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How to Write a Resume That Stands Out

• Paige Cohen

It takes hiring managers less than 10 seconds to decide if you’re qualified.

• PC Paige Cohen (they/them) is a senior editor at Harvard Business Review.

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7 MBA Resume Examples Built for 2024

• MBA Resumes
• MBA Candidate Resumes
• Post-MBA Resumes
• Entry-Level
• Senior-Level

Getting an MBA isn’t easy, but having this degree can help you quickly grow your professional network, secure a leadership role, and earn more money, so it’s well worth it.

However, even with an MBA, you still have to  write a compelling resume  and create a cover letter to get the job you want.

Think of us as your  resume helper , highlighting your knowledge, professional attitude, and talent in the business world. 

If you’re applying for a job with an MBA already in hand (or while getting your MBA),  use our seven MBA resume samples and writing tips to give you a competitive advantage   in 2024 . Get inspired and write the resume that will open the door to the job of your dreams! 

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• We recommend a reverse-chronological  resume format  since it’s easy to read and understand even with a passing glance. It’s the standard for a reason!
• When done well, a summary highlights your biggest achievements and what you can bring to the table at your future workplace.
• Always remember to customize your summary using keywords found in the  job description , and be sure to mention the target business by name!

MBA Student Resume

• So long as your resume is easy to read, there’s nothing that says your resume should be plain black & white. Change up the layout, try a new font type, and add some color until it’s as unique as you are!
• Just remember that you need to customize your objective for each job application. Usually, this means using the follow guidelines:
• Mention the business by name.
• Include keywords from the job description (but not too many).
• Briefly discuss your goals if you were hired.

MBA Candidate Resume

• Is it leadership? Teamwork? Or a never-give-up attitude? Hunt where you’ve possibly used these skills at any previous job or project, and use the career objective to highlight that you possess these skills and are keen on taking on new challenges!

Harvard MBA Resume

• Apart from excellent education qualifications, every past work experience will matter. List your bullet spaces with metrics that wouldn’t be possible without you. Showcase how your intelligence and skills have made marginal positive differences!

MBA Application Resume

• Metrics prove your ability to positively impact a company. Perhaps you’ve reduced implementation time on a project or saved the company money. Most likely, the numbers are there, and you just have to find them!
• Editing allows you to catch mistakes, alter content, and ensure it’s accurate. So before you submit your application, always  check your resume  one last time for errors, inconsistencies, and readability.
• This is also the time to make sure your resume format is correct. You may need to submit your  resume as a Google doc , for example, so read the application instructions carefully!

MBA Graduate Resume

• Think about your biggest challenges and how you approached them.  How did you solve your problems, and what were the results?  Putting this kind of information on your resume is far more valuable than simply stating your responsibilities.
• Each resume template differs in its appearance and how much content it can hold. If you’re struggling to fill the page or have to cut massive amounts of text, try changing the template you’re using before switching formatting elements.

Post-MBA Resume

• Rather than list every single ability you’re adept in, look at the job description and include some of those skills. Only include what you’d be comfortable demonstrating or talking about in an interview.
• For example, if you list teamwork as one of your skills, explain how you communicated within a team to increase productivity, thus saving the company money.
• Our tip: think of each bullet point as a single skill, then focus on showing how you used that skill effectively.

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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.

• • Created a new customer care program for my department, which resulted in a 35% boost in customer retention
• • implemented a successful SEO campaign that increased organic hits by +230% and brought 4200 new email subscribers
• • Lead the PPC marketing team to increase paid search ROI by 150% and boosting profits by 6% in 12 months
• • Selected to represent platoon of 28 soldiers for Soldier of the Year competition.
• • Developed market strategy for international growth; student enrollments increased 85% in selected region.
• • Fostered a clientele list of 500+ satisfied customers.
• • Achieved over 15 partnerships and clients and counting.
• • Reached 40% increase in detecting budgeting errors introducing a sensitivity chart of variables in a model.
• • Jewelry sales increased by +78% in one year
• • Led a team of sales professionals most of which were 1-4 million dollar producers annually each.
• • Developed and delivered informational PowerPoint presentations to groups of 30+ individuals.
• • Relevant Coursework: Strategic Management, Financial Accounting, Marketing Principles
• • Efficiently managed attendee check-ins for a major international water industry conference, handling over 500 registrations daily.
• • Coordinated with team members to ensure smooth event flow and address attendee inquiries, contributing to a positive attendee experience.

5 MBA Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

An MBA program focuses on equipping individuals with advanced knowledge in business management and leadership. When crafting your resume, highlight your experience in project management, strategic planning, and team leadership. Consider incorporating analytical thinking, effective communication, and financial acumen as key competencies. Additionally, mentioning successful initiatives you've led and quantifiable results achieved will emphasize your contributions and impact.

All resume examples in this guide

MBA Application

MBA Graduate

MBA Student

Resume Guide

Mba resume sample.

Resume format

Resume experience

Resume skills

Education and certifications

Resume summary

Additional sections

Are you ready to elevate your career with an MBA degree?

You’re not alone—thousands of ambitious professionals share your goal. However, getting admitted isn’t a walk in the park. Admission committees are selective, often turning away candidates with impressive resumes if they fail to make an impact. You need to not only excel academically but also align perfectly with their program’s mission.

With so much competition, having an exceptional resume  is essential. It’s your primary tool for showcasing your unique skills and passion for public service. This guide will help you craft a compelling MBA resume that paves the way for your success.

Key takeaways

• Use the reverse chronological format and a traditional template to ensure your resume meets academic standards and is easy to read.
• Underline how your past achievements show your ability to drive change and add value to the business world.
• Customize your resume to reflect how your unique career goals and experiences reflect the MBA program’s focus.
• Use metrics to quantify your accomplishments, making your impact verifiable and compelling to admission committees.
• Integrate your hard and soft skills into your resume’s summary and experience sections to add more weight to your expertise.
• Include relevant additional sections like publications or a portfolio only if they support your application.

As you prepare for your MBA application, let’s delve into a practical resume example to guide you.

Based on historical data and proven success factors, this free MBA sample resume illustrates the most effective way to present your qualifications. Feel free to download it and make adjustments with Enhancv’s resume builder .

Melissa O'Brian

Project Manager

[email protected]    @linkedin.com/melissa-obrian    New York, NY

Dynamic and results-oriented professional with 5 years of experience in project management and nonprofit sector leadership. Demonstrated ability to drive strategic initiatives, lead cross-functional teams, and enhance organizational efficiency. Proven track record of impactful contributions and a passion for public service. Seeking to leverage my background and skills in the MBA program to advance my career in strategic management and community development.

Project Manager Global Impact Solutions, New York, NY June 2021 – Present

• Lead a team of 10 in the successful execution of community outreach programs, increasing engagement by 40%.
• Develop and manage project budgets totaling over $500,000, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to align project goals with organizational mission and strategy.

Program Coordinator New Horizons Foundation, New York, NY August 2018 – May 2021

• Organized and executed educational workshops for underserved communities, reaching over 1,000 participants.
• Implemented a new tracking system that improved data accuracy by 30%.
• Collaborated with external partners to secure funding and resources for program expansion.

Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration New York University, New York, NY Graduated: May 2018

• Graduated with Honors
• Relevant coursework: Organizational Behavior, Public Policy Analysis, Financial Management

Certifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP)
• Project Management
• Strategic Planning
• Budgeting and Financial Analysis
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Data Analysis
• English (Native)
• Spanish (Conversational)

If you want to learn more about crafting your MBA resume, this guide has everything you need.

