
How to Write a Resume According to Science in 2023
How do you write a resume? With so many conflicting opinions out there, we’ve set out to find the ultimate answer to this question.
Learn how to write a perfect manager resume. Our guide will show you step-by-step how to create a resume for a management position that will land you multiple interviews.
Writing a manager resume is tough for most candidates. But for you, it’s about to become as easy as a pie.
The key thing? Prove that you have all the necessary industry skills and management expertise. That you’re a top-performing specialist as well as an inspired leader.
Here, you’ll find out how to write a management resume like that.
This guide will show you:
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Want to see more specific management resume examples? Switch over to one of our dedicated guides:
For starters, here’s a top-notch manager resume example:
Ashleigh Osaka, CSE
Sales Manager
552-121-5486
a.osaka@me.com
linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-osaka33
Summary
Energetic Sales Manager with 8+ years’ experience increasing revenue, developing and adjusting sales strategies, and building self-reliant sales teams. Spearheaded a team of 18 sales representatives to achieve and maintain highest company-wide sales average for 4 straight years. Seeking to use high-level sales management skills to skyrocket ABC’s ROI.
Experience
Senior Sales Manager
XYZ Corp, San Francisco, CA
2014–present
Key achievement: Inspired team performance daily using incentive-based team competitions and behavioral coaching, achieved and maintained highest sales company-wide for 4 straight years (2014–2018).
Sales Manager
Acme Corp, San Diego, CA
2010–2014
Key achievement: Voted Salesperson of the Year in 2012. Commended by the CEO as “the most skillful marketer I’ve ever met.”
Sales Associate
Verizon, San Diego, CA
2007–2010
Education
BS in Business Management
UCLA, CA
2007
Graduated Summa Cum Laude
Certifications
Hard Skills
Soft Skills
Read on to learn how to write a perfect manager resume with step-by-step writing tips
Management resumes are different across industries. But all great ones have something in common—they’re based on a proven, effective management resume format and template.
Whether you’re writing an IT project manager resume, property manager resume, restaurant manager resume, account manager resume, or any other management resume, start with dividing your resume into proper sections:
Remember to keep your formatting professional and tidy:
Expert Hint: Save your management resume in PDF unless the job ad explicitly says not to. This way, ATS will be able to scan your resume while your formatting and layout stay intact.
Think about this—
Employers spend an average of 7 seconds on every resume they get. But use an easy trick, and you can make them read yours in full. At the top, put a well-phrased manager resume summary or objective.
Got years of management experience? Write a resume summary, resume profile or summary of qualifications. Highlight your best wins and show how your expertise can help.
Not much experience in supervising teams? Pick a resume objective. Discuss what managerial skills you’ve mastered so far and how well you’d fit in.
Whichever one you choose, remember: it’s not about what you want out of the job. It’s what you can offer.
But enough theory. See what I mean on these sample manager resumes.
See this? I’m great at my job and I know what to do to help you achieve your goals.
Perhaps not awful, but it brings no value to the table.
Now, let’s have a look at these two very different management resume objectives.
The difference is clear, right?
Expert Hint: Although this section comes at the top of your resume for a manager position, write it last. First, outline your career in the experience, education, and skills sections. This way, you’ll have more to choose from for the highlight reel you’ll put at the top.
Here’s what will either make or break your management job application—
The job descriptions on your resume’s work history section. Employers ask for a resume basically for the sole purpose of reviewing your work history. The twist? Most candidates don’t know how to write this section.
Ready?
Have a look at this management resume example.
Job ad asks for: (1) sales manager skilled in digital marketing, (2) someone with strong analytical skills, (3) supervisor with coaching experience.
Here’s a tailored management job description:
Senior Sales Manager
XYZ Corp, San Francisco, CA
2014–present
Key achievement: Inspired team performance daily using incentive-based team competitions and behavioral coaching (3), achieved and maintained highest sales company-wide for 4 straight years (2014–2018).
Expert Hint: A recent nation-wide survey revealed that almost 60% of managers haven’t received any managerial training. In other words: they got to where they are by being good at what they do, not necessarily helping others become better. In your management job descriptions, make sure to show you can do both the former and the latter.
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For experienced managers, putting education on a resume is a sheer formality.
Like this:
But what if you don’t have much professional experience? Say, you’re targeting an entry-level manager role?
Add some of the following to your education section:
BA in Psychology
Penn State, Philadelphia, PA
2017
One of the most important tips for resume writing:
Don’t copy-paste a generic skills list.
Instead, do this:
Did I just say don’t use skills list?
That’s right. But here are some examples for reference:
Hard skills:
Soft Skills:
Expert Hint: A report by the NYU Steinhardt has shown that the relationship employees develop with their boss is the single most important indicator of their professional satisfaction. In your management resume skills section, don’t forget to include soft skills showing how deeply you’ll care for your teams’ satisfaction.
“All people lie.”
—Seth Godin
Guess what?
It’s not Seth Godin. I lied.
But so do most job seekers on their resumes! They just can’t help but embellish their accomplishments.
To make your manager resume stand out, show off some of your verifiable wins in an extra resume section.
Help the hiring manager separate the goats from the sheep. Show them you’re the real deal.
Expert Hint: For greatest impact, write a management cover letter. Many applicants don't know how to write a cover letter, and as such they don't have them. If you create one, you’ll double your chances of getting hired!
Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
Haven't written your cover letter yet? See:
You may want also see some resume examples for other positions:
Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Resume Examples.
To have the best resume for a manager position in the pile, follow these key tips:
Have more questions? Could use a chat about writing a killer management resume? Drop me a line in the comments and I’ll soothe your concerns double quick!
How do you write a resume? With so many conflicting opinions out there, we’ve set out to find the ultimate answer to this question.
Check our curated list of the best Google Docs resume templates. Choose the one you like, follow our tips and make a resume you can be proud of.
You can whip up a latte while talking to other clients and always remain calm under pressure. This Starbucks resume will help you show your skills to a restaurant manager.