Business Manager Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a business manager provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving managing team KPIs and overseeing daily operations. A professional resume for business manager applications will showcase your relevant skills and career achievements, to help you stand out from the crowd. In this article, we'll explain how to write a winning resume for business manager applications that best showcases your skills and experience.
The aim of this article is to equip you with all the knowledge required to create a resume that positions you to succeed in your business manager applications. The article will take you through the key steps of creating a resume that presents your key skills, qualities and career achievements in a format that employers favor. It will also help you tailor your resume according to your unique skills and experience level. Read on to learn the tips Jobseeker careers experts recommend as the best for your business manager resume.
Main sections of a business manager resume
It's essential to include a few core sections in your business manager resume, while there are also a few optional sections.
A functional or skills-based resume format might be best for applications where you have little or no relevant business manager experience. This layout prioritizes your skills and education sections above your work experience. Soft and transferable skills are often more highly valued by employers for junior roles, so highlight these. Also add any internships, volunteer work or training courses you've undertaken.
Work experience is typically the most important resume section for business manager applicants with some prior experience. As such, it's best to use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format. In your resume work experience section, outline your relevant achievements and showcase the impact you've made in your career to date. Make sure everything you include is relevant to the job description.
For senior business manager roles, you're likely to be competing against highly experienced candidates. Use a reverse-chronological resume format and focus on adding additional information that shows your credentials beyond your work experience. It's likely that your senior resume will be longer than a standard resume of one-to-two pages. This is because you'll be listing additional achievements beyond your work experience, such as awards, publications and professional memberships.
Your resume layout and structure may differ depending on your experience levels, but make sure your resume includes the following:
Resume Header with Contact Details
In your business manager resume header, list your name, email address, phone number and address or location. You can also add your LinkedIn, if you have one, to help employers better understand your work history and skills. While in some countries, you might include additional personal information or a photo, these aren't necessary. Make sure your resume header is as brief as possible and doesn't take up too much valuable space. Choose a clear, professional design that sets the tone for your application.
Use an email address that's professional and appropriate for professional communication. Typically this would be an email address based on your first and last name, or your initials. If necessary, you could include your profession or another unique identifier. Avoid using old email addresses that could be considered unprofessional or inappropriate. Additionally, always check your contact details before sending your resume to ensure they're up-to-date.
Kevin Smith
kevin.smith@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
5150 Maple Drive, Twin Peaks, WA
linkedin․com/in/kevin–smith123
Resume Summary
In your resume summary, write a short paragraph that highlights two or three of your key achievements and skills for business manager roles. You could also call this section 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. A resume summary covers your career experience to date, while a resume objective focuses more on your ambitions for the future. Additionally, make sure your resume summary reflects the job description and focuses on qualities that are relevant to working as a business manager.
Alternatively, focus on introducing your career ambitions, and why this role is a good fit, both for you and the organization.
A good resume summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for business manager roles, while leaving the reader with an impression of your unique qualities and strengths. The most effective resume summaries also provide evidence to back up the claims made in them. Take a look at some strong examples of how to approach a business manager resume summary in the graphic below.
Dynamic and results-driven Business Manager with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and extensive experience as an Operations Manager. Proven track record in optimizing processes, enhancing productivity, and driving profitability. Skilled in strategic planning, project management, and team leadership. Adept at analyzing data to inform decision-making and implementing innovative solutions to achieve organizational goals. Strong communicator with the ability to foster collaboration across departments and build high-performing teams
Business manager with a degree in business and some experience in operations. Worked on making things run better and improving how things are done. Have some skills in planning, managing projects, and leading teams. Looked at data to help make choices and tried new ideas to reach goals. Can talk to people and work with different departments to build good teams
On the other hand, a resume summary can be ineffective if it lacks specific information about how your skills align with the job description, or fails to paint a picture of your unique qualities and talents. The visual above includes some examples of what not to do with your business manager resume summary
Work Experience
Next, list your relevant employment history and any key achievements that show you're suitable for a business manager position. Add each previous employment in reverse-chronological order. This means starting from your current or most recent role and working back in time from there. Include your job title, the company name, the location of the job and your dates of employment.
In addition, include a few bullet points under each job, highlighting your key achievements so the hiring manager can see how they led to successful outcomes. Back up each point with evidence to show how you meet the job description.
An effective resume work experience section is one that constantly echoes the skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you used your skills to positive effect in each job. Each bullet point should be carefully crafted to showcase a particular skill or achievement relevant to business manager jobs, with evidence to show the value you added. See the examples below for some ideas of what a great resume work experience looks like.
Operations Manager, January 2022 - Present
Pinnacle Solutions Inc, Arlington
- Reduced operational costs by 25% within one year through process optimization and supplier renegotiation
- Implemented a new inventory management system, decreasing stockouts by 40% and improving order fulfillment times by 30%
- Led a cross-functional team to achieve ISO 9001 certification, enhancing product quality and customer satisfaction
Operations Manager, January 2022 - Present
Pinnacle Solutions Inc, Arlington
- Improved company processes to enhance efficiency and productivity
- Managed team projects to achieve organizational goals
- Developed strategies to boost company performance and customer satisfaction
See above for some of the pitfalls to avoid with your resume work experience section. Less effective resume work experience sections might take a more vague, descriptive approach to previous jobs. They focus on responsibilities and everyday duties rather than referencing career achievements and the value you've added for previous employers.
