What your manager resume needs to stand out from the crowd

Your resume is your calling card, no matter what stage your career is in. A solid, well-planned resume, especially at the management level, can be an effective tool in the hiring process. Human resource professionals often spend only a few seconds looking at a resume, and a simple, easy-to-read layout can help you make a strong first impression.

In this article, we’ll discuss the how to make your management resume stand out, including:

• 5 Management qualities to highlight on your resume

• The elements of a manager resume

• Dos and don’ts for making your manager resume stand out

5 Manager qualities to highlight on a resume

In this job market, one open position may receive hundreds of resumes from people of all types of backgrounds. To make it through the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and catch the interviewer's eye, your resume should include keywords that highlight the main qualities a manager should possess, which will show them how your management skills will be of value to the company.

Five qualities you should feature on your manager resume include:

1. Good communication skills. If you can’t communicate well with your team, you can’t be an effective manager.

2. Organizational skills.  A good manager should be to create a plan and then schedule, organize, and follow through. This will also demonstrate your understanding of the company’s policies and processes, as well as a thorough understanding of your team’s abilities, both individually and as a group.

3. Team building skills. A successful and productive team relies on the confidence and collaboration between team members and the manager. 

4. Leadership skills. A good manager needs to solve any problems the team might encounter and demonstrate that he or she is committed to the success and well-being of the team.

5. Domain Knowledge. Good managers have a thorough understanding of the process he or she is managing, as well as the roles that the team is performing and how they are functioning. 

The basic elements of a manager resume

In order to write a top-notch management resume that stands out, let’s review what needs to be included:

• Resume header (i.e. your name and contact information)

• Professional summary

• Employment history

• Relevant skills

• Education and certifications

When creating (or revising) your management resume, it’s important to remember that it should be tailored for the industry in which you’re applying (and don’t forget your “action words!”). Leave off elements that don’t occur in that industry, and focus more on what skills you possess that would be of value to your new employer.

4 Points to include in your management resume professional summary

It’s no longer necessary or desirable to have a resume objective. In addition to being outdated, it doesn’t explain why you’re the best candidate for the job.Instead, you want to provide a professional summary. An effective professional summary should provide a brief overview of your skills and qualifications, and should include keywords from the job description — at the management level, you need to write more than, “I’ve managed people.” Here are four elements you need to include within your resume’s professional summary:

1. Your relevant career accomplishments.It may sound obvious, but you want to make it clear why you’re a great manager. Your accomplishments tell the reader why you’re a good fit for this particular position.

2. Your skills. Briefly mention the skills that make you the best candidate. You want to include the skills that highlight your principal strengths, and how they can benefit the employer. You’ll go into more detail in the body of your resume, but you want to put your top skills front and center.

3. Your experience. Briefly describe your experience level. For example, if you have several years of management experience at the corporate level, mention it. You can either use the adjective "experienced," or provide a specific number.

4. The important details of your job. When you tailor your resume to align with the job description, make sure to include any significant keywords, including necessary skills and experience.

What to include in the manager skills section

No matter the industry, a manager will possess a skill set that will be applicable in any field. These skills should be highlighted on your manager's resume to set you apart from the crowd. Be sure to include examples of both hard and soft skills, aligning your skills with those found in the job description. You’ll expand on these in your employment history section — right now you’ll just include one or two words to describe your skills. 

Some examples of management skills include:

• Customer relationship management

• Team building and leadership

• Workflow processing

• Coaching and mentoring 

• Process improvement

• Organizational communication

• Change management

The employment history section – your time to shine

Although you’ll be getting into more detail about your work history in this section, it’s still important to be selective. Basically, it’s your “highlight reel.” To stand out, tailor your resume for each company you’re applying for, and make sure your highlights align with the position they’re looking to fill.

Starting from your most recent position and working backwards, mention how, as a manager, you affected the productivity of your team. Include “hard data” — quantifiable facts and figures — when appropriate and provide the outcome of your management. Make sure to include examples of projects that you (and your teams) have completed, as well as your day-to-day management responsibilities. 

Showing off your education 

In the education section, you’ll want to list any degrees and certifications you’ve earned, and demonstrate that you have a commitment to professional development. This can include any workshops or seminars you’ve attended, additional classes you’ve completed, and any professional organization to which you belong. But don’t include your GPA. By the time you reach the management level, hiring managers are more concerned with your practical experience.

Remember, most business skills are transferable to a wide variety of industry management positions, so make sure they stand out on your resume!  And hiring managers don't only look for hard skills, they also look for soft skills that only come from a track record of managerial experience. A good manager's resume shows the employer why you have the qualities and experience they’re looking for, and why you’re the best person for the job. It’s your time to shine!

To get expert help with creating or polishing your resume, check out our Resume Builder on Career.io!

Key takeaways

1. A strong professional summary, especially at the management level, can be an effective tool in the hiring process. 

2. Human resource professionals often spend only a few seconds looking at a resume, and an eye-catching resume can help you make a stronger first impression.

3. A management resume should be uncluttered, easy to read with a lot of white space, and include your skills, your experience, and important details of your job.