Crafting your CV can be a daunting challenge, especially when you want to encapsulate the breadth of your management experience effectively. Our guide offers tailored strategies and examples to showcase your leadership skills and achievements, ensuring your application stands out to prospective employers.
- Answer job requirements with your business manager CV and experience;
- Curate your academic background and certificates, following industry-leading CV examples;
- Select from +10 niche skills to match the ideal candidate profile
- Write a more succinct experience section that consists of all the right details.
Do you need more specific insights into writing your business manager CV? Our guides focus on unique insights for each individual role:
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- Compliance Manager CV Example
- IT Business Analyst CV Example
- Shift Manager CV Example
- Service Delivery Manager CV Example
- Supervisor CV Example
- Business Intelligence CV Example
- Business Development Executive CV Example
- Business Analyst CV Example
- Environmental Consultant CV Example
How complex should the format of your business manager CV be?
Perhaps, you decided to use a fancy font and plenty of colours to ensure your business manager CV stands out amongst the pile of other candidate profiles. Alas - this may confuse recruiters. By keeping your format simple and organising your information coherently, you'll ultimately make a better impression. What matters most is your experience, while your CV format should act as complementary thing by:- Presenting the information in a reverse chronological order with the most recent of your jobs first. This is done so that your career history stays organised and is aligned to the role;
- Making it easy for recruiters to get in touch with you by including your contact details in the CV header. Regarding the design of your CV header, include plenty of white space and icons to draw attention to your information. If you're applying for roles in the UK, don't include a photo, as this is considered a bad practice;
- Organising your most important CV sections with consistent colours, plenty of white space, and appropriate margins (2.54 cm). Remember that your CV design should always aim at legibility and to spotlight your key information;
- Writing no more than two pages of your relevant experience. For candidates who are just starting out in the field, we recommend to have an one-page CV.
One more thing about your CV format - you may be worried if your double column CV is Applicant Tracker System (ATS) complaint. In our recent study, we discovered that both single and double-column CVs are ATS-friendly . Most ATSes out there can also read all serif and sans serif fonts. We suggest you go with modern, yet simple, fonts (e.g. Rubik, Lato, Raleway) instead of the classic Times New Roman. You'll want your application to stand out, and many candidates still go for the classics. Finally, you'll have to export your CV. If you're wondering if you should select Doc or PDF, we always advise going with PDF. Your CV in PDF will stay intact and opens easily on every OS, including Mac OS.
PRO TIP
Use font size and style strategically to create a visual hierarchy, drawing the reader's eye to the most important information first (like your name and most recent job title).
The top sections on a business manager CV
- Professional Summary showcases leadership capabilities.
- Key Achievements highlights success in management.
- Relevant Experience details specific managerial roles.
- Education and Qualifications show academic background.
- Management Skills Section outlines leadership competencies.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your strategic leadership skills by detailing successful long-term planning efforts and the positive outcomes they led to, showcasing your ability to steer a business towards its goals.
- Emphasise your financial acumen by describing instances where you managed budgets effectively, optimised costs, and increased profitability, as these are core responsibilities of a business manager.
- Demonstrate your team management abilities by sharing examples of how you've built, led, and motivated teams to achieve exceptional results, which is crucial for a business manager's role.
- Include any specific industry experience relevant to the business you're applying to manage, since insider knowledge can be a significant asset for a business manager.
- Detail your proficiency with business management software and tools, as well as your ability to adapt to new technologies, as these are key to maintaining efficiency and a competitive edge.
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Making a good first impression with your business manager CV header
Your typical CV header consists of Your typical CV header consists of contact details and a headline. Make sure to list your professional phone number, email address, and a link to your professional portfolio (or, alternatively, your LinkedIn profile). When writing your CV headline , ensure it's:
- tailored to the job you're applying for;
- highlights your unique value as a professional;
- concise, yet matches relevant job ad keywords.
You can, for examples, list your current job title or a particular skill as part of your headline. Now, if you decide on including your photo in your CV header, ensure it's a professional one, rather than one from your graduation or night out. You may happen to have plenty more questions on how to make best the use of your CV headline. We'll help you with some real-world examples, below.
