MBA Resume: 5 Skills Employers Want From Business School Grads

In the face of economic uncertainty and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), MBA degrees have retained their value, with recruiters believing that MBA holders often outperform their peers.

But what is it exactly that employers are looking for in an MBA resume? Every year, the Corporate Recruiters Survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) surveys just under 1,000 recruiters from various countries to identify the most coveted skills in MBA hires.

The latest data was extra rich, with 51% of respondents hailing from Global Fortune 500 companies—giving a very real insight into what the top firms are looking for.

Furthermore, with new socio-emotional skills added to the survey, such as adaptability, initiative, and emotional intelligence, it offers an in-depth look into what recruiters are really searching for on an MBA resume in the current climate.

Here are five in-demand skills you can strengthen in an MBA:

Download: Resume Guide: 10 Top Tips For Application Success

1. Problem-solving

Problem-solving came out on top in this year's Corporate Recruiters Survey from GMAC. Valued as the most important skill among global employers, a whopping 59% selected it as a necessary asset.

Being able to navigate challenges efficiently and offer timely solutions is crucial in the complex world of business. Identifying yourself as an excellent problem solver on your resume, therefore, tells employers that you are reliable in a crisis and can be depended upon when times get tough.

Additionally, being a problem solver suggests further desirable skills, such as an aptitude for teamwork. It implies that you can work collaboratively to tackle challenges and leverage different perspectives to find better solutions, when required.

2. Communication skills

Businesses value leaders who are able to communicate effectively, with 57% of surveyed corporate employers citing this as a desirable skill. Communication encompasses several different scenarios.

First and foremost, communication skills refer to your ability to effectively convey information and ideas—whether verbal or written—to colleagues or clients. Communication skills also include your ability to actively listen to others, build rapport, and negotiate.

Employers want to see these types of skills, as they are crucial for fostering strong relationships and achieving workplace goals.

3. Strategic thinking

Any executive will tell you that change is a necessary part of business. In order to survive and prosper, businesses have to adapt and transform to face different challenges. Strategy is a key component of this, identifying how the different aspects of a business line up when decisions are made.

Strategic thinking (important to 55% of survey respondents) means thinking beyond immediate results and proactively identifying opportunities that allow for sustainable growth.

In the wake of AI, machine learning, and the continued growth of social media, strategy is vital. You need to be able to tell employers that you’re someone who can navigate a complex and evolving landscape with ease, using it to generate growth for the company.

When it came to region, strategic thinking was placed first for Central and South Asia (67% of survey respondents), as well as Latin America (61%). It was also placed in the top three for all other regions, except the US, highlighting its global value.

4. Interpersonal & teamwork skills

Interpersonal and teamwork skills share the fourth-place podium, with 50% of employers recognizing it as a crucial skill.

Employers want individuals who know how to boost morale, create a positive work environment, and contribute to an efficient workplace. This is where teamwork and interpersonal skills come in.

Having a strong skillset in these areas tells employers that you are an effective leader—someone who can motivate, inspire, and guide a team. As such, for those looking for managerial positions, this is particularly key.

5. Adaptability

The business world is constantly evolving. However, with the emergence of various developing technologies in recent years, such as AI, the realm of business has witnessed perhaps its greatest changes yet.

In light of this, 47% of employers surveyed are seeking adaptable individuals who can adjust quickly in line with changes in wider society. They are looking for people who see change through an optimistic lens, valuing it as an opportunity to build something better rather than running away from it.

A willingness to adapt and explore ideas also tells employers that you’re creative and capable of developing new products, services, or business models.