GETTING on an MBA course means presenting a compelling picture of yourself that highlights your strengths and your fit with the programme you want to join.

Despite what many people think, you don’t have to fit a particular mould, but you do have to demonstrate an acute knowledge of yourself and why you would be valuable to an MBA programme. This means understanding your profile, then extracting the most persuasive parts.

Building a profile takes time, but it will strengthen your preparation for essay writing and live interviews. Start by taking a piece of paper, turning it sideways, and dividing it into three columns. Label the first “points”, the second “stories” and the third “analysis”.

Points: list the personality traits, qualities, events and influences that surface in response to the topics (below).

Stories: write down keywords for the stories that demonstrate one or more of the notes in column one. The best stories are likely to be turning points in your life.

Analysis: extract the juice from the points raised in the first two columns. What does each say about you? How do they come together? What are the implications of this? Topics to guide you when filling the first column (note that you should concentrate at this stage on your personal, not your professional life): personal features and attributes — the words you use to describe yourself; your most important daily activities — big and small; major accomplishments and achievements; skills and strengths; difficulties, failures and weaknesses — don’t skip this — recognising and addressing weaknesses shows maturity; leadership; major influences — include people, books, culture, etc; life-changing events — focus on the past five years; diversity and contribution; values and philosophy; and personal goals.

By going through this process, you are identifying your attributes, demonstrating them and then extracting the implications to show why you will be a valuable candidate.

Precis from MBA Admissions Strategy, by A. V. Gordon (£13.99). Order copies at the discounted price of £11.50 (plus p&p): telephone McGraw Hill on 01628 502700 or order at www.mcgraw-hill.co.uk and quote Times MBA05. Offer ends December 8, 2005.

• Next week: Compiling your professional profile

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