Easy Steps To Build A CV or Resume Fit For MBA Aspirants

So you have completed your CAT, SNAP, GMAT, NMAT etc, and your next step is to clear personal interviews. It's okay, take a deep breath, interviews are just a way to get to know you personally. However, half your battle already starts once you submit your resume for the interview. You see, your resume is the first touchpoint to the panel, and it's your first impression. Remember, the panel has already seen thousands of resumes before you, so it's very important that you not only stand out but be tactical about how you create your CV.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to building a CV or resume for MBA aspirants that not only passes ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) but also captures the attention of the admissions panel.

Understanding CV OR Resume For MBA Aspirants

The first step towards the above is to first understand the difference between a CV and a Resume.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)	Resume
Often used in academia and usually by freshers to outline their academic achievements, research experience, publications etc. It is typically longer than a Resume.	A resume is a short 1-2 page summary of your professional experience. It is typically used by experienced professionals to outline their career journey, skills and expertise.

Career Objective for Freshers vs Career Summary for Experienced Professionals

Post your name and contact details, your career header is the first thing the panel will notice. It's a good way to start your resume/CV. Here's which one to pick based on your situation:

Career Objective: Should be used by freshers to highlight what they studied, and what they wish to get out of an MBA course.

Example: “Aspiring management professional with a strong foundation in finance and analytics, seeking to develop leadership and strategic skills through an MBA program.”

Career Summary: This should be used by professionals to highlight their past experience combined with their present role, also it's best to also add why you think an MBA will help you in the future.

Example: “Results-driven marketing professional with 5+ years of experience in brand strategy and digital campaigns, now aiming to transition into a strategic consulting role through an MBA.”

As a rule of thumb, it's best to keep your objective/summary within 2-4 lines to make it a quick and easy read.

Focus 70% on Content and 40% on Design

Yes, the math doesn’t add up — but that’s the point. A great MBA resume focuses primarily on content (70%), while design (40%) plays a supporting role.

Content Tips	Design Tips
Use bullet points for clarity Stick to action verbs like “led,” “initiated,” and “streamlined” Maintain consistent formatting	Use a clean, single-column layout Choose professional fonts like Calibri or Garamond Keep margins and spacing tidy for easy readability

Cherry Pick Experience That Align With The Course

Don’t include everything you’ve ever done. Be selective. Think about what aligns with your chosen MBA specialisation:

• Finance aspirants: Highlight budgeting, financial modelling, or analytics experience

• Marketing aspirants: Include campaign management, customer segmentation, or branding initiatives

• HR aspirants: Showcase team management, recruitment experience, or employee engagement

Each resume point should help the reader connect your past to your future MBA journey.

Write Quantifiable Impact, Not Responsibilities

Admission committees don’t want a job description — they want proof of impact. Turn this:

“Handled client accounts for digital campaigns.”

Into this:

“Managed 10+ client accounts, increasing ROI by 35% through targeted digital campaigns.”

Use metrics like percentages, revenue growth, number of people led, cost savings, time saved, etc. Quantification creates credibility.

Showcase MBA-Friendly Skills

Think about it, MBA programs are meant to groom future leaders. That's why they are hunting for candidates who already display leadership potential, collaboration, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

These are a combination of soft and hard skills, so here's a pro tip on how to present them:

Hard Skills: Skills like Excel, SQL, Agile Planning etc are all hard skills, tools acquired as skills. You can display them either in the form of experience or certifications.

Soft Skills: Soft skills are internal skills that you as a human acquire pertaining to work, these are leadership skills, teamwork, organisational skills etc. They can be displayed through 'impact' in your resume in the job description or achievements section.

Example: Lead a team of 10 IT professionals to ensure that operations run smoothly.

Both professionals making a resume or freshers making a CV can utilise this tip to their advantage.

Don’t Forget to Add Volunteering and Extracurricular Experience

MBA schools appreciate holistic candidates. Volunteering, community service, and extracurriculars show character, balance, and a sense of responsibility.

You can include:

• NGO work

• College leadership roles (e.g., Student Council, Debate Society)

• Sports, art, or cultural accomplishments

• Social impact initiatives

Final Thoughts

Your MBA resume is your story in one page — make every word count. It’s not about cramming in every job and skill, but about presenting a focused, quantifiable, and customized profile that reflects your readiness for business school.

📝 Remember: You don’t need a fancy design or a long list of roles. You need the right structure, the right impact, and the right alignment with your MBA goals.