In this article, I’ll be sharing three different types of resumes tailored to specific stages of the MBA journey. I’ll provide samples of the MBA application resume that you can use if you are a prospective applicant to a top MBA program.

I’ll also share a resume of a current first year MBA student and a resume of a recent graduate of MBA program. By understanding the nuances of each type of resume, you can create a compelling document that showcases your skills and experiences and helps you stand out in the competitive application and job process.

MBA Applicant Resume

If you are applying to a top MBA program like an IVY league MBA, then you need to craft a resume as part of the application process. MBA programs generally do not have any standard format for the resume, but business schools recommend that it should include your essential education and professional work information with dates and location.

Nevertheless, you should include the following sections in your MBA application resume.

• You education background (very important for MBA applications)
• Your professional work history (very important for MBA applications)
• Leadership experience (very important for MBA applications)
• White papers, if any (optional)
• Research interests, if any (optional)
• Additional research, if any (optional)
• Teaching experience, if any (include TAships as well)
• Academic or professional conferences, if any
• Extra-curricular activities (very important for MBA applications)
• Certification (optional)
• Honors (important for MBA applications)
• Skills (important for MBA applications)
• Languages (optional)

Here is a sample resume of an applicant who applied and got into Harvard MBA program.

Sample Resume of an MBA Applicant

John Doe, 123 Main Street, Anytown USA 12345

[email protected], 555-555-5555

EDUCATION

University of California, Los Angeles

Bachelor of Science in Business Economics, Class of 2022

• Magna Cum Laude
• Dean’s Honors List, all quarters
• Golden Key International Honor Society

EXPERIENCE

Microsoft

Program Manager Intern, Redmond, WA, June 2021 – August 2021

• Conducted market research and analyzed user data to inform product decisions for Microsoft Teams
• Led cross-functional team of designers, engineers, and marketers in developing new features and improving user experience
• Collaborated with sales team to create go-to-market strategies for new product offerings

The Bridgespan Group

Associate Consultant, San Francisco, CA, September 2018 – June 2020

• Conducted data analysis and developed financial models to inform client strategy recommendations for nonprofit organizations
• Led workstreams on client engagements, managing junior team members and presenting to client executives
• Developed expertise in healthcare industry and authored white paper on emerging trends

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

UCLA Undergraduate Business Society

Vice President of Professional Development, September 2019 – June 2022

• Organized workshops and speaker events to help members develop professional skills and network with industry professionals
• Led team in securing partnerships with external companies and sponsors to fund events
• Increased membership by 25% through innovative marketing strategies

WHITE PAPERS

• “The Future of Nonprofit Fundraising: Leveraging Technology and Data,” Stanford Social Innovation Review, November 2021
• “Digital Transformation in Healthcare: Challenges and Opportunities,” McKinsey Quarterly, July 2021

RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Digital transformation and innovation in healthcare
• Nonprofit management and fundraising
• Social impact investing and corporate social responsibility

ADDITIONAL RESEARCH

• “Transforming Philanthropy through Impact Investing,” Journal of Impact Investing, March 2020
• “The Future of Nonprofit Organizations: Trends and Implications,” Harvard Business Review, October 2019

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

UCLA Economics Department

Teaching Assistant, September 2020 – June 2021

• Assisted in teaching introductory microeconomics course to undergraduate students
• Graded assignments and provided feedback to students
• Conducted review sessions and held office hours to assist students

ACADEMIC CONFERENCES

• Presenter, UCLA Undergraduate Research Conference, May 2022
• Attendee, Berkeley Haas Global Social Venture Competition, April 2022

PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES

• Attendee, McKinsey & Company Healthcare Conference, October 2021
• Panelist, Stanford Social Innovation Review Symposium, April 2021

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

• Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity, 2017 – present
• Co-founder, UCLA Student Entrepreneurship Association, 2020 – present
• Intramural basketball and volleyball, University of California, Los Angeles, 2018 – 2022

CERTIFICATIONS

• Certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute, June 2021
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), Scrum Alliance, May 2019

SKILLS

• Data analysis and modeling (Excel, SQL, R)
• Project management (Agile, Scrum)
• Product development (product roadmapping, user research)
• Presentation and communication (PowerPoint, public speaking)

HONORS

• Winner, UCLA Anderson Venture Accelerator Competition, May 2022
• Finalist, McKinsey & Company Case Competition, April 2021
• Scholarship recipient, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, 2018 – 2022
• UCLA Business Economics Outstanding Senior Award, June 2022

LANGUAGES

• English (fluent)
• Spanish (proficient)

MBA Graduate Resume

If you are about to graduate or have just graduated from an MBA program, then you should include the following sections in your job resume.

