentioned earlier, the admissions committees at MBA programs look at an applicant’s MBA resume as an indicator of their communication skills. To impress them, it’s important to make your MBA resume substantive, economical, and precise. Avoid cluttering up the page with filler words. Stick to adding bulleted lists to convey the key achievements for each experience/project and don’t add more than 2-3 lines per bullet. 

A good tip here is to make sure your bullets focus on actions, intentions, and results. Begin each bullet with impactful action verbs that highlight leadership, collaboration, innovation, strategy, negotiation, and achievement. This means that rather than leading with action verbs such as “responsible for” “was part of” and so on, try to use action verbs such as “achieved”, “created” “performed” “organized” “increased”, etc. 

There should be an overarching narrative in your resume and each bullet should contribute to building the story. Leave out the functional responsibilities and, instead, focus on the key business goals and measurable results expressed in solid facts and figures. For example, rather than just saying “Responsible for monitoring the customer service department” try saying “Implemented a cross-department customer service protocol that reduced direct labor costs by 32%.” 

If possible, try to talk about the long-term results of your achievements. For example, if a new management technique you suggested is still in use or if you created a new company organizational chart that demonstrably increased efficiency and productivity, make sure to include that in the resume. 

What to Include in Your MBA Resume 

OK, so now you’ve got a great MBA resume template. What do you include? This part might seem obvious – if you’re thinking of applying for an MBA, you likely have an impressive list of business and/or educational achievements. You’ll just add it all in, right? Not exactly! When it comes to writing your MBA resume, what you leave out is as important as what you include. You can’t just blindly stuff in a list of every single thing you’ve ever done. You’ve got to carefully curate what information to add and how to communicate it. 

Let’s go over each of the MBA resume sections. 

1. Contact Information 

This one is pretty obvious – include the following: 

such as Dribble, Behance, LinkedIn etc. "}]" code="timeline1">

The above list can be tweaked depending on your specific profile. For example, if you have a portfolio of significant work that you want to highlight, such as your design portfolio or creative projects, you may also choose to remove your portfolio link from this section and pull it out into its own separate section. 

Here’s a sample of how this section should look: 

Mary Elliot

P: 201-668-3292

E: [email protected] .

Portfolio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary -elliot-2837109 

2. Resume Summary or Profile

Essentially, your profile should be a succinct summary of your experiences, goals, and most notable professional achievements. It should grab the reader’s interest and make them read on. Most importantly, it should highlight what sets you apart as an applicant.  

Here, too, you can tweak the format as per your specific profile. For example, an applicant with a pharmaceutical business profile who holds an M.Pharm degree, might want to include his/her educational degree along with his/her professional title, as both are significant to his/her MBA journey. 

Follow this format: 

Adjective + Detailed professional or educational title + Number of years’ experience (if applicable) + MBA application goal + top achievement (work or education) + (optional) what you bring to the table from your education/experience 

Driven Marketing Executive with 4+ years of experience in overseeing digital product launches and social media marketing campaigns. Developed and launched 7 online campaigns for Deluxe Products that resulted in 40% improvement in company revenue. Increased customer retention by 56% over a period of two years. Seeking to leverage Harvard\u2019s knowledge framework to innovate new marketing solutions for the evolving digital landscape.  ","label":"Example Summary\/Objective","title":"Example Summary\/Objective"}]" code="tab4" template="BlogArticle">

When writing this section, focus on concrete, important results and skills instead of just including a whole lot of adjectives. At the same time, this isn’t the time to get into too many details. Think about what defines your business goals and your experiences so far, and only add the most significant details. Though this section comes near the top of your MBA resume, ideally, you should write it last, AFTER you’ve already created your resume. That way you can review your overall resume and write a resume summary that perfectly highlights the key aspects. 

By the way, if you are applying to Harvard, make sure to check out Harvard MBA personal statement examples to learn what is expected if you.

