Get Active in Our Amazing Community of Over 452,000 Peers!

Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Case Partners to connect and practice with!

Resume: is 4 bullet points under education section too much?

Resume
New answer on Apr 30, 2020
6 Answers
1.1 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Feb 24, 2020

Hi, I'm wondering what should I include in the education part of my resume. To provide some background, I am an MBA student without consulting experience. So I am thinking of stating relevant projects and courses related to consulting.

I have put four bullet points under the education part, which would be:

1. Related courses

2. Strategy project

3. Case competition

4. Certificate

Given that I already have a couple of years of work experience, would putting 4 bullet points under the education section too much? Just wondering whether I have placed too much focus on education, which will look odd. Also, for related courses, is it okay to state courses without providing grade (I've got B in some courses)?

Thanks a lot!

(edited)

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best answer
Luca
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 24, 2020
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Yes, I would avoid to put 4 bullet points under your MBA experience.
Remember that you will have always the chance to present your CV to your interviewer, highlighting all the parts that you want to. Try just to write done some data or aspects that can grab the attention of the interviewer.

Feel free to send me your CV if you want a quick feedback based on the actual experience.

Best,
Luca

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous replied on Feb 24, 2020

Hello!
Given you are an MBA student without consulting background, you should have 4+ years of exp. Without having looked at your CV, you should have ~2x as much space used for Work Exp than Education (as the MBA is not the only Education you have).

I would 1) not detail courses covered - the interviewer probably knows what you've studied and 2) try to merge strategy project & case competition in one bullet if it makes sense. E.g. participated in multiple consulting-oriented activities such as XXXXX case competition and YYYYYY strategy project

Cheers,

Francisco

Was this answer helpful?
1
Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 25, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

1. Only put a specialization (if your school offers those)

2. Probably not

3. Probably not

4. Yes (depending on certificate)

Also happy to take a look if you want to send it through. I can 1) Help you cut what's not needed 2) Help you write more concisely (saving space) and 3) Identify things you may be missing that should be in there

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous replied on Apr 30, 2020

Hi A,

it's too much. Just make one or two bullets with (1) and (4).

(2) and (3) you may leave out

Was this answer helpful?
1
Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 24, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

On top of that, and even more important, I would mention some data that says how you performed in relationship with the rest (e.g., top 1%, etc.) or even the GPA.

If those metrics would not benefit you, you can also enrich it by adding extracurricular activities you were involved in at the time of the studies. Some people put this part at the very end, where sometimes becomes irrelevant after all the "meaty" parts. Hence, if you move it under "Education", you can make it much richer.

Cheers,

Clara

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous A on Feb 24, 2020

Hi Clara, my original question is - is putting 4 points under education too much, given that I already have several years of work experience? Thanks for your suggestion.

Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 29, 2020
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, I would avoid mentioning courses and certificates. Focus on projects and other achievements.

best,
Antonello

Was this answer helpful?
Luca gave the best answer

Luca

Content Creator
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached
65
Meetings
3,106
Q&A Upvotes
33
Awards
5.0
19 Reviews