MBA Resume Examples + Writing Guide for 2024

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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 :

mba resume sample

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:

MBA reverse chronological format

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:

MBA cover letter structure

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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5 MBA Application Resume Examples That Got Jobs in 2024

Stephen Greet

MBA Application Resume

  • MBA Application 2
  • MBA Application 3
  • MBA Application 4
  • MBA Application 5
  • MBA Application Resume Writing 101

You’re a quick-witted and innovative professional looking to expand your knowledge. You’ve completed a lot, from managing numerous off-campus responsibilities to maintaining a high GPA in business courses. 

Does your resume template help cover all you’ve accomplished as you take the next step in your educational journey?

Getting accepted into your ideal school or program can come with its share of hoops to jump through. We’ve helped many MBA students achieve high acceptance rates, and starting with tips for writing a great cover letter and our MBA application resume examples will be a great asset in the process. 

or download as PDF

MBA application resume example with 10 years of experience

MBA Application 2 Resume

MBA application 2 resume example with internship experience

MBA Application 3 Resume

MBA application 3 resume example with data entry experience

MBA Application 4 Resume

MBA application 4 resume example with Reservoir Simulation project experience

MBA Application 5 Resume

MBA application 5 resume example with financial analysis internship experience

Related resume examples

  • MBA Graduate
  • MBA Student
  • Grad School

What Matters Most: Your MBA Application Skills & Work Experience

Your resume skills and work experience

The right skills to put on a resume can trip up many MBA applicants. It can be slightly different than the typical job skills you’d list on a resume since you may include a mix of professional and academic abilities.

When choosing skills, consider the program’s requirements. For instance, many MBA programs focus on business management and leadership, so including skills in those areas can be ideal.

Here are some top MBA application skills schools look for on resumes.

9 top MBA application skills

  • Financial Modeling
  • Data Visualization
  • Microsoft Office
  • Machine Learning
  • Project Management
  • Team Leadership
  • Negotiation

Sample MBA application work experience bullet points

Many MBA programs require real work experience in business. Therefore, displaying what you’ve achieved on the job will be essential. 

The school admissions staff will want to see quantifiable examples of your achievements to know you’re the right fit. Good metrics to include would be sales increases, money saved, or performance efficiency. 

Additionally, if the school you’re applying to doesn’t require work experience or if you don’t have much to list, you can include examples from educational achievements, school clubs, or volunteer work as needed.

Here are a few samples:

  • Performed financial analysis for a manufacturing firm, identifying 28 opportunities to reduce spending to improve margins by 48%.   
  • Maintained operating costs within a 1% standard deviation for 3 years to avoid downsizing, saving 16 employee jobs.   
  • Improved pricing schemes for product add-ons to boost sales revenue by 40%.  
  • Studied diligently on economic variables and market analysis to maintain a 3.97 GPA in all core business courses for 4 years.      

Top 5 Tips for Your MBA Application Resume

  • MBA programs are highly technical and will require a lot of diligent study to pass the courses. Therefore, including as much technical ability as possible, such as how you improved workflows and efficiency in company operations by 70%, will help you stand out as an applicant. 
  • MBA admissions teams will always want to ensure they admit academically sound individuals. That starts with reviewing your resume for accuracy and grammatical errors to make a great first impression. 
  • Reverse chronological formatting works best for MBA applicants. Admissions professionals will first want to see your most recent experiences to understand your current project management and team leadership abilities. Plus, it allows them to quickly look back and see how you’ve grown professionally and academically. 
  • Choosing a resume template optimized with clear headers for educational and professional experience , bullet points, and easy-to-read font will help your MBA application look the most professional. It’s the same as submitting a well-formatted research paper in your classes to get the best grade. 
  • Admissions teams get tons of applicants for MBA programs. You can help your primary skills stand out with short examples that include key metrics. For instance, one sentence on how you led a six-person market research team to discover 20 key data points for a promotional strategy would work well. 

Most MBA programs request that you submit a cover letter with your resume. To optimize for success, try to get a bit more personal about your passion for business or fill in more details about your achievements in financial modeling or negotiation that didn’t fit on your resume. 

A one-page resume is the best length. Everything should be concise, organized, and tailored to the program. For instance, your logistics or risk management skills would be good options to focus on in an MBA resume. 

You can make your MBA application resume stand out by including as much relevant data from your work experience as possible and formatting it professionally. For instance, achievements like improving profit margins or logistical efficiency could make you stand out over other applicants to the program. 

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mba program resume sample

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How to Write an MBA Resume That Stands Out

Studying on the Steps

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.

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  1. 7 MBA Resume Examples Built for 2024 - BeamJobs

    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!

  2. Resume for MBA Application: Examples & Template for 2024 - Zety

    This guide will show you: An MBA resume sample better than 9 out of 10 other resumes. How to write an MBA application resume even if you have little experience. Tips and examples of how to put skills and achievements on an MBA resume. How to describe your experience on a resume for MBA applications to get any job you want.

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    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

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    5 MBA Application Resume Examples That Got Jobs in 2024. Stephen Greet January 10, 2024. You’re a quick-witted and innovative professional looking to expand your knowledge. You’ve completed a lot, from managing numerous off-campus responsibilities to maintaining a high GPA in business courses.

  5. MBA Resume Examples and Writing Guide - Resume Genius

    Whether you’re a recent MBA graduate, a current student, or looking to apply for an MBA program, we’ve got you covered. Use these four expert tips below to create an MBA resume that highlights all your business savvy, experience, and skills, and lands you that acceptance letter or job interview.

  6. 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.