For experienced applicants, this is a key section that should compromise about 2/3 of your MBA resume. As explained earlier, your professional experience should ideally be listed in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent experience.  

Remember that this section should highlight your upward career trajectory and industry growth. So, start by adding the company name, position and time spent at each company as a sub-heading and underneath that, mention promotions as separate levels. Remember you also need to be able to explain gaps in your MBA resume during your interview, if any, so be prepared to provide some context.

Under each sub-heading or level, cover only your most significant work achievements that distinguish you, expressed in precise bullet points, no more than 5 per level. As this is a resume to demonstrate your suitability as an MBA applicant, avoid talking only about responsibilities; instead, focus on concrete achievements that highlight your leadership and impact on business. The more specific details can be highlighted in your MBA application essays, MBA statement of purpose or MBA motivation letter , and MBA interview .  

Writing a grad school statement of purpose? Watch this video for some tips:

4. Education 

This section will be more detailed for applicants with less experience, but even applicants with extensive work experience should include the key highlights of their education. These should include details of every degree you hold, including both undergraduate and postgraduate study.  

Add a new entry for every degree and include the name of the degree, university, graduation date, major, minor (if applicable), GPA, honors, and achievements. 

For applicants with more work experience, you can choose to keep each entry brief and highlight only the key achievements along with any research work, projects etc. that show your leadership skills or exemplary business qualifications. 

If you have less work experience, then the education section is the main component of your resume. Such applicants should expand on their key projects, research work, meaningful coursework, and impactful extracurricular achievements. 

It is highly recommended that you add your GPA for each degree, especially if it’s impressive. You can consider dropping it from your resume only if you have a less-than-average GPA that you’d rather not highlight or if you have obtained extensive work experience that proves your capabilities. However, most recent graduates will not have this option, as their GPA is a key indicator of their abilities. If you need to know how to explain a low GPA in an MBA application , you can mention the difficulty level of your coursework to provide context around your GPA. You can also include other key achievements to mitigate a poor GPA.  

Don’t add details of your education prior to your undergrad degree. This isn’t a high school resume ; details of your school life are not likely to be relevant to your business achievements at a later stage in life. If there are any significant achievements from this period that you wish to highlight, you can do so in your MBA personal statement or essay, but only if they are relevant to your application.

5. Additional Information and Achievements 

This section is where you highlight your most significant extracurricular achievements. It should include a robust variety of activities that highlight the unique experiences you wish to convey to the admissions committee. Don’t just add any and all MBA extracurriculars – focus on adding high-stake accomplishments that show your focus, ability to apply yourself, strong work ethic, leadership potential, and collaboration skills. Every point added here should be impressive and unique. These entries should also be verifiable and back up the contents of your personal statement, essays, and other components of your application.  

These are some of the key significant achievements and experiences you can highlight in this section:

• Business relevant certifications
• High performing projects
• Associations/clubs with leadership roles
• Media pieces where you were positively featured
• Publications
• Conferences where you presented
• Industry blogs/vlogs with a significant readership you were featured in
• Languages and sports/hobby achievements or recognitions

How do you know what’s worth including and what should be discarded? Think about whether this experience is unique to you or whether it is something many people have accomplished. For example, simply running a marathon isn’t a big deal; but climbing Mt Kilimanjaro is. Similarly, simply playing a sport recreationally isn’t an achievement – but did you start and grow your own team and/or lead your team to multiple victories? The latter would be considered as a relevant achievement for your MBA resume.  

6. Skills 

This should be a bullet-form list of your key skills. Prioritize adding industry or business skills and avoid adding generic soft skills or functional/role-specific skills. 

Here are a few examples of what you can add: 

Remember, do not include too many skills or it will look like you’re just trying to stuff your resume. Only add the ones that are easily verifiable via your experiences and achievements.

