Crafting a compelling strategy manager resume is like laying out a roadmap for a successful company overhaul. As a strategy manager, you draft invincible game plans to steer the company towards its goals.

But when it comes to beating the competition in a pool of promising candidates, you need the right approach. Fear not, for we have a strategy for that too! Follow along for valuable tips, engaging examples, and practical templates to create that champion strategy manager resume.

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With the following tips, you'll be able to build an appealing resume that won't end up in the reject pile:

• Navigate valuable strategy manager resume examples
• Format your strategy manager resume in a professional manner
• Build a compelling professional summary for your strategy manager resume
• Market your best strategy manager skills
• Make your strategy management work experience stand out
• Use powerful action verbs throughout your strategy manager resume
• Write an impressive education section for your strategy manager resume
• Include relevant extra sections in your resume
• Avoid common mistakes in a strategy manager resume
• Pair your resume with a relevant cover letter
• Explore the average salary and job outlook for strategy managers
• Access the best resources for job-seeking strategy managers

Strategy analyst resume example

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Why does this resume example work?

• Strong educational background: The candidate possesses an impressive educational background with degrees from prestigious institutions (Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Pennsylvania), both with high GPAs. This academic foundation, combined with their participation in relevant clubs and societies, demonstrates a solid grounding in business and management principles.
• Proven impact and recognition: The resume highlights tangible achievements, such as improving the efficiency of the corporate strategy team by 25% and being recognized as Employee of the Month twice. These accomplishments show a clear, quantifiable impact on their previous employer and recognition of their exceptional performance.

What could be improved?

• Detail on specific projects or contributions: While the resume lists general duties and achievements, it would benefit from more specific examples of key projects or initiatives the candidate led or contributed to. Including brief case studies or more detailed descriptions of successful strategies could provide deeper insight into their problem-solving and analytical skills.

Project manager resume sample

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Hired by Takamol Holding

Why does this resume example work?

• Diverse and progressive experience: The candidate’s progression from Executive Assistant to Senior Business Analyst within the same company (Takamol Holding) showcases their ability to take on increasing levels of responsibility. This career growth indicates their capability to handle complex projects and leadership roles, making them a strong candidate for senior positions.
• Quantifiable achievements: Throughout the resume, the candidate has highlighted specific, quantifiable successes, such as leading a project with over a $70M budget and saving 6% of the planned budget. These metrics provide clear evidence of their impact and effectiveness in their roles, underscoring their value to potential employers.

What could be improved?

• Profile section expansion: The profile section could be enhanced by specifying the industries the candidate has experience in and any particular methodologies or tools they specialize in (e.g., Agile, Lean). This would provide a more comprehensive snapshot of their expertise right at the beginning.
• Education section enhancement: The education section is somewhat brief. Including more information about relevant coursework, projects, or academic accomplishments related to business analysis or project management could strengthen this section. This would be particularly helpful for demonstrating how their academic experiences have contributed to their professional skills.

Development executive resume sample

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Hired by Frontline Education

Why does this resume example work? 

• Diverse sales and business development experience: The candidate has a strong background in sales and business development across multiple roles and companies, showcasing their ability to adapt to various environments and responsibilities. This experience is well-rounded, covering strategic planning, account management, and territory development.
• Strong achievements and metrics: The resume includes several notable achievements backed by metrics, such as managing a T.A.M. of $30 million, hitting 95% of sales targets for five consecutive years, and achieving the largest sale in company history. These quantifiable successes add significant credibility to the candidate's performance and skill set.

What could be improved?

• Formatting consistency: The formatting of dates and bullet points could be made more consistent. Ensuring a uniform structure throughout the resume will enhance readability and present a polished, professional appearance.
• Detailing role responsibilities: The work experience descriptions could benefit from more detailed explanations of specific responsibilities and the strategies implemented. For instance, explaining the sales strategies or frameworks used in their roles would offer deeper insight into their approach and methodologies.

1. Format your strategy manager resume in a professional manner

Just like with your strategic plans, you may want to identify the key factors you will base your resume template on.

