Crafting a CV that effectively showcases your strategic planning and market analysis skills can be a formidable hurdle in business development. By consulting our guide, you will learn how to articulate your experiences and demonstrate your value proposition to potential employers with clarity and impact.
Structure, write, and edit your business development CV to land the role of your dreams with our exclusive guide on how to:
- Create an attention-grabbing header that integrates keywords and includes all vital information;
- Add strong action verbs and skills in your experience section, and get inspired by real-world professionals;
- List your education and relevant certification to fill in the gaps in your career history;
- Integrate both hard and soft skills all through your CV.
Discover more industry-specific guides to help you apply for any role in the links below:
- Business Consultant CV Example
- Management Consultant CV Example
- Business Manager CV Example
- Business Intelligence CV Example
- Business Owner CV Example
- Category Manager CV Example
- Market Research CV Example
- Business Development Executive CV Example
- IT Business Analyst CV Example
- Junior Business Analyst CV Example
Resume examples for business development
Explore additional business development cv samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Head of Business Development
- Clear Leadership and Management Skills - Rosie's CV emphasizes her leadership capabilities through roles that involve managing teams and driving significant increases in successful contract renewals. Her ability to present and facilitate business strategies underscores her leadership acumen, making her a strong candidate for any senior role in business development.
- Steady Career Progression in Healthcare - The career trajectory detailed in Rosie's CV shows a strategic climb from Business Development Executive to Director roles within notable healthcare organizations. This progression reflects her growing expertise and recognition within a highly competitive industry, demonstrating her ability to adapt and excel in varied business environments.
- Impressive Business Impact - The CV focuses on achievements that illustrate Rosie's impact on business growth and efficiency. Highlights, such as leading a £75M contract win and increasing market share by 35%, are not just quantitative successes but milestones that contributed to each company's performance and market positioning.
Vice President of Business Development
- Structured and Comprehensive Presentation - The CV is meticulously organized, presenting information in a clear and concise manner. Each section is well-defined, starting with personal details and followed by experience, education, skills, courses, achievements, languages, and passions. This systematic structure allows for easy navigation and ensures all relevant information is immediately accessible, contributing to a strong overall impression.
- Impressive Career Growth and Industry Expertise - Jacob Roberts’s career trajectory exemplifies notable growth within the business development sector. The progression from Senior Sales Manager to Senior Director of Business Development highlights significant advancement and increased responsibilities. His consistent movement towards strategic roles in well-established firms, such as Allegis Global Solutions and Korn Ferry, indicates a deepening expertise in recruitment process outsourcing, showcasing his ability to adapt and excel in diverse environments.
- Impactful Achievements Demonstrating Business Results - The CV stands out with a focus on achievements that have tangible business impacts. Each experience section includes quantifiable successes, such as leading a sales strategy that increased revenue by 35% year over year and securing key contracts worth millions. These accomplishments underscore Jacob’s ability to drive substantial growth and enhance operational efficiencies, illustrating leadership and strategic prowess in achieving corporate objectives.
By Role
Business Development Manager
- Clear and Structured Content Presentation - The CV is organized in a structured manner, making it easy to navigate and understand. Key sections such as Experience, Education, Skills, and Achievements are clearly delineated, allowing the reader to quickly grasp Alice Barnes' qualifications. The bullet points are concise yet informative, providing enough detail without overwhelming the reader.
- Strong Career Progression - Alice Barnes' career trajectory is marked by consistent growth and advancement. Starting as an Account Manager and rising to the role of Business Development Manager, each position demonstrates increased responsibility and expertise in the fire safety industry. This progression underscores her capability to adapt and excel in more challenging roles, reinforcing her qualifications for strategic leadership positions.
- Significant Achievements with Business Impact - Alice's CV highlights notable achievements that are tied to concrete business outcomes, such as securing contracts that resulted in a revenue increase of £500,000 annually. These accomplishments not only demonstrate her effectiveness in business development but also her ability to drive substantial financial growth and enhance market presence for her employers.
