The million-dollar question is: How to craft a compelling management resume without stress and frustration? Well, it's not exactly simple. But having read this thorough guide, you'll find the whole process much easier. So, dive in and discover our resume templates, samples, detailed examples, and tips that'll be with you every step of the way.
Keep reading and learn everything there is to know about:
- Must-have contact information for your management resume
- Crafting a job-winning professional summary for your management CV
- The most effective skills to put on your management resume
- Creating a top-notch work experience section for your management CV
- Making your management resume shine with an impeccable education section
- Top additional sections to put on your management resume
- Accessing top resources for job-seeking managers
Still looking for a job? These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.
1. Must-have contact information for your management resume
You may perfectly include your name, phone number, email and professional social media links, such as LinkedIn or Twitter in your contact information.
It is a good practice to update your social media account information, and customize it to the management position you are applying for.
Remember to avoid sharing sensitive personal information.
2. Craft a job-winning professional summary for your management CV
Make your professional profile a captivating combination of keywords from the job posting, your best achievements and brilliant executive skills.
These 3-5 lines can be indeed pivotal. If your professional summary manages to catch a hiring manager’s attention, that will surely be half the battle won.
Management professional summary example
Award winning Business Development Executive with 8+ years of experience leading fast growth technology companies. Delivered results through B2B direct sales and revenue generating partnerships. Bridged the gap between strategic plans and actual execution, working with cross functional matrix oriented teams to deliver the goals set by the Executive Team. Achieved 100% of revenue target all three consecutive years.
3. The most effective skills to put on your management resume
As a great leader, you realize that the most important aspect of communication is active listening. You speak the language of numbers, and you understand where your projects fit best in a broader picture.
Thanks to your exceptional management skills, you are able to successfully bring any initiative to its completion.
Showcase these skills to your prospective employer, and make sure that your technical and interpersonal competencies stand out a mile.
The following lists will help you create your management skill-set in no time.
The best management soft skills for your resume
- Senior Leadership
- Outstanding Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Confidence
- Effective Decision Making
- Agility
- Integrity
- Ability to Work Well Under Pressure
- Interpersonal Skills
- Change Management Skills
- Problem Solving
- Delegation
Effective hard skills for your management CV
- IT skills
- Methodology
- Legal knowledge
- Relationship building
- Budgeting & finance
- Strategic planning
- Presentation skills
- Negotiation
- Scheduling
- New business development
4. Create a top-notch work experience section for your management CV
Not only is the aim to attract a hiring manager’s attention, but to maintain that attention throughout the entire work history section and beyond it.
Use these handy tips to craft an effective work experience section for your manager resume:
- Employ a reverse chronological order, and start your list with the most recent role.
- Avoid large blocks of text, and use bullet points to describe your position.
- Using keywords from the job posting, customize your management work experience to the job you are applying for.
- Quantify your accomplishments.
- Use impactful language.
Manager work experience section example
Stenson Real Estate, Texas
Global Sales and Business Development Executive
2017–2020
- Created, led and spearheaded Global Partnership Program.
- Initiated and launched a strategic partnership with News America Marketing that resulted in joint product development for their client base of 60,000 retailers.
- Delivered results through B2B direct sales and revenue generating partnerships.
- Responsible for new sales and existing client growth by 12% within 6 months.
- Consistently exceeded quarterly and annual sales goals.
- Orchestrated and launched Aisle411 European Office for global expansion.
- Delivered 150% on $1.0m quota.
5. Make your management resume shine with an impeccable education section
In order to make your CV stand out, you may want to include your academic achievements, areas of interest or relevant coursework.
Any accomplishment that shows off your outstanding leadership, communication or organization skills may help you get ahead of other applicants.
Listing education in your management resume
Colorado State University, USA
Master of Business Administration
2010–2013
- Area of interest: Corporate Finance
- Excelled in Business Management
- Top 5% of the program
6. Top additional sections to put on your management resume
Having embraced continuous learning, you may have taken a few courses, participated in relevant conferences or important training. All these have surely contributed to your management skills and technical competencies, and you should definitely put them under the spotlight.
Your involvement in volunteering activities will, for instance, reflect your social awareness, and ability to establish rapport with people from different backgrounds.
The following list may help you select the right extra sections for your management CV, and jump ahead of other candidates.
- Language Skills
- Projects
- Qualifications
- Interests
- Other Accomplishments
- Conferences
- Volunteering Activities
- Certifications
- Awards and Recognition
Listing extra sections in your management resume
Management Training and Certifications:
- Completed a Leadership Development Program, focusing on effective communication, conflict resolution, and strategic decision-making.
- Certified Manager (CM) designation from the Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM), demonstrating expertise in management principles and practices.
Volunteering Activities
Volunteer, Hearts & Minds, Austin, January 2019 – March 2020
- Prepared and delivered meals to people in need.
- Helped to plan charity events.
- Raised over $3,000.
7. Top resources for job-seeking managers
The fact that you've made it here means that you’re now more than well-equipped to write a memorable resume. But, do you know where to search for work opportunities? To make your job hunt a bit easier, we've curated the following list of helpful resources:
- General job search engines: Websites like Indeed, SimplyHired, Monster, or Glassdoor can be a good entry point for your job
- LinkedIn: The Holy Grail of all job seekers! LinkedIn's job search functionality allows you to find opportunities across industries, connect with potential employers, and use your network for introductions and recommendations.
- Professional associations: These offer a wealth of resources including networking opportunities, professional development, access to industry research, and sometimes job listings tailored to management roles. Look at, for example: the American Management Association (AMA), the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM), or the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
- Networking: Never underestimate the power of making connections. Try attending industry events and meetups, where you might meet your future employer.
- Specialized publications: Keep up with the latest industry trends, developments and news by following specialized media like “Harvard Business Review,” “Forbes,” or “McKinsey Quarterly.”
- Continuous learning: Boost your managerial skills with online platforms with wide selection like Corusera, edX, or LinkedIn Learning.
Remember, job search is a process that requires time, patience, and a proactive approach. And in this process, one item can make or break your chances at landing the managerial role you desire — your resume. So, make yours count!
Management Resume FAQ
How long should my management resume be?
While one-page resumes are often recommended, for management-level positions, two pages are generally acceptable. It all depends on how many years of professional experience are under your belt. If you've got 8+ years with plenty of accomplishments, two pages can give you room to detail your experience and impact without cramming information.
Should I include references in my management resume?
While references can increase our chances at getting hired, it's not necessary to include them directly in your resume. Instead, you can prepare your references in a separate document in case recruiters ask for them. Then, you can mention that “references are available upon request” at the end of your cover letter.
How much of my work history should I include in my management resume?
Concentrate on roles where you had managerial or supervisory responsibilities and ensure to highlight tangible achievements from these roles. You can include work experience from your entire career, but not older than 10-15 years. We recommend going into detail describing only your 2-3 most recent relevant jobs on your resume. The older the job, the less bullet points it needs to have.
What common mistakes should I avoid when creating my management resume?
The biggest mistake is listing responsibilities, rather than accomplishments. Also, avoid long paragraphs - use bullet points for easier reading. Lastly, proofread your resume carefully. Minor mistakes like misspellings and typos carry major weight when seeking a leadership role.
How can I showcase my problem-solving skills in a management resume?
You can use instances where you faced challenges or conflicts and how you resolved them. Remember to clearly outline the situation, the actions you took, and the results of those actions. This demonstrates your problem-solving capabilities in a real-world context.