Nail your strategy manager CV format with the following checklist:

• Set one-inch margins on all sides. 
• Make your resume breathe and employ white space between individual sections.
• Use a reverse-chronological format, starting with your most recent work experience.
• Opt for a classic font such as Calibri, Arial or Cambria.
• Unless the job posting states otherwise, save your resume as a PDF document maintaining your formatting intact.

When creating a resume, understanding the different formats can help you choose the one that best highlights your strengths.

1. Reverse-chronological format: This format lists your work experience in reverse order, starting with your most recent job. It's best for candidates with a consistent work history and experience relevant to the strategy manager role.
2. Functional format: This format focuses on skills and experiences rather than chronological work history. It's best suited for candidates with gaps in employment, career changers, or those with a diverse skill set.
3. Combination (hybrid) format: This format combines elements of both reverse-chronological and functional formats, highlighting skills while also providing a chronological work history. It's ideal for candidates with a strong skill set and relevant experience who want to balance both aspects.

Choosing the right format for your strategy manager resume is crucial in presenting your qualifications effectively. Whether you opt for a reverse-chronological, functional, or combination format, ensure it highlights your relevant experience and skills. By following the checklist and tailoring your resume to fit the job description, you can create a professional and compelling resume that stands out to potential employers.

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2. Build an eye-catching professional summary for your strategy manager resume

Your professional profile is undoubtedly the first thing hiring managers lay their eyes on. It's that concise, exciting piece of writing encompassing your most relevant experience, biggest strengths, and quantified accomplishments.

To make a thorough strategy for creating an effective professional profile, you may first ask yourself the following questions:

• How much time will a recruiter spend reading my resume?
• How long should my professional summary be?
• What expressions will secure a hiring manager’s attention?

To answer your first strategic question, the recruiter might not spend more than 8 seconds reading your resume. It may sound harsh, but they are as busy as a cat on a hot tin roof.

Your professional profile should be approximately 2-5 lines long, which may sound challenging, but it will be a piece of cake for you once we get to answer the third question.

Any hiring manager will look for the keywords from the job posting and for relevant, measurable accomplishments. Here's how you can catch their eye:

• Use the keywords from the job ad in question.
• Link them with your greatest relevant accomplishments.
• Use numbers whenever you can. 
• Employ impactful action words, such as: spearheaded, developed, increased, mentored, etc.

Why is this summary so bad? This summary is weak because it’s vague, lacks specific achievements and action words. Phrases like "a few years" and "sometimes manage teams" do not convey confidence or measurable accomplishments. It also fails to use relevant keywords from the job posting.

Why does it hit the mark? This summary is effective because it’s concise, uses impactful action words, and includes specific, quantifiable achievements. It clearly showcases the candidate’s strengths and aligns well with what hiring managers look for.

3. Market your best strategy manager skills

What is it that makes you a great professional? It's surely not just your knowledge of strategy management, but also your personality traits that can make headway.

Don't underestimate your skills section, and make sure that you first mention those competencies that your potential employer is looking for.

Understanding hard and soft skills

• Hard skills: These are specific, teachable abilities or knowledge sets you’ve gained through experience, training, or education. They're often quantifiable and directly relevant to the job. For example, being proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or business analysis are hard skills for a strategy manager.
• Soft skills: These are personal attributes and interpersonal skills that dictate how you interact with others. They are harder to measure but are crucial for effective teamwork and leadership. Examples include communication, leadership, and adaptability.

Remember, highlighting both hard and soft skills on your resume is essential to market yourself effectively as a strategy manager. By showcasing a balanced mix of specific, quantifiable hard skills and essential, interpersonal soft skills, you portray yourself as a comprehensive candidate who can not only perform the job but also lead and collaborate effectively. 

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4. Make your strategy management work experience stand out

As a strategy manager, you're no stranger to competitive positioning. When it comes to describing your past work experience, define how you will stand out from other applicants and create value for your potential employee.

Think of your most significant achievements relevant to the job you are applying for, and make sure you quantify them whenever you can.