Business Development Analyst
- Structured Content for Easy Navigation - The CV is meticulously structured, allowing for a seamless flow of information from one section to another. It clearly delineates the candidate's personal information, experience, education, skills, and additional qualifications, enabling potential employers to quickly identify and focus on relevant details. This clarity and organization reflect the candidate's ability to manage complex information, a crucial skill in business development and CRM management.
- Career Advancement Shows Growth and Leadership - Finley Robinson’s career progression is exemplary, moving from a Sales Analyst to a Business Development Manager, and then to a Digital Solutions Specialist. This trajectory not only demonstrates growth and capability in increasing responsibility but also highlights her effective leadership qualities, as seen in leading teams and major projects. Her roles in reputable companies like Willis Towers Watson, Aon, and Mercer, further attest to her expertise and credibility in the industry.
- Achievements Aligned with Business Goals - The CV articulates significant achievements that align with and contribute to broader business objectives. Increasing digital revenue by 40%, enhancing CRM data accuracy by 30%, and boosting client engagement rates by 50% are not mere metrics but represent meaningful contributions that likely translated into competitive advantages and market leadership for her employers. This alignment underscores her keen understanding of business operations and customer dynamics, making her a valuable asset to any organization focused on growth and efficiency.
Director of Business Development
- Strong career progression with leadership emphasis - The CV highlights an impressive career trajectory, marking significant promotions and growth within a leading tech company, which emphasizes an ability in leadership and management skills. Movement from roles in technical execution to senior management demonstrates the candidate's capability to oversee complex projects and mentor teams effectively.
- Innovative use of industry-specific methodologies - The candidate displays unique mastery over cutting-edge technologies, including AI algorithms and machine learning models, which are increasingly crucial in their industry. Their descriptions of these tools not only reveal an in-depth technical understanding but also a strategic implementation in business contexts to enhance decision-making and streamline operations.
- Emphasis on adaptability and project versatility - The CV captures the candidate's versatility through cross-functional projects that demonstrate adaptability to various roles and responsibilities. By detailing experiences across different departments, including collaboration with marketing, R&D, and IT, the candidate underscores their capability to deliver comprehensive solutions and integrate diverse perspectives.
Business Development Consultant
- Structured career progression and growth - The CV showcases a logical career trajectory, moving from a Sales Consultant to a Business Development Consultant, reflecting a clear pathway of personal growth and increasing responsibility. This advancement, particularly within the competitive IT recruitment field, highlights James Lewis’ ability to excel in roles that demand both sales acumen and client relationship management.
- Demonstrated expertise in relationship building - James excels in establishing connections with key decision-makers, as evidenced by his role in securing 18% quarterly sales growth and increasing client retention by 17%. These accomplishments demonstrate his ability to not only acquire new clients but also maintain and nurture existing relationships, which are crucial aspects of business development in IT recruitment.
- Focus on continuous learning and adaptability - The inclusion of relevant courses, such as "Strategic Business Development" from Harvard Online Learning, shows James’ commitment to professional development. His pursuit of advanced education, alongside practical achievements, underscores his adaptability and eagerness to stay informed about new business strategies and recruitment trends, enhancing his value as a consultant.
Business Development Associate
- Strategically structured experience progression - Leo Brown's CV showcases a well-defined career trajectory, transitioning from a Sales Consultant at PayPal to a Sales Development Manager at Stripe. Each role builds on the previous, highlighting his growing responsibilities and expertise in sales management, with documented achievements accelerating at each step.
- Focus on data-driven strategies - His experience consistently integrates data analytics into sales processes, with notable improvements in efficiency and performance metrics. By implementing data-driven methodologies, Leo demonstrated a methodical approach to sales strategy, ensuring more informed decision-making that resulted in substantial business impacts.
