Manager resume example & writing guide

Managers are crucial for the success of any organization. Companies depend on managers to drive company growth through managing employees, operations, and financials. 

If you are looking for a role that heavily involves leading team members, setting goals, analyzing performance, and making decisions, a management position may be a good fit for you. 

In order to stand out to hiring officials, your resume needs to showcase the key strengths, skills, and achievements most relevant to the management role. 

This article will help you create a strong resume so you can impress recruiters, land interviews, and move into a new manager role. 

We dive into:

• Key components of a manager resume

• Crafting the professional summary, work history, and education sections

• Incorporating skills into your manager resume

• Selecting the right template for managerial roles

What should your manager resume include?   

A manager supervises team members, sets the strategy for the department, leads projects, and works with colleagues and higher levels of leadership to resolve business issues.

The role of a manager spans every industry and is integral to the smooth operation and success of organizations worldwide. Due to the broad nature of the role, tailoring your manager resume to the specific industry is essential.

Because companies are looking to hire leaders who can make a positive impact on the organization, your resume needs to convey your ability to influence teams, improve internal processes, and enhance overall business performance.

Be sure to include the following categories in your manager resume:

• A header with your contact information

• An introductory resume summary 

• A section to highlight your expertise

• A breakdown of your employment history

• A list of formal education and credentials 

How to craft the professional summary

Given the diverse nature of management roles, it's crucial to tailor your summary to the particular industry you're aiming for. Start by crafting a compelling introduction that emphasizes your expertise in team leadership within the context of the industry you're pursuing.

Emphasize your capabilities in budgeting, process improvement, policy implementation, and workflow administration. Briefly outline your qualifications in managing personnel, providing guidance, training, and constructive feedback to team members, and assessing and improving existing systems, policies, and procedures.

Mention any instances of deploying effective processes to improve overall efficiency of the department, highlighting any key achievements. Make a list of key areas of expertise relevant to management roles. This may also include soft skills like relationship building and strategic planning. The goal is to quickly capture the reader’s attention and intrigue them to read on. So, be clear and concise while providing a snapshot of the most compelling components of your career history.  

How to describe your work experience as a manager  

When outlining your past work experience, be sure to include your dates of employment, work locations, and company names in reverse chronological order. This sequence is crucial because hiring authorities tend to prioritize your most recent experiences.

For each job entry, write a short paragraph of no more than five lines to spell out your daily duties. Directly following, create a bulleted list of accomplishments to draw the readers’ eye to important aspects of your contributions.

Provide specific examples of your ability to lead others, make sound business decisions, and implement strategies that move the business forward. Use quantifiable achievements, such as cutting costs, generating revenue, or reducing process time to add credibility to your managerial experience and demonstrate your ability to drive results. These achievements provide concrete evidence of your contributions in past roles and highlight your potential value to prospective employers.

Here's a quick accomplishment example for a manager in the insurance claims industry:

• Secured $3.5M on average per year in property claim recovery from insurance carriers.

Education and certifications 

The education portion of your resume should list any formal training you’ve completed and emphasize the skills and knowledge you have acquired. Start with your latest educational endeavor and work backward, mentioning the degree, school, graduation date, and any honors or achievements. If you have extra certifications in leadership or other areas relevant to your industry, add them as well.

Which key skills are relevant for a manager resume?

Crafting a compelling manager resume involves showcasing a diverse set of skills essential for success in the role. Emphasize your proficiency in business management and team leadership, and add soft skills like strong communication and collaboration while showcasing your expertise in business management and team leadership. Be sure to also incorporate any technical skills you possess that are most relevant to the targeted industry.

If you’re unsure about what keywords to include, review some management job descriptions, identify the recurring phrases being used, and incorporate them into your resume. Be sure not to only add them in the designated skills section but sprinkle them throughout your past jobs so recruiters see that you have used them in a in a real-world context.

Here is a list of key skills relevant to a manager role:

• Team leadership

• Performance evaluation

• Staff development

• Operations management

• Strategic planning

How to select the most impactful manager resume template

When crafting your manager resume, it needs to be well-structured and polished. Using a clear and easy-to-read template helps recruiters navigate your resume and understand the essence of your career story. A well-arranged resume not only showcases your ability to organize information but also clearly presents your value. 

Explore our vast selection of resume options tailored to your specific needs through our resume builder. Gain inspiration from our extensive collection of 500+ resume examples. 

Copyable manager resume example

Key takeaways for writing a manager resume

1. Tailor your management summary to the specific industry you're targeting.

2. Highlight your expertise in management functions like team leadership and strategic planning.

3. Prioritize recent work experiences and quantify achievements when possible.

4. Showcase formal education, certifications, and relevant skills.

5. Choose a clear and reader-friendly template to highlight your skills and convey your value.