Navigating the fine line between under- and overqualified candidates is a perennial CV challenge faced by managers seeking the ideal fit for their team. Our comprehensive guide provides you with the critical insights and practical tools necessary to efficiently identify the candidates whose skills and experience align perfectly with your company's needs.
- Answer job requirements with your 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 manager CV? Our guides focus on unique insights for each individual role:
- Business Development CV Example
- Business Consultant CV Example
- Business Manager CV Example
- Senior Business Analyst CV Example
- Business Analyst CV Example
- Management Consultant CV Example
- Category Manager CV Example
- Investment Manager CV Example
- Environmental Consultant CV Example
- Strategy Consultant CV Example
Structuring your manager CV layout: four factors to keep in mind
There are plenty of best practices out there for your CV layout and design. At the end of the day, a clear format and concise CV message should be your top priority. Use your CV design to enhance separate sections, bringing them to the forefront of recruiters' attention. At the same time, you can write content that:- Follows the reverse chronological order in the experience section by first listing your most recent jobs;
- Incorporates your contact information in the header, but do skip out on the CV photo for roles in the UK;
- Is spotlighted in the most important sections of your CV, e.g. the summary or objective, experience, education, etc. to show just how you meet the job requirements;
- Is no longer than two-pages. Often, the one-page format can be optimal for your manager CV.
Before submitting your CV, you may wonder whether to export it in Doc or PDF. With the PDF format, your information and layout stay intact. This is quite useful when your CV is assessed by the Applicant Tracker System (or the ATS) . The ATS is a software that scans your profile for all relevant information and can easily understand latest study on the ATS , which looks at your CV columns, design, and so much more.
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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 manager CV
- Professional Summary to highlight leadership skills because it sets the tone for the CV and showcases managerial expertise.
- Core Competencies section is crucial as it outlines the specific management skills and knowledge areas.
- Work Experience with measurable achievements to demonstrate how past management was effective and result-oriented.
- Educational Background to establish credibility and show relevant qualifications for the managerial role.
- Management Training & Certifications to present specialised knowledge and commitment to professional development.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your leadership experience by showcasing specific examples of teams you've led, projects you've managed, and successful outcomes you've achieved, as this demonstrates your capability to take charge and deliver results.
- Emphasise your strategic thinking skills by mentioning occasions where you've contributed to long-term planning, decision-making processes, or the development of business strategies that have positively impacted the company.
- Detail your financial acumen by including instances where you've managed budgets, cut costs, or driven revenue growth, to show your ability to handle the financial responsibilities that come with managerial positions.
- Showcase your interpersonal and communication skills by providing examples of how you've successfully navigated conflict resolution, negotiations, or how you've built and maintained stakeholder relationships.
- Include any relevant managerial training, certifications, or continuous professional development initiatives you've undertaken that demonstrate a commitment to improving your management capabilities and staying updated with industry best practices.
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Tips and tricks on writing a job-winning manager CV header
The CV header is the space which most recruiters would be referring most often to, in the beginning and end of your application. That is as the CV header includes your contact details, but also a headline and a professional photo. When writing your CV header:
- Double-check your contact details for spelling errors or if you've missed any digits. Also, ensure you've provided your personal details, and not your current work email or telephone number;
- Include your location in the form of the city and country you live in. If you want to be more detailed, you can list your full address to show proximity to your potential work place;
- Don't include your CV photo, if you're applying for roles in the UK or US, as this may bias initial recruiters' assessments;
- Write a professional headline that either integrates the job title, some relevant industry keywords, or your most noteworthy achievement.
In the next part of our guide, we'll provide you with professional CVs that showcase some of the best practices when it comes to writing your headline.
Examples of good CV headlines for manager:
- IT Project Manager | PRINCE2 Certified | Agile Methodologies | Strategic Planning | 10+ Years Experience
- Marketing Manager | Brand Development | Digital Campaigns Expert | CIM Diploma | 5 Years Progressive Experience
- Financial Manager | ACCA Qualified | Budget Control | Risk Management | 15+ Years Senior-Level Insight
- Operations Manager | Efficiency Optimisation | Lean Six Sigma Black Belt | 8 Years Industry Leadership
- HR Manager | CIPD Certified | Talent Acquisition | Employee Relations | 12 Years People Management
- Sales Manager | B2B Sales Growth | CRM Specialist | Strategic Partnerships | Over 7 Years Expertise
What's the difference between a manager CV summary and objective
Why should it matter to you?