- Leadership in diversity and inclusion - In addition to sales achievements, the CV distinguishes Leo as a strong advocate for workplace culture improvements through his leadership in diversity and inclusion initiatives. These efforts significantly uplifted team morale and collaboration, highlighting his commitment to fostering a positive work environment beyond just meeting sales targets.
Business Development Coordinator
- Clarity and Structure - The CV is structured with clear headings and a logical layout, making it easy to navigate and understand. Important information, such as contact details, experience, education, and skills, are presented concisely. This clarity ensures that key achievements and qualifications are easily accessible to recruiters and hiring managers.
- Growth and Promotions - Louis Wood's career trajectory displays a steady progression from Sales Associate to Senior Business Development Executive, highlighting his ability to consistently deliver results and take on increasingly responsible roles. This growth within the same industry demonstrates his dedication and expertise in business development and B2B sales strategy.
- Industry-Specific Expertise - The CV showcases a deep understanding of B2B sales processes, CRM systems like HubSpot, and strategic planning. These industry-specific elements underline his capability to leverage tools and methodologies effectively, driving business success and adaptability to industry trends.
International Business Development Manager
- Structured Presentation and Conciseness - The CV is well-organized, starting with a succinct summary that immediately sets the stage for the candidate's aspirations and skills. Each section is clearly defined, with bullet points that concisely communicate key responsibilities and accomplishments, making it easy to digest essential information quickly. The use of explicit dates and quantifiable outcomes further enhances the clarity and impact of the narrative.
- Demonstrates Progressive Career Advancement - Emily's career trajectory is indicative of steady growth within the commercial development and sales industries. Transitioning from a Sales Analyst at Diageo to a Commercial Development Coordinator at Unilever showcases her progression into roles with increasing responsibility and the ability to lead strategic initiatives. This upward movement reflects her commitment to her profession and increasing competence within her field.
- Robust Achievements with Business Impact - The CV effectively highlights accomplishments that have substantial relevance to business success, such as regional sales growth and supply chain improvements. By illustrating specific examples like a 15% increase in sales and a 20% reduction in lead times, Emily ensures potential employers understand the tangible impacts of her contributions. These achievements not only demonstrate technical prowess but also underline her capacity to enhance business performance and foster international partnerships.
Business Development and Partnerships Manager
- Clear Structuring and Details - The CV effectively organizes key information about Grace Bailey, presenting her career trajectory, education, and skills in a clear and concise format. This makes it easy for prospective employers to quickly assess her qualifications and suitability for roles in business development within the crypto market.
- Consistent Career Growth in Crypto Sector - Grace’s career demonstrates a clear trajectory from Business Development Executive to Business Development Manager, with each role showcasing increased responsibilities in the crypto industry. This steady progression indicates a dedicated focus and expertise in digital finance and cryptocurrency markets.
- Industry-Specific Expertise and Tools - The CV highlights Bailey's familiarity with cutting-edge tools and methodologies such as OTC trading, blockchain technologies, and algorithmic trading. Her knowledge of these industry-specific elements underlines her technical depth and readiness to contribute meaningfully to any prospective employer in the crypto field.
Business Development Specialist
- Structured and Effective Presentation - The CV displays a well-organized structure, with clearly defined sections that guide the reader through Sophia Brooks' professional journey. Each segment, from experience to education and achievements, is presented concisely, making it easy to understand her qualifications and fit for the role at a glance.
- Steady Upward Career Trajectory - The progression from Financial Analyst to Business Development Manager reflects a solid growth path in the financial sector. Sophia's promotions demonstrate increasing responsibility and expertise, moving from analytical roles to strategic leadership positions, which show her development of management and business skills.
- Impactful Achievements and Business Value - The CV goes beyond listing responsibilities by highlighting achievements with significant business impact, like a 25% revenue increase and a 10% market expansion globally. These accomplishments underscore her ability to drive growth and improve client retention, emphasizing her contributions to organizational success.