Examples of good CV headlines for business manager:
- Senior Project Manager | PMP Certified | Strategic Planning & Implementation | 10+ Years’ Experience
- Operations Manager | MBA | Lean Six Sigma | Supply Chain Optimisation | 15 Years’ Leadership
- Marketing Manager | CIM Diploma | Brand Development & Digital Marketing | B2B Expertise | 8 Years
- Financial Manager | ACCA Qualified | Budgeting & Forecasting | Risk Management | 12 Years in Finance
- HR Business Partner | CIPD Level 7 | Talent Acquisition | Employee Relations | Over 7 Years' Experience
- IT Manager | BSc Computer Science | Agile Methodologies | Cybersecurity Focus | 9+ Years’ Tech Leadership
Opting between a business manager CV summary or objective
Within the top one third of your business manager 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 manager job:
- Seasoned Business Manager with over 15 years of experience enhancing operational efficiency in the telecommunications sector. Expert in strategic planning and Lean Six Sigma methodologies, resulting in a 30% increase in annual revenue for a major service provider.
- Dynamic professional with a decade of proven success in the fast-paced world of retail management. Skilled in multi-site operations, team leadership, and revenue growth strategies, achieving a record-breaking 25% year-on-year sales increase for a high-street fashion brand.
- Former IT Project Leader eagerly transitioning into business management, bringing a solid 8-year track record of leading cross-functional teams and delivering complex software solutions under budget and ahead of schedule, seeking to leverage problem-solving skills in a new sector.
- Adept Educator aiming to pivot into business management, equipped with 12 years of cultivating high-performance teams and designing innovative curriculum, determined to apply transferable skills in strategic planning and organisational leadership to drive business success.
- Enthusiastic graduate with a Master's degree in Business Administration poised to embark on a management career. Eager to apply academic knowledge, including advanced financial analysis and strategic marketing, to contribute to a company's progressive growth objectives.
- Aspiring manager with a robust intern background in strategic marketing and operational logistics, seeking to apply freshly acquired skills in project coordination and data-driven decision-making to foster the operational excellence of a forward-thinking organisation.
Narrating the details of your business manager CV experience section
Perhaps you've heard it time and time again, but, how you present your experience is what matters the most. Your CV experience section - that details your work history alongside your accomplishments - is the space to spotlight your unqiue expertise and talents. So, avoid solely listing your responsibilities, but instead:
- adverts' keywords and integrate those in your experience section;
- Use your CV to detail how you've been promoted in the past by including experience in the reverse chronological order.
Before you start writing your business manager CV experience section, dive into some industry-leading examples on how to structure your bullets.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Led a team of 20 professionals, streamlining operations to boost efficiency by 25%, thereby enhancing overall productivity and meeting quarterly targets consistently.
- Drove the development and implementation of a new inventory management system, reducing material waste by 15% and fostering sustainable business practices.
- Managed annual budget of £5 million, allocating resources judiciously to achieve a 10% cost reduction without compromising on service quality or employee satisfaction.
- Conceptualised and executed a strategic marketing plan that increased brand visibility by 30% in the regional market, directly impacting revenue growth.
- Negotiated with suppliers to secure more favourable terms and discounts, saving the company £200,000 annually while maintaining the quality of goods and services.
- Championed the adoption of CRM software, enhancing customer relationship management and increasing repeat business by 20% within the first year of implementation.
- Facilitated cross-departmental collaborations that led to the successful launch of a new product line, contributing to a 12% expansion in the company's market share.
- Coordinated the training and professional development of staff, leading to a 35% improvement in team performance and a significant decrease in staff turnover rates.
- Implemented risk management protocols to mitigate potential financial and operational risks, ensuring the company's steady growth and compliance with industry regulations.
- Led a team of 20 to overhaul the customer service strategy, enhancing client satisfaction scores by 35%.
- Managed P&L for all business units, achieving a 20% reduction in operational costs through strategic vendor negotiations.
- Pioneered the integration of a new CRM system, improving sales tracking and forecasting accuracy by 40%.
- Grew annual revenue by 55% through the development and implementation of a dynamic market penetration strategy.
- Fostered partnerships with 15+ international stakeholders to diversify the company portfolio.
- Directed a cross-functional team in launching three new products, which captured a 25% market share within two years.
- Orchestrated a business turnaround, lifting the company out of a 5% loss to a 10% profit margin in 18 months.
- Steered company expansion into two new markets, resulting in a 70% increase in customer base.
- Led a successful rebranding initiative that increased brand recognition by 50% in targeted demographics.
- Conducted comprehensive market analysis to identify and capitalise on untapped opportunities, increasing market share by 15%.