Use bullet points to make your accomplishments easy to read. Writing large chunks of text would be a surefire way to frustrate the hiring manager, and you surely don't want that.

Why does it fall flat? This bad example is too vague and lacks specificity. It doesn’t quantify achievements, making it difficult to understand the candidate's true impact. Phrases like "responsible for many tasks" and "helped develop strategies" are too general, and the lack of bullet points makes it harder to read quickly. Additionally, a block of text makes it harder for a hiring manager to follow responsibilities or achievements.

Why does it work? This work experience section uses clear, concise bullet points to outline specific roles and quantifiable achievements. The quantified achievements, such as "Identified $15M market opportunities" and "Increased credit approval rates by 35%," provide concrete evidence of the candidate’s impact. This format makes the information easy to scan and highlights the value the candidate can bring to a new role.

All in all, to make your strategy management work experience stand out, focus on specific, quantifiable achievements, and use bullet points to enhance readability. Avoid vague statements and large blocks of text. By clearly outlining your accomplishments and their impact, you can effectively distinguish yourself from other applicants and show the value you bring to potential employers.

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5. Use proper action verbs in a strategy manager resume

Using powerful action verbs in your strategy manager resume is crucial for conveying your experiences and accomplishments effectively. These verbs help to make your resume more dynamic, engaging, and easy to read, ensuring it grabs the attention of hiring managers.

Importance of action verbs

• Clarity: Action verbs provide clear and specific descriptions of your responsibilities and achievements, making it easier for hiring managers to understand your contributions.
• Impact: Using strong action verbs can make your accomplishments sound more impressive and impactful.
• Engagement: Action verbs make your resume more engaging by removing passive language and adding a sense of action and responsibility.
• Professionalism: Demonstrating a strong command of language through action verbs reflects well on your communication skills, an essential trait for a strategy manager.

Properly using action verbs in your strategy manager resume, you can vividly showcase your achievements and contributions, ensuring your resume stands out to potential employers.

6. Write an impressive education section for your resume

It may happen that your potential employer will require you to have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, economics, industrial management, or other related business field. 

How to get your education section to the top? Spice it up by adding your relevant coursework, achievements or areas of interest.

But what if your degree is in an unrelated field? Here are a few tips on how to showcase your broader competencies and your continued commitment to learning and growth:

• Highlight transferable skills: Focus on skills like analytical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership 
• Include relevant projects: Detail any projects or experiences that involved strategic planning, management, or business-oriented tasks.
• Mention certifications: If you've taken any additional coursework or certifications relevant to the role, be sure to include them.

Remember, by showcasing your education effectively, you'll make a compelling case for your fit as a strategy manager, regardless of your educational background.

7. Include relevant extra sections in your strategy manager resume

Do not reduce your additional sections to space fillers. You can significantly enhance your resume if you just pick them right. Reveal your best competencies fitting the position you are applying for.

Think of the accomplishments, certifications, conferences or volunteering activities that have contributed to your strategy management skill set, and have made you even a greater communicator or organizer.

Get inspired by the following extra sections for your resume:

• Language Skills
• Certifications
• Awards
• Projects
• Accomplishments
• Interests
• Volunteering Activities
• Training
• Conferences

Have you attended a relevant conference? You may include it in your strategy manager resume like this:

Now, when you have crafted an appealing resume, scan it for issues here and see how it compares against other resumes.

8. Avoid common mistakes on a strategy manager resume

Creating a top-notch resume is crucial for landing a strategy manager role. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

