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!
Skills define your profile
- Your resume’s first impression largely depends on the kind of skills you include. While it’s good to have things like Microsoft Office and other documentation tools listed, you ideally want to create a business-oriented skill set that matches the job description.
- For instance, it’s wiser to include skills like critical/strategic thinking, communication, and business intelligence for a business development role.
- Similarly, if you’re applying for a marketing role, adding SEO/SEM, competitive analysis, and brand awareness will be more beneficial.
Using a suitable format
- For graduates, it helps to pay attention to the resume format you’re using.
- Employers generally expect newcomers in the field to have a variety of business-related university projects or internships, so ensure you’re using a reverse chronological format to provide ample space for every past experience.
- Include jobs/internships like business development associate/intern towards the top and add business management projects below. While not strictly necessary, aim to create a one-page resume to save reading time and consolidate your best points.
Outsmarting the ATS
- The last thing you want to do is spend long hours creating a well-crafted resume and getting rejected within seconds because yours wasn’t ATS-friendly.
- First order of business is including all the education qualification listed in the job description like MBA, BBA, and BMS. If you can’t fit them all, only mention your degree and the university, you can discuss your grades during interviews.
- Secondly, avoid being too fancy with words and use keywords given in the job posting. Example: For a business development role, add skills like Product Development and Strategic Marketing.
Position your education
- Since your education section is going to include a Master of Business Administration degree, you might as well go a little ham and place it in the most noticeable area of your resume.
- Got a GPA score of 3.75 or above? Add it in. This also helps to prove your academic excellence if you ever apply for higher studies like an Executive MBA Programme.
- Try leaving some extra space to mention relevant course topics such as Economics for Business Decision Making and Strategic Leadership.
Displaying career growth
- No one becomes a business expert right off the bat, thus; make sure your resume speaks volumes of how you’ve managed to reach your current level.
- To emphasize career growth, it’s best to use a reverse chronological resume format and tell your story from working in an entry-level business role to your current position.
- Also, keep an eye out for the way you frame your work experience bullet points. Start each sentence using strong action verbs like Managed, Directed, and Supervised to show progress in your working style.
Using a career summary
- Been in the business field for quite a while? Then using career summaries is one of the best ways to provide a quick recap of your entire career and top achievements.
- Ideally, what you want to do is kill two birds with one stone. Don’t simply use the summary section to talk about your achievements, find and tailor an achievement that best meets the job description.
- Here’s an example: Adept business professional with 10 years of experience, aiming to apply my business development, product marketing, and budgeting skills to revive your company’s product line and sales.
Impress with Numbers
- Hiring managers know that candidates capable of making marginal improvements in a workspace are invaluable. So, don’t fret about unleashing your best quantified work experience bullet points.
- Ask yourself: Has any of my past efforts influenced a customer’s buying decision? Did I help a company lower its daily operational costs? What role have I played in boosting sales numbers?
- Consider this example as a headstart: “Implemented a unique multichannel marketing strategy that increased online sales for local stores by 29%.”