How to format an MBA application resume

US universities typically prefer the reverse chronological format  because it demonstrates your career trajectory and recent achievements. Plus, it makes it easier for ATS to scan and prioritize your resume.

Since ATS often verifies candidate details like higher education and PAN and Aadhaar for authenticity , including accurate information and relevant keywords can help ensure your resume passes initial screenings.

Ensure the resume sections are organized as follows:

• Professional Experience
• Education & Certifications
• Skills & Areas of Expertise
• Special Achievements

Before we explore the format specifics, it’s crucial to note that each institution may have its own resume standards , so MBA applicants should adhere to those guidelines.

Design tips

• Use standard margins  (0.5-1") to keep the resume clean and readable.
• Opt for a single-column layout , often preferred in academia, because it provides a clear and organized structure that's consistent and easy to follow.
• Stick to traditional fonts  (10-12 pt) and a black-and-white palette for a professional appearance.
• Aim for a one-page resume  to demonstrate efficiency, as other application documents, such as your personal statement  and recommendation letters, will provide additional support and context.

Contact information

• Include your name, phone number,  and professional email in the header .
• Use a job title that mentions your current position, preferably corresponding to the MBA program’s focus. You can also add a resume headline  tailored to the program description and drawing attention to your key strengths.
• Add a LinkedIn profile link  to emphasize your professional network and accomplishments.
• Omit a photo  to better focus on your qualifications and avoid potential biases.

File format

• Name your file  clearly (e.g., "Jordan Smith MBA_Resume.pdf").
• Save your resume as a PDF  unless the job posting requests a different format.

Test your current resume with our free resume checker , which evaluates it across 5 different categories.

Is your resume good enough?

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

Next, let’s tackle the necessary resume sections  one by one, starting with the most prominent one—your work experience.

How to write your MBA resume experience

When crafting the experience section  of your MBA resume, prioritize your professional history over education if you have more than two years of work experience. Admission committees review countless resumes, so placing your most relevant experiences at the top ensures they see your strongest qualifications first.

Select and list your most significant roles in reverse chronological order, focusing on positions where you made a substantial impact. Add 3-5 bullet points for each role, using the S.T.A.R. method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) as follows:

• Start each bullet point with an action verb  and list your most significant successes first. University evaluators often skim resumes, so place your strongest accomplishments at the top to grab their attention.
• Highlight your leadership and interpersonal skills in each role.
• Quantify your achievements  with solid numbers and precise data to make your claims more credible and clearly showcase your qualifications.

Most importantly, to make your resume more impactful and relevant, present your experience in a way that aligns with the specific demands  of the MBA program.

Targeting your MBA resume experience

A targeted resume  for MBA applicants is one that’s specifically customized to the requirements and focus areas of the MBA program you’re applying to. This means you should underscore experiences, skills, and achievements that match the program's values and objectives.

Here’s what else you should consider:

• Emphasize skills and accomplishments related to the MBA program’s focus, such as strategic thinking, or industry-specific expertise.
• Incorporate keywords  and phrases from the MBA program’s description and mission statement to ensure your resume resonates with what the admissions committee is looking for.
• Use a format and language that cater to the expectations of the MBA program, avoiding unnecessary jargon and focusing on clarity and impact instead.

Let’s look at a real-world MBA program description, which we’ll then use to craft a targeted experience section entry.

Full-Time MBA Student at Chicago Booth

Our top-ranked MBA program is the destination for ambitious, intellectually curious professionals—bold leaders who want to advance in their careers and earn an MBA degree from the world’s leading academic business school.

Each year Chicago Booth's Full-Time MBA Program looks to build a class of future business leaders that will make a positive impact on the world around us. Placing an emphasis on diversity of thought, background, and career objectives, we attract ambitious, supportive, and intellectually curious professionals.

Post-Booth career impact

At its most basic level, The Chicago Approach teaches students how to think not what to think, building business foundations and analytical tools needed for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

Undergraduate majors represented

Our MBA program attracts students from all academic backgrounds, including areas like education, political science, psychology, engineering, and yes, business, too. Our environment allows you to self-select into courses and experiences based on your interests while building critical leadership skills that are transferable across any industry.

Enrollment statistics (2024)

Average GPA: 3.6

Average GMAT: 729

Average work experience: 5 years

Most popular undergraduate degrees: business, economics, engineering

Top 5 industries represented: consulting, financial services, technology, NGO, healthcare

Now, discover how a tailored experience entry can look:

• • Directed a team of 15 to successfully implement a new project management system, resulting in a 30% increase in project efficiency.
• • Managed a portfolio of projects worth over $2 million, consistently delivering results on time and under budget by 10%.
• • Developed and executed a strategic plan that increased client engagement by 50% and expanded market reach by 20%.
• • Conducted data analysis that identified key market trends, leading to a 25% increase in product sales.
• • Designed and launched a targeted marketing campaign that boosted brand awareness by 40% within six months.
• • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop innovative solutions, resulting in a 15% improvement in customer satisfaction scores.

Here are the key points of this impressive resume section:

• It clearly reflects the roles and responsibilities valued by the particular MBA program.
• The experience section integrates relevant keywords from the MBA program’s description to increase the resume ATS score and appeal to the admissions committee.
• Metrics such as percentages and dollar amounts illustrate the impact of the applicant’s work.

Speaking of metrics, below we’ll provide you with some more tips on how to measure your work accomplishments on a resume.

How to quantify your experience on an MBA resume

Using numbers and results on an MBA resume makes your qualifications more credible and compelling. To quantify them properly, use specific metrics to showcase your contributions tangibly.

Look at the following examples of quantified impact:

• Increased sales revenue by 20% within six months through targeted marketing strategies.
• Managed a team of 10, leading to a 30% improvement in project delivery times.
• Reduced operational costs by $150,000 annually through process optimization.
• Oversaw a $2 million budget, achieving 10% savings through efficient financial management.
• Boosted customer satisfaction scores by 15 points through enhanced service delivery initiatives.

Maximizing MBA Value: Starting Salaries and Industry Variations

According to an MBA.com study , graduates from top-ranked MBA programs, such as Stanford and Harvard, often secure impressive starting salaries averaging $175,000. Salaries vary by industry, with tech roles at about $128,000, finance at $138,000, and consulting surpassing $140,000. Notably, in 2023, top consulting firms like McKinsey and Bain have boosted their starting salaries to $192,000, highlighting the lucrative potential of a top MBA.

To achieve those impressive starting earnings, you should first secure your admission. Given that top institutions place significant emphasis on personal skills, let’s explore which skills you should put on your MBA resume to enhance your chances of getting accepted.

How to list your skills on an MBA resume

For an MBA resume, you can create a dedicated skills section , but it's not a requirement. Given the diverse backgrounds of applicants and the lack of a universally applicable skill set, a more efficient approach might be better. You can integrate your hard skills  into the summary and experience sections, spotlighting them through specific results and achievements.

Here are the most useful hard skills you can emphasize on your resume.

Best hard skills for your MBA resume

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Google Analytics
• Adobe Analytics
• Google Cloud Platform

When deciding which soft skills  to add, focus on those that reflect the program’s emphasis on leadership  and management. Underline your teamwork, strategic thinking, and decision-making  through your experience and summary sections. Remember to mention their impact on your professional growth. 

