Two-Year MBA: How You Can Prepare Yourself

Wondering how to craft the perfect Johnson resume, write a cover letter, come up with Problem-Action-Result Statements, and shine in an interview? Find tools and advice relevant to the current market in our 2024-2025 Getting Down to Business Workbook.

Take time to reconnect with former managers and co-workers or undergraduate friends and classmates. Tell them about your two-year MBA plans and ask them to keep you in mind for internships or opportunities in the next year.

Start mapping out your career interests and goals. Get organized for your upcoming job search by filling out your Individual Career Plan. You will review this with a CMC Advisor after you arrive on campus.

Make sure your searchable public online persona reflects how you would like to be seen as a professional. This means Facebook and other social networks—set anything you would not want a potential employer seeing to private or delete it.

• Include work-appropriate photo (we will take professional photos of each student during Orientation)
• Expand your network connections, and personalize your connection requests
• Gather recommendations from current and past managers and colleagues
• Incorporate job responsibilities and quantify successes
• Join groups that spark your interest. Here are some Cornell groups we recommend you follow:
  • Cornell University Alumni Network 
  • Cornell University Job Connection
  • Cornell Johnson

Your resume should be ready by early fall, so start working on it now. Employers have requested a consistent resume format, so be sure to use the official Johnson Resume Template.

Invest in comfortable black dress shoes and a good suit. Work with a tailor or sales associate to confirm that your suit fits you correctly; this is far more important than the brand of the suit.

Most employers still require business attire for interviews and many banks even expect students to be dressed up for briefings. Check out these professional dress tips covering female, male, and gender neutral stylings.

Make sure you leave your current employer on good terms. You never know when you may need a reference or referral.