• Summary/Profile: A 3-4 sentences branding statement is highly recommended.
• Professional History: For each role, you should provide 1-2 sentences that describes your job responsibility followed by a couple of sentences about your accomplishments.
• Education: Do not list courses, GPA and GMAT scores. However, do mention any leadership roles and study abroad experiences.
• Key skills: List skills and respective accomplishments that are relevant to your next position.
• Volunteer Leadership Roles
• Licenses and Professional Certifications: If you possess a license or certification, these should be called out in a separate section.

Here is a sample resume of a MBA graduate.

Sample Resume of a MBA Graduate

Summary Profile

As a seasoned business professional with a track record of delivering results in fast-paced environments, I bring a unique blend of strategic thinking, leadership, and project management skills to any organization. My passion for innovation and problem-solving has led me to work across a variety of industries, from healthcare to technology, and I am constantly seeking new challenges and opportunities to grow. With an MBA from Harvard Business School, I am well-equipped to tackle complex business problems and drive impact at scale.

Professional history

ABC Corporation

Strategy Consultant, Boston, MA, July 2021 – Present

• Provide strategic advisory services to Fortune 500 clients on growth strategy, organizational design, and operational improvement initiatives
• Lead client engagements, conduct market research and analysis, and develop strategic recommendations
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify growth opportunities and assess market trends
• Lead cross-functional teams in developing and implementing strategic plans and initiatives
• Drive project management, including team management, budgeting, and timeline tracking to ensure successful project completion
• Developed and delivered presentations to clients’ executive teams to gain buy-in and alignment on strategic recommendations

XYZ Company

Senior Financial Analyst, New York, NY, July 2018 – June 2021

• Conduct financial analysis and modeling to support strategic planning and investment decision-making for a $500 million business unit
• Lead financial planning and analysis, forecasting, and budgeting processes for the business unit.
• Led cross-functional teams in developing annual budget and monthly forecasting processes to drive profitability and growth
• Implemented process improvements to streamline financial reporting and forecasting, resulting in a 20% reduction in reporting cycle time
• Developed and delivered financial presentations to senior leadership, including the CEO and CFO, to provide insights on business performance and key drivers
• Led analysis and evaluation of potential acquisition targets, resulting in the successful acquisition of a $100 million competitor.

EDUCATION

Harvard Business School

Master of Business Administration, Class of 2022

• Concentration in Strategy and General Management
• Harvard Business School Leadership Fellows Program
• Dean’s List, all semesters

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor of Science in Economics, Class of 2018

• Magna Cum Laude
• Wharton Business Scholars Program
• Dean’s List, all semesters

KEY SKILLS

Strategy Development and Execution

• Developed and executed growth strategies for Fortune 500 clients, resulting in a 20% increase in revenue
• Led cross-functional teams in developing and implementing strategic plans and initiatives for multiple business units

Financial Analysis and Modeling

• Conducted financial analysis and modeling to support strategic planning and investment decision-making for a $500 million business unit
• Streamlined financial reporting processes and implemented new financial management tools to improve efficiency

Project Management and Process Improvement

• Led project management, including team management, budgeting, and timeline tracking to ensure successful project completion
• Implemented process improvements to streamline financial reporting and forecasting, resulting in a 20% reduction in reporting cycle time

Data Analysis and Visualization

• Conducted market research and competitive analysis to identify growth opportunities and assess market trends
• Developed and delivered presentations to clients’ executive teams to provide insights on business performance and key drivers

ADDITIONAL ROLES

Volunteer Leadership Roles

• Mentor, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, 2019 – present
• Board Member, Habitat for Humanity, 2018 – present
• Fundraiser, American Cancer Society, 2016 – present

Community Service

• Volunteer, local soup kitchen, 2016 – present
• Organizer, charity 5K run/walk, 2017 – present

LICENSES AND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Public Accountant (CPA), State of New York, 2018 – present

• Successfully completed all four sections of the CPA exam on the first attempt
• Maintained ongoing continuing education to stay up-to-date on changes in accounting regulations and standards

Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute, 2020 – present

• Successfully completed the PMP exam, demonstrating knowledge and expertise in project management methodologies and best practices
• Maintained ongoing continuing education to stay up-to-date on changes in project management practices and standards

MBA Current Student Resume

If you are a current MBA first year student, then you will be applying to summer internships. As a current student, you must add the following sections in your resume.

