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The idea of pursuing an MBA is often to improve one’s career prospects, but the process of obtaining the degree can also be an opportunity to enhance one’s CV. A well-crafted CV can be the key to securing interviews and landing lucrative job offers. An MBA program provides a prime opportunity to build up the skills and knowledge to demonstrate you are a reliable candidate.
There are numerous ways to enhance a CV while pursuing an MBA. Students can complete internships or consulting projects, which provide real-world experience that translates well on paper, as well as opportunities to network and gain professional contacts. Coursework can also be leveraged to provide more marketable skills and education that are relevant to targeted industries.
With the rapidly evolving nature of the job market and industries, it’s never been more important to continually add to your skill set and knowledge base. Therefore, MBA students need to make sure they update their CVs while at uni to set themselves up for success in their post-degree careers.
A professional CV writing service such as PurpleCV can be of great help when it comes to maxing out your potential on the job market. It is important to add relevant experience and skills to your CV throughout your MBA program to get the career you want after you graduate. An experienced CV writer can help you with advice on what to focus on to get the most out of your CV and portfolio.
The following sections will delve deeper into specific ways that MBA students can boost their CVs to increase their chances of landing their desired job.
5 Ways to Boost Your Career Prospects While Doing an MBA
Pursuing an MBA is no small feat, but it provides an exceptional opportunity to enhance your career prospects and elevate your CV. Here are five ways to boost your career prospects while doing an MBA, from networking to practising project management skills.
Leverage Internships or Consulting Projects
Internships or consulting projects provide hands-on experience that you can showcase on your CV, as well as opportunities to build a network and gain professional contacts. Many MBA programs offer these opportunities, making them excellent ways to build your resume while still in school. Make the most of these experiences by documenting your accomplishments and using them to demonstrate your ability to excel in a real-world setting.
Attend Networking Events and Career Fairs
One of the most significant advantages of an MBA program is the vast network of professionals and industry peers that you can connect with. Attending networking events or career fairs, whether virtual or in-person, allows you to meet and establish relationships with people who can help you land your next job. Make sure to prepare a short, impactful introduction that showcases your skills and career goals to leave a lasting impression.
Tailor Your Coursework
Customising your coursework in your MBA program can help you stand out from other candidates, and it’s one of the best ways to build your resume. Consider taking classes that align with your career goals or the industry you’re targeting. Focus on acquiring marketable skills that are currently in demand, like data analysis or digital marketing. By tailoring your coursework, you can enhance your CV and make it stand out.
Practice Project Management Skills
Completing successful projects takes more than theoretical knowledge. Projects demand various skills such as communication, planning, and managing budgets. Being able to demonstrate project management skills increases your employability. Utilise projects you’re working on MBA or any past experiences to practise these skills.
Cultivate Leadership Skills
Leadership skills are highly valued and sought-after by recruiters. MBA students have countless opportunities to cultivate them via their coursework, extracurricular activities, or even internships. You can join clubs or student-led organisations and take up leadership positions in them. Extracurricular activities such as leading case discussions or organising events are ways to showcase your ability to work with and manage a team.
How to Write a Winning MBA CV
Crafting a winning MBA CV is critical to landing your dream job. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind during and after your studies that will help you with your CV writing:
Tailor Your CV to the Job Offer
Customising your CV for each job role you apply for demonstrates your knowledge of the industry and shows that you are a perfect fit. It also highlights that you have carefully read the job description and researched the company, indicating that you are genuinely interested in the role. In this regard, align your skills and experiences with the job posting requirements.
Use Strong Action Verbs
The verbs you use in your MBA CV should communicate the specific actions you took in your previous roles or coursework. Use strong action verbs to create a powerful and concise CV. Begin your bullet points with verbs like “developed,” “executed,” or “led” to demonstrate initiative and dynamism. Use past tense verbs when mentioning your experiences and present tense for your current role.
Highlight Your Skills
It’s important to give recruiters a snapshot of your relevant skills. When listing your skills, ensure they are specific and relevant to the job posting. So, include a short section at the beginning of your CV to summarise your core qualifications.
Use Quantitative Details
Quantifying your achievements in your previous job experiences or coursework provides recruiters with facts and figures that demonstrate your accomplishments. Metrics such as the revenue generated, team sizes, or percentage improvements demonstrate your specific contributions and impact.
Focus On Your Education and Relevant Projects
Place your education section on your CV to catch the recruiter’s attention. Discuss your leadership role, how you contributed to projects, and the impact they had. Explain the relevant projects you have worked on, particularly those demonstrating strong leadership, strategic thinking, or innovation.
Closing Thoughts
Doing an MBA can be challenging, but it pays off for your career in the long run. With good planning and dedication, you can open up a range of opportunities to hone your skills, make important connections, and create a competitive CV that shows off the unique value you have to offer an employer. Whether through internships or consulting projects, networking events and career fairs, tailor-made coursework, or leadership skill development, having a strong understanding of all these elements will help you to reach success with your MBA. With enough hard work and creativity, you can use this degree to benefit yourself and make meaningful strides in both your professional life as well as your personal growth.