Here are some more examples you might want to consider for your resume:

Best soft skills for your MBA resume

• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Adaptability
• Conflict resolution
• Negotiation
• Strategic planning
• Interpersonal skills
• Project management
• Emotional intelligence
• Collaboration
• Presentation skills

Skills are important, but MBA programs also require specific educational qualifications for admission. See how to effectively list your educational background on your resume below.

How to list education and certifications on an MBA resume

When applying to an MBA program, ensure your resume has a clear education section, mentioning:

• Degree or field of study
• University/college name and location
• Graduation date
• GPA (if 3.5 or higher)
• Relevant coursework

If your work experience is limited, you can leverage your application with a strong education section. Focus on significant awards or formal recognitions  from your academic career, and avoid including high school achievements or irrelevant activities.

To distinguish yourself in Harvard  or other prestigious MBA applications, your resume needs to be meticulously crafted. Given that Harvard's median GMAT score is 730 , prominently feature your GMAT or GRE score in your education section, using bold font and a clear layout.

Here’s how the education section  should look if you’re applying to the MBA program at Chicago Booth:

• • Graduated with Honors, specializing in econometrics and market analysis.
• • Completed a senior thesis on financial market trends, which was recognized at the university’s annual research conference.

If you want to further emphasize your specialized knowledge, listing any relevant certifications  you have can be valuable. Here are some that can help you stand out in case they align well with the target program description.

Top certifications for your MBA resume

• Certified Financial Analyst (CFA)
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Six Sigma Green Belt (SSGB)
• Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA)

After featuring relevant certifications, it's essential to tie your qualifications together with a strong summary that encapsulates your unique value and career objectives.

Resume summary for MBA applicants

The MBA resume summary  is a critical section that should succinctly convey your professional identity, key achievements, and career goals.

When writing it, consider the following guidelines:

• Begin with your professional title and years of experience in business leadership.
• Incorporate key skills and experiences that are tailored to the MBA program’s focus, and clearly articulate how you intend to leverage the MBA for your future goals.
• Focus on what makes you unique among applicants with similar backgrounds.
• Maintain a concise format with 3-5 impactful sentences, using dynamic adjectives  to emphasize achievements, and avoiding the first-person perspective  to keep the focus on your qualifications.

This summary tailors the candidate’s achievements and experience to fit perfectly with Chicago Booth’s focus on leadership in business. Connecting specific accomplishments with the program’s values, shows how the applicant is uniquely suited to contribute and thrive in this top-ranked MBA environment.

Do you need additional sections on an MBA resume

While a well-rounded MBA resume can benefit from some additional sections, it's crucial to be strategic. More content is only effective if it adds real value to your application. Aim to insert sections that truly underscore your strengths without overwhelming the reader or seeming forced.

Below are some ideal options to include in your MBA resume:

• Publications : List articles, research papers, or reports you've authored to   accentuate your thought leadership and expertise in your field.
• Projects : Detailing significant projects can illustrate your hands-on experience and problem-solving skills.
• Affiliations : Memberships in professional organizations can demonstrate your engagement with industry networks and your commitment to ongoing learning.
• Volunteering : Feature notable activities that underscore soft skills crucial for business success.
• Speaking engagements: List relevant conferences, workshops, or seminars you’ve spoken at, along with any significant contributions.
• Portfolio : Including a link to an online portfolio can be highly beneficial for MBA candidates with backgrounds in fields like project management, consulting, or creative industries.
• Languages : Proficiency in multiple languages can enhance your global business acumen.

In conclusion

To impress AdComs with your MBA resume, highlight how you intend to transform the business world and back it up with your current professional successes. Showcase your achievements and connect them with the program’s values to demonstrate your potential for making a significant impact.

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MBA Resume Examples

by Talha Omer, M.Eng., Cornell Grad

In mba | resume.

In this article, I’ll be sharing three different types of resumes tailored to specific stages of the MBA journey. I’ll provide samples of the MBA application resume that you can use if you are a prospective applicant to a top MBA program.

I’ll also share a resume of a current first year MBA student and a resume of a recent graduate of MBA program. By understanding the nuances of each type of resume, you can create a compelling document that showcases your skills and experiences and helps you stand out in the competitive application and job process.

In this Article

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

White papers, research interests, additional research, teaching experience, academic conferences, professional conferences, extra-curricular activities, certifications, summary profile, professional history, additional roles, licenses and professional certifications, activities & extra-curricular, mba applicant resume.

If you are applying to a top MBA program like an IVY league MBA, then you need to craft a resume as part of the application process. MBA programs generally do not have any standard format for the resume, but business schools recommend that it should include your essential education and professional work information with dates and location.

Nevertheless, you should include the following sections in your MBA application resume .

• You education background (very important for MBA applications)
• Your professional work history (very important for MBA applications)
• Leadership experience (very important for MBA applications)
• White papers, if any (optional)
• Research interests, if any (optional)
• Additional research, if any (optional)
• Teaching experience, if any (include TAships as well)
• Academic or professional conferences, if any
• Extra-curricular activities (very important for MBA applications)
• Certification (optional)
• Honors (important for MBA applications)
• Skills (important for MBA applications)
• Languages (optional)

Here is a sample resume of an applicant who applied and got into Harvard MBA program.

Sample Resume of an MBA Applicant

John Doe, 123 Main Street, Anytown USA 12345

[email protected] , 555-555-5555

University of California, Los Angeles

Bachelor of Science in Business Economics , Class of 2022

• Magna Cum Laude
• Dean’s Honors List, all quarters
• Golden Key International Honor Society

Program Manager Intern, Redmond, WA , June 2021 – August 2021

• Conducted market research and analyzed user data to inform product decisions for Microsoft Teams
• Led cross-functional team of designers, engineers, and marketers in developing new features and improving user experience
• Collaborated with sales team to create go-to-market strategies for new product offerings

The Bridgespan Group

Associate Consultant, San Francisco, CA, September 2018 – June 2020

• Conducted data analysis and developed financial models to inform client strategy recommendations for nonprofit organizations
• Led workstreams on client engagements, managing junior team members and presenting to client executives
• Developed expertise in healthcare industry and authored white paper on emerging trends

UCLA Undergraduate Business Society

Vice President of Professional Development, September 2019 – June 2022

• Organized workshops and speaker events to help members develop professional skills and network with industry professionals
• Led team in securing partnerships with external companies and sponsors to fund events
• Increased membership by 25% through innovative marketing strategies
• “The Future of Nonprofit Fundraising: Leveraging Technology and Data,” Stanford Social Innovation Review, November 2021
• “Digital Transformation in Healthcare: Challenges and Opportunities,” McKinsey Quarterly, July 2021
• Digital transformation and innovation in healthcare
• Nonprofit management and fundraising
• Social impact investing and corporate social responsibility
• “Transforming Philanthropy through Impact Investing,” Journal of Impact Investing, March 2020
• “The Future of Nonprofit Organizations: Trends and Implications,” Harvard Business Review, October 2019

UCLA Economics Department

Teaching Assistant , September 2020 – June 2021

• Assisted in teaching introductory microeconomics course to undergraduate students
• Graded assignments and provided feedback to students
• Conducted review sessions and held office hours to assist students
• Presenter, UCLA Undergraduate Research Conference, May 2022
• Attendee, Berkeley Haas Global Social Venture Competition, April 2022
• Attendee, McKinsey & Company Healthcare Conference, October 2021
• Panelist, Stanford Social Innovation Review Symposium, April 2021
• Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity, 2017 – present
• Co-founder, UCLA Student Entrepreneurship Association, 2020 – present
• Intramural basketball and volleyball, University of California, Los Angeles, 2018 – 2022
• Certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute, June 2021
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), Scrum Alliance, May 2019
• Data analysis and modeling (Excel, SQL, R)
• Project management (Agile, Scrum)
• Product development (product roadmapping, user research)
• Presentation and communication (PowerPoint, public speaking)
• Winner, UCLA Anderson Venture Accelerator Competition, May 2022
• Finalist, McKinsey & Company Case Competition, April 2021
• Scholarship recipient, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, 2018 – 2022
• UCLA Business Economics Outstanding Senior Award, June 2022
• English (fluent)
• Spanish (proficient)

MBA Graduate Resume

If you are about to graduate or have just graduated from an MBA program, then you should include the following sections in your job resume .

