I’ve long been a proponent of the one-page rule for resumes. However, that’s always been for technical and line-manager positions.
I’m currently applying for the MBA (really, MIS) program at my local state university. One of the materials they ask for is a current resume.
I understand that in the academic world, “resume” really means “CV.” However, it’s not like this is and elite business school; while they don’t quite admit anybody with a pulse (at least at the graduate level), I know I’m solid for admission with my experience, GPA, and GMAT score.
So, academics and MBA-types, what say you? Should I submit a two-or-three pager listing and explaining significant projects, etc, or should I stick to one page?
for a non-research MIS program? I don’t think it’s a bit deal but I would try to keep it to concise. Perhaps not strictly one page but three seems too long. Really you should be using your personal statement to explain in clear English why you are qualified. The resume is to give the big picture overview with dates and names, three pages-full of infomation might dilute the message.
FTR I’m an MSCS, not an MBA. advice worth as much as you paid for it, and all that.
Are the projects significant? How long have you been working? I wouldn’t throw away anything interesting to keep to a page, especially if you have been working for a while.
I doubt too many academics will get bent out of shape over a multi-page resume.
On the one hand, I’d be seriously surprised if the resume you provide is in any way a make or break decision point for the grad school.
On the other hand, if making a two or three page resume allows you to better show why your past makes you a good candidate for the grad school, go for it. Don’t shoot yourself in the foot just to avoid having a multipage resume.
If this is your first graduate degree or you have less than 10 years’ experience, I recommend keeping it to one page. Once you’re done, you will be looking for an MIS position, not an academic position, right? Once you have the MIS or 10 yrs. experience, then IMHO you are OK to go to the second page.
The long resumes in academia include space for publications, conference presentations, grants received, and courses taught. They shouldn’t really be seen as justification for overlong project descriptions. Focusing on the results of your projects, rather than explaining what tasks they involved, will help you keep it to one page without losing punch.
I am in academia, and I would expect to see more than a one-page CV from a prospective student. Go ahead and include any publications (even working papers) and presentations. I’d want to know that you have those writing and presenting skills.
In fact, I suggest you do some searching of the web pages of the faculty in the department to which you are applying, and make your CV look as much like theirs (in format) as is practical.
Maybe this is a crazy idea, but why not ask the grad admissions chair (or a member of the grad admissions committee) what they’d like to see? I don’t think anyone will feel that it’s somehow bad form for you to ask for clarification on how you should put together your application.
In fact, if anything, it’s in the grad admission committee’s best interests to make sure that they learn what they want to learn about you. That way, the decision process is a lot easier for them, and it’s a lot clearer for you.
InLucemEdita, are you in a typical academic discipline where the PhD is the terminal degree? If so, I agree with your response for that type of a program. But the OP sounds like he is applying to get a terminal masters in an applied field from a business school. Publications aren’t typically even part of the career path for that field. If **blackrabbit ** has publications and wants to position himself as someone who is likely to go on to do research, then the CV style is good. But if his goal is to keep a business focus, he should keep the resume brief and results-oriented. If he has access to resumes from successful recent graduates of the program (or similar programs) those would be good models.
The program, however, is mostly equivalent to a terminal MBA with a technology focus. It’s designed for working programmers/admins who want to move beyond line management within MIS departments and/or become high priced consultants.