• Education
• Work Experience
• Leadership
• Academic or professional conferences
• Extra-curricular activities
• Honors
• Skills
• Languages (optional)

In addition, you might also include the following if you have any relevant experience:

• White papers
• Teaching experience

Here is a sample resume of a current MBA student.

Sample Resume of a Current MBA Student

John Doe, 123 Main Street, Anytown USA 12345

[email protected], 555-555-5555

EDUCATION

HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL, CAMBRIDGE, MA

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, expected graduation May 2023

• GPA 4.0, GMAT 770
• Distinction in Marketing Strategy coursework
• Selected for Venture Capital and Private Equity Immersion Program, one of only 15 students chosen from a pool of 100+ applicants
• Co-led team that won HBS New Venture Competition, securing $100,000 in seed funding for our startup idea.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY, CA

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, Class of 2018

• Dean’s List, all semesters
• Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society

EXPERIENCE

GOOGLE, MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA

PRODUCT MANAGER, June 2021 – August 2021

• Led cross-functional team of 10 in developing and launching new feature for Google Maps, resulting in a projected increase in revenue of $10 million in the first year
• Conducted market research and analyzed user data to inform product decisions, resulting in a 20% increase in user engagement with the feature
• Collaborated with designers and engineers to define product requirements and prioritize development roadmap, resulting in a 10% reduction in development time and a 15% increase in user satisfaction.

MCKINSEY & COMPANY, SAN FRANCISCO, CA

BUSINESS ANALYST, September 2018 – June 2021

• Conducted data analysis and developed financial models to inform client strategy recommendations, resulting in $50 million in cost savings for a Fortune 500 healthcare client
• Led workstreams on client engagements, managing teams of up to 5 junior analysts and presenting to client executives, resulting in a 90% client satisfaction rating
• Developed expertise in healthcare industry and authored white paper on emerging trends, which was featured in the McKinsey Quarterly and downloaded over 10,000 times.

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL STUDENT ASSOCIATION

VICE PRESIDENT OF EVENTS, August 2022 – May 2023

• Led team of 15 students in planning and executing events for 1,000+ MBA students
• Developed partnerships with external vendors and secured sponsorships to fund events
• Increased attendance and engagement at events through innovative marketing strategies

WHITE PAPERS

• “The Future of Healthcare: Trends and Implications for Business,” Harvard Business Review, May 2022
• “Beyond Bitcoin: The Promise of Blockchain Technology,” Journal of Applied Business Research, October 2021
• “Innovative Approaches to Corporate Social Responsibility,” McKinsey Quarterly, December 2020

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Healthcare innovation and policy

• Technology and its impact on business models
• Corporate social responsibility and sustainability

ADDITIONAL RESEARCH

• “The Impact of Telemedicine on Patient Outcomes,” Journal of Health Economics, April 2021
• “Strategies for Leveraging Social Media to Drive Customer Engagement,” Journal of Marketing, September 2020

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Harvard Business School

TEACHING ASSISTANT, August 2022 – present

• Assisted in teaching course on entrepreneurship and venture capital to MBA students, resulting in a 95% student satisfaction rating
• Facilitated class discussions and provided feedback on student projects, resulting in a 20% improvement in student project grades
• Developed additional course materials, including case studies and reading lists, which were incorporated into the curriculum for future semesters.

ACADEMIC CONFERENCES

• Presenter, Harvard Business School Healthcare Conference, November 2021
• Attendee, Stanford Graduate School of Business Social Innovation Conference, April 2021

ACTIVITIES & EXTRA-CURRICULAR

• Co-president, Harvard Business School Social Enterprise Club, 2022 – present
• Mentor, HBS Alumni Board Mentoring Program, 2021 – present
• Participant, HBS Global Immersion Program, Summer 2022
• Competitor, HBS New Venture Competition, Spring 2022
• Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity, 2016 – present
• Intramural soccer and basketball, University of California, Berkeley, 2014 – 2018

CERTIFICATIONS

• Certified Product Manager, Association of International Product Marketing and Management, August 2021
• Six Sigma Green Belt, American Society for Quality, June 2019

SKILLS

• Data analysis and modeling (Excel, SQL, R)
• Project management (Agile, Scrum)
• Product development (product road mapping, user research)
• Presentation and communication (PowerPoint, public speaking)

HONORS

• Winner, Harvard Business School New Venture Competition, May 2022
• Finalist, McKinsey & Company Case Competition, April 2021
• Scholarship recipient, National Society of Hispanic MBAs, 2021

LANGUAGES

• English (fluent)
• Spanish (proficient)