• Summary/Profile: A 3-4 sentences branding statement is highly recommended.
• Professional History: For each role, you should provide 1-2 sentences that describes your job responsibility followed by a couple of sentences about your accomplishments.
• Education: Do not list courses, GPA and GMAT scores. However, do mention any leadership roles and study abroad experiences.
• Key skills: List skills and respective accomplishments that are relevant to your next position.

Volunteer Leadership Roles

• Licenses and Professional Certifications: If you possess a license or certification, these should be called out in a separate section.

Here is a sample resume of a MBA graduate.

Sample Resume of a MBA Graduate

As a seasoned business professional with a track record of delivering results in fast-paced environments, I bring a unique blend of strategic thinking, leadership, and project management skills to any organization. My passion for innovation and problem-solving has led me to work across a variety of industries, from healthcare to technology, and I am constantly seeking new challenges and opportunities to grow. With an MBA from Harvard Business School, I am well-equipped to tackle complex business problems and drive impact at scale.

ABC Corporation

Strategy Consultant, Boston, MA, July 2021 – Present

• Provide strategic advisory services to Fortune 500 clients on growth strategy, organizational design, and operational improvement initiatives
• Lead client engagements, conduct market research and analysis, and develop strategic recommendations
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify growth opportunities and assess market trends
• Lead cross-functional teams in developing and implementing strategic plans and initiatives
• Drive project management, including team management, budgeting, and timeline tracking to ensure successful project completion
• Developed and delivered presentations to clients’ executive teams to gain buy-in and alignment on strategic recommendations

XYZ Company

Senior Financial Analyst, New York, NY, July 2018 – June 2021

• Conduct financial analysis and modeling to support strategic planning and investment decision-making for a $500 million business unit
• Lead financial planning and analysis, forecasting, and budgeting processes for the business unit.
• Led cross-functional teams in developing annual budget and monthly forecasting processes to drive profitability and growth
• Implemented process improvements to streamline financial reporting and forecasting, resulting in a 20% reduction in reporting cycle time
• Developed and delivered financial presentations to senior leadership, including the CEO and CFO, to provide insights on business performance and key drivers
• Led analysis and evaluation of potential acquisition targets, resulting in the successful acquisition of a $100 million competitor.

Harvard Business School

Master of Business Administration, Class of 2022

• Concentration in Strategy and General Management
• Harvard Business School Leadership Fellows Program
• Dean’s List, all semesters

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor of Science in Economics, Class of 2018

• Wharton Business Scholars Program

Strategy Development and Execution

• Developed and executed growth strategies for Fortune 500 clients, resulting in a 20% increase in revenue
• Led cross-functional teams in developing and implementing strategic plans and initiatives for multiple business units

Financial Analysis and Modeling

• Conducted financial analysis and modeling to support strategic planning and investment decision-making for a $500 million business unit
• Streamlined financial reporting processes and implemented new financial management tools to improve efficiency

Project Management and Process Improvement

• Led project management, including team management, budgeting, and timeline tracking to ensure successful project completion

Data Analysis and Visualization

• Conducted market research and competitive analysis to identify growth opportunities and assess market trends
• Developed and delivered presentations to clients’ executive teams to provide insights on business performance and key drivers
• Mentor, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, 2019 – present
• Board Member, Habitat for Humanity, 2018 – present
• Fundraiser, American Cancer Society, 2016 – present

Community Service

• Volunteer, local soup kitchen, 2016 – present
• Organizer, charity 5K run/walk, 2017 – present

Certified Public Accountant (CPA), State of New York, 2018 – present

• Successfully completed all four sections of the CPA exam on the first attempt
• Maintained ongoing continuing education to stay up-to-date on changes in accounting regulations and standards

Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute, 2020 – present

• Successfully completed the PMP exam, demonstrating knowledge and expertise in project management methodologies and best practices
• Maintained ongoing continuing education to stay up-to-date on changes in project management practices and standards

MBA Current Student Resume

If you are a current MBA first year student, then you will be applying to summer internships. As a current student, you must add the following sections in your resume.

• Work Experience
• Academic or professional conferences
• Extra-curricular activities

In addition, you might also include the following if you have any relevant experience:

• White papers
• Teaching experience

Here is a sample resume of a current MBA student.

Sample Resume of a Current MBA Student

HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL, CAMBRIDGE, MA

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION , expected graduation May 2023

• GPA 4.0, GMAT 770
• Distinction in Marketing Strategy coursework
• Selected for Venture Capital and Private Equity Immersion Program, one of only 15 students chosen from a pool of 100+ applicants
• Co-led team that won HBS New Venture Competition, securing $100,000 in seed funding for our startup idea.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY, CA

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION , Class of 2018

• Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society

GOOGLE, MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA

PRODUCT MANAGER, June 2021 – August 2021

• Led cross-functional team of 10 in developing and launching new feature for Google Maps, resulting in a projected increase in revenue of $10 million in the first year
• Conducted market research and analyzed user data to inform product decisions, resulting in a 20% increase in user engagement with the feature
• Collaborated with designers and engineers to define product requirements and prioritize development roadmap, resulting in a 10% reduction in development time and a 15% increase in user satisfaction.

MCKINSEY & COMPANY, SAN FRANCISCO, CA

BUSINESS ANALYST, September 2018 – June 2021

• Conducted data analysis and developed financial models to inform client strategy recommendations, resulting in $50 million in cost savings for a Fortune 500 healthcare client
• Led workstreams on client engagements, managing teams of up to 5 junior analysts and presenting to client executives, resulting in a 90% client satisfaction rating
• Developed expertise in healthcare industry and authored white paper on emerging trends, which was featured in the McKinsey Quarterly and downloaded over 10,000 times.

HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL STUDENT ASSOCIATION

VICE PRESIDENT OF EVENTS, August 2022 – May 2023

• Led team of 15 students in planning and executing events for 1,000+ MBA students
• Developed partnerships with external vendors and secured sponsorships to fund events
• Increased attendance and engagement at events through innovative marketing strategies
• “The Future of Healthcare: Trends and Implications for Business,” Harvard Business Review, May 2022
• “Beyond Bitcoin: The Promise of Blockchain Technology,” Journal of Applied Business Research, October 2021
• “Innovative Approaches to Corporate Social Responsibility,” McKinsey Quarterly, December 2020

Healthcare innovation and policy

• Technology and its impact on business models
• Corporate social responsibility and sustainability
• “The Impact of Telemedicine on Patient Outcomes,” Journal of Health Economics, April 2021
• “Strategies for Leveraging Social Media to Drive Customer Engagement,” Journal of Marketing, September 2020

TEACHING ASSISTANT, August 2022 – present

• Assisted in teaching course on entrepreneurship and venture capital to MBA students, resulting in a 95% student satisfaction rating
• Facilitated class discussions and provided feedback on student projects, resulting in a 20% improvement in student project grades
• Developed additional course materials, including case studies and reading lists, which were incorporated into the curriculum for future semesters.
• Presenter, Harvard Business School Healthcare Conference, November 2021
• Attendee, Stanford Graduate School of Business Social Innovation Conference, April 2021
• Co-president, Harvard Business School Social Enterprise Club, 2022 – present
• Mentor, HBS Alumni Board Mentoring Program, 2021 – present
• Participant, HBS Global Immersion Program, Summer 2022
• Competitor, HBS New Venture Competition, Spring 2022
• Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity, 2016 – present
• Intramural soccer and basketball, University of California, Berkeley, 2014 – 2018
• Certified Product Manager, Association of International Product Marketing and Management, August 2021
• Six Sigma Green Belt, American Society for Quality, June 2019
• Product development (product road mapping, user research)
• Winner, Harvard Business School New Venture Competition, May 2022
• Scholarship recipient, National Society of Hispanic MBAs, 2021

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Resume Books allow employers to filter resumes by club affiliations, experience, interests, joint degree programs, language proficiency, and more, helping you find candidates best suited for your role and organization. With this information, employers can also personalize outreach to individual students to maximize effectiveness and establish genuine connections.

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5 Harvard MBA Personal Statement Examples

Featured Expert: Aali Malik, MBA

Harvard MBA personal statement examples can be helpful to applicants preparing to write their own stellar essays. That's why we've provided five of them for you to review and get inspired. So whether you have your eyes set on Harvard business school or just need some help with your personal statement for a different business school, this post will have some valuable information for you.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free initial consultation here <<

Article Contents 11 min read

An MBA personal statement is a short essay that summarizes your goals and experiences, as well as your reasons for pursuing an MBA and choosing a particular MBA program. It is also sometimes called a goal statement or MBA statement of purpose . A good personal statement should convince the admissions committees that you are the most suitable candidate for their MBA program by showing them your skills, experiences, and values. You can think of MBA personal statements as a cover letter for your MBA application. A cover letter is supposed to showcase your suitability for a professional role, and a personal statement is meant to communicate your suitability for a specific program and school. 

MBA personal statements are an essential part of your application because most graduate programs, like MBAs, look for well-rounded candidates. That's why they want to know more about your motivations and purpose for applying. To make an impression on your chosen business school's admissions committee, you need to show them the person behind the high grades and impressive MBA resume . It's also a great way to show the committee that you have outstanding communication skills, a trait that will serve you well as an MBA student and business leader in the professional world.

Brainstorming for personal statements and reading personal statement examples is also good preparation for MBA interview questions ! ","label":"Tip","title":"Tip"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

The admissions committee of most MBA programs will usually pose a question (a prompt) that applicants are expected to answer in essay format. While these questions vary from one program to another and often change from year to year, there are prompts that are commonly used by all programs every application cycle; reviewing common prompts can help you prepare and give you ideas for the statement you will need to write. Harvard Business School (HBS) is a very prestigious institution and the competition to get into their MBA programs is fierce. That's why the admissions committee always gives applicants great personal statement prompts that encourage students to self-reflect on their motivations, perspectives, and goals. This is an excellent way for the admissions team to ensure that your values align with the school's.

Below are some of Harvard's famous prompts with sample answers that will help inspire your own. Pay special attention to the different ways these sample answers respond to the prompt while tying it back to the skills and qualities needed to succeed in business school.  

Looking for tips for writing your MBA resume as well? Take a look at this infographic:

Prompt: Describe an internal conflict (or difficult decision) that you have faced. How did you resolve the situation? What did you learn from this? (500-word limit). 

As a business owner, I frequently encounter the need to make decisions that affect others, but the most difficult decision I have ever had to make was a personal one about my career. 

Five years ago, I worked as a financial manager in a car dealership, and I was rather successful at it. In addition to working as a financial manager, I often spent my weekends working on cars with a friend who owned a small auto repair shop. We often talked about becoming partners and growing the business, but I was too comfortable at my job and unwilling to make such a risky move. My position as a finance manager was well-paid; it involved constant interaction with the public, sales, and business analysis, all of which I enjoy very much. Unfortunately, there was also no room to grow or learn anything new with this position, which I did not enjoy. Eventually, I found that even though I was comfortable, I was not happy with my work, and I was not putting in the same level of effort I once did. It wasn't long before I concluded that I needed to make a change. 

I pride myself on my ability to take a step back, look at the bigger picture and objectively analyze a situation. So that's exactly what I did with my career. I was able to look at the different aspects of my life and the skills that I have to offer. I came to the conclusion that my relative youth and lack of dependents made this the ideal time for me to take a big risk. I also felt that being a business owner would allow me to express my talents effectively and bring a significant contribution to the local economy. So, I decided to take a leap of faith and become part owner in the auto repair shop that my friend owned. 

The process of making this difficult decision and the resulting experience has taught me the importance of considering all options and that some risks are worth taking. I also learned a lot about myself during this process. I devoted numerous hours to contemplating questions such as 'What do I like to do?' 'What am I good at?' 'What role do I wish to play in my community?' I came out on the other side, strengthened and determined. I made that decision four years ago, and since then, I have not looked back or hesitated. It has been a challenging but rewarding experience. We've been able to grow our auto repair shop from a three-person operation to a company that employs twelve mechanics. 

I am dedicated to developing my business administration knowledge for my employees, business partner, and myself. Harvard Business school is the best place for me to do this, as it has a well-rounded curriculum that focuses on building leadership and analytical skills. Both of those are skills that I possess and wish to hone. 

Harvard MBA Personal Statement Example #2

Prompt: What are your three most substantial accomplishments and why do you view them as such? (600-word limit). 

I’ve achieved a few things in my life, many of which are listed on my resume. But my three most substantial accomplishments are not academic or professional. Still, they have significantly impacted every aspect of my life, including how I approach my work and school life.   

1. Leaving my hometown

I know that this is something that hundreds, if not thousands of people do every day, but I believe that it is a substantial accomplishment for many of those people too. I grew up in a small, conservative town with a population of less than 2000, and for a long time, my view of the world did not extend past the borders of our little town. I am an avid reader and was content with traveling only through the words of others. However, as I grew and started thinking about college and the career that I wanted, I realized that I could not succeed the way I wanted to without expanding my worldview. I then had to decide: stay in my comfort zone and settle or leave everything I knew behind and pursue my dreams of being an environmental lawyer. My ambition won. At the age of 17, I packed my bags and moved to the other end of the country. To this day, it is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, but it is also the best decision I have ever made. 

2. Becoming a firefighter

Six years ago, I started volunteering as a firefighter, and it has been the most rewarding experience of my life. When I moved to this city, it took me a while to find my footing, but so many amazing resources were available to support me in my transition. So, when I finally settled down, I decided to give back to the community that had welcomed me with open arms, and I wanted to do that in a way that also challenged me. The training to become a firefighter pushed me both physically and mentally, and being in the field also pushed me emotionally. Unfortunately, as a firefighter, there are days when we can't get there in time, or we cannot save everyone. On the other hand, it also serves as a big motivator, and I can honestly say that every time we save someone, it feels like a substantial accomplishment. 

