Difference between MS and MBA Resume

The primary difference between an MS resume and an MBA resume is the essence/ information it aims to convey to the University Admission Committee. An MS Resume is an academic document whereas an MBA resume is a professional one. MS applicants must remember to focus on their academic background, research experience, and the technical knowledge thus gained. On the other hand, MBA applicants have to showcase their work experience, professional achievements and above all, leadership skills. Check out for more details below.

Students, who apply for overseas education, often assume that they can use the same resume for different programs like MS and MBA. In reality, these programme requirements are very different in scope and nature, and hence, it is important to understand the difference between MS and MBA resume. What distinguishes an MS resume from an MBA resume is the key information that one needs to convey to the admissions committee (Ad Com).  

Read: Study Abroad: Difference between MBA and MSc in Management?

MS Resume vs MBA Resume 

An MS Resume is an academic document whereas an MBA resume is a professional one. Students applying for MS programs should focus on academic background, practical exposure, and research experiences, relevant to the specific program. On the contrary, for MBA applicants, their leadership stints, work experience, and professional achievements are paramount.

Read: Tips for Resume Writing

Important Aspects of MS and MBA Resume 

For MS applicants, showing relevant research experience in the resume is a promising factor that can elevate the chances of getting an admit. What is crucial here is knowing how to present your research work. If you are able to do it successfully, half the task is done. Your research experience is basically a representation of the technical competence that you have demonstrated. You should highlight the objective and result of the projects undertaken while emphasizing upon your individual contributions to them. Also mention the technical concepts and tools that you applied independently.

Your MBA resume can be categorised into the following sub-headings: Start with Work Experience followed by Internships and Training. Then you should mention your Academic Qualifications, Research Projects, Professional Affiliations, International Exposure, Technical Skills (if relevant), Achievements, Extracurricular Activities and Community Service. 

Difference between MS and MBA Resume 

• A major difference between MS and MBA resumes is in the length of the document. Your MS resume can be 1.5-2 pages, however, an MBA resume is strictly one page. Hence, you will need to club all the important information in just one A-4-sized page. 

• An MBA resume should highlight how you have developed yourself into a potential professional or entrepreneur. It must showcase your managerial and leadership qualities by describing instances like the number of people you have led or managed in your company. When the Ad Com will come across your competence as a leader, there is a good chance that they will be impressed by your profile. Also, demonstrate your entrepreneurial initiatives, if any, and the degree of their novelty.  

• In the first half of the MBA resume, your professional roles and responsibilities, especially the ones that show your leadership experiences should be highlighted.  

• The result of your actions is what matters in your MBA resume. So, it is important to quantify your contributions to a team or an organization, as a whole. Additionally, quantify achievements in terms of profits gained, percentage growth, or man-hours saved, lucidly. Even mentioning the number of team members you may have handled, particularly in your professional history, leaves a good impression.  

• To summarise the difference between MS and MBA resume, an MS applicant must present the technical aspects and projects, seminars and internship, whereas an MBA applicant should focus on the leadership skills, and explain the operational and functional skill-set. It is important to note that the inclusion of leadership skills and entrepreneurial initiatives, in an MS resume, may upgrade your perceived image. However, if you do not include them, they will not have any impact on your profile.  

Read: Study Abroad: Difference between MBA and MSc in Management?

MS Resume vs MBA Resume: Key Pointers

MS Resume	MBA resume
Academic Qualifications	Work Experience,
Work Experience	Internships and Trainings,
Internships and Industrial Trainings	Academic Qualifications
Research Projects	Research Projects
International Exposure	Professional Affiliations
Technical Skills	International Exposure,
Achievements	Technical Skills,
Certifications	Achievements,
Co-curricular Activities	Extracurricular Activities and
Extracurricular Activities	Community Service
Community Service.	---

Related Links

• Common Errors in an Academic Resume
• How to make an Impressive Academic Resume/ Student CV
• Standard Academic Resume Format
• Shiksha Guidelines for CV