Business Development Operations Manager
- Strategic Career Progression - The trajectory of Louis Wood's career is both strategic and progressive, starting as a Business Development Executive and rapidly advancing to a Business Development Operations Manager at a prestigious firm like SAP. His growth reflects a solid understanding of the business landscape and deliberate career moves that align with his skill set and aspirations.
- Emphasis on Collaborative Leadership - The CV highlights Louis's leadership and mentorship qualities, showcasing his ability to manage and guide teams toward achieving strategic goals. His success in collaborating with cross-functional teams at companies like SAP and HubSpot underscores his adaptability and communication skills, vital for fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Significant Achievements with Impact - Louis’s achievements go beyond mere numbers; they reflect substantial impacts on business performance. Initiatives like growing the sales pipeline by 40% and maintaining a 95% client retention rate indicate his ability to drive significant revenue increases and operational efficiencies, aligning perfectly with the role’s objectives.
Business Development Representative
- Comprehensive Career Progression - The CV illustrates a steady progress in Sophia's career, transitioning smoothly from an Account Executive at Salesforce to a Business Development Specialist at Zendesk, with intermediate experience as a Sales Development Representative at HubSpot. This upward mobility demonstrates her capability to adapt and excel in different roles, gaining broader strategic business development expertise.
- Impressive Achievements with Tangible Impact - Sophia's achievements are not only measurable but indicate significant business impacts, such as a 40% lead generation efficiency increase and a 30% year-to-year sales growth. These metrics reflect her ability to contribute meaningfully to organizational objectives, showcasing the real-world application of her skills and strategies in enhancing overall business performance.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration and Leadership - The CV highlights Sophia's ability to work across various teams, implicating strong cross-functional collaboration and leadership skills. Her experience with enhancing lead handover processes, working with marketing on lead generation, and regular Salesforce training sessions shows her aptitude for team integration and lifting team performance through shared goals.
Business Development Officer
- Clear Structure Enhances Readability - The CV is meticulously structured, allowing employers to easily navigate through sections like Experience, Education, and Skills. The concise bullet points in each job role highlight specific achievements and responsibilities, facilitating quick comprehension of Louis Wood's capabilities and accomplishments.
- Diverse Industry-Specific Competencies - Louis demonstrates a profound mastery of industry-specific tools and methodologies, such as CRM system implementation and market analysis. This technical depth reinforces his ability to enhance communication efficiency and identify growth opportunities, critical for a Business Development Officer.
- Significant Achievements with Strategic Impact - The CV effectively communicates high-impact achievements, such as securing a £500k research contract and increasing third stream income by 25%. These accomplishments are not mere numbers but illustrate strategic contributions that reinforce departmental growth and financial sustainability.
Business Development Strategist
- Structured Growth and Responsibility - The CV outlines a clear career path from an Account Executive to a Business Development Manager. It notes advancements in responsibility, such as managing a £1.5 million portfolio and leading proposal development that significantly increased acceptance rates and revenue.
- Expertise in Proposal Development and Web Technologies - The CV highlights a specialization in crafting compelling proposals and a notable proficiency in WordPress and Drupal. These skills underscore the candidate’s ability to integrate web development knowledge with strategic communication, enhancing the overall proposal success and market reach.
- Impactful Achievements and Client Success - Achievements are not only presented with quantifiable data but also with narratives of business relevance. For example, the achievement of a 95% client satisfaction rate stems from aligning proposals with client objectives, which directly impacts client retention and revenue growth.
Business Development and Marketing Manager
- Effective Career Progression - Charlie Thomas's CV showcases a logical and progressive career path within the real estate and marketing sectors. From starting as a Marketing and Business Development Coordinator to advancing to a Business Development and Marketing Manager, each role demonstrates an increase in responsibilities and leadership, clearly indicating professional growth and ambition.
