Being a manager can entail a wide range of duties – everything from hitting sales goals to putting marketing projects into play, and more. That means when you’re applying for a managerial position, you really need to prove to a potential employer that you have the specific skills it takes to fill the role. Here’s how you can write a professional resume for a manager job.
One of the important elements to highlight in any manager resume is the type of managerial work you do. While different management positions have a lot in common, you’ll likely want to specify the exact competencies you have. Here are a few different positions that you might spotlight:
All of these types of management experience have overlap, but highlighting the specific work type you’re most comfortable in will do wonders in your job search.
The first thing you need to know if you’re trying to create a manager resume is what resume format you’re going to use. For almost all managers, the chronological format is best because it highlights your professional experience. Regardless of your format, you’ll likely include these sections in your resume:
First is your resume header. This is where you put your contact information, including any social media links you have and your phone number.
Next is your resume summary. This is a short paragraph at the very top of your resume that provides a rundown of your top qualifications and experiences. Your summary should include anything that you think will catch a recruiter’s eye.
Here are a few manager-related skills you might consider for this section:
Manager skills need to include both soft skills and hard skills. Soft skills are the types of skills that make it easier for you to collaborate with and manage others (e.g., communication, conflict resolution). Hard skills, also called technical skills, are the skills that allow you to do your job properly, and will vary depending on the specific job you’re applying to. Always consult the job description and try to match your skillset with what the job needs.
Next is the work experience section. You can include up to ten years of experience here in manager roles or supervisory roles. While your positions don’t have to be exactly the same as the position you’re applying for, you should make sure that each job in this section lists responsibilities and accomplishments that tie in with the job you’re applying to.
Last is your education section. Your top education credentials (e.g., college degree) should go here, as well as any related certifications (e.g., certification in project management).
Yes. A cover letter is important for every type of application, especially when you’re applying for a higher-level job like a managerial job. Cover letters allow you to talk directly to a hiring manager and go more in-depth into some of your skills and achievements. Before you turn in your manager job application, write your cover letter using the ResumeNerd cover letter builder.
It depends on what you mean by “experience.” A manager position isn’t an entry-level position, so you will need some amount of professional experience to write a project manager resume. However, you don’t need years of experience working as a manager to become a manager. You just need at least a few years of experience in supervisory roles. Include any roles you’ve had that required supervisory know-how, even if they didn’t include the job title “Manager.”
You need to make sure your resume is customized for each job you apply for. Personalizing your manager resume is actually easier than you might think; just look at the job description, pick out important skills and job requirements, and address them in your resume. This allows your resume to showcase the exact type of person the hiring manager is looking for.
