Crafting a CV that showcases your ability to foster strong client relationships and manage financial portfolios can be a daunting challenge. Our guide offers detailed instructions and examples to help you highlight your interpersonal skills and strategic management expertise effectively on your CV.
- Design and format your professional relationship manager CV;
- Curate your key contact information, skills, and achievements throughout your CV sections;
- Ensure your profile stays competitive by studying other industry-leading relationship manager CVs;
- Create a great CV even if you happen to have less professional experience, or switching fields.
When writing your relationship manager CV, you may need plenty of insights from hiring managers. We have prepared industry-leading advice in the form of our relevant CV guides.
- Compliance Manager CV Example
- Management Consultant CV Example
- Service Delivery Manager CV Example
- Small Business Owner CV Example
- Business Consultant CV Example
- Senior Business Analyst CV Example
- Environmental Consultant CV Example
- Investment Manager CV Example
- Entry Level Business Analyst CV Example
- Category Manager CV Example
Formatting your relationship manager 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 relationship manager 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 relationship manager 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
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 relationship manager CV
- Professional Summary highlights your client relationship skills because it gives a snapshot of your experience and expertise.
- Key Relationship Management Achievements showcases specific successes and quantifiable outcomes in your previous roles.
- Relevant Work Experience is important as it details your career history and relevant positions you've held.
- Educational Background must be included, showing your qualifications pertinent to the role of a relationship manager.
- Skills in Negotiation and Communication are crucial to list, as they are at the core of a relationship manager's responsibilities.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your interpersonal and communication skills by providing examples of past successes in building and maintaining strong client relationships, as well as your ability to negotiate and resolve conflicts.
- Emphasise your experience with CRM systems and data analysis tools, showcasing your ability to utilise technology for managing client information and identifying opportunities for growth.
- Detail your understanding of financial products and markets if pertinent to the role, demonstrating your capability to advise clients effectively based on their needs and goals.
- Showcase your track record in achieving sales targets and expanding client portfolios, as these are critical indicators of your effectiveness as a relationship manager.
- Include any relevant certifications or ongoing professional development in banking, finance, or relationship management to establish your commitment to the field and staying current with industry practices.
Recommended reads:
How to present your contact details and job keywords in your relationship manager CV header
Located at the top of your relationship manager CV, the header presents recruiters with your key personal information, headline, and professional photo. When creating your CV header, include your:
- Contact details - avoid listing your work email or telephone number and, also, email addresses that sound unprofessional (e.g. koolKittyCat$3@gmail.com is definitely a big no);
- Headline - it should be relevant, concise, and specific to the role you're applying for, integrating keywords and action verbs;
- Photo - instead of including a photograph from your family reunion, select one that shows you in a more professional light. It's also good to note that in some countries (e.g. the UK and US), it's best to avoid photos on your CV as they may serve as bias.
What do other industry professionals include in their CV header? Make sure to check out the next bit of your guide to see real-life examples:
Examples of good CV headlines for relationship manager:
- Relationship Manager | Client Retention Specialist | Accredited Wealth Management Advisor | 8+ Years' Experience
- Senior Client Relations Expert | Stakeholder Engagement | Certified Relationship Management Professional | 10 Years' Success
- Corporate Relationship Manager | B2B Sales Strategist | Chartered Manager | 15+ Years' Leadership
- Junior Relationship Officer | Customer Acquisition & CRM Systems | Bachelor's in Business Administration | 2 Years' Experience
- Client Relationship Director | Cross-Functional Team Leader | MSc Marketing | Strategic Partnership Builder | 12 Years
- Strategic Account Manager | Financial Services Expert | Certified Customer Service Professional | 7 Years Progressive Experience
Opting between a relationship manager CV summary or objective
Within the top one third of your relationship 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 relationship manager job:
- Seasoned Relationship Manager with over 10 years of experience fostering robust client relationships in the financial services sector. Specialised in developing tailored wealth management strategies, resulting in a 20% increase in client retention for a major bank. Expert in leveraging CRM systems to maximise client satisfaction and drive business growth.
- Dedicated professional with 15 years in retail banking looking to transition into a Relationship Manager role. Adept at cross-selling products and creating personalised customer solutions that led to a 30% upsurge in branch sales. Keen to apply strong interpersonal skills and customer service background to deepen client relationships.
- Dynamic marketing expert eager to transition to relationship management, bringing over 7 years of experience in developing strategic partnerships and executing successful branding campaigns. Proven ability in building trust and maintaining long-term client engagement. Excited to apply a creative approach to client management in a dynamic financial environment.