3. Making my workplace go green

One of the many things that I appreciate about my hometown is the community spirit. Everyone often comes together and does their part for the good of the entire community. It's something that I try to take with me everywhere I go. It is why I got involved with the student union in college, why I hope to get involved with the one at HBS, and why I decided to take the initiative and spearhead a project that would have a long-term effect at my workplace. I was able to enlist the help of three of my colleagues. We worked together to digitize the company's filing system, thus increasing efficiency and pushing us forward in our efforts to use less paper. In the last year, we’ve continued working towards becoming a greener company. I am proud of the progress that we’ve made because it took a lot of hard work, but it will positively impact not only the company but also our community. 

I think my accomplishments show a trend of persistence, community spirit, and diligence. I hope to bring all of these to Harvard Business School and carry them with me as I practice as an environmental lawyer in the future. 

Would you like to see these prompts all in one place to help you practice? This infographic is for you:

Prompt: What do you enjoy and what do you dislike about your current job? Why? (300-word limit). 

I have been working in a customer service center for almost a decade. When I first started as a customer service representative, I enjoyed making someone's day a little easier by providing a simple service. Today, I have worked my way up to my current role as Team Leader, and the thing that I enjoy the most about my work has not changed. As a Team Leader, I get to make my agents' days a little easier by doing everything I can to ensure they have what they need to do their job and enjoy the process. 

Another thing that I equally enjoy is that this role is constantly pushing me. I have often had to challenge myself to look for new and creative ways to keep my staff motivated and working as a unit. I am particularly proud of the points reward system that I created for my team, which is now used by all the different teams on the call center floor. 

On the other hand, I dislike my salary. Salary isn't the most important thing for me, but the reality is that money is an important factor when it comes to employment, especially when you have a family to support and bills to pay. I have discussed this with my employer, and unfortunately, there is just not much they can do while I am working in this particular position. 

It is one of the reasons why I wish to attend Harvard Business School. Over the years, as a student union member and then an employee, I have proven that I have the dedication and leadership qualities needed to succeed in a managerial role. Now, I am ready to invest in my future by learning from a school with a track record for creating creative business leaders.  

Harvard MBA Personal Statement Example #4 

Prompt: What are your career aspirations and why? How will you get there? (300-word limit). 

My long-term career goal is to occupy a senior managerial position in a corporation that manufactures, distributes, and markets high-end clothing. I plan to accomplish this by using the knowledge that I will gain from my MBA, and the analytical and leadership skills that I have honed over the years as a marketing director. 

I have been fascinated by fashion since I was a child. I was the kind of little girl who spent hours playing with dolls and trying on her mother's high heels. I have a curious mind and enjoy learning, so I started reading about fashion and its history. My fascination with the clothing industry, and consequently the size of my wardrobe, grew as I learned more about the subject.  

Over the years, as I learned about fashion, completed an undergraduate degree in statistics & marketing, and started working as a marketing specialist, I came to understand that only 50% of a successful business depends on the product or service it sells. The other 50% depends on business operations. If the accounting, marketing, and logistics are not right, then it does not matter how good the product is. Since I, unfortunately, have no talent when it comes to clothing design, my short-term goal is to master everything to do with the second half of running a successful business, and I believe that HBS is the best place for me to do that.  

I genuinely believe that my academic background, love for learning, and over six years of experience in fashion marketing have prepared me to handle the demanding nature of an MBA. I also know that Harvard's well-rounded MBA curriculum will give me the knowledge and network I need to accomplish my short-term goal, thus bringing me closer to my long-term career goal.  

Harvard MBA Personal Statement Example #5

Question: As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program? (No specific word count) 

Beyond the achievements and qualifications listed on my resume, I would like you to know that I am a leader who is passionate about education technology, and I believe that Harvard is my calling.  

Harvard Business School is the institution that initially piqued my interest in management sciences. Prof. Jonathan Smith, who taught my introduction to management course at the University of X, is a Harvard alumnus. He introduced me to the IBM portal, where he often read articles and case studies, which I still keep up with today. It is actually one of those articles that convinced me to apply for this Master in Business Administration/Master in Public Administration-International Development program. 

Last year, there was an article about the different ways in which technology can help increase the quality of the education for underserved populations. This topic is very dear to me because I grew up in an immigrant community and saw firsthand what it means to live in a poor, remote part of a country. While I completed my undergraduate teaching degree, I worked as a research assistant for Dr. Jane Laporte, who was conducting a study on a similar topic. She found that children who had access to certain technologies learned a lot better, even when all other circumstances were not ideal. 

I intend to leverage my teaching experience and the business acumen I'll acquire at Harvard to increase access to education through Ed-Tech products. My experience as a teacher in low-income communities has given me the knowledge needed to take on such a project. I also have a proven track record as a leader, starting in high school as a co-president of the student body and captain of the varsity soccer team, continuing in college as an elected vice-president of the student union, and even now, as the head of the teacher's association in my local community. 

Now, I am ready to take the next step in my academic career by attending Harvard Business School and completing the MBA/MPA-IDM program. I have selected this program because it offers a well-rounded curriculum focusing on international development and business administration. I believe that it is the best way for me to acquire the business savvy that I need to fulfill my long-term career goal. 

In short, an MBA personal statement is like the cover letter for your MBA application. It is a short essay that tells the admissions committee about the person behind the application. 

Yes, they are. Your MBA personal statement is an integral part of your application. It is supposed to show the admissions committees what skills, experiences, and fresh perspective you bring to their program. When done correctly, it can make your application stand out. 

Many business schools have a specific word limit, so you should always check the specific requirements or guidelines provided by the school. If there is no word count mentioned, you should aim for around 400-1,000 words. 

It is always a good idea to review personal statement examples and look at statement of purpose examples and tips for assistance in crafting your own statement. Harvard Business School has some excellent prompts that require applicants to dig deep and self-reflect. Therefore, they are a great tool for inspiring applicants who may be having a hard time brainstorming for their own statement. 

Not all schools provide a prompt, but they may provide different requirements. It is essential to always check the specific guidelines provided by your chosen school. 

Yes. Usually, schools will change the essay question every year or every application cycle. However, even if the wording of the prompts change, the core of the questions they ask remain the same. This is why it’s always a good idea to look back at old prompts.

We do not recommend doing this. First, many business schools have specific questions or prompts that your personal essay will need to answer. Secondly, different schools value different things, and your essay should reflect the values and skills that your chosen school is looking for in candidates. 

Yes. We highly recommend having someone else look at your statement to make sure it is grammatically correct, coherent, and compelling. To ensure that this is the case, you might want to consider investing in MBA admissions consulting .

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• Harvard Business School →

I n 2017, Sarah Bond’s boss, Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox Gaming, warned her that working in the industry would be very difficult.

Not just for the usual reasons that corporate America can be tough, but also because, as a Black woman in gaming—an industry with a reputation for its sometimes toxic culture, including misogyny, racism, and online harassment—she might not always feel welcome.

Sarah Bond (MBA 2006) turned to Spencer, her gaze direct, and said, “Phil, my aunt died yesterday. She was a colonel in the Army in the era of segregation. That was hard.”

He paused for a moment, she recalls, and then offered her the job.

