Generally, your résumé should focus on the development of relevant industry or functional experience over time (and your track record of success) and demonstrate why an MBA is a logical next step in continuing along this career path. (Note: Applicants to EMBA and part-time programs are generally not looking to change jobs but rather to enhance their skills in their current careers.)

A reverse chronological résumé is often the best choice to help you demonstrate expertise, either specific to an industry or related to a functional area, that is the basis for your developing career. To help you demonstrate executive leadership (historical growth in responsibility and reporting chain of command), the reverse chronological résumé format works well to help you highlight strong, consistent career growth over time—bigger budgets and more direct supervisory responsibility, for example. Within each job listed under the category of "Experience," be sure to list your biggest accomplishments first.

A skill-based (functional) résumé can work for you as a so-called career enhancer. Generally, this format works best if you are building on a current career path that has several distinct skill sets—for example, technological skills might be emphasized, then project management skills.

If you provide an objective statement on your résumé, help the admissions committee understand your specific motivations for wanting an MBA and why the timing of the degree is appropriate within your current job. Here are examples of good objectives: "To obtain an EMBA to enhance my prior technical skill set as a broader project manager in my global company," or "To earn an MBA to improve my P & L management and people management as a regional manager."

Make it clear how your experience has led you to seek admission to the program to which you are applying. Explain the shifting demands of your most recent role that further demonstrate why the degree will be useful in the current job. For example: "Recently earned promotion to manager of troubled division, where rapid turnover requires revamping of employee incentives and training, and where costs must be reduced by 60% over three years." This statement clarifies that you are applying to an EMBA program where you can get new training in time to solve your company’s current business challenge.