While the above are the mandatory sections in all MBA resumes, there are a few optional sections you can add depending on your unique profile. For example, you might have numerous creative projects you want to talk about in more detail; or maybe, you want to highlight multiple significant volunteer experiences as the USP of your application. In such cases, rather than stuffing this information into the “Additional Achievements” section where it may get lost on the page, you can opt to add a separate section such as “Projects” or “Volunteer Experience”. Remember, the following sections are optional and work best for those with a unique area of expertise. If this doesn’t apply to you, consider adding this information in your “Additional Achievements” section. 

Volunteer Experience 

Volunteer experience is not mandatory but is highly desirable for an MBA applicant. It can be a great way to prove your passion in a particular area and to gain measurable leadership skills and collaboration experience. The key here is to link between your volunteer experiences and measurable business impact.

So rather than just saying “Volunteered at Adult Literacy Awareness Society”, you should try and highlight what you achieved there, for example “As a volunteer at the Adult Literacy Awareness Society, created a system to leverage cross-platform user data to improve community outreach by 30%”. 

If you didn’t have time for volunteer work, you can also choose to highlight the impact you had beyond your academic record and professional responsibilities. For example, you can mention if you organized university groups to help underrepresented communities, led a campaign to raise awareness of a specific issue, etc. Admissions boards love to see volunteer work on a resume application, especially if it aligns with the values and mission statement of the MBA program. 

This isn’t mandatory, so many candidates skip this section in their MBA resume. But if you do have any worthwhile volunteer experiences, it can make you stand out from the crowd. 

Awards and Certificates  

You should consider pulling this out into a separate section only if you have a significant list of stand-out awards and certificates such as honor roll, dean’s list, college fair or subject-related awards, volunteer certificates, industry awards, and so on. 

MBA Portfolio and Key Projects 

This type of section might be more relevant for those who have a solid line-up of impressive creative, academic, or professional projects and want to highlight them. Otherwise, you can simply include a portfolio link in your contact information or add a couple of project related bullets in the Additional Achievements and Information section of your MBA resume. 

MBA Cover Letter 

Finally, after you have created your MBA resume, you should also draft an appropriate cover letter. It should demonstrate why you want to apply for this specific business school, why you are uniquely suited to it, a summary of your background, and your ultimate career goals. Avoid repeating your resume in your cover letter as much as possible. Let the cover letter be more of an introduction that leads into the resume. 

Here are a few additional tips and tricks to help you refine and perfect your MBA resume! 

• Avoid irrelevant job descriptions. These will take up unnecessary space in your resume and add nothing towards conveying your unique value. Instead, focus on measurable, verifiable impact and results-oriented descriptions that demonstrate your value. For example, a bullet point like “Performed impact analysis for training projects” doesn’t really add anything to your resume. Instead, you can say “Completed impact analysis for training projects, highlighting gaps in training that helped to improve workplace productivity by 40%” 
• Wherever possible, illustrate with examples, figures, and numbers. The rule to follow here is: “show don’t tell”. On a resume, numbers grab attention and stay with the readers. It really helps to quantify your achievements. For example, rather than saying “Completed website redesign for fashion merchandizing client that significantly improved sales” say “Completed website redesign for Happy Luxury Brands that helped to increase their SEO traffic by 35% and led to 20% increase in sales over 3 months”. 
• Always focus on what YOU contributed rather than the general growth of companies you worked at. Avoid saying that you were “part of a team that achieved a growth of…”. Instead, point out exactly what you did that led to quantifiable results. For example, “Developed a cross-functional digital communication that reduced project completion timelines by 3 months”. 
• Skip the technical jargon. Jargon refers to role-specific certifications, technical skills, etc. Remember that the person reading the resume may not even be from your field and technical qualifications are most likely meaningless to them. What they want to know is the business impact of your every achievement. So, try and highlight achievements that will be universally appreciated rather than focusing on a list of tasks and responsibilities. 
• Focus on key differentiators wherever possible. What makes you unique? What did you do that no one else did? How do you stand out amongst your peers? Let this be the guide as you draft each section of your resume. 
• Have an in-depth and holistic resume. Don’t just focus on one area such as education or professional experiences. Try to highlight your passions and achievements through many different activities and experiences. 
• Don’t stuff your resume. Avoid impressive sounding words or exaggerating minor achievements just to fill the space. At the same time, there’s no place for modesty in your MBA resume. Be clear and direct in communicating what makes you unique.  
• Be completely honest. Honesty and integrity are two qualities all admissions boards consider non-negotiable. All your achievements should be easily verifiable.  
• Proofread, proofread, proofread! Check your resume format, template, and language before submitting it. Keep it clean and simple, in keeping with the submission guidelines (if any). There should be no errors or typos. In fact, it's even better if you have MBA admissions consulting services look it over!
• Use approximates when necessary. If you have NDAs with your workplace, you might find it tough to write about your professional experience without violating confidentiality. For example, you may be forbidden from mentioning client names or specific figures. If that’s the case, don’t fret. It’s just a chance for you to get creative with your language. Instead of saying the client’s name, you can say “top fashion merchandizing brand”. Instead of mentioning specific figures, convey information in terms of percentages and approximate figures. 
• Prioritize the best experiences. If you’re running out of space, prioritize your professional experiences first. Also, you should talk more about your most recent experiences, professional or otherwise.  

