RESUME
FAQs & Quick Tips
GENERAL RESUME FORMATTING TIPS
• Wharton Resume Template – Consider if participating in OCR.
• Presentation of Wharton MBA program:
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 2015
MBA Candidate, MBA for Executives Program
• Employment Dates: display just years, not month/year format; For
education dates, display only year of graduation.
• No personal or possessive pronouns (I, we, my, their, etc.).
• Do not include “References available upon request” or list specific
references - it is assumed these can be provided.
• When emailing, use .pdf file and view it first to be certain formatting
is correct – beware the blank last page! When applying online to
companies that use an Application Tracking System (ATS), .doc
(Word) is the preferred format.
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GENERAL RESUME FORMATTING TIPS
• Font:
 Times New Roman or Arial
 Limit font size changes (nothing smaller than 10 pt.)
 Use text styles (bold, italics, capitalization) to draw attention
to most important info – but don’t over do it!
 White space is inviting; Don’t overcrowd.
• Left column is “king”—what reader sees first!
 Should not be dates you held a position
 No bullets that start with “Responsible for…” (eliminate this
phrase from your resume!)
 Begin each bullet with an action verb (be careful of verb tense,
repetition)
• Consistent use of periods
 End of every bullet or not at end of any bullets
RESUMES:
Common Questions
EDUCATION SECTION
• Should I specify that I am in the MBA for Executives program?
– Pros: Immediate positive point of connection with alumni,
highlights ability to manage rigorous academic and
professional responsibilities simultaneously,
– Cons: Potential perception that “executive” = “light”
Regardless of choice, be prepared to concisely and effectively
describe the MBA Exec program and your rationale for
choosing this format when asked
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EDUCATION SECTION
• Should I include my GPA or GMAT score?
– Depends on target audience and what they value
• If value high academic achievement (e.g.,
consulting, investment banking), include standout
undergraduate and Wharton academic honors or
GPA, and/or GMAT
• For GPA/GMAT, include if
– GPA > 3.75
– GMAT > class average (per Wharton Exec MBA website)
– If below these thresholds, exclude as reader is likely to
then assume average achievement
– If including, incorporate in Wharton section, ideally in
separate bullet, along with other academic
accomplishments (e.g., Director’s List, First Year Honors)
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EDUCATION SECTION
• How important is it to join/list Wharton student clubs on my resume?
– Most relevant for career switchers
– Benefits of joining: Learn more about industry, access to
networking opportunities, interview prep, etc.
• Challenge – Can be difficult to attend club events as they
usually occur when WEMBAs are not here or are in class
– Benefits of listing on resume: Viewed as further indication of
interest and commitment to relevant industry, function, or
geography
• Caution – If member of several, consider appropriate order
(based on reader). Including too many may send a mixed
message about your commitment/interest (i.e., both
Consulting & Investment Banking clubs for your consultingfocused resume)
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EDUCATION SECTION
• How should I list my experience with GCP, independent
study projects or specific coursework?
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
MBA Candidate, Executive Program; Major in Management
2013
 Clubs: Consulting Club, Veteran’s Club.
 Led five-person cross-functional team for Field Application Project to solve strategic
management and leadership issues for PRD Management, a HUD subsidized real estate
company; resulted in streamlined organization, decrease in company housing costs, and
increase in fill rates of real estate owned by company.
 Directed five-person cross-functional team for independent study project for Sanofi
Oncology Division on strategic implementation of structure and innovation to increase their
ability to reach new drug targets through non-traditional channels.
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EDUCATION SECTION
• How should I list an exchange program or other nondegree bearing educational experiences?
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Ann Arbor, MI
BA, Communications
2004
Honors: Selected on basis of academic achievement and leadership skills as one of
only three participants in XYZ University exchange program in Foreign City, Country
(January-June 2003)
DUKE UNIVERSITY
Durham, NC
BA, Communications
2004
International experience: Developed conversational XYZ language skills and
understanding of regional business practices through coursework focused on ABC
through XYZ University exchange program in Foreign City, Country (January – June
2003)
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EXPERIENCE SECTION
• How far back in my employment history should I cover on my
resume?
– Employers do like to see continuous record of employment
– General rule of thumb, avoid going back more than 15 – 20
years
– Can streamline or shorten overall resume:
• By listing just company, role, dates, and location for
earliest (and potentially less relevant) experience with
little or no bulleted information.
• Another option is having a section for “Additional Work
Experience” and just listing company/title.
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EXPERIENCE SECTION
• What if I have held several positions within one company?
Do I need to include at least one bullet for each position?
ACME INC
Senior Product Manager
Product Manager
Associate Product Manager
• Relevant accomplishment #1
• Relevant accomplishment #2
New York, NY
2010-2012
2008-2010
2007-2008
COMPANY ABC
New York, NY
Senior Product Manager
2010-2012
Product Manager (2008-2010), Associate Product Manager (2007-2008)
• Relevant accomplishment #1
• Relevant accomplishment #2
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EXPERIENCE SECTION
• Should I include a company description if my
employer is not well known?
