Core:

Building your MBA Resume

2013-2014

Table of Contents

Purpose of a resume

Basic components of an MBA resume

Basic components of an experienced hire resume

Crafting strong bullet points using STAR framework

Assessing resume content

Sample “before” and “after” bullet points

Sample “before” and “after” resumes

Additional resources

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“Resume” is a key component of the “Market Yourself ”

stage of the career development process

Job Search Process

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Purpose of a resume

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The purpose of a resume is to provide a summary of your skills, abilities and

accomplishments to the field of work you are entering.

It is a quick advertisement of who you are. It is a "snapshot" of you with the intent of

capturing and emphasizing interests to secure you an interview.

It highlights your accomplishments to show a potential employer that you are qualified

for the work you want (i.e. it should meet the buyer’s needs).

It is a marketing tool in which the content should be adapted to suit each individual job

application and/or applications aimed at a particular industry.

It is not a biography of everything you have done. Since your resume is a primary tool in

your job search, it needs to be carefully written and critiqued.

Summary

Basic components of an MBA resume

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Contact information

Make it easy for someone to contact you

Keep simple – not flamboyant

Highlight leadership roles, club involvement

Include awards; scholarships

Include GMAT if > 700, GPA if >3.7

Begin each bullet with an action verb

Prioritize experience

Try to show progression

Include more current interests/activities

Consider foreign language, work

authorization, professional organizations

Accomplishments (certifications, affiliations)

Contact Info

Education

Experience

Additional Information

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5 Summary of key accomplishments & qualifications

Value proposition specific to job you are applying

for

Not relevant to all MBA job applications

Basic components of an experienced hire resume

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Crafting strong bullet points using STAR framework

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Step 1 Create the story that will serve as the context for your impact points using the STAR technique.

Really reflect on these, what are you most proud of? What had the biggest impact on your success?

See example below:

* STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Results

Situation Task Action Result

Market sharp declining in

Internet retail business

Initiated and completed a

number of marketing

programs to address the issue

Designed series of customer-

focused programs to address

declining share

• Achieved 140% of

revenue goal in 2000

• Met profit objectives by

125%

Step 2 Format story using the following syntax:

[Action Verb] + [What] + (How) + [For Whom (or Why)] + [Result]

Launched series of customer-focused marketing programs to expand market penetration and customer

account base. Achieved 140% of revenue goal and 125% profit objective.

Step 3 Check your impact points to make sure they are SMART:

Specific, Measurable, Action-Oriented, Realistic, and Time-based

Note: The order can sometimes be reversed

(results could come first followed by the action)

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Assessing resume content

Make sure most important bullet points come first

Make sure you speak to your specific actions

Check for grammar errors or typos

Do the experiences you talk about meet the buyer’s needs?

Are your bullet points consistent with the attributes you think

the industry or function is in search of?

Are you speaking the language of the industry?

Have you quantified your impact or experience?

How have outcomes been different because of you?

Have you demonstrated that you are a leader?

Are your, bullet points SMART?

Accurate and Prioritized

“Buyer” Focused

Are you “results” oriented

Description

Note: Your resume should be updated as your search evolves.

Sample “Before” and “After” bullets

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Weak Strong

Re-built online risk management

database to reduce errors and increase

entry speed

Developed new online risk management

database for a pharmaceutical client, resulting

in 50% fewer input errors and 33% more

entries in an average day

Edited Human Resources interview

questions to correct grammar, typos and

to tailor them for summer interns

Optimized HR interview process by

eliminating grammar and typos in questions;

created the first-set of questions tailored at

internship applicants resulting in 5 internship

hires

Likes to play lots of sports. Loves hiking

mountains & has hiked Kilimanjaro in

the past. Enjoys cooking

Competitive tennis player. Avid hiker (climbed

Kilimanjaro last year). Expert pastry chef

Sample “Before” and “After” resumes

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* SY Coach Jeff (‘13) – Career Switcher – “Before”

Switched from being News Anchor to Management Consultant

Sample “Before” and “After” resumes

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* SY Coach Jeff (‘13) – Career Switcher – “After”

Switched from being News Anchor to Management Consultant

Sample “Before” and “After” resumes

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• SY Coach Manuel (‘13) – Career Switcher – “Before”

• Switched from being Marketing Manager to Management Consultant

Sample “Before” and “After” resumes

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• SY Coach Manuel (‘13) – Career Switcher – “After”

• Switched from being Marketing Manager to Management Consultant