MBA essay word limits have been shrinking for at least a decade. Essays that used to have 750 word limits are now often limited to 250-500 words. In some cases, long essays have been replaced with creative options that invite applicants to utilize different formats to show a different side of their personality. With very tight word counts it is impossible to mention all of one’s important experiences in essay form. As essays get shorter, universities are adding more Activities and Experiences sections to the application platform, which seems aimed at encouraging concise summaries of formative experiences. At the same time, the resume is becoming an even more important vehicle to provide the admissions committee with a holistic perspective of the applicant’s background.
It goes without saying that applicants should optimize their resume in order to efficiently and effectively convey critical information. On a professional resume for a job search, it might be ok to have a version that is longer than one page. However, trying to shift large chunks of content that no longer fit into essays onto a resume won’t work – it is still highly advisable, and at many schools required, for applicants to submit a one-page resume. Those who have had a lot of important professional and extracurricular experiences then face the difficult task of prioritizing them and squeezing them onto one page. If you are struggling with getting as much good stuff as possible on one page, here are some tips that can help you save valuable space on your resume.
Be concise.
Bullets should provide adequate detail about responsibilities and achievements but they do not need to tell the entire story. Quantification and context are important, but be strategic about language usage to keep bullets concise. A few tricks to do this include starting each bullet with a verb, using digits when expressing numbers, and eliminating redundant adverbs and superlatives.
Remove the statement of objectives.
A statement of objectives is not necessary for an MBA resume. While it can be useful on a professional resume or CV, it takes up a lot of space and adds little value when essays say so much more.
Simplify the Education section.
There’s no need to list your class rank, various honors, or relevant coursework on your resume because you are also submitting a transcript with all of that info. For each school attended, list your university, program, and degree type. Most online applications provide a space for academic honors, so rest assured that the admissions team will not overlook this.
Reduce the number of sections.
You do not need a separate section for items like awards, publications, community service, etc. This would often eat up too much space and could be condensed under broader headings like Additional Information or Extracurriculars. When you’re cramped for space, create a specific section only if the information is critical to your field of study or future goal.
Fewer bullets.
You do not need to list ten bullets for every experience. Use more bullets for more recent or longer professional experiences. Limit internships, short-term military experiences, and college activities to one bullet unless there is something particularly important you need to express.
Strategically utilize the online application form.
As mentioned in the opening, applications often include sections for languages, activities, and awards/honors. This means that while coding languages can and should be highlighted, the languages you speak can be deleted if you need space, along with any minor or very old activities, which can also be moved to the application form.
Adjust the formatting.
The last thing you can do is make minor adjustments to the formatting to squeeze more information into one page. However, be sure that the resume is uncluttered and easy to read. Some minor formatting adjustments can make a big difference. Times New Roman takes up much less space than some other fonts and you can create extra space by listing your address, phone number and email address on one line instead of three. Also consider your line spacing, how far bullets are indented, and font size (but don’t go below 10-point).
Conclusion
It can be a mighty struggle to reduce all the meaningful experiences you’ve had onto a single page, but it is essential for you to craft the most impactful one-page resume you can for your MBA application. We hope these tips are helpful, and if you’d like to have a chat to understand other ways we can help improve your application and profile, schedule a FREE 20-minute consultation today.