- Cross-Functional Experience - The CV reveals Charlie's ability to work across various functions and sectors, evident in collaborations with construction teams, private client services, and commercial real estate. Such versatility suggests an adaptable professional who can drive successful marketing and business strategies in complex environments.
- Impact-Driven Achievements - Noteworthy accomplishments such as securing £2 million in annual contracts and achieving a 35% increase in brand visibility illustrate the tangible business impact of Charlie’s efforts. These accomplishments emphasize their capability to deliver measurable results, further emphasizing their value to potential employers.
Regional Business Development Manager
- Clear and Impactful Career Trajectory - Samuel’s CV effectively illustrates a steady career progression from Account Manager to Regional Business Development Manager. This trajectory shows not just experience, but continued growth and expertise in the business development realm, marked by increased responsibilities and achievements in sales growth and client retention.
- Strategic Use of Industry-Specific Tools - The applicant's adeptness with Salesforce is a standout element. Not only is this a relevant skill for a Business Development Manager, but the CV highlights how this proficiency has been used to streamline the sales pipeline, reduce cycle times, and achieve high team adoption rates, demonstrating technical depth and strategic application.
- Demonstrable Business Impact through Achievements - Samuel’s CV sets itself apart by connecting achievements with business outcomes, such as securing £5m in new revenue and improving client retention rates. These accomplishments illustrate his capacity to make significant contributions to company growth and efficiency, providing compelling evidence of his value to prospective employers.
Business Development and Sales Manager
- Effective Presentation and Structure - The CV is expertly structured, with clearly defined sections that flow logically. Each section is concise, providing relevant information without overwhelming the reader, which aids in quickly grasping the candidate's qualifications and experience.
- Diverse Career Trajectory in Aerospace Sales - Archie Clark’s career path showcases continuous growth and progression in the aerospace industry, moving from Technical Sales Specialist to Business Development Manager. Each role leverages previous experience while expanding skills, highlighting a well-rounded journey in business development and sales.
- Domain-Specific Expertise and Techniques - The CV emphasizes Clark's specialized knowledge in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and his ability to employ technical sales strategies, which is crucial for roles in the aerospace industry. This unique focus indicates his capacity to integrate deep technical insight with sales acumen to drive growth effectively.
Formatting your business development CV to meet the role expectations
Staring at the blank page for hours on end, you still have no idea how you should start your professional business development CV. Should you include more colours, two columns, and which sections? What you should remember about your CV format is this - ensure it's minimalistic and doesn't go over the top with fancy fonts and many colours. Instead, focus on writing consistent content that actually answers the job requirements. But, how about the design itself :
- Use the reverse chronological order to showcase your experience, starting with your most recent role;
- Include your contact details (email address, phone number, and location) - and potentially your professional photo - in the header;
- Must-have CV sections include summary or objective, experience, education, and skills: curate the ones that fit your profile;
- Your professional business development CV should be between one-to-two pages long: select the longer format if you have more experience.
A little bit more about your actual CV design, ensure you're using:
- plenty of serif or sans serif font (e.g. Montserrat, Exo 2, Volkhov) as they are Applicant Tracker System (ATS) compliant. Avoid the likes of Arial and Times New Roman because most candidates' CVs are in this typography.
When submitting your CV, are you still not sure what format it should be? Despite the myth that has been circling around, most modern ATS systems are perfectly capable of reading PDFs. This format is an excellent choice as it keeps all of your information intact.
PRO TIP
Incorporate a touch of colour in headers or section breaks, but keep it professional and ensure it doesn’t detract from readability, especially in more conservative industries.
The top sections on a business development CV
- Professional Summary showcases your value proposition and how you can contribute to business growth.
- Key Business Development Skills highlight industry-specific abilities and strategic competencies.
- Work Experience details past roles and quantifiable achievements relevant to business development.
- Academic Background emphasizes education that supports your understanding of market trends and business strategy.