No, it is not recommended that you submit your regular resume as part of your MBA application without making some edits to customize it for the MBA application process. An MBA resume should not focus on specific skills or functional strengths. Rather, it should highlight your business impacts, leadership potential, and collaboration experiences. Admissions boards are looking for the applicants’ unique business vision and what value they can bring to the business school they’re applying to. 

Your MBA resume serves two purposes in your business school application. First, it works as a screening tool as it helps the admissions boards judge the suitability of applicants for business school based on their experiences so far. Second, it serves as a guide for interviewers during the interview portion of the admissions process. Applicants will be asked questions based on the information included in their resume.

An MBA resume should include contact information, a resume summary, professional experience, education, additional achievements and activities and skills. If required, additional sections can be added to cover key projects, volunteer experience, portfolio, etc. The resume layout can vary from one applicant to the next, depending on the amount and kind of experience they have. Ultimately, the applicant’s own journey will dictate what information to include in the MBA resume.

First, make sure you use an appropriate template with the right font, spacing, borders, and color scheme. The look should be professional, clean, and uncluttered, with no garish colors or confusing fonts. Second, make sure your information is neatly organized into logical sections that flow in everse chronological order. Finally, check your MBA resume multiple times to ensure there are no errors, spelling mistakes, or structural gaps.

MBA programs are typically highly competitive. To get in, first, make sure you submit a well-crafted, coherent, substantiative resume with an accompanying cover letter that highlights your suitability for the business school you’re applying to. The admissions boards will also look at your application form, essays, personal statement, transcripts, GMAT/GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and interview performance before issuing an acceptance letter.

First of all, make sure you check the resume requirements of the school you’re applying to. Some business schools have specific requirements about the template and format for resumes accompanying MBA applications. If there’s no such restriction, you can check the templates for Experienced and Less Experienced applicants we include in our blog. 

Ideally, your MBA resume should be no longer than 1 page. You can consider extending it to 2 pages only if you have more than 10 years of experience or a large number of substantiative achievements that add value to your application. 

Yes! In their MBA resume, all applicants should include at least the basic details of their educational background including degree name, university, major, minor, GPA and key achievements (such as honor roll or Dean’s List). However, applicants with less educational experience, for example, fresh graduates, can add more details about their education such as key research work, impactful projects, meaningful extracurriculars, and so on.  

Your MBA resume should include your contact information, resume summary or profile statement, relevant and significant work experience, notable awards or achievements and your key skills.

Your profile summary or MBA resume summary should be a succinct summary of your education and most important professional experiences. It is a short statement outlining your professional profile and achievements.

