Pursuing an MBA can be an excellent investment in your professional career. However, once you have completed the program, it can be confusing to figure out how to showcase that accomplishment on your resume.
After all, employers want to know about your education and qualifications, but how to list an MBA on a resume? Here are some tips from resume writers at ResumeWritingLab for listing an MBA on a resume.
What to Put On Your Resume If You Have an MBA?
If you have an MBA, the first question that comes to mind is what to put on your resume. The short answer is that it depends on your field of study and the industry in which you are looking for a job.
To give you a clearer picture, here are some examples:
● Include your school name and location
In general, it is best practice to include the name and location of the school where you earned your MBA. This helps provide context for employers who may not be familiar with the institution or may want to do additional research into its reputation.
Be sure to include both the institution’s full name (not just its abbreviations), as well as any notable distinctions such as “Top 10 Business School” or “AACSB Accredited.”
● Detail your relevant coursework
Depending on the type of job you are applying for, it can be beneficial to list any relevant coursework taken while pursuing your MBA.
For example, if you are applying for a job in marketing, you might want to highlight courses such as “Marketing Analytics” or “Digital Marketing Strategies.”
Similarly, those details should also be included if you were in a specialized concentration such as finance or healthcare management.
● Make sure all relevant courses are included
You don’t want someone reading through your resume and having no idea what you took in college or graduate school.
It can be time-consuming to find this information, so try using services like LinkedIn to help build out a complete list of classes and their descriptions.
That way all you have to do is copy and paste them in when listing them on your resume!
● Describe your achievements
When listing an MBA on your resume, don’t forget to include any awards or special recognitions that you earned during your time in school. Awards such as Dean’s List or President’s List can help set you apart from other candidates who may have similar educational backgrounds.
Additionally, if you held any leadership positions within student organizations or clubs at school, those should also be mentioned in order to demonstrate your experience outside of coursework and exams.
● Make sure it’s on the top of your resume
The first thing people see when they look at your resume is your name and contact information.
After that comes your education section (usually listed as “Education”). It’s outstanding to put this after a summary statement or objective statement, but make sure it’s at the top of the page.
● Use short sentences and bulleted lists
Use bullet points instead of paragraphs when listing coursework and grades earned. Your GPA will usually be displayed right beside each course taken in college (or postgraduate school). Just list each course with the corresponding GPA and then move on to the next one.
● If you have a specialization, mention it
If you have a specialization, be sure to mention it. Even though you don’t have to, it’s almost always a good idea to note your specialization if you’re going for a management position. It’s helpful to the hiring manager to see how you prioritize your coursework.
● Make sure your resume includes relevant internships
If you’re a recent graduate, make sure to include relevant internships. This is particularly a good idea if you interned heavily during your time in business school.
Most companies want to know that you did more than attend classes, so including that information in your resume is a great way to set yourself apart.
● If you have not earned an MBA, list all relevant coursework
If you don’t have an MBA but are getting one, you should still list relevant coursework. Doing so can show the hiring manager that you’re already thinking about your career and that you’re serious about getting your MBA.
Conclusion
Showcasing an MBA on a resume doesn’t need to be complicated!
Simply including basic information such as school name and location along with more detailed information like relevant coursework and achievements will help employers understand why pursuing an MBA was beneficial for your professional growth and development. With these tips in mind, you can confidently showcase your accomplishments when listing an MBA on a resume!