- Accomplished sales professional with 12 years of experience and a track record of surpassing multi-million pound targets, seeking to pivot into relationship management within the banking industry. Recognises the critical role of customer trust and personalised service in driving revenue and loyalty. Committed to utilising a consultative sales approach to forge and cultivate enduring professional relationships.
- As a recent finance graduate, I am eager to embark on a career as a Relationship Manager, bringing an enthusiastic approach to client service and a strong understanding of financial analysis. Intent on developing and nurturing client relationships through meticulous attention to detail and proactive problem-solving.
- Enthusiastically pursuing an entry-level opportunity as a Relationship Manager with no prior experience in the field, armed with a fresh perspective and a deep commitment to learning. Adept in communication and interpersonal skills, aiming to deliver outstanding client experiences by building on a rapid-learning capability and genuine passion for client success.
Narrating the details of your relationship 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 relationship 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
- Managed a portfolio of 100+ high-value clients, consistently delivering personalised financial advice and fostering trust through regular, proactive communication and needs assessment.
- Implemented strategic relationship-building initiatives that increased customer loyalty by 20%, leading to a significant growth in client retention rates over a two-year period.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to design and introduce new wealth management products tailored to client needs, resulting in a 15% uplift in revenue from key accounts.
- Negotiated complex deals with a focus on long-term partnerships, successfully expanding the business network and securing an average of £1 million in additional funds under management annually.
- Utilised advanced CRM tools to efficiently track client interactions, ensuring every touchpoint was recorded and addressed, which enhanced service delivery and client satisfaction metrics.
- Delivered comprehensive quarterly reports to Executives, detailing client engagement activities, feedback, and strategies for continuous improvement in service delivery.
- Facilitated financial planning workshops and webinars for high-net-worth individuals, establishing the company as a thought leader in wealth management and securing a 25% increase in client referrals.
- Identified upselling and cross-selling opportunities through in-depth analysis of client portfolios, contributing to an average of 10% year-over-year growth in assets per client.
- Acted as the primary point of contact for clients during market volatility, providing expert advice and reassurance which helped to maintain investment levels and minimise churn.
- Expanded portfolio by 25% through fostering strong relationships with 15+ key institutional clients, enhancing company’s market presence in finance sector.
- Spearheaded a cross-selling initiative that resulted in 30% increased uptake of wealth management services among existing clients by identifying client needs and aligning services.
- Championed the roll-out of a CRM system that improved client interaction tracking, reducing conflict incidences by 40% and enhancing overall customer satisfaction.
- Led a team that consistently achieved top-tier client satisfaction ratings, increasing repeat business by 35% through the provision of tailored investment advice and support.
- Orchestrated the turnaround of a troubled high-value client account, recapturing 100% of the client's business within one fiscal year through strategic engagement plans.
- Negotiated and secured preferential terms with service providers, reducing operational costs by 20% while maintaining high service quality for clients.
- Implemented customer segmentation strategy that increased client retention rates by 18% through the provision of customised service offerings.
- Launched a successful referral program which grew the client base by 22% within a year through leveraging existing relationships.
- Enhanced the customer feedback process, enabling the incorporation of real-time client insights into service improvement which boosted client engagement levels by 25%.
- Cultivated a portfolio of 100+ high-net-worth individuals, delivering bespoke financial planning services that aligned with their long-term wealth generation goals.
- Drove the adoption of a proactive issue resolution framework that reduced client escalations by 27%, fostering a more trust-based client environment.
- Pioneered a financial literacy workshop series for clients, which improved their understanding of investment products and empowered them to make informed decisions.
- Developed and executed a strategic business plan for a new regional market, achieving a client growth rate of 30% year-over-year.
- Partnered with product teams to create tailored financial solutions that increased client investment by 40% through matching unique client needs with bespoke product offerings.
- Facilitated a series of investment seminars and workshops, resulting in a 32% improvement in client product knowledge and satisfaction.
- Successfully managed and nurtured a portfolio of 50+ SME clients, leading to a consistent year-over-year revenue increase of 20% that outpaced regional growth forecasts.
- Implemented a client feedback aggregation tool that informed service enhancements, resulting in a 15% increase in overall service ratings from clients.
- Led quarterly business reviews with clients, aligning financial products with their evolving business needs and securing an average 25% increase in client transaction volume.
