Application Tips from Michigan MBA’s Director of Admissions

In the latest MBA Newsletter from the Stephen M. Ross Michigan MBA Program, admissions director Soojin Kwon Koh explains how treating your resume like a first impression can help you put your best application forward.

Admissions officers weigh your resume quite heavily to assess your candidacy, so make sure this first impression is a good one, says Soojin. Does your resume concisely convey your background and accomplishments? This marketing tool foreshadows your future potential, so make sure you maximize the precious real estate on this document, the director advises.

Here in a nutshell, some guidelines Soojin offers to ensure your resume will make a powerful first impression:

• Keep it professional, polished, concise and complete.

• Remember your audience may not be familiar with your industry or organization, so steer clear of jargon and define the context of your organization if necessary.

• Show the whole package of what you bring to the table both professionally and personally. An MBA is much more than classes and networking; how will you participate in and contribute to the school’s community?

• Review, review, review. Don’t turn in the first draft of your resume…ask objective reviewers to gauge whether it is a strong and accurate depiction of you.

This advice from the Michigan MBA program holds true no matter where you’re applying. Take time to polish this crucial element of your application and it can open the door to your B-school future.

For Stacy Blackman’s MBA essay tips specifically geared for the Michigan MBA program, follow this link. Additional Michigan MBA advice can be found here.