Too often applicants treat the resume as an afterthought, as a commodity exercise to be done quickly. Admissions officers will tell you that resumes can tell a lot about an applicant. Don’t lose this critical opportunity to sell yourself.

In the MBA essays and interviews, many qualified candidates fail to win admission because they rely mostly on a logical, empirical approach and do not succeed in connecting with their evaluators on an emotional level.

Every year, I get a few incredibly talented candidates who are not hardwired to sell themselves. Or they have been in jobs where they spend time analyzing and problem solving, but not persuading.

Nobody is forcing you to apply right now. If you have liabilities in your application, then consider taking these proactive steps before you take your shot at the best schools.