In retrospect, Bond appreciates the warning, and she knows her longtime boss was just looking out for her. But as she speaks about the experience seven years later, in her bright office on the sprawling Microsoft campus in Redmond, Washington, walls covered in a rainbow of Xbox controllers, she wants to dig into Spencer’s warning. After all, she isn’t just working at Xbox—now she’s the company’s president. Yes, she faces inherent cultural challenges. She’s also facing business challenges, like how to increase market share and capture the changing video-game audience. Even so, she has no fear. “Let’s get real about hard,” she says. “Whenever I encounter something hard, I remind myself there is nothing that can be done to me that has not been done to my ancestors. I’ve only achieved what I’ve achieved because of all the people who came before.”

B ond, one of seven children, says that though she experienced her share of racism and misogyny as every Black woman has, she is grateful for all she experienced growing up.

She moved to London with her dad, Bruce Bond, who had taken a job as director of strategy with British Telecom, when she was 10. She attended British boarding schools before graduating from Yale as an economics major in 2001. After leaving the Ivy League, she accepted a position with consulting giant McKinsey in its San Francisco office, having turned down an offer from Goldman Sachs. Bond took a break from McKinsey in 2004 to get her MBA and then moved to the firm’s Seattle office in 2006, after relocating with her now-husband, Cory Toedebusch (MBA 2006) . From there, she became the chief of staff to the CEO of T-Mobile in 2011 and senior vice president of emerging business by 2017, a period that saw the carrier grow from an underdog to one of the big-three American cell carriers.

All of this experience prepared Bond to take on the role she accepted last October: president of Xbox. It was a historic moment for the diversity of the gaming industry and one with great personal significance for Bond, who has spent years navigating boy’s clubs and being the only person of color in the room. “So I appreciated the warnings about the industry but that’s been my whole life,” she says.

While Bond, who is 45 years old, saw being a business executive like her father as a potential career path growing up, she remembers feeling a particular attraction, as she was applying to business school, to the idea of becoming a specific type of leader. “I became convinced that I would be a turnaround CEO. I got very specific that what I wanted to do was take something that seemed impossible and make it possible,” she says.

Xbox recently surpassed Windows to become the third-largest revenue earner of the company, according to reporting by technology website The Verge. While it may not seem to fit the bill of a company in need of turning around, Bond says there’s a lot of work to be done.

“The industry is on a steep upward trajectory, The threat is to any company in the industry: If someone else is improving at a faster rate than me, even if I’m better than them today, I won’t be better than them tomorrow.”

The company acquired gaming studio Activision Blizzard in late 2023, over the objections of regulators who had tried to block it. That’s thanks in part to Bond’s lead-witness testimony on Microsoft’s behalf. Since closing the deal, the company has implemented multiple rounds of layoffs and closed some smaller game studios. Then there’s slowing growth in both console sales and Xbox Game Pass, the company’s video-game streaming service, especially since the pandemic, when the video gaming business was booming.

And beyond the business metrics, there’s the challenge of trying to make the gaming industry more accepting and diverse. The specter of Gamergate, an online harassment campaign that began in 2014 and threatened diverse game creators, mostly women, still hangs over the industry. Toxic workplace cultures have been called out at game studios all over the world. Meanwhile, video games are more popular than ever, and players today are far more diverse than the game-makers.

The gaming industry is currently in a kind of arms race to change that homogeneity within the companies, to better match the customer base, says HBS professor Frances Frei . That’s partly out of financial necessity. More diverse teams tend to produce products that appeal to more diverse audiences. “The industry is on a steep upward trajectory,” Frei says. “The threat is to any company in the industry: If someone else is improving at a faster rate than me, even if I’m better than them today, I won’t be better than them tomorrow.” But as Frei knows firsthand—she has worked with Uber and Riot Games to help diversify company culture—fixing it will take courage. “I can tell you who’s going to win. That’s going to be the ones that resist their insular tendencies, like male gamers creating for male gamers, because that’s not the customer anymore.”

Bond is looking at these big issues with the same steely-eyed gaze she leveled at Spencer when he told her the job wouldn’t be a walk in the park. “Who else is going to do it?” she says she asked herself. “I can do it. I’m smart enough to do it. Driven enough to do it. I love Xbox. I have a support network. Why would I leave this for somebody else?” Ultimately, Bond decided that the gaming industry was the perfect place for her turnaround-executive mindset: “At one of the world’s largest gaming platforms, I can actually make real change.”

S arah Bond has never had trouble saying the thing out loud that everyone else is thinking.

In 2001, while a senior at Yale, she was flown out to McKinsey’s San Francisco office for the final rounds of a job interview. About 20 other candidates were there, she says, and they all seemed petrified. The day was long, with case interviews, a group exercise, a multiple-choice test, and a personality assessment. During the test, Bond remembers the room was silent, filled only with the stressed scribblings of the other candidates at their individual desks. Bond looked up and asked out loud: “Does anybody else think it’s strange that they’re basically giving us an SAT test?”

No one responded.

Bond prepares to record the Super Gaming Update, a quarterly meeting for global gaming employees, at the Xbox studio in April.

Later, Bond was one of two people in the group who was offered a job. Today, she is still stating uncomfortable truths out loud. But now, Bond is often the one running the meetings and trying to get others to say what’s on their minds. One of the roles she sees for herself as a leader is to allow others to feel they’re able to say the hard things, too.

Bond’s husband, Toedebusch, who met her during their first year at HBS, says her way of listening and problem-solving has always stood out. “She’s super empathetic and can understand what people are saying but really homes in on what they’re feeling or thinking—the unsaid. What are their motivations? What are they worried about? What are they trying to accomplish? She’s always been very good at that.”

Anyone who works with Bond notices this communication style. Before Xbox vice president of business development Lori Wright met Bond in person, she was intimidated by her résumé. “All I knew was based on her LinkedIn profile, and I thought, ‘Wow, what an accomplished human being, ’ ” she says. But when Wright walked into the room, she and Bond instantly connected on a personal level. Wright loved the blouse Bond was wearing, and they ended up talking about how Bond found it at a market in Southeast Asia. “We went and grabbed lunch together. And we talked about our backgrounds and how we grew up and our family histories.” Bond’s authenticity made Wright feel comfortable sharing things about herself and her motivations.

Bond oversees teams focused on hardware and software, business development, business operations, marketing, and strategy. Getting those various individuals, each with their own expertise, to speak to each other comfortably is a necessity. “The inherent training and the day-to-day lives of people inside of each of those verticals are very distinct, so unless you force the conversation across them, you won’t get as good a result,” she says.

But that doesn’t mean endless meetings just to have meetings, a challenge at a company that has occasionally weighed itself down with bureaucracy. Bond wants problems solved, issues aired, and conversations happening that matter in the moment.

After Xbox completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer (center) announced a new leadership structure, with Matt Booty (left) the president of game content and studios and Bond (right) the president of Xbox.

One of the biggest business problems she wants to address is the fact that the Xbox console has been number three in console sales for years. “The last console we built was, by many measures, the best console of that generation,” she says. “But that didn’t change our market position.” Bond wants her team to realize greater success and says that starts by helping them all imagine a different way forward. “I get to help people see that whatever paradigm they think they’re living in isn’t true—that you can bend solid steel.”