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Fehintola Adewusi

Definitely could use this information will definitely be creating my personal MBA resume

BeMo Academic Consulting

Hi Fehintola, thank you for your comment! We are glad you found this blog helful!

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Resume Summaries for Fresh Graduates with Examples

A resume summary is a short description at the top of your resume that briefly describes your experience, skills and why you’re an ideal candidate for a job. Using a resume summary can help recruiters decide whether they want to give your resume more attention or not. In this article, you can review various examples of resume summaries for recent graduates with explanations for each sample.

Resume summary examples for recent graduates

Here are some examples of resume summaries for recent graduates that you can use when writing own resume:

Retail Associate

Example:  ‘Aspiring Retail Associate with strong interpersonal and communication skills. Goal-oriented individual with a strong understanding of how to treat customers. Participated in skills development workshops at Boston College.’

This example begins with a statement of your career goals backed with soft skills needed for the job. As a recent graduate, it can help to focus on what you can offer to the recruiter rather than your specific experience.

Customer Service Representative

Example: ‘A former part-time shop attendant with a basic understanding of customer service looking for an opportunity in sales. Hard-working, proactive individual with strong problem-solving and communication skills and the ability to learn new concepts fast.’

When writing a resume summary as a new graduate applying to a Customer Service Representative position, focus on soft skills that are important for the job. Hiring managers in the customer service industry often focus more on a candidate’s experience and skills related to the job rather than the educational background. Start the resume summary by mentioning previous work experience relevant to customer service before describing your soft skills. 

Sales Assistant

Example: ‘Recent graduate with a degree in business administration and a GPA of 3.5 looking for a position as a Sales Assistant. Reliable communication skills, both oral and written, with a basic understanding of sales and marketing. Capable of working in a fast-paced and demanding environment.’

Highlighting your achievements relevant to the job no matter how small they might be can be very useful in giving your resume an appeal to recruiters. Emphasizing GPA, academic training and responsibilities in school can give an impression of how responsible you are with fulfilling tasks. Soft skills necessary for the job are also important to include in your resume summary.

Nursing Assistant

Example: ‘Nursing student with a passion for helping people looking for a position as a Nursing Assistant. Demonstrated strong communication and leadership skills through volunteering with Red Cross International.’

This example is brief but informs the hiring manager about the individual’s background by highlighting skills and interests. It also shows that this is the right career path for the applicant because the interests and skills align well with the industry.

Gym Instructor

Example: ‘Health Science student with a major in Fitness and Nutrition. Highly motivated to work as a fitness instructor to demonstrate communication, time management and problem-solving skills. Physically fit to serve as a role model to new clients.’

If you have no experience working in the field, it is recommended that you focus on your coursework to give recruiters an idea of your educational background. You can also add important skills and characteristics that can show recruiters what you can contribute to the position and why you are an ideal candidate. 

Medical Scribe

Example: ‘Recent graduate with technical knowledge in computing, data entry, communication software and databases. Interned as a clinic assistant at St. Luke’s Medical Center. Self-motivated, eager to learn, can work in a fast-paced environment and effectively communicate with other people.’

This resume summary for a Medical Scribe started by emphasizing technical skills fitting for an ideal candidate. It also indicated an internship experience which most recruiters prefer from fresh graduate applicants, and soft skills ideal to perform the tasks.

Information Technology (IT)

Example: ‘IT graduate major in computer programing with a background in Java application, HTML, CSS, Python, Tomcat, MySQL and Oracle database. Experience working in an IT company as software support as part of on-the-job training. Highly analytical, motivated and skilled at solving programming problems. Can work well both independently and in a team.’

When making a resume summary for the IT industry, you have to be specific with your skills. You need to emphasize which area you are most capable in to make sure that recruiters know that you are qualified for the job. Both technical and soft skills are important in the IT industry, so it is ideal to highlight them first in your resume.

