Business Development CV—Examples and 25+ Writing Tips

You’ve found the perfect business development CV sample.

But—

This is high stakes.

You’ve got talent like Og Mandino, and you drive Netflix-level growth.

But it’s all for nothing if they don’t let you into the negotiation room.

Without a standout business development manager CV, your job search will stagnate.

Don’t worry. In a few minutes, you’ll have a CV Daniel Goleman would appreciate.

In this guide:

• A business development CV sample better than most.
• How to write a business development director CV that sparkles.
• How to craft the perfect business development job description.
• Why you can’t just list business development skills (and what to do instead).

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Business Development CV Sample You Can Copy and Use

Are you sure a business development manager CV is right for you? See our guides:

• Account Manager CV Sample & Guide
• Consultant CV Sample & Guide
• Business Manager CV Sample & Guide
• Program Manager CV Sample & Guide
• Project Manager CV Samples & Guide
• Operations Manager CV Sample & Guide
• Executive CV Sample & Guide
• CEO CV Sample & Guide

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our CV examples for any job.

Here’s how to write a business development CV with the right fit:

1. Use a Clean Business Development CV Format

Disaster.

You wrote a flawless business development CV, but the BoD deleted it.

Why?

Your clumsy formatting made you look like you came up with New Coke.

CV formatting is like a watch by MVMT or a Tom Ford suit. It has to show professionalism and capability.

Use these tips:

Business Development CV Format

• Craft a 1–3 page CV depending on your achievements.
• Set margins at one inch.
• Choose a CV font like 11–14pt Lucia Sans or Bell MT.
• Add plenty of white space.
• Write CV sections for Heading, Summary, Experience, Education, and Skills.
• Put jobs in reverse-chronological CV order.
• To look your best on all devices, submit a PDF CV.

2. Write a Business Development CV Objective or Summary

Here’s the good news:

The board will only skim most CVs.

Wait—that’s bad news. Isn’t it?

Nope. Because they won’t skim yours. You’ll write a catchy CV objective statement or CV summary statement that gets to “Yes.”

Include:

1. One adjective (energetic, versatile)
2. “Business development manager” (or job title from the posting)
3. Years of experience (5+, 8+)
4. What you’ll do, for whom (double sales at Arias Tech Solutions...)
5. Best business development manager CV accomplishments (Grew sales 50%...)

See these director of business development CV examples:

Business Development CV Summary—Example

The last of those business development CV samples says “trust me.” But—

The BoD would rather trust the 50% sales increase in example #1.

Put a fact like that in your business development manager CV and you’ll look Momo-level.

But what if your business development experience is still conceptual?

You can still boost your bottom line. See these entry-level CV samples for business development jobs:

Entry-Level Business Development CV Objective

Smell-test results?

The second of those entry-level business development CV examples with no experience fails.

It says you have a track record, but doesn’t show it like the first example.

3. Right-Size Your Business Development Job Description and Skills Sections

What skills are vital in a business development CV?

Here’s a CV skills list:

Business Development CV Skills

But pump the brakes—

Don’t ever list the lot in a CV for business development jobs. Nobody will buy it.

Rather, customise your CV. How? With the right choice of CV keywords from the position posting.

These business development manager CV samples show how:

Let’s say the job wants skills in developing business lines, working with cross-functional teams, market assessments, and outsourcing.

Business Development Job Description for a CV [Sample]

Wow.

The second of those business development manager CV examples says handled, responsible, in charge, tasked—the death knell!

You want specific business development achievements that rocked the boat.

But—

What if you’re a new business development professional?

A CV with no experience needs business development proof from other jobs.

See these entry-level business development CV examples with no experience. They’re for a job that needs collaboration and new product lines.

Entry-Level Business Development CV Job Description [Sample]

Well, well.

The last of those business development CV bullets lists targets a sales job!

But the first could be a young Eric Ries.

Expert Hint: Business development managers in the UK earn even up to £60,000/year, and to get there, you'll need excellent leadership skills. Consider taking a leadership course to boost your chances of getting hired or promoted. 

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your CV in our CV builder now.

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Nail it all with a splash of colour, choose a clean font, highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You’re the perfect candidate and we’ll prove it. Use the ResumeLab builder now.

4. Create a Winning Education Section

Everyone knows—

Your education in a business development manager CV doesn’t matter.

Everyone is wrong.

Your CV education section needs to pull its weight.

Don’t just show your degree and school.

Put business development skills in it—especially if you’re relatively new.

See this business development CV sample:

Business Development CV Example—Education

Classic.

You didn’t just earn a sheepskin. You ruled it.

5. Add Deal Sweeteners to Your Business Development CV

Be afraid.

If you look like everyone else, you don’t have a business development CV.

You have a lottery ticket.

Let’s even up the odds.

Do it with added sections in your business development manager CV.

You can include:

• Certifications
• Volunteering 
• Awards and honours
• Board memberships
• Professional associations (NBDA, etc.)
• Conferences
• Speaking engagements
• Publications
• Media mentions
• Foreign languages
• Additional activities
• Fitness

See these business development CV examples:

Business Development CV—Other Sections

Amazing.

The first of those director of business development CV samples overflows with competence.

Expert Hint: Create a cover letter for your CV for business development jobs. It should show how your passions and past wins fit the company mission.

Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

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Want to try a different look? There’s 18 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

Key Points

Here’s how to write a business development director CV:

• Use a good business development CV template. Stock it with your best business development accomplishments.
• Include business development skills like product development or team leadership. Use metrics to show those skills are Nvidia-sized.
• Write a business development CV summary to provide a window into your best attributes.
• Add “special” sections with an NBDA membership or a position on a charitable BoD.

Got questions on how to write good CVs for business development jobs? Not sure how to put business development on a CV? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!