- Notable Business Achievements focuses on recognitions that underscore your success and potential.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your strategic thinking skills by mentioning successful campaigns or initiatives where you identified growth opportunities and contributed to revenue increases.
- Emphasise your relationship-building prowess, including examples of partnerships or networks you have developed and how they have benefited the business.
- Showcase your analytical abilities by detailing how you have utilised data-driven insights to inform decisions and drive business development strategies.
- Demonstrate your versatility within business development roles by noting experience with different markets, products, and industries to display your adaptability and broad expertise.
- Include any relevant qualifications or continuous professional development courses you have undertaken that are pertinent to the role of a business developer, such as sales, marketing, or negotiation training.
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What information should you include in your business development CV header?
The CV header is potentially the section that recruiters would refer to the most, as it should include your:
- Contact details - your professional (non-work) email address and phone number;
- Professional photograph - if you're applying hinting at the value you bring as a professional.
Many professionals often struggle with writing their business development CV headline. That's why in the next section of this guide, we've curated examples of how you can optimise this space to pass any form of assessment.
Examples of good CV headlines for business development:
- Head of Business Growth | Strategic Partnerships | MBA | Lean Six Sigma | 10+ Years Experience
- Business Development Manager | Tech Sector Expertise | SaaS & PaaS | Contract Negotiation | 7 Years Experience
- Senior Business Development Executive | B2B Sales Leadership | International Markets | Fluent in Spanish | 15 Years Track Record
- Business Development Associate | Start-Up Ecosystems | Digital Marketing | BSc Economics | Rising Professional
- Director of Corporate Development | M&A Specialist | Financial Modelling | CFA Charterholder | 20+ Years Excellence
- Graduate Business Development Representative | Fresh Innovator | Social Media Strategies | BA Marketing | Early-Career Enthusiast
Opting between a business development CV summary or objective
Within the top one third of your business development CV, you have the opportunity to briefly summarise your best achievements or present your professional goals and dreams. Those two functions are met by either the CV summary or the objective.
- The summary is three-to-five sentences long and should narrate your best successes, while answering key requirements for the role. Select up to three skills which you can feature in your summary. Always aim to present what the actual outcomes were of using your particular skill set. The summary is an excellent choice for more experienced professionals.
- The objective is more focused on showcasing your unique value as a candidate and defining your dreams and ambitions. Think about highlighting how this current opportunity would answer your career vision. Also, about how you could help your potential employers grow. The objective matches the needs of less experienced candidates, who need to prove their skill set and, in particular, their soft skills.
Still not sure about how to write your CV opening statement? Use some best industry examples as inspiration:
CV summaries for a business development job:
- Accomplished business development manager with a decade of experience in the highly competitive SaaS industry. Expertise in strategic planning and execution, with a proven track record of securing multimillion-dollar deals. Noteworthy achievement includes leading a cross-functional team to a 25% revenue growth within two financial years.
- Dynamic professional with over 8 years in multimedia advertising sales, eager to transfer persuasive communication and relationship-building skills to the tech start-up ecosystem. Successfully expanded client base by over 40% year-on-year through innovative campaign strategies and robust market analysis.
- Highly motivated former healthcare consultant transitioning to business development, with a strong foundation in market research and data analytics. Eager to apply strategic planning abilities to foster partnerships and drive growth in the tech sector. Mastered the art of client relations, resulting in a 30% increase in customer retention in the previous role.
- Dedicated individual with expertise in environmental engineering seeking to leverage extensive project management and analytical skills in a business development capacity within the renewable energy sector. Skilful in identifying sustainable business opportunities and passionate about contributing to a greener economy.
- Keen to embark on a business development career, bringing a fresh perspective and an infectious enthusiasm for creating value through new market exploration and relationship building. Committed to learning rapidly and making a significant impact by contributing to the strategic growth of a forward-thinking company.
