Your CV will likely be the first thing prospective employers see and learn about you. So you must make the initial impression count! It's a paper that promotes you in the best possible light! It's not a personal diary, a confessional, or a professional obituary! It's common for recruiters to get over 100 resumes for a single job ad. Many still need to be qualified candidates, yet they still leave many resumes.
MBA graduation resumes are no different in style and format than any other resume. The only distinction is in the substance. Your post-MBA CV should reflect your grasp of corporate leadership. It should be an innovative advertisement that promotes strengths and provides a picture of your professional abilities!
So here are 6 resume tips for MBA freshers
Tailor Your Resume for the Job
One of the most important things to remember when compiling a resume for an MBA job is to tailor it to the specific position you're applying for. This means researching the job posting and company to understand what the hiring manager is looking for and then highlighting your relevant skills, experience, and achievements that match those requirements.
Make sure to use specific keywords from the job posting in your resume to demonstrate that you have what they're looking for. Additionally, consider using a professional format that is easy to read and visually appealing, and keep the content concise and focused on what you can bring to the role.
Highlight your education
Highlighting your education in a resume is important to show your level of expertise and qualifications to a potential employer. This section should include information about the degrees you have earned, any relevant coursework, and your academic achievements.
You should list your degrees chronologically, starting with the most recent one. Include the university's name, the graduation date, and the major or field of study.
Additionally, if you have received any honours or awards, such as Dean's List or a scholarship, this should also be noted in your education section. This section provides an overview of your academic background and helps to demonstrate your commitment to learning and personal growth.
Highlight Relevant Experience:
MBA graduates often come from diverse backgrounds and have a range of experiences. However, it is important to include only relevant experiences for the position you are applying for. You should tailor your resume to each specific job you apply for, highlighting the skills and experiences that align with the requirements listed in the job description. This will show the hiring manager you have the relevant experience and skills to excel in the role.
For example, if you are applying for a marketing role, emphasise your experiences in marketing, such as projects you have worked on, events you have organised, or strategies you have developed. If you have worked in a related industry or have interned in a similar role, mention those experiences and how they have prepared you for the position you seek.
Focus on Relevant Skills and Achievements
While building a resume for an MBA fresh graduate, focus on the skills and achievements relevant to the job you are applying for. Highlight your leadership and team management skills, ability to work under pressure and complete projects within deadlines, communication and negotiation skills, etc.
Also, mention any internships or projects you completed during your MBA program that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Quantifying your achievements, such as the amount of money saved by implementing a certain project or the number of people you led in a group project, will make your resume stand out.
Show Your Soft Skills
Soft skills refer to personal attributes and traits that help you interact effectively with others in the workplace. These skills are important in any job, especially for MBA freshers, as they demonstrate your ability to communicate, collaborate, and lead. To showcase your soft skills in your resume, consider the following tips:
- Highlight Relevant Experiences: Use examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your soft skills. For example, if you have led a team in a project, talk about how you effectively communicated and motivated the team to achieve a common goal.
- Use Keywords: Many recruiters use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes for specific keywords. Make sure to include keywords that reflect your soft skills, such as “team player,” “communication,” and “leadership.”
- Quantify Your Accomplishments: Use concrete numbers to illustrate the impact of your soft skills. For example, “Improved team productivity by 15% through effective communication and collaboration.”
- Emphasise Transferable Skills: If you have experience in a different field, focus on the transferable skills that apply to your desired role. For example, customer service experience can demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Show Passion: Demonstrate your genuine interest in the field or industry, and show how your soft skills align with the company’s values and culture.
By incorporating these tips, you can effectively highlight your soft skills and show potential employers that you have the interpersonal and communication skills needed for success in the workplace.
Keep it Up-to-Date
Keeping your resume up-to-date is essential, especially when you're a fresh MBA graduate. It's important to keep your resume current to include all the relevant experiences, skills, and achievements you've gained recently. This can help you stand out to potential employers and show them how you've developed your skills over time.
It's a good idea to regularly review and update your resume, removing outdated information and adding new experiences, skills, and achievements. This will also help you to keep track of your career progression, making it easier to see where you need to focus your efforts in the future.