• Lack of specificity: Listing generic responsibilities without specifying your actual contributions and achievements doesn't stand out. Clearly outline your duties and quantify your achievements. For example, instead of "Developed strategies for growth," say "Developed and implemented growth strategies that increased revenue by 25%."
• Overuse of buzzwords: Vague buzzwords like “team player” or “innovative thinker” won’t help unless you substantiate them. Provide concrete examples that demonstrate these qualities. Describe scenarios where your teamwork or innovative thinking led to tangible results.
• Ignoring keywords: Not tailoring your resume to include keywords from the job description is a big mistake. Read the job posting carefully and incorporate relevant keywords naturally into your resume. This improves your chances with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and catches the recruiter's eye.
• Formatting issues: Using dense paragraphs or an inconsistent format can make your resume hard to read. Use clear headings, bullet points, and consistent font styles and sizes. Plenty of white space makes your resume visually appealing and easy to scan.
• Neglecting soft skills: Focusing solely on technical skills and overlooking soft skills like leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills can be a misstep. Balance your resume by including key soft skills supported by examples. For instance, "Led a cross-functional team of 20, improving project delivery times by 15% through enhanced coordination and communication."
• Omitting a summary statement: Jumping straight into your work experience without a brief summary can make your resume feel incomplete. Add a concise summary at the top that highlights your key strengths and sets the tone for the rest of the document. Keep it 3-4 sentences long and focused on your strategic management expertise.
• Overloading with irrelevant information: Including excessive details that aren't relevant to the strategy manager role can dilute your resume. Keep it concise and focused. Remove any experience, skills, or details that do not directly contribute to your fit for the strategy manager position you're targeting.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you'll create a streamlined, effective resume that showcases your qualifications and makes you a strong contender for a strategy manager position.

9. Pair your strategy manager resume with a relevant cover letter

A cover letter is a crucial complement to your resume when applying for a strategy manager position. Unlike the resume, which provides a structured overview of your career history, skills, and achievements, a cover letter offers a narrative form where you can highlight your most relevant experiences and demonstrate why you are the best fit for the job.

It’s your opportunity to convey your genuine interest in the position, your understanding of the company’s needs, and how your strategic mindset can contribute to their goals.

When to include a cover letter?

• Job applications: Always include a cover letter unless the job listing explicitly states not to. It can set you apart from other candidates by showcasing your personality and enthusiasm.
• Networking opportunities: If you’re applying through a referral or networking contact, a cover letter can contextualize your connection and your suitability for the role.
• Career transition: If you’re switching industries or roles, a cover letter can explain your motivation and how your transferable skills make you a strong candidate despite unconventional experience.

Maintaining a consistent design across both your resume and cover letter reinforces your personal brand and creates a professional, polished impression.

10. Average salary and job outlook for strategy managers

As of the most recent data, strategy managers earn an average yearly salary of $112,854, according to PayScale. This figure reflects the competitive compensation offered to professionals in this field, recognizing the significant responsibility and expertise required to develop and implement effective business strategies.

What's more, the employment outlook for strategy managers is promising. Overall employment in management occupations, which includes strategy managers, is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032. This trend highlights the increasing demand for skilled managers who can navigate complex business environments and drive organizational success.

Specifically, the management sector is expected to see about 1.1 million openings each year, on average, over this decade. These openings will result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations, retire, or leave the workforce for other reasons. 

Not only do strategy managers enjoy a lucrative salary, but they also benefit from a favorable job outlook characterized by significant demand and opportunities for career advancement in a dynamic and growing field.

11. The best resources for job-seeking strategy managers

Just as a strategy manager maps out a company's path to success, so too should you strategize your career path. And, just as you'd use resources to aid in your business strategy, there are helpful tools to navigate your job hunt. Here are the top resources to consider:

• Industry-specific websites: Check out platforms like the Association for Strategic Planning (ASP) or Strategic Management Society (SMS) for job postings, networking opportunities, and industry information.
• Professional networking platforms: LinkedIn is your virtual networking event. Engage with industry discussions, follow notable strategy leaders and organizations, and browse job postings tailored to your expertise.
• Business news websites: Staying updated with business news is a must. Websites like Harvard Business Review or Forbes can provide valuable insights into strategic trends and offer thought leadership in business strategy.
• Recruitment companies: Many companies specialize in management and strategy roles. Consider partnering with recruitment agencies such as Michael Page or Robert Walters.
• Continuous learning platforms: Enhance your strategic planning skills through learning platforms like Coursera or edX. A certification from these platforms could set you apart from other candidates and showcase your commitment to skill development.

Remember strategy planning is as much about vision as it is about precision. Make sure to capitalize on these resources and press forward on the career checkerboard.