The right CV for MBA Applications

There are many websites suggesting that you need a complete CV overhaul to impress a selection committee but their advice is frankly debatable. As many of these educational sites actually propose to write your CV for a fee, you may find our basic advice just as useful.

If you want the EDHEC Global MBA admissions team to evaluate your CV for application, please send it to us.

GENERAL

• Keep it clear, simple and attractive to the eye. 
• Don’t go over the top with colours or font. 
• A photo reminds the selection committee who you are after the interview – decide if you want to make it easy for them.
• 1 or 2 pages maximum. 
• Do not use full sentences or “I”
• Favour bullet points where possible
• Make your key information easily identifiable 
• Get the right tone - don’t undersell yourself but don’t boast, exaggerate or make false claims. You’re in competition - make your added value stand out. 

PERSONAL DETAILS

Start with your personal details – including age, nationality and gender if your name is ambiguous. The rest of your application will show this information anyway, so make it easy for the selection committee.

EDUCATION

• Name of school, city/country, degree (in bold)
• Add band, GPA and rank in class if known
• Provide clear start and finish dates
• Start with highest degree first. 
• Mention any international exchange programmes

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

• Company, city/country, brief description if company is not well known (in bold)
• Job title
• Use reverse chronological order
• Dates of start and end - even if you stayed there for less than a year 
• Make it clear if it was full time or part time 
• List your tasks and achievements and quantify where possible
• Indicate any tasks involving leadership, management or mentoring
• Do not go into too much technical detail – you are not applying for a job

TRAINING

Mention any training courses you have had.

OTHER

List any awards, publications, presentations, patents, professional licenses, certifications or volunteer experiences

INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE

• List the countries you have visited (or write “Trips to over 20 countries” etc)
• Mention again any exchange programmes

LEISURE

List a maximum of 5 diverse pastime activities and include any particular achievements