- Aspiring business development professional, armed with recent MBA credentials and a zest for innovative market solutions. Highly motivated to apply academic knowledge and leadership experience to forge strong client relationships and identify untapped market segments for substantial business growth.
The best formula for your business development CV experience section
The CV experience section is the space where many candidates go wrong by merely listing their work history and duties. Don't do that. Instead, use the job description to better understand what matters most for the role and integrate these keywords across your CV. Thus, you should focus on:
- showcasing your accomplishments to hint that you're results-oriented;
- highlighting your skill set by integrating job keywords, technologies, and transferrable skills in your experience bullets;
- listing your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with the latest and most senior, to hint at how you have grown your career;
- featuring metrics, in the form of percentage, numbers, etc. to make your success more tangible.
When writing each experience bullet, start with a strong, actionable verb, then follow it up with a skill, accomplishment, or metric. Use these professional examples to perfect your CV experience section:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Developed and expanded a client portfolio by 70% within two years through strategic networking and robust relationship management, surpassing annual sales targets.
- Identified new market opportunities and formulated entry strategies, resulting in the launch of three successful service lines that increased company revenue by 15%.
- Led cross-functional teams to execute business development plans, facilitating communication and project management to ensure alignment with company goals.
- Negotiated and secured high-value contracts with key industry players, contributing to a 25% growth in the company's market share over five years.
- Implemented innovative sales and marketing tactics, including digital campaigns and industry partnerships, which enhanced brand visibility and generated leads.
- Analysed competitor strategies and market trends to provide actionable intelligence, driving the adoption of adaptive business models for sustained competitive advantage.
- Conducted comprehensive deal evaluations, including due diligence and risk assessment, to inform executive decisions on potential mergers and acquisitions.
- Streamlined internal processes to improve efficiency within the business development department, reducing operational costs by 10% while maintaining high-quality output.
- Collaborated with product development teams to influence the roadmap based on customer feedback and market demand, ensuring the company's offerings remained relevant and competitive.
Senior Business Development Manager
Senior Business Development Manager
Microsoft Corporation
03/2020-Ongoing
- Spearheaded an initiative to penetrate new market segments, increasing market share by 25% within two years.
- Negotiated and secured a pivotal $4.5 million contract with a key industry player, marking the largest deal in the sector for the fiscal year.
- Developed a comprehensive training program for junior business development staff, improving team performance metrics by 40%.
Business Development Specialist
Business Development Specialist
Salesforce
06/2018-11/2019
- Drove a cross-functional team to launch a new SaaS product, resulting in a subscriber increase of 60% within the first quarter post-launch.
- Identified and forged strategic partnerships with three industry-leading firms, enhancing brand visibility and collaborative product development.
- Collaborated with marketing to implement a targeted digital campaign that generated a lead conversion rate improvement of 35%.
Business Development Executive
Business Development Executive
Oracle Corporation
01/2016-05/2018
- Orchestrated the expansion into two international markets, leading to a revenue growth of 20% from these regions.
- Initiated and managed a CRM overhaul that improved customer relationship management and operational efficiency by 45%.
- Led a team in creating a customer loyalty program that boosted repeat business by 30% within one year of implementation.
Global Business Development Associate
Global Business Development Associate
IBM
10/2013-12/2015
- Implemented a global market analysis project that identified five key growth areas, resulting in a tailored expansion strategy.
- Managed trade show participation across four continents, leading to the establishment of 50+ potential new client relationships.
- Conducted competitor analysis to refine company’s value proposition, directly impacting the proposal win rate by increasing it by 18%.
Business Development Analyst
Business Development Analyst
Amazon Web Services
08/2011-09/2013
- Created a data-driven decision-making framework for identifying promising market opportunities with potential, resulting in a 10% budget efficiency increase.
- Piloted a client feedback system to streamline product development, leading to a 15% decrease in customer churn over six months.
- Analyzed market trends to advise senior management on strategic initiatives, influencing the decision to enter a lucrative niche market.
