For an effective MBA resume, focus on how you can apply your degree in a work setting. Give examples of your success, and show your knowledge base by citing any advanced training or certificate programs you’ve done. This guide provides expert tips to help you create a results-driven resume showing your best qualifications.
Key takeaways:
- Brainstorm details about your work history and education on a separate document or sheet of paper. Then, identify the most relevant ones to feature in your resume – this helps you set and maintain the right focus.
- Spell out the result of your past work or school projects. Describe how your efforts helped organizations achieve their goals.
- Use bullet points to display your achievements. Start each bullet point with a strong verb like “Created,” “Motivated,” or “Enhanced.”
Most Popular MBA Resumes
MBA Fresher Resume Example

Why this MBA fresher resume is strong:
This resume highlights academic achievements and relevant internships, using metrics to showcase value. Learn how to craft a strong entry-level resume here.
Harvard MBA Resume Example

Why this Harvard MBA resume is strong:
This resume combines Ivy League credentials with quantifiable achievements in strategy and finance. Learn how to highlight education effectively here.
MBA Student Resume Example

Why this MBA student resume is strong:
This resume balances current education with professional experience, showing a proactive approach to learning and achieving results. Learn more about how to format student resumes here.
Columbia MBA Resume Example

Why this Columbia MBA resume is strong:
This resume emphasizes leadership in operations and finance with a strong mix of credentials and measurable outcomes. Discover tips for crafting senior-level resumes here.
JD MBA Resume Example

Why this JD MBA resume is strong:
This resume integrates dual-degree credentials with cross-functional expertise in law and business. Read more: Action Verbs, Power Words, and Strong Synonyms to Use on Your Resume
Marketing MBA Resume Example

Why this marketing MBA resume is strong:
This resume demonstrates a strong marketing foundation with quantifiable campaign successes and CRM expertise. Learn how to highlight marketing skills here.
MBA Finance Resume Example

Why this MBA finance resume is strong:
This resume combines expertise in financial strategy with measurable achievements like ROI growth and cost reductions. Learn how to showcase financial planning skills here.
MBA Intern Resume Example

Why this MBA intern resume is strong:
This resume highlights impactful internship contributions and aligns them with a strong education. Learn how to emphasize internships and volunteerism on a resume here.
Executive MBA Resume Example

Why this executive MBA resume is strong:
This resume emphasizes leadership experience and quantifiable achievements, making it suitable for senior roles. Learn how to tailor executive resumes here.
MBA Operations Resume Example

Why this MBA operations resume is strong:
This resume shows expertise in operations with strong metrics that highlight cost savings and process improvements. Learn how to quantify achievements here.
MBA Consulting Resume Example

Why this MBA consulting resume is strong:
This resume combines strategic expertise with measurable results and top-tier client experience. Read more: How To Write a Convincing Resume Profile
Global MBA Resume Example

Why this global MBA resume is strong:
This resume demonstrates cross-border expertise and measurable success in international business. Learn how to present global experience here.
MBA Entrepreneurship Resume Example

Why this MBA entrepreneurship resume is strong:
This resume highlights entrepreneurial success and a proven ability to launch and grow businesses. Learn how to emphasize entrepreneurial skills here.
Technology MBA Resume Example

Why this technology MBA resume is strong:
This resume demonstrates tech leadership and outcomes, ideal for candidates targeting IT or digital roles. Learn how to tailor tech-focused resumes here.
MBA Human Resources Resume Example

Why this MBA human resources resume is strong:
This resume highlights HR expertise with measurable improvements in engagement and retention. Learn how to emphasize HR skills effectively here.
Health Care MBA Resume Example

Why this health care MBA resume is strong:
This resume has a clear focus on health care operations with quantifiable improvements in patient outcomes and compliance. Read more: Job Titles: Examples for Your Resume and Job Search
MBA Supply Chain Resume Example

Why this MBA supply chain resume is strong:
This resume highlights measurable supply chain improvements, making it ideal for logistics-focused roles. Learn more about showcasing supply chain expertise here.
MBA Product Manager Resume Example

Why this MBA product manager resume is strong:
This resume highlights product management success with a focus on user growth and teamwork. Learn how to create impactful product manager resume summaries here.
MBA Data Analyst Resume Example

Why this MBA data analyst resume is strong:
This resume combines technical data skills with MBA-level business insights, demonstrating how analysis can drive growth. Learn how to highlight analytical expertise here.
Real Estate MBA Resume Example

