This blog post is part of our "Application Insider" blog post series that provides insider information, tips, and advice about applying to the UCLA Anderson MBA program.
APPLICATION INSIDER TOPIC:
RESUME
As you probably have heard ad nauseam by now, the evaluation of MBA applications is a very holistic process. This means that we are going to look at all the pieces of information submit to make sure we understand who you are and what you can contribute to the educational process and your future classmates.
In addition to setting up the chronology of your educational and professional accomplishments and listing extra-curricular activities, a solid resume communicates that you can present yourself in a professional manner and that you have thoughtfully and carefully curated the information that would be most relevant to your MBA application.
Here are some tips to help you as you prepare your resume:
- Your resume should work like your personal sales rep. It needs to showcase your value and your potential, highlighting expertise, accomplishments and transferable skills.
- While we require no specific resume format we recommend that you keep your resume clean, relevant concise. One or two pages are typically all you will need.
- Consider using the S-T-A-R framework to convey your accomplishments, leadership and progression:
- SITUATION ― mention the challenge/obstacle you had to overcome
- TASK ― describe the purpose and task at hand
- ACTION ― list the concrete actions you took and the skills it required to solve the issue.
- RESULTS ― summarize the outcome in a quantifiable manner to show your direct impact.
- Don’t forget to include newly received responsibilities or promotions so we are current with your most recent accomplishments.
- Your extracurricular involvement helps round out your professional experience and often serves as an indicator of how involved you will be as a student or alum. Make sure to list your most meaningful undergraduate and post-grad involvement in the relevant section of your resume (include the name of the organization, your position or role and dates of involvement).
- Remember to be strategic about the information that you choose to share with the committee on your resume. Everything you are listing in the page should be with the express purpose of supporting your application.
- Try not to use industry-specific jargon. You want your reader -- regardless of their background -- to understand what you have done.
- Make sure you are highlighting your successes and transferable skills to show how you can make an impact and contribute to our community.
- Make sure the timelines you are using make sense. If there are big gaps of employment, you should probably think about explaining them in the appropriate essay available in the application.
- Last but not least, don’t neglect the basics. Proofread and avoid careless typos or grammar mistakes. Attention to detail is key here.
We hope that these tips can be of help as you work on preparing a great application.
Check back for more "Application Insider" blog posts that will cover information and tips on the many aspects of applying to the UCLA Anderson MBA program!
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