Education
Your resume's education section provides space for you to list your highest and most relevant qualifications for business manager roles.
To work as a business manager, employers tend to require candidates to have a specialist degree, such as a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). If you have this degree, focus on it in your education section, while also mentioning any educational achievements that show your data analytics skills or CRM software knowledge.
List every relevant qualification, including the name and level of the course, the name of the school, college or university, its location and your graduation date. You can enhance this section by adding bullet points that show any outstanding grades, awards or achievements and any specialist subjects you studied. These details can make you stand out from other candidates.
If you took part in any volunteering or you were a leader or member of any university societies, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), 2017 - 2020
Ohio State University, Columbus
Skills
The skills section is one of the main ways to show employers you've got the skills required for business manager roles. Whether your skills include project management certification, problem-solving aptitude or any other useful skills for the role, you'll want to list them here. Again, refer to the business manager job description for an indication of the types of skills the employer is looking for, and make sure your skills section reflects these.
How to include hard skills on your business manager resume
Hard skills are the key technical skills required for business manager positions. They include specific industry knowledge and abilities that you could learn on the job, or through a specialist qualification. Furthermore, an extensive list of hard skills helps to make a compelling case for your business manager job applications, as they show employers your understanding of the business manager role. It's best to aim for four or five key hard skills that match the job description. These can really showcase your suitability for the job.
Your resume hard skills list should reflect your unique and specific industry expertise and experience, while also fulfilling the requirements listed in the job description. See the examples below for an idea of what an effective business manager resume hard skills list looks like.
- Financial analysis proficiency
- Project management certification
- Strategic planning expertise
How to list soft skills on your business manager resume
In your soft skills list, include any personal characteristics that make you a good fit for a business manager job. Soft skills tend to be more universal than hard skills, but they're no less important. Indeed, as the nature of work changes, soft skills are growing in importance, so make sure you include them in your resume. It's best to aim for four or five soft skills that match the job description and reflect your strongest personal qualities.
The strongest resume soft skills sections include a mix of skills that match your best personal strengths, and that reflect the skills listed in the job description. See below for some examples of effective soft skills for a business manager resume.
- Effective communication skills
- Team leadership abilities
- Problem-solving aptitude
Certifications and Training
Under certifications and licenses, add any further qualifications that show you're a good fit for the job. These could be professional accreditations and licenses, or certifications that improve your level of suitability for the position. Therefore, add any professional licenses or certifications, along with valid dates that show they're still valid.
Review the list below for some suitable certifications for a business manager resume:
- PMP Certification, 2022
- Six Sigma Black Belt, 2022
- CPA License, 2022
Optional Information
To provide further information on your suitability for the role, you could add some optional sections to a business manager resume. Take a look at the sections below and add any that help you show how and why you're right for the job.
Hobbies
Including your hobbies and interests can be a valuable way of showing your key skills and qualities. Hobbies can help you show different sides of your personality and make your resume more memorable to hiring managers. They're ideal to include if you're a junior candidate who might lack real world business manager experience. Only include hobbies and interests that showcase your personality and personal qualities, and add something different to your application.
Volunteer Experience
Listing volunteer work is another useful way to prove your relevant experience for business manager roles. List your volunteer job title, the organization you volunteered for, its location and the dates of your involvement, alongside a brief explanation of your responsibilities in the role.
References
Although it's rare to include references on a business manager resume, some employers may ask for it. Don't add references unless they're specifically mentioned by the employer in the job advert. Before adding any referees to your resume, ask them for their assistance and prepare them for contact by the employer.
References can be provided upon request.
Best action words for your business manager resume
Action words can help illustrate to the hiring manager the difference you made in each of your previous jobs. The suggested action verbs below will help the reader to understand your key qualities and the impact you made on the organization.
- Lead
- Strategize
- Optimize
- Negotiate
- Implement
- Coordinate
- Innovate
- Analyze
- Mentor
- Streamline
Jobseeker's resume templates were created by careers experts to help you produce a professional resume in minutes. You can also find cover letter templates to complete an eye-catching job application that gets you noticed.
Sample resume for business manager positions
The business manager resume example below includes all the sections above, so you can see how a completed resume looks:
5150 Maple Drive, Twin Peaks, WA
•
kevin.smith@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/kevin–smith123
Dynamic and results-driven Business Manager with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and extensive experience as a Business Operations Manager. Proven track record in optimizing operational processes, enhancing efficiency, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve strategic business goals. Skilled in project management, financial analysis, and implementing innovative solutions to drive growth and profitability. Strong leadership abilities and excellent communication skills, with a commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Business Operations Manager
2020
-2022
Synergy Dynamics Ltd (Norfolk)
- Increased operational efficiency by 25% through process optimization and implementation of lean management techniques
- Successfully managed a $10M budget, reducing costs by 15% while maintaining high service levels and customer satisfaction
- Led a cross-functional team to launch a new product line, resulting in $5M in annual revenue within the first year
Financial analysis proficiency
Project management certification
Strategic planning expertise
Effective communication skills
Team leadership abilities
Problem-solving aptitude
PMP Certification
Six Sigma Black Belt
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Quick tips for a business manager resume
- Quantify your career achievements by including evidence of your impact throughout your resume.