Example: ‘Recent graduate with a degree in finance and knowledge of data management and cost and performance analysis. Skilled in identifying and resolving wash sales and share quantity discrepancies. Knowledge in virtual portfolio management, stock valuations, financial statement analysis and business management. Excellent problem-solving skills and experienced with using the latest financial software.’

A powerful resume summary understands the importance of providing specific information to readers. It should be able to cover a wide range of skills and background for the job and include enough information to highlight the strongest points of your resume to capture the attention of hiring managers.

Example: ‘Recent college graduate with an internship at Wall Street Financial Group. Seeking an entry-level accounting position to demonstrate accounting skills and knowledge. Highly competent, hardworking and detail-oriented with the capacity to go beyond what is expected to achieve higher career goals.’

This is an example of a resume summary that is brief but shares enough detail to encourage the hiring manager to read the resume more. In this example, the academic background is not mentioned. Instead, it focuses more on skills, experience and goals.

Primary Teacher

Example: ‘A recent graduate with a degree in primary education and a teaching certification, capable of teaching math to children between the ages of seven and 12 years old. Highly adept at various teaching techniques and ensures quality teaching by following education board standards, while making the learning environment fun and conducive to learning.’

This is an ideal resume summary for applicants applying to a teaching position because it highlights teaching skills and academic background. In your summary, you should mention specific credentials, such as the teaching certification, and show positive and nurturing characteristics, as well as other soft skills, to assure the recruiter that you work well with children.

Math Teacher 

Example: ‘A highly organized Math Teacher with proven skills in teaching through teacher certification, academic awards and on-the-job training as a teacher’s assistant in a private school. Ability to work in a team, solve problems professionally and create a nurturing environment. Skilled at communicating complex ideas in a simple but entertaining manner. Looking for an opportunity to share my knowledge and skills in a school that offers career progression.’

This resume summary is very informative about the applicant’s background. It highlights academic achievements and skills that are ideal for a teaching position. It also sounds professional while highlighting a career-driven goal.

Example: ‘Graduate with a degree in office administration experienced in handling calls and organizing schedules. Possesses strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and takes a practical approach in handling different tasks. Looking for a position as a Secretary in a fast-paced environment.’

Recent graduates applying for secretarial jobs whether entry-level or not, should focus on highlighting their specific skills related to the role. Showing the capacity to fulfill the job is ideal to observe in resume summaries, especially that a secretarial job requires strong organization and communication skills aside from having a good credential. It is also advisable to include how an applicant deals with the day-to-day tasks of a Secretary. 

Receptionist

Example: ‘Highly-skilled hospitality management graduate with various on-the-job training in a hotel, restaurant and office setting. Friendly and works well with customer concerns and has strong interpersonal and communication skills. Looking for a position as a Receptionist in the hospitality industry.’

Ideally, a resume summary for a Receptionist role highlights your educational background, experience in the industry (if available) and most importantly, the soft skills. It is highly recommended to indicate a customer-friendly and inviting personality in your resume summary.

Logistics Clerk

Example: ‘Recent graduate with strong attention to detail and organization skills looking for an entry-level job as a Logistics Clerk to build a career in the logistics industry. Can handle large amounts of information, multitask, answer calls and perform data entry jobs.’

While highlighting experience is ideal, resume summary for logistics focuses more on the skills required to function on the job. It would also help to express the kind of personality fitting for the job as well as the career goals.

Human Resources Assistant

Example: ‘Goal-oriented Human Resources recent graduate with experience as a Human Resources intern in an outsourcing company to assist in training and skill development. Highly adept in developing training programs and has excellent oral and written communication skills.’

This resume summary for an HR Assistant focuses mainly on academic background, work experience and specific skills gained from previous first-hand experience in the field. This is one way to emphasize how prepared you are for the job which can leave a good impression on recruiters. 

Related: Writing a Resume Summary (With Examples)