- Your manager CV summary is a showcasing your career ambitions and your unique value. Use the objective to answer why your potential employers should hire you based on goals and ambitions. The objective is the ideal choice for candidates who happen to have less professional experience, but still meet some of the job requirements.
Before you select which one will be more relevant to your experience, have a look at some industry-leading CV summaries and objectives.
CV summaries for a manager job:
- A results-driven finance manager with over 12 years of experience in optimising fiscal policies for improved profit margins within the retail sector. Skilled in embracing modern accounting technologies, leading successful teams, and implementing financial models that contributed to a 25% increase in cost-efficiency for a multinational corporation.
- Dynamic marketing manager with a decade's worth of experience refurbishing brand images, spearheading market penetration strategies, and orchestrating award-winning campaigns in the consumer goods sector, resulting in a turnover surge by 40% for a leading European brand.
- Former healthcare professional eager to transition into financial management, bringing 8 years of experience in hospital administration and a solid foundation in budgetary oversight, quantitative analysis, and strategic cost reduction initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency without compromising patient care.
- Experienced software developer looking to leverage 15 years of technology expertise and a passion for solving complex problems, into a project management role within the construction industry. Known for innovating user-centric solutions which have propelled startup ventures into competitive market players.
- Keen to delve into the realm of project management, leveraging a strong academic background in business administration and a fervent zeal for team leadership. Committed to honing proficiency in agile methodologies and collaborative practices to exceed stakeholder expectations as a fresh entrant in the tech industry.
- A fresh MBA graduate with a thirst for knowledge and a determination to excel in the telecommunications sector, seeking to employ strategic thinking skills, nuanced understanding of market dynamics, and an inherent ability for persuasive communication to drive organisational success and growth.
The best formula for your manager 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
- Demonstrated effective leadership by consistently exceeding team targets and KPIs through strategic planning and performance optimisation techniques.
- Enhanced team productivity by implementing innovative project management tools and techniques, resulting in a 20% reduction in project turnaround time.
- Led a department of 30 employees, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development that reduced staff turnover by 15%.
- Managed cross-functional teams to deliver complex projects within budget and timeline constraints, securing an average of 95% client satisfaction rating.
- Successfully negotiated contracts with key suppliers, achieving cost savings of up to 10% while maintaining high-quality standards.
- Initiated and executed a successful digital transformation strategy, which increased operational efficiency by 25% and enhanced data-driven decision-making.
- Developed and maintained strong, productive relationships with stakeholders, consistently managing expectations and project deliverables to ensure alignment with company goals.
- Implemented a comprehensive risk management framework that reduced project risks by 30% and ensured regulatory compliance across the board.
- Cultivated a culture of innovation that led to the introduction of two new market-leading products, directly contributing to a 10% increase in market share.
- Led a cross-functional team of 25+ towards the successful launch of a new product line, achieving a 20% market share within the first 6 months post-launch.
- Implemented rigorous cost-control measures across the department, successfully reducing operational expenses by 15% while maintaining team productivity.
- Drove a company-wide digital transformation initiative, integrating advanced CRM tools that improved customer relationship management and increased repeat business by 30%.
- Strategically realigned the regional sales strategy, leading to a sustained 10% year-on-year growth in a competitive market.
- Developed and fostered partnerships with key vendors, ensuring a 25% reduction in supply chain costs and an improvement in material sourcing lead-times.
- Championed the adoption of lean management principles that streamlined processes, resulting in increased operational efficiency and a 40% reduction in waste.
- Spearheaded a customer service overhaul that improved service delivery metrics by 50%, reflected in customer satisfaction surveys.
- Piloted a successful employee development program that reduced staff turnover by 20% and enhanced team capabilities through targeted training.
- Directed the negotiation and finalization of a major contract with a key client, securing a deal worth £5m over three years and expanding the company's industry footprint.
- Managed the turnaround of the underperforming North East division, improving performance by 35% within the first year through strategic planning and team leadership.