Why this real estate MBA resume is strong:
This resume highlights achievements in managing substantial real estate portfolios and demonstrates strong financial expertise. Learn how to present investment experience here.
MBA Text-Only Resume Examples and Templates
How To Write an MBA Resume
In addition to education, your MBA resume should usually include these sections:
- Contact information
- Profile
- Key skills
- Professional experience
- Certifications
Below are tips and samples to help you organize each resume section.
1. Share your contact information
Give your full name, phone number, email address, location, and links to any online professional profiles. Ensure your contact information is current so employers can reach you for an interview.
Template
Your Name
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | City, ST 09876 | LinkedIn
2. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
Impress hiring managers at the top of your resume by giving the three to five main reasons you’ll excel as their next hire. Naturally, one of these selling points will be your MBA program. But they may also include your:
- Years of similar business experience
- Work style or approach (efficient, diligent, collaborative…)
- Other advanced degrees or certifications in your field
(Note: Most job seekers find it easier to write their profile last.)
Senior-Level Profile Example:
MBA graduate with over 10 years of experience in strategic planning, corporate finance, and operational leadership. Expertise in driving cross-functional initiatives, optimizing P&L performance, and leading multimillion-dollar projects.
Entry-Level Profile Example:
Recent MBA graduate specializing in marketing strategy, analytics, and business development. Proven ability to identify market trends and implement campaigns to increase customer engagement.
3. Add a compelling section featuring your work experience
For each job in your recent work history, brainstorm your duties and achievements on a separate document or sheet of paper. Then, review your notes in light of your target job, and choose the most relevant ones to feature as bullet points in this section.
Prioritize work experiences that tie in to your MBA education and how you expect to apply it in a corporate setting. By filtering your information this way, you can create an experience section that’s both detailed and focused.
Senior-Level Example:
Vice President of Operations, Alpha Business Group, New York, NY | 2015 to Present
- Spearheaded a $10M corporate restructuring initiative that cut costs by 25%
- Launched product line that grew market share by 15%
Entry-Level Example:
Marketing Analyst Intern | TechWave Inc., San Diego, CA | Summer 2022
- Conducted market research that increased sales for targeted campaigns by 10%
- Developed data-driven insights to support a successful product launch
Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience
When possible, use relevant performance data to measure the results you’ve achieved. Hard numbers like percentages and dollar amounts put your work in context and give recruiters a better sense of your background.
If you’re trying to move from a large firm to a startup or vice versa, some of your data may not speak to this goal. But you can still capture the impact and substance of your work by trading out numbers for percentages. For instance, if you have “Grew portfolio by 80 clients,” you can instead say “Grew client portfolio by 30%.”
Resume writer’s tip: Tailor your resume to each application
Before sending your resume, review it carefully against the job posting. Delete any details that don’t speak to the requirements, and use that space for more information about your relevant experience. This process takes extra time, obviously. But it can shorten your overall job search by giving you an edge over the many applicants who send a more general, less convincing resume.
What if you have no work experience?
Writing a resume can be hard if you don’t have real-world experience. But remember, you still have valuable skills and knowledge from your MBA education and training. Include any relevant coursework you’ve done or certifications you’ve earned. Also, describe volunteer roles or internships you’ve completed in your field, and emphasize your work ethic and willingness to learn. By focusing on these qualities, you can show you’d be an asset to any team.
4. Include education and certifications relevant to your target job
With the education and certifications sections, you can show you have a strong knowledge base in your field. Each degree or credential also serves as a formal endorsement of your skills and professionalism. Consider placing your education section above your experience section if your MBA program is more recent and relevant.
Following are templates to help you organize this information on your resume (note, dates are optional).
Education
Template:
[Degree Name], [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
[Relevant honors, coursework, or activities]
Example:
Master of Business Administration (MBA), University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Chicago, IL | 2023
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization] | [Date]
[Description if the credential is lesser-known but relevant]
Examples:
Certified Financial Analyst (CFA), CFA Institute | 2021
5. List MBA-related skills and proficiencies
The skills section lets you quickly display the ways you can apply your education and help grow a business. Below, you’ll find some key terms and skills to consider for this section:
Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
---|---|
Budget management | Business analytics |
Business needs assessment | Change management |
Client relations | Coaching and mentoring |
Cost reduction | Financial modeling |
Market research | Operations management |
Process optimization | Risk assessment |
Strategic planning | Team leadership |
Resume writer’s tip: Use descriptive action verbs
Start each bullet point with a strong action verb. Dynamic verbs help you keep the hiring manager’s attention and tell a compelling story about your experience.
The following list will help you find a good mix of action verbs for your MBA resume:
Action Verbs | |
---|---|
Assembled | Built |
Clarified | Created |
Decreased | Enhanced |
Established | Fostered |
Generated | Grew |
Improved | Increased |
Introduced | Launched |
Led | Lowered |
Managed | Motivated |
Prevented | Ranked |
Reduced | Reversed |
Revitalized | Streamlined |
Updated | Won |
How To Pick the Best MBA Resume Template
Choose a template that’s clear and straightforward, and avoid any template with elaborate graphics or various colors and font styles. Simple resume design helps a hiring manager scan for relevant information. It also helps you tailor the document to each job application and make updates to your work history going forward.
Frequently Asked Questions: MBA Resume Examples and Advice
Focus on editing your skills section. With just a few quick changes to this section, you can hone your resume and help it get past screenings by applicant tracking systems (ATS).
First, take a close look at the job posting and highlight any skills required. Then, compare those highlighted terms against your resume's existing skills section. Delete any skills from your list that don't appear in the job posting, and add any missing skills of yours that do.
Say the job posting calls for experience in training new hires, which you have. Add the phrase "New hire training" to your skills section so ATS and human readers can see you have the leadership ability they're looking for.
The combination (or hybrid) format, because it lets you present yourself both clearly and strategically. According to job search experts Wendy Enelow and Louise Kursmark, this format "gives you many opportunities to share your specific successes.... It offers immense flexibility in an easy-to-follow structure."
A combination resume has these two features:
- An introduction to your strengths. Typically, the resume intro comprises a profile paragraph and skills list, as in the examples on this page. But there are many variations. Depending on your job search, you may choose to omit one or both of these sections in favor of a one- or two-sentence professional headline. You may also add elements like graphs or client testimonials. Whatever approach you choose, make sure your introduction tells why you're great for the job.
- One or more experience sections. Hiring managers want to know your latest career activities. The combination format lets you provide that information with sections for your recent years' work, internship, education, or other experience. For most job seekers, the bulk of their combination resume will be a "Professional Experience" section with detailed job descriptions in reverse-chronological order.
Include a cover letter with your resume
A good cover letter sharpens your job application by saying directly why you’re interested in the organization or job opening at hand. When possible, quote or paraphrase text from the job posting and explain why it caught your attention.
Check Out Related Examples
Resume Templates offers free, HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.