- Keep your business manager resume as brief as possible. Aim for one page for an entry-level role, and two pages for more senior jobs.
- Use action words that show how you've made an impact in different business manager jobs (e.g. strategize, coordinate, mentor).
- Create a positive impression with a well-written resume summary or objective that highlights your key strengths for business manager roles.
- Use a clear, professional resume format to make your document as accessible as possible, including a readable font and appropriate headings, margins and line spacing. This will make your resume easier for recruiters and hiring managers to read.
- Don't list work experience that has no relation to the role you're applying for. It wastes space and is unlikely to impress hiring managers.
- Don't add personal information such as your age, gender, a photo or marital status, as these can lead to bias in the hiring process.
- Don't fill up your business manager resume with unnecessary information that contributes nothing to your chances of success.
- Don't use elaborate formatting or layouts. These can make your business manager resume less readable and harder for applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan.
- Don't use passive language because it's less engaging for the reader. Change phrases like 'the target was exceeded' to 'I helped the team exceed the target'.
How to make your resume ATS compliant
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are one of the key ways recruiters and employers manage the hiring process. The systems can screen candidates by scanning and ranking resumes based on each candidate's likely suitability for the vacancy. When you're writing your business manager resume, there are several things you can do to make sure your resume stands the best chance of passing the ATS stage.
Follow these guidelines to create the best ATS-friendly resume:
- Choose a resume structure that matches the traditional, reverse-chronological layout or alternatively, the functional resume structure. This should make your resume more readable for ATS applications.
- Add keywords that match the job description throughout your resume, as ATS applications scan for these and well-placed, considered use can help your resume rank more highly.
- Include clear headings in each section that match the traditional resume structure and format. This will make it easier for the ATS software to scan your resume.
- Adopt a resume design that uses clear, professional design principles and leaves white space for your content to breathe. Use the most readable fonts and incorporate subtle design elements to enhance the readability of your document.
- Use simple, concise language to keep your resume to a maximum of one to two pages in length. This will make it easier for ATS software to read.
For help crafting a winning resume, read our in-depth career blog and review our resume examples for inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions about a business manager resume
After writing your business manager resume, you'll want to write an accompanying cover letter that helps your application stand out.
Firstly, choose whether you're going to write a full cover letter, or whether a brief email confirming your application and drawing attention to your resume will be sufficient.
A full, formal cover letter follows a traditional letter-writing structure and format. Add your header, the recipient's address an use professional greetings and sign-offs. In your first paragraph, introduce yourself and confirm the role you're applying for, along with your reasons for applying. Next, outline your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to the business manager job description. Finish by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and adding a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to contact you for further information.
Jobseeker's HR-approved cover letter templates can help you produce a cover letter that really catches the eye of employers.
Even if you have little or no relevant work experience, it's still possible to write a business manager resume that makes a strong impression on employers. Use a functional resume format instead of the standard reverse-chronological structure. This emphasizes your skills and education over your work experience. Make the most of additional sections such as hobbies and interests, volunteer work, certifications and internships. These can help you showcase skills that you've developed outside traditional work settings.
Use a resume headline to make it easy for the reader to start assessing your suitability for business manager positions at first glance. A well-written resume headline is also a way to increase your chances of passing the ATS resume scanning stage, by referencing keywords that match the job description. Take the time to draft a concise, eye-catching headline which includes the job title, one or two key skills and reference to either your experience level or track record.
See an example resume headline below:
- Aspiring Business Management Professional
- Strategic Business Operations Leader
- Experienced Senior Business Manager
The most suitable resume format for you depends on two crucial factors. Firstly, whether you have a body of relevant work experience. Secondly, the type of job and its seniority level. For entry-level roles, or situations where you're changing to a new career, a functional resume is often the best option. This places your skills and education above your work experience. If, however, you have experience in your chosen profession, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format might be the way to go. This showcases your relevant skills and achievements in your work experience section.
Takeaways for a winning business manager resume
Writing a strong, impactful resume is about using your experience to demonstrate your relevant skills and achievements. You can do this through your work history or other resume sections. Select a resume format that suits your experience levels and the job you're applying for, and make sure you tailor your resume for each application.
Remember, Jobseeker resume templates and other tools make it easy to create a resume and cover letter that leaves a positive impression on hiring managers. Sign up now to start building your perfect resume. Whatever job you're applying for, a professional cover letter can make all the difference to your chances. Use Jobseeker's HR-approved tools and cover letter examples to inspire your applications.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
