Resume Style

[robert.m.parsley]

I've got a fairly non-traditional background for a B-School applicant. I have a bachelor's degree in nursing and have been an Active Duty Army Nurse Corps Officer since graduating college. I know my GMAT scores won't be stellar, so I want to make sure my essays and resume are top notch.

At this point, I have all of the information and phrasing that I want on my resume, but my question is in regards to layout. I have one version that is somewhat traditional, with my professional experience on top and each position i've held listed below in chronological order. I've inculded a brief description of the position and a list of significant accomplishments for each positon. Education and personal info is below that.

On my second version, I essentially have the exact same information, but my professional experience is grouped into three broad categories (Strategic Planning, Administration & Management, and Clinical Experience). Each of the accomplishments I mentioned above is listed under one of these broad categories. A shorter list of my work history/job titles is included under this section. Education and personal info is below that.

Which one of these styles makes more sense for a B-School application? The chronological version is more traditional, and shows my progression through different jobs. It highlights the fact that I've been successful in every position I've held. The categorical version highlights that I've had multiple successes in different areas that might make me successful in B-School.

[mbamissionjenK]

Hi there,

Very interesting question, and I like the way you are thinking about it, and your categories make sense and do highlight some key areas that b-schools would find important.

The traditional approach would probably be less risky, and the standard approach. I'm not ruling out the categorical approach though, which also can work well for applying for jobs, the risk is ensuring that it still makes sense and that the reader can still understand your timeline and progression. If for example you only had 1 or 2 main roles, and wanted to categorize under them that could possibly work... hard to say without reviewing. My advice generally would be to have someone who knows b-schools well read it and ask their thoughts... whether that be an admissions consultant or a friend/colleague who knows some about the b-school world if possible. They can assess how well it makes sense.

The other thing to think about is, ideally you'll be demonstrating those categories within your essays and interview etc, so it may be less necessary to break down the experiences in that way if it starts to get confusing at all.

So in summary I'd focus most now on your essays-- that is the component where you really show who you are, what you'll bring to the class, why you need the MBA, what your goals are, and why that school is best for you.

Wishing you the best! Your profile should get you noticed, so you'll just need to back that up with a strong application. ;)