- Developed and implemented cost-saving strategies which slashed supply expenses by 30%, bolstering the profit margins.
- Oversaw a 40% productivity growth by introducing agile management techniques to project workflows.
- Implemented a customer-centric approach that heightened customer retention rates to an unprecedented 90%.
- Optimised inventory processes using lean methodologies, reducing waste by 25% and saving £100,000 annually.
- Played a pivotal role in acquiring and integrating a £2 million start-up, adding a key product line to the company portfolio.
- Drove operational excellence by streamlining processes, which led to a 20% improvement in delivery times.
- Implemented a company-wide upskill training program that enhanced employee performance and engagement.
- Managed a £5 million budget to facilitate the expansion of digital marketing campaigns, increasing online sales by 40%.
- Negotiated key contracts with vendors, saving the firm £500,000 over a three-year period.
- Cultivated a high-performance culture that led to the business unit exceeding its sales targets by 25% for three consecutive years.
- Directed the corporate social responsibility program, which bolstered company reputation and received the 'Ethical Business Award' in 2021.
- Spearheaded a digital transformation project that enhanced data analytics capabilities, boosting revenue projections by 30%.
- Launched a cross-departmental initiative to optimise workflow, cutting down project completion times by 22%.
- Developed a risk management plan that mitigated potential financial losses by 15% during market downturns.
How to ensure your business manager CV stands out when you have no experience
This part of our step-by-step guide will help you substitute your experience section by helping you spotlight your skill set. First off, your ability to land your first job will depend on the time you take to assess precisely how you match the job requirements. Whether that's via your relevant education and courses, skill set, or any potential extracurricular activities. Next:
- Systematise your CV so that it spotlights your most relevant experience (whether that's your education or volunteer work) towards the top;
- Focus recruiters' attention to your transferrable skill set and in particular how your personality would be the perfect fit for the role;
- Consider how your current background has helped you build your technological understanding - whether you've created projects in your free time or as part of your uni degree;
- Ensure you've expanded on your teamwork capabilities with any relevant internships, part-time roles, or projects you've participated in the past.
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PRO TIP
If applicable, briefly mention a situation where things didn’t go as planned and what you learned from it, demonstrating your ability to learn and adapt.
Describing your unique skill set using both hard skills and soft skills
Your business manager CV provides you with the perfect opportunity to spotlight your talents, and at the same time - to pass any form of assessment. Focusing on your skill set across different CV sections is the way to go, as this would provide you with an opportunity to quantify your achievements and successes. There's one common, very simple mistake, which candidates tend to make at this stage. Short on time, they tend to hurry and mess up the spelling of some of the key technologies, skills, and keywords. Copy and paste the particular skill directly from the job requirement to your CV to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Now, your CV skills are divided into:
- Technical or hard skills, describing your comfort level with technologies (software and hardware). List your aptitude by curating your certifications, on the work success in the experience section, and technical projects. Use the dedicated skills section to provide recruiters with up to twelve technologies, that match the job requirements, and you're capable of using.
- People or soft skills provide you with an excellent background to communicate, work within a team, solve problems. Don't just copy-paste that you're a "leader" or excel at "analysis". Instead, provide tangible metrics that define your success inusing the particular skill within the strengths, achievements, summary/ objective sections.
Top skills for your business manager CV:
Strategic Planning
Financial Analysis
Project Management
Marketing Knowledge
Business Development
Data Analysis
Budget Management
Knowledge of Business Law
Supply Chain Management
IT Proficiency
Leadership
Communication
Problem Solving
Teamwork
Adaptability
Negotiation
Decision Making
Time Management
Emotional Intelligence
Innovative Thinking
PRO TIP
Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
Listing your university education and certificates on your business manager 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.
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If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
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Key takeaways
Impressing recruiters with your experience, skill set, and values starts with your professional business manager CV. Write concisely and always aim to answer job requirements with what you've achieved; furthermore:
- Select a simple design that complements your experience and ensures your profile is presentable;
- Include an opening statement that either spotlights your key achievements (summary) or showcases your career ambitions (objective);
- Curate your experience bullets, so that each one commences with a strong, action verb and is followed up by your skill and accomplishment;
- List your hard and soft skills all across different sections of your CV to ensure your application meets the requirements;
- Dedicate space to your relevant higher education diplomas and your certificates to show recruiters you have the necessary industry background.
