Whether you are experienced in managing people or moving into a managerial role for the first time, your CV must effectively demonstrate your people management skills and competencies. Crafting a manager’s CV that shows employers that you are the perfect candidate for the job takes time, effort and the right skills. In this article, we tell you how to write a manager’s CV and provide you with actionable advice and helpful tips.
1. Understanding the job offer
Before you start writing your CV, read the job description thoroughly and take a few moments to better understand what the job requires. Understanding the job offer will help you tailor a CV that meets the employer’s requirement and that presents you in a way that truly reflects your qualifications and skillset.
What kind of experience are they looking for?
When reviewing the job opening, pay close attention to the kind of experience the employer is seeking. Do they require experience in a certain industry or sector? Are they looking for both related and unrelated experience? Is the employer looking for a minimum number of year’s experience in a managerial role? Knowing the answer to these questions will help you tailor your CV so it includes the job-relevant information that recruiters are looking for.
What kind of skills and competencies are required?
Recruiters are looking for someone who can step in and hit the ground running. Employers often include a section in the job description that outlines the specific skills and competencies they are looking for in a manager. Make sure you include examples of these desired skills in your CV.
What job titles do employers use?
The job title that employers use can also help you to better understand the kind of manager they are looking for. Do they use the traditional job title of “Manager” or “Department Manager” or do they use a more modern or descriptive term? Understanding the potential job title that the employers use will help you to customize your CV to the role.
2. Structure & Formatting
With a traditional CV, it is important to ensure the structure and format of the document reflect the employer’s expectations so that your qualifications, work experience and any other key information are easy to track and find.
Order Matters
As with any CV, the structure and formatting order of your CV should include: contact information; an introduction/summary; your employment history; educational qualifications; other relevant skills (such as language proficiency); and any additional awards or achievements you’ve earned.
Keep it Visually Appealing
Make sure your CV maintains a professional appearance throughout. Use suitable font sizes, use bold to highlight important headings, lists and bullet points to make information easier to read, and keep the design and layout simple.
Be Concise & Specific
Include as many details as necessary to demonstrate your qualifications and experience, but be sure to keep your CV as concise as possible. Use descriptive but specific language and make sure to include any job-relevant information that employers need to know.
3. Writing the Introduction (Profile)
The introduction (also commonly referred to as the “Profile”) is one of the most important sections for recruiting managers and must be written with great care. This is your opportunity to make a first impression on employers and showcase your managerial skills and competencies.
Describe Your Experience
Drawing from your understanding of the job offer, describe your experience and any other key skills and abilities you have to offer. Think of it as an elevator pitch – you want to give employers enough information to entice them to read more.
Be Concise
Keep the introduction concise and limit it to 3-4 paragraphs. Do not include a long list of associated job duties and responsibilities. Focus on what makes you stand out as a manager and how you can contribute to the success of the organization.
Include Keywords
Include relevant keywords related to the job requirements, industry terminology and qualifications. Doing so will help your CV stand out in a sea of applicants and catch the eye of recruiters.
4. Work Experience
The work experience section of a manager’s CV is one of the most important. Include any relevant managerial experience, from managing departments or services to overseeing teams, coaching and leading employees.
Include Achievements
Don’t simply list duties and responsibilities – focus on describing your achievements and the results you achieved. Show employers what you did and how you did it, and be sure to include any awards you have earned for your work.
Include Metrics
Whenever possible, quantify your experience and include metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work. Use phrases like “manage a team of 10 employees”, or “supervised a budget analysis resulting in a 10% cost reduction.”
Be Relevant
When including your work experience, make sure you only include the most relevant experience. If necessary, include a few unrelated jobs you held in the past, but be sure to focus on the roles that make you an ideal candidate for the job.
5. Education & Qualifications
Your educational qualifications are relevant, but be sure to only include qualifications that are related to the job you are applying for. If you are a college graduate, only include your degree, school name and graduation date.
Include Certifications
Many managerial roles require specialized knowledge and skills, so be sure to include any certifications or additional qualifications such as business administration or engineering.
Other Qualifications
In addition to educational and technical qualifications, you may want to include other relevant qualifications such as foreign languages, computer software or public speaking ability.
6. Other Relevant Information
Include any other relevant information that is not specifically related to the job, such as professional and membership affiliations, volunteer experience or references.
Professional Affiliations
Include any professional memberships or alliances that you belong to. If you have already published any related articles, make sure to include those as well.
Volunteer Experience
Volunteer experience can be a great way to add depth to your CV and demonstrate your commitment and dedication to professional development or service.
References
You may want to include references at the end of your CV, but be sure to only include people who can attest to your work experience, qualifications and leadership skills.
7. Grammar, Style & Spelling
Having a well-written, error-free CV is essential. A single spelling mistake or typo in your CV can be a red flag to recruiters, so take it one step further and have a friend or family member read through your CV to make sure there are no grammatical, style or spelling errors.
8. Resume Preview
Before you submit your CV, use a resume previewer like ResumeChecked to ensure it is properly formatted and that it contains the right information in all the right spots.
9. Social Media & Professional Profiles
Create a professional profile on job sites or social media, or update your existing profile to include all the skills and experiences you have that make you a suitable candidate. Make sure you keep your profile up to date and that all the information is accurate.
10. Final Review
Before submitting your CV for a managerial position, take a few moments to review it one final time. Check for any discrepancies and ensure the language is appropriate and the formatting is consistent throughout.
People Also Ask
What are the most important skills for a manager?
The most important skills for a manager are communication, problem-solving, leadership, planning, organizational, interpersonal and decision-making.
What do employers look for in a manager’s CV?
Employers look for a manager’s CV that reflects the job’s requirements, showcases a candidate’s experience and qualifications and clearly outlines any relevant managerial skills and competencies.
What should be included in a manager’s CV?
A manager’s CV should include general contact information, a concise introduction, work experience, Educational qualifications, any relevant skills, awards and achievements, professional affiliations and references.
How long should a manager’s CV be?
A manager’s CV should not be longer than two side of A4. It is important to keep it concise and focused on the job opening.
How to make a manager’s CV stand out?
Include relevant keywords, quantify your experience with metrics and include any awards and achievements that you have earned. Also make sure to keep it visually appealing and to use a resume previewer to check if the the formatting is consistent throughout.
Conclusion
No matter what experience you have or what level position you are applying for, it is important to ensure your CV is well-structured, visually appealing, and that it showcases your qualifications and skills that make you the ideal candidate for the job. With the right structure, formatting and attitude, your CV will stand out and present you as the perfect candidate for any managerial role.