It starts with the resume

We wish we could eliminate the impersonality of the resume-review process, but we have so many candidates each year that we have no other option.

Because the resume determines who gets interviewed, it’s obviously a critical first step. There’s no magic to it: talent and accomplishments are not easy to hide. Just make sure that it accurately reflects your achievements and their scale. In other words, make it as particular and non-generic as possible. A well-crafted resume will also give us a sense of who you are as a person, as reflected in the activities and achievements that matter to you.

Key areas for focus

While we are looking for five attributes—your personal impact; your entrepreneurial abilities, your problem-solving abilities, your ability to achieve success, and leadership skills—there is no need to restate those in your resume. In fact, you’d be better served if you speak to those attributes through the examples you provide and the supporting details. Our resume reviewers are well-equipped to recognize examples of problem-solving and all the criteria, without them being overstated.

Education

Reverse chronology, please. Include your degree subject, university, degree grades, or GPA at each milestone of your education (for example, magna cum laude overall; summa cum laude in first year). Also include any major prizes or awards, as well as any significant academic projects—senior thesis, major research work—with key dates.

As relevant in your geography/school, please provide details of your results in all subjects in key examinations (for example, high school diploma, “A” levels, baccalaureate grades).

If you’ve taken a standardized test like the GMAT, LSAT or SAT, please include your scores. The more detail the better, including transcripts.

If you studied in an academic system with which we may be unfamiliar, if possible, please try to put your results in context, for example, that you scored in the top two percent of students nationally.

Work experience

If you’ve had work experience—whether as a partner in a law firm or a summer job at Disneyworld as Goofy—please share it. Beyond your day-to-day responsibilities, we’re interested in your achievements and the impact you had based on your direct involvement. Feel free to describe any unique skills, experience, and entrepreneurial successes that you would bring to our culture.

Other skills and achievements

Your resume should be the most riveting autobiographical snapshot you can present. Please include any volunteer and charity work, positions of responsibility in professional bodies—especially where they reveal initiative, entrepreneurship, or extraordinary commitment.

Don’t overlook the same kind of accomplishments regarding extracurricular activities and significant participation in sports, games, clubs, societies, or hobbies. A high level of achievement in these areas tells us about your commitment and motivation.

Languages

Include all languages for which you have business conversational ability, or better. Rate yourself as basic, competent, fluent, or UN-translator-ready.