- Cultivated a culture of innovation that encouraged the development of a patent-pending inventory management system, enhancing stock visibility and reducing holding costs by 22%.
- Coordinated with marketing teams to create targeted campaigns that effectively penetrated new market segments, increasing brand awareness and customer base by 18%.
- Orchestrated the launch of a new flagship store, which became the top-performing location within its first year, driving an annual revenue increase of £1.2m.
- Introduced advanced data analytics to the sales forecasting process, resulting in a 15% improvement in inventory accuracy and reducing stock-outs.
- Fostered a collaborative work environment that improved team morale and reduced conflict, which played a key role in the store consistently exceeding sales targets by 10-15% each quarter.
- Guided the business through a critical growth phase, doubling the number of outlets from 15 to 30, while maintaining a strong EBITDA margin of 18%.
- Enhanced operational systems, processes, and policies in support of the organization's mission, leading to a 20% increase in overall efficiency.
- Championed a customer loyalty program that resulted in a 45% increase in repeat patronage, significantly boosting the brand's market position.
- Implemented a strategic growth plan that increased the company's footprint by entering into two new international markets, amplifying the annual revenue by £3m.
- Established a comprehensive risk management framework that reduced operational risks by 26% and safeguarded company assets.
- Optimized supply chain logistics by integrating a cutting-edge inventory tracking system that minimized stock discrepancies and saved £80k annually.
- Led organizational restructuring to improve efficiency, which contributed to a 15% increase in productivity and a 10% decrease in overhead costs.
- Directed a product rebranding strategy across all platforms, enhancing the brand's visibility and contributing to a 25% upsurge in sales.
- Negotiated with software vendors to implement a new ERP system that improved data accuracy and employee productivity by 20%.
Swapping your professional experience (when you have none) with skills and more
Never underestimate the importance of relevancе when it comes to your manager CV. Even if you don't happen to have much or any standard (full-time contract) professional experience, this doesn't mean you shouldn't apply for the role. Instead of a bespoke CV experience section:
- Showcase more prominently any internships, part-time roles, and volunteer experience that are applicable to the role and have taught you job-crucial skills;
- Feature a strengths or achievements section with your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your work or life experience;
- Write an objective statement that clearly outlines your values as a candidate and defines your career ambitions;
- List your education or certificates that match the job profile closer to the top of your CV.
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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 manager 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 manager CV:
Project Management
Budgeting & Financial Management
Data Analysis
Performance Monitoring
Strategic Planning
Risk Management
Business Development
Operational Efficiency
Human Resources Management
Supply Chain Management
Leadership
Communication
Problem Solving
Time Management
Decision Making
Adaptability
Teamwork
Conflict Resolution
Motivation
Emotional Intelligence
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Use mini case studies or success stories in your CV to demonstrate how your skills have positively impacted previous roles or projects.
Further professional qualifications for your manager CV: education and certificates
As you're nearing the end of your manager CV, you may wonder what else will be relevant to the role. Recruiters are keen on understanding your academic background, as it teaches you an array of hard and soft skills. Create a dedicated education section that lists your:
- applicable higher education diplomas or ones that are at a postgraduate level;
- diploma, followed up with your higher education institution and start-graduation dates;
- extracurricular activities and honours, only if you deem that recruiters will find them impressive.
Follow a similar logic when presenting your certificates. Always select ones that will support your niche expertise and hint at what it's like to work with you. Balance both technical certification with soft skills courses to answer job requirements and company values. Wondering what the most sought out certificates are for the industry? Look no further:
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Use mini case studies or success stories in your CV to demonstrate how your skills have positively impacted previous roles or projects.
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Key takeaways
Here are five things you need to remember about writing your manager CV for success:
- Sort your experience based on the reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent career items, to showcase how you've grown your career;
- Include within your CV header your relevant contact details, a headline that could spotlight your unique value, and a photo - if you're applying for roles outside the UK or US;
- Decide to use the CV summary, if you happen to have more professional experience, and an objective, if you want to showcase your career goals;
- Within the experience section, write your bullets using action verbs, skills, and success, instead of just merely listing your on-the-job responsibilities;
- Prove your technical skills, using your education and certificates, and your soft skills, with your achievements and strengths sections.
