MBA After Name on Resume

So I had never considered listing MBA after my name on my resume and I typically shake my head at those who do, but I had a recent discussion with a headhunter and she said "Since you have your professional experience listed first and you have a two page resume, I had no idea you even had an MBA until you told me during our discussion. You should list your name as John Smith, MBA, CPA at the top of your resume so it's immediately clear that you have the MBA"

I would NEVER consider listing MBA after my name on my business card or on linkedin, but how about on a resume? Would it be seen as tacky and/or unprofessional? I have quite a bit of experience with six relevant positions in total, so my resume is two pages and I have my experience listed first. I've heard the stat that many employers only glance at each resume for a matter of seconds, so I'm wondering if it may make sense to take this headhunter's advise and list MBA after my name on my resume only.

Should I Include MBA Title on Resume Headline?

The general consensus among users is that it would be a mistake to include MBA after your name on your resume. Many of our users suggested that you should include education at the top of your resume and your most relevant positions on the first page of your resume. This way your MBA will be highlighted in your education section and this won't be an issue.

notthehospitalER - Investment Banking Analyst:
Seems tacky. If all 6 positions are relevant, couldn't you argue you don't need all of them there? If you have to go 2 pages maybe go back to the format of education --> experience?

thebrofessor - Portfolio Manager:
You should have your education on your resume, and I think it's tacky putting it after your name. traditionally, I think acronyms are best reserved for someone who takes and passes a standardized exam. There's no "passing score" for an MBA so someone with a MBA from HBS has the same credentials (on the surface) as someone with a MBA from bluegrass state U., whereas a CFA is a CFA is a CFA, you all take the same exam.

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Best Response

you should have your education on your resume, and I think it's tacky putting it after your name. traditionally, I think acronyms are best reserved for someone who takes and passes a standardized exam. there's no "passing score" for an MBA so someone with a MBA from HBS has the same credentials (on the surface) as someone with a MBA from bluegrass state U., whereas a CFA is a CFA is a CFA, you all take the same exam.

I'd play with the formatting, see if you can list education first and still have some experience on the first page. but yeah, I'd say that having MBA after your name could hurt more than help, so don't do it.

 

Yes. It's tacky.

But on second thoughts I realize that unless your resume comes with a heavy recommendation from a MD/VP the recruiter is not spending more than 10 seconds on it. A resume is not really a tool to showcase how classy you are. It is a marketing document whose sole purpose is to grab the recruiter's attention and propel you forward... after those 10 seconds, it is ready for the compost pile - just like a day old newspaper.

Also, if you were the perfect candidate and the headhunter overlooked your resume, they don't get fired. So motivation on their part is minimal.

The bottomline is this.. it is your job to make sure that the headhunter captures everything they need to know on your resume. Think of them as a kid with a short attention span. I would still not put MBA next to my name but would move it to page 1 and make sure that it is seen within the first second

 

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