Junior Business Development Representative
Junior Business Development Representative
Google Cloud
02/2009-07/2011
- Exceeded sales goals by 150% in my first year through persistent customer engagement and effective lead qualification.
- Successfully managed a portfolio of 30 B2B clients, helping to sustain a 95% client retention rate throughout my tenure.
- Collaborated with product teams to communicate customer pain points, significantly contributing to product improvements and a 20% reduction in support tickets.
What to add in your business development CV experience section with no professional experience
If you don't have the standard nine-to-five professional experience, yet are still keen on applying for the job, here's what you can do:
- List any internships, part-time roles, volunteer experience, or basically any work you've done that meets the job requirements and is in the same industry;
- Showcase any project you've done in your free time (even if you completed them with family and friends) that will hint at your experience and skill set;
- Replace the standard, CV experience section with a strengths or achievements one. This will help you spotlight your transferrable skills that apply to the role.
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PRO TIP
Include examples of how you adapted to new tools, environments, or work cultures, showing your flexibility.
Hard skills and soft skills to showcase your unique skill set on your business development CV
Did you know that your CV will mostly likely be assessed by recruiters based on skill alignment? And that means that the way you feature your key skills across different CV sections will play a crucial role in landing you that first interview. We recommend you add your:
- technical capabilities or hard skills in your CV experience, certificates, projects, etc. Use your past accomplishments to prove your technical capabilities. List up to a dozen different software or hardware in your dedicated skills section to match the job keywords;
- personal and communication skills or soft skills in your CV strengths, achievements, summary/ objective, etc. Soft skills are a bit more difficult to prove. How do you define your aptitude in active listening? So, instead of just listing the skill name, include a tangible metric to show your success.
On a final note, when you're in a hurry to create your profile, you may misspell a particular technology or soft skill. That's why we suggest you copy and paste the particular skill name (or keyword), directly from the job advert. This would also help you to pass any initial Applicant Tracker System (ATS) tests.
Top skills for your business development CV:
HARD SKILLS
Market Research
Lead Generation
Sales Strategy Development
Negotiation
CRM Software Proficiency
Financial Modelling
Data Analysis
Project Management
Marketing
Contract Management
SOFT SKILLS
Communication
Networking
Strategic Thinking
Innovative Problem-Solving
Adaptability
Collaboration
Persuasion
Time Management
Leadership
Emotional Intelligence
PRO TIP
Use mini case studies or success stories in your CV to demonstrate how your skills have positively impacted previous roles or projects.
Listing your university education and certificates on your business development CV
The best proof of your technical capabilities would be your education and certifications sections. Your education should list all of your relevant university degrees, followed up by their start and completion dates. Make sure to also include the name of the university/-ies you graduated from. If you happen to have less professional experience (or you deem it would be impressive and relevant to your application), spotlight in the education section:
- that you were awarded a "First" degree;
- industry-specific coursework and projects;
- extracurricular clubs, societies, and activities.
When selecting your certificates, first ask yourself how applicable they'd be to the role. Ater your initial assessment, write the certificate and institution name. Don't miss out on including the completion date. In the below panel, we've curated relevant examples of industry-leading certificates.
PRO TIP
Focus on describing skills in the context of the outcomes they’ve helped you achieve, linking them directly to tangible results or successes in your career.
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Key takeaways
Your successful job application depends on how you well you have aligned your business development CV to the job description and portrayed your best skills and traits. Make sure to:
- Select your CV format, so that it ensures your experience is easy to read and understand;
- Include your professional contact details and a link to your portfolio, so that recruiters can easily get in touch with you and preview your work;
- Write a CV summary if you happen to have more relevant professional experience. Meanwhile, use the objective to showcase your career dreams and ambitions;
- In your CV experience section bullets, back up your individual skills and responsibilities with tangible achievements;
- Have a healthy balance between hard and soft skills to answer the job requirements and hint at your unique professional value.
