College students aspiring for the innovative MBA routes such as the Harvard 2+2 and the ISB Young Leaders Program often ask, what should I write in my resume and how. There is a tendency to follow standard formats available in the web and use high octane diction that the writer herself doesn’t understand. Why do they do it?
For one, a false notion that the more abstract scholarly words you use, the more impressed will be the admission board.
Yet another, the B Schools often challenge the aspirants by wording the requirement as ‘ if one seat is left for program X, why should you be offered it?’. So the applicant tries hard to put the best ingredients together.
Here are some pointers
Tailor-make your resume to evoke a B school’s interest
The personal qualities and competencies pertinent to say, a tech job, may not be hot on a Bschool’s wish list. Present clearly those few competencies and achievements that define you, rather than use all words psychologists use to describe people! Be honest about yourself. For a professional selector it isn’t difficult to locate overstatements such as ‘ I can motivate and guide people, solve other’s problems, strategise’… hold on. Aren’t you supposed to be still in college? Write the language of a student, an eager learner.
Don’t mistake signs of leadership as proven leadership
The latter is more relevant to and expected from guys with 5+ yrs of work ex. Being a class leader, college cricket captain, cultural secretary ‘ can best be termed ‘signs of leadership’.
Present these in modest ways. Acknowledge wherever necessary. A reader shouldn’t get the impression that you have done and achieved everything independently. That is hard to believe.
Use as Strong points
Internship, voluntary work, training camps, special talents( arts, photography, writing, debating), awards, prizes etc. And yes, do not forget to include any setbacks, failures, risks..
Write in functional English
Use your active vocabulary to write your statement of purpose. The SOP should have a modest, yet vibrant feel with no repetition, no exaggerations. Make it impressive and above all present yourself.
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For one, a false notion that the more abstract scholarly words you use, the more impressed will be the admission board.
Yet another, the B Schools often challenge the aspirants by wording the requirement as ‘ if one seat is left for program X, why should you be offered it?’. So the applicant tries hard to put the best ingredients together.
Here are some pointers
Tailor-make your resume to evoke a B school’s interest
The personal qualities and competencies pertinent to say, a tech job, may not be hot on a Bschool’s wish list. Present clearly those few competencies and achievements that define you, rather than use all words psychologists use to describe people! Be honest about yourself. For a professional selector it isn’t difficult to locate overstatements such as ‘ I can motivate and guide people, solve other’s problems, strategise’… hold on. Aren’t you supposed to be still in college? Write the language of a student, an eager learner.
Don’t mistake signs of leadership as proven leadership
The latter is more relevant to and expected from guys with 5+ yrs of work ex. Being a class leader, college cricket captain, cultural secretary ‘ can best be termed ‘signs of leadership’.
Present these in modest ways. Acknowledge wherever necessary. A reader shouldn’t get the impression that you have done and achieved everything independently. That is hard to believe.
Use as Strong points
Internship, voluntary work, training camps, special talents( arts, photography, writing, debating), awards, prizes etc. And yes, do not forget to include any setbacks, failures, risks..
Write in functional English
Use your active vocabulary to write your statement of purpose. The SOP should have a modest, yet vibrant feel with no repetition, no exaggerations. Make it impressive and above all present yourself.
Bookmark this on Delicious