- Orchestrated a digital transformation initiative for client interfacing, improving online engagement by 45% and driving a client retention rate of 95% in a competitive fintech landscape.
- Negotiated strategic partnerships with fintech companies to enhance our digital banking offer, which contributed to a 60% increase in client digital service adoption.
- Directly oversaw the financial needs of an exclusive segment of ultra-high-net-worth individuals, facilitating over £500 million in managed assets.
- Formulated and executed relationship strategies for the top 5% of corporate clients, which drove an increase in client spend by approximately £100 million annually.
- Launched a client-centric initiative that streamlined account management processes and enhanced the accuracy of financial forecasts by 30%.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated banking solutions, resulting in an upsell success rate of 45% across my client portfolio.
Lacking professional expertise: how to write your CV to highlight your best talents
Don't count on your lucky stars when you're applying for a role, where you happen to have less (or almost none) professional experience. Recruiters sometimes do hire inexperienced candidates if they're able to present their unique value from the get-go. So, instead of opting for the traditional, CV experience section:
- List any applicable expertise you happen to have - no matter if it's a part-time job, internship, or volunteer work. This would hint to recruiters that your profile is relevant;
- Focus your CV on your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your whole life and work experience. In effect, you'll be spotlighting your value as a candidate;
- Separate more space for your applicable academic background and certificates to show you have the technical know-how;
- Ensure that within your objective, you've defined why you'll like the job and how you'll be the perfect match for it. Always ensure you've tailored your CV to individual applications.
Looking for more good examples for your first job? We'll show you how other candidates, with less professional experience, have created their job-winning CVs.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Include examples of how you adapted to new tools, environments, or work cultures, showing your flexibility.
Mix and match hard and soft skills across your relationship manager CV
Your skill set play an equally valid role as your experience to your application. That is because recruiters are looking for both:
- hard skills or your aptitude in applying particular technologies
- soft skills or your ability to work in a team using your personal skills, e.g. leadership, time management, etc.
Are you wondering how you should include both hard and soft skills across your relationship manager CV? Use the:
- skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies that are part of the job requirement (and that you're capable to use);
- strengths and achievements section to detail how you've used particular hard and soft skills that led to great results for you at work;
- summary or objective to spotlight up to three skills that are crucial for the role and how they've helped you optimise your work processes.
One final note - when writing about the skills you have, make sure to match them exactly as they are written in the job ad. Take this precautionary measure to ensure your CV passes the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment.
Top skills for your relationship manager CV:
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software
Salesforce proficiency
Business development
Financial analysis
Market research
Regulatory compliance
Contract negotiation
Project management
Data analysis
Client acquisition and retention strategies
Interpersonal communication
Active listening
Empathy
Problem-solving
Adaptability
Leadership
Teamwork
Time management
Negotiation
Conflict resolution
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.
Education and more professional qualifications to include in your relationship manager CV
If you want to showcase to recruiters that you're further qualified for the role, ensure you've included your relevant university diplomas. Within your education section:
- Describe your degree with your university name(-s) and start-graduation dates;
- List any awards you've received, if you deem they would be impressive or are relevant to the industry;
- Include your projects and publications, if you need to further showcase how you've used your technical know-how;
- Avoid listing your A-level marks, as your potential employers care to learn more about your university background.
Apart from your higher education, ensure that you've curated your relevant certificates or courses by listing the:
- name of the certificate or course;
- name of the institution within which you received your training;
- the date(-s) when you obtained your accreditation.
In the next section, discover some of the most relevant certificates for your relationship manager CV:
PRO TIP
Use mini case studies or success stories in your CV to demonstrate how your skills have positively impacted previous roles or projects.
Recommended reads:
Key takeaways
What matters most in your relationship manager CV-writing process is for you to create a personalised application. One that matches the role and also showcases your unique qualities and talents.
- Use the format to supplement the actual content, to stand out, and to ensure your CV experience is easy to comprehend and follows a logic;
- Invest time in building a succinct CV top one third. One that includes a header (with your contact details and headline), a summary or an objective statement (select the one that best fits your experience), and - potentially - a dedicated skills section or achievements (to fit both hard skills and soft skills requirements);
- Prioritise your most relevant (and senior) experience closer to the top of your CV. Always ensure you're following the "power verb, skill, and achievement" format for your bullets;
- Integrate both your technical and communication background across different sections of your CV to meet the job requirements;
- List your relevant education and certificates to fill in gaps in your CV history and prove to recrutiers you have relevant technical know-how.