Answers to these tough questions, like how to shift a market position, can’t come from on high, she says. They come from teamwork. “And what I mean by teamwork is actually integrated diversity of thought across many domains.” An engineer may see one answer, a business executive another, a marketer or lawyer still others, she explains. “But if you can hold all those disciplines equal in your mind and create a space where everyone from all those disciplines can come together, and all things have equal value, you can unlock things. When people think something’s impossible, it’s because they’re looking from one angle, and they just need to turn it.”

“When people think something’s impossible, it’s because they’re looking from one angle, and they just need to turn it.”

Her direct communication style has worked for all kinds of problems faced in business, from a technical issue to an interpersonal one. When she joined Microsoft in 2017, Bond noticed a colleague had a pattern. “Whenever I would say something in meetings, they would say that it didn’t make sense, or it wasn’t a good idea. But when other people said something in meetings, they said they thought it was a good idea.”

Bond didn’t gripe or become disheartened. Instead, she booked a one-on-one on the colleague’s calendar and talked it out. “I said, ‘Hey, I noticed that whenever I say something in a meeting, you say one of these three phrases, but when other people say things, you say positive phrases. I feel like the rate of my good ideas to bad ideas is probably the same as those people’s. So I’m just sort of curious, why you do that?”

“I became convinced that I would be a turnaround CEO. I got very specific that what I wanted to do was take something that seemed impossible and make it possible,” Bond says.

The colleague was taken aback, and Bond told them she was only saying something because she felt safe enough to bring it up. And her hope was that speaking with openness from her own perspective and, “loving kindness in my heart,” created more inclusivity, rather than drama. Once a person is aware of the tendency, Bond says, they can adjust for it, which will allow more people to have space at the table. Wright has seen this play out regularly. “She surprises me almost every day in that way,” she says. “When something is said or done that does not feel respectful or culturally inclusive, she’ll be the first one that will pause the conversation and call it out.”

She also sees her communication style, even when uncomfortable, as a way to treat employees with humanity. When Xbox experienced layoffs last year, Bond insisted those who had just lost their jobs also be included in the all-hands meeting the following day. “They were our colleagues yesterday and this event happened to them as well as to the other people,” she says.

Bond works closely alongside Matt Booty, the head of Xbox Game Studios, and Spencer, the CEO of Microsoft Gaming. As the sole woman and person of color in this trio, she sees part of her role as bringing her own perspective to them, and sometimes pointing out where their perspectives might be missing some information. Some have called this kind of communication “risky” behavior. Bond sees it as necessary, because she’s not just thinking about her own job when she does it. “If I think of the risk as about my loss or my reward, then sure it’s risky, but if the risk is for everyone who came before me and everyone who is coming after me, then the denominator is infinite and the math changes: It actually flips to an imperative.”

Gamers sample the product at the Gamescom trade fair in Cologne, Germany, in 2023. (Photo by Alex Kraus/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

W hen Bond was offered a job at T-Mobile as the chief of staff to then-CEO Philipp Humm in 2011, she was four months pregnant with her first child.

But she took the opportunity because it felt like the learning opportunity of a lifetime: “I was very cognizant that McKinsey had taught me how to solve a problem but in a very narrow way.” At the consultancy you were presented with one project at a time and laser-focused on how to solve it. But to sit next to the CEO? She’d be able to learn all the other parts of the company that one project might affect, and she’d learn how to be a manager.

One week after she started, T-Mobile announced it would be acquired by AT&T. The Department of Justice sued to block the deal. Nine months later, AT&T walked away. T-Mobile had no financial plan as an independent company. Bond stayed on. Humm resigned. Bond stayed on. John Legere arrived as CEO, and Bond stayed on. The work was all-encompassing as the company emerged into a new life. The once-struggling wireless company with spotty coverage and no iPhones launched the “un-carrier” marketing strategy, acquired discount wireless provider MetroPCS, and became publicly traded in the United States.

“The beauty of [video games] is that they have the ability to change your point of view or open your aperture without your ever knowing that’s what they were doing. You’re just having fun.”

Bond credits working through that turmoil at T-Mobile with teaching her that executives aren’t gods; they’re just people. “It was very demystifying for me,” she says. “There was nothing to say that I couldn’t one day be one of those people.” But every morning she had to say goodbye to her daughter; she hadn’t been at the company long enough to qualify for maternity leave. “When [my daughter] started to become aware that I left for work every day, that was super hard. Here’s this amazing, precious person, with her little pink pants. And she’s saying, ‘No, don’t go.’ And I remember really struggling with that.”

At first, like many working parents, Bond told herself she had to go to work so she could pay for the things her daughter needed. “And then I thought, no, that isn’t right, this isn’t a subsistence issue. I’m going because when I go into work every day, I don’t see anyone else who looks like me. If I don’t go, who is there? What does that mean for her world?”

Today, Bond’s two children are both in school and the work she’s doing at Xbox is shaping their future worlds. In a recent survey of Gen Z teens, around 30 percent list video games as their preferred entertainment, ahead of social media, television, and movies. And the vast majority of Gen Z and Gen Alpha gamers cite the social aspect of gaming as the most appealing part. In other words, games are often how younger generations interact with their peers.

Bond says this is what has always drawn her to video games. She came to gaming as a young person because her dad loved gaming: “When I’d come home from boarding school on Fridays, he’d always be waiting for me with a Hawaiian pizza and a video-game controller.” Even today, she loves games that allow her to connect with others, open her mind, and embrace other people’s skill sets.

Now she’s sharing that same tradition with her own children, who both love that Bond works for Xbox and play games with her and Toedebusch, Bond says, “after they’ve done their homework and brushed their teeth and picked up their rooms and fed their lizard.” And the couple have continued the mission of looking at their careers as building a better world for their children. As their kids were preparing to go back to school after COVID lockdowns, they made a decision as a family that Toedebusch would leave his job as a marketing director at Amazon and spend time as a stay-at-home parent so Bond could focus more intently on her job. Though Toedebusch enjoyed his work, he said it made the most sense for him to take the career break. “When you look at the workforce dynamics and who was leaving the workforce after COVID, we agreed that the world—and our children—would benefit more from Sarah remaining versus another white male working in tech.”

And Bond has already seen the impact of how more inclusive video games can build more diverse friendships and connections. “In an environment where I see so much strife and division, I think that’s just powerful and very needed,” she says. “And the beauty of [video games] is that they have the ability to change your point of view or open your aperture without your ever knowing that’s what they were doing. You’re just having fun.” The sheer number of young people playing video games makes getting those games right all the more important, for the culture in general, but also for the success of the Xbox business. Players gravitate toward the platforms that have the games they like and that appeal to them. That’s part of the reason Bond is so proud of being a part of launching the Developer Acceleration Program in 2023, which offers grants to smaller game developers from underrepresented backgrounds to make games for Xbox. The company has also spent billions in recent years acquiring game studios like Activision Blizzard, but also smaller, more boutique studios, in an attempt to corner the next big thing in gaming.

HBS professor Frei agrees that the power of video gaming is immense. “It’s certainly less risky to go be the CEO of Goldman Sachs than it is to go be the CEO of a gaming company when you’re a Black woman, because of the recent history of [doxxing] etc. Having said that, gamers are freaking sensational, and Goldman Sachs can never make us as happy as the gaming company can.”

It’s a risk Bond is ready for.

Her godmother used to tell her that “becoming is greater than being,” but recently Bond started to question that. “Actually, the truth is, there is no being; there is only becoming. We are in a constant state of change. So the goal is to make sure that you’re going in the right direction.” As every gamer knows, the path isn’t always clear but figuring it out is the fun part.

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