PRETZEL LOGIC, Boston, MA
2000 – 2001
Management and technology consulting startup. $20M annual revenues; 120 employees
Project Manager, Technology Consulting
 Advised executives in utilities and networking verticals on optimizing business processes and
maximizing ROI from technology investments. Enhanced Pretzel’s consulting methodology by serving
as subject matter expert and customer advocate.
 Turned around $1.2M project at Pretzel’s largest client in six months. Achieved turnaround by
establishing effective communications with client's executive management, setting expectations
andmentoring staff
 Generated follow-on business of $0.5M by building strong relationships with marquee clients and
consistently receiving high customer satisfaction ratings
 Grew consultant pool by 15% in three months by recruiting and mentoring consultants
PARAMETRIC TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, Needham, MA
1998 – 2000
Pioneering vendor of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software. $1B annual revenues; 4500 employees
Group Leader, R&D
 Reduced time-to-market of Pro/Intralink by three months through establishment of five person
product integration team to accelerate development, testing, and release processes
 Increased productivity 20% by defining best practices for product development, training engineers
and tracking adherence to standards
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EXPERIENCE SECTION
• Do I have to state with whom else I worked to achieve a
particular accomplishment?
• Not necessary if obvious that was a group/team effort
by other information provided (e.g., scope of project,
context of situation, etc.)
• Appropriate when objective is:
• To highlight who worked with (e.g., senior
management or specific department or geography)
• Emphasize strong teamwork skills
• Demonstrate management/leadership capability
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EXPERIENCE SECTION
• What if I worked on something significant but there
were no tangible or successful results/outcome?
COMPANY ABC
Senior Product Manager
Product Manager
Associate Product Manager
New York, NY
2010-2012
2008-2010
2007-2008
• Selected by CEO to lead 10-person cross-functional team to develop new product
projected to be company’s best-selling product within three years
• Gained expertise in valuation process through analysis of three potential acquisitions
valued at over $700 million
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SECTION
• Do I actually need an “Additional Information” section?
• Consider how it can enhance:
• Highlight relevant professional certifications/training
• Disclose foreign language skills
• Share volunteer/community leadership and
accomplishments
• Give a “picture” of you as a person through your
interests
• If included, be specific in describing each item,
specifically what you achieved, accomplished or
learned.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SECTION
• Should I include extracurricular activities or leadership roles
from the past?
• Can be effective in communicating diversity of your
candidacy
• Current leadership roles and affiliations carry more
weight
• Consider if best use of limited resume space
• Litmus test: Would you want to discuss this item in an
interview? And, does it enhance your candidacy? If
yes, then include.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SECTION
• Is it ever appropriate to include marital status, photos, age,
previous salaries, national origin or citizenship on a
resume?
• Not for US-based employer (considered discriminatory
criteria; for salary inappropriate/ unprofessional)
• Acceptable to include statement that have work
authorization in country in which you seek employment,
especially if work history or name may result in target
questioning this
• For non-US based company, research resume norms for
particular country to determine what is appropriate
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SECTION
• How should I display languages in which I am proficient or
fluent? Should I list my fluency in English if I do not have
previous US work experience?
• If relevant, include in “Additional Information” and
possibly your Profile/Summary if appropriate.
• Indicate level of fluency
• Do not list English (will be assumed)
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SECTION
• Should I avoid listing organizations with political or
religious affiliations?
• In general, it’s best to avoid any potentially
controversial references
• Include if at core of your identity and would not mind
being eliminated as candidate by unsupportive
potential employer
• If worked for religious or political organization,
include in “Experience” section
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FORMATTING
• May I use abbreviations?
• Generally not used
• Do not use “Sr.” for “Senior” or “&” for “and” unless
part of an official name or title
• Exceptions:
• Commonly understood (e.g., US, P&L)
• Numerical (“M” for million, “B” for billion)
• State names in address and locations (but spell out
Street, Road, etc.)
• Its usually best to lean toward the formal side and
assume that the reader may not understand acronyms
unless they are very common industry terms.
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FORMATTING
• When should I use numerical values vs. spell out the
number?
• Strict grammar rules:
• Spell out numbers less than 10 and use numerals for
10 or larger
• Spell out numbers at the beginning of sentence or
bullet
• Alternative acceptable method:
• Use numerals for all numbers except at the beginning
of a sentence or bullet
• Regardless of method selected, be consistent!
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FORMATTING
• How should I display currency?
• Use style applicable for targeted country of
employment
• If seeking employment in US, convert all values to
US dollars ($)
• Use consistent formatting throughout
• If “M” for million, then “B” for billion
• If “Mn” for million, then “Bn” for billion
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