General Manager Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a general manager provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving managing P&L performance and overseeing daily operations. A professional resume for general manager applications will showcase your relevant skills and career achievements, to help you stand out from the crowd. In this article, we'll showcase resume tips and examples that can help you create a professional general manager resume that catches the eye of hiring managers.
This comprehensive guide will give you all the tools you need to craft a general manager resume that positions you strongly against other candidates. You'll learn how to show employers you've got the relevant qualities, skills and experience for the job, all presented in a format that employers prefer to see. The article also includes tips for formatting your resume according to your experience and strengths. Continue reading to find expert tips and advice from Jobseeker that will help you with your general manager resume.
Key sections for a general manager resume
A successful general manager resume will typically include each of the sections listed below, with some optional sections.
If you're applying for junior, entry-level or graduate general manager positions and you lack work experience, consider using a skills-based resume format to emphasize your skills and education. Furthermore, a junior resume is more likely to focus on soft and transferable skills, as well as relevant training, internships and volunteer roles.
For those with some prior experience as a general manager work experience is the most important element of a resume. Use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format to emphasize your career timeline and achievements. Your resume should focus on your career achievements, and the role you've played in successful projects and activities for your employers. Consult the job description for guidance on what to showcase, and provide evidence to support your claims.
Senior job applications require a slightly different approach to mid-level or junior general manager roles. Use a reverse-chronological format focusing on your work experience, with a particular emphasis on the impact you've made. Expect your senior resume to be slightly longer than resumes for more junior roles. This is because you 'll want to add details of professional memberships, awards, publications, presentations and other achievements expected of senior professionals.
The order you present these sections can vary according to your career stage, but it's still essential to include each of the following:
Resume Header
The resume header is the place to add your name and contact details, along with your LinkedIn URL if you have a profile, so employers can find more information about your career journey and skills. You don't typically need to add a photo, or any other personal information to this section. Be aware of the amount of space your resume header takes up. You don't want your contact details to take space away from the main content of your resume, so keep this section as brief as possible.
Only include professional, name-based email addresses in your resume header. If you have an old email address that uses nicknames, puns, references to your personal interests or anything else that could appear unprofessional, set up a new email just for your job applications. Finally, always double-check your contact details are correct and up-to-date before sending your resume.
Aurora Murphy
aurora.murphy@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA
linkedin․com/in/aurora–murphy123
Resume Objective
Your resume personal profile is a short, concise paragraph to highlight two or three key skills and achievements in general manager roles. You may also see this section named as 'resume summary' or 'resume objective'. Resume summaries tend to focus on your career experience, while resume objectives cover your ambitions and plans for the future. However, make sure you keep your resume summary short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description.
Alternatively, use this section to emphasize your career objectives and explain how and why this role is a suitable step for you at this stage of your career.
A great resume summary should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for general manager roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description and provide evidence to support them. It should also introduce your personality and unique qualities to the reader, to help them start to form an opinion about you as a candidate. See below for some great examples of how to approach your general manager resume.
Good example:
Experienced General Manager with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and a proven track record as an Operations Director. Skilled in strategic planning, team leadership, and operational efficiency. Adept at driving business growth, optimizing processes, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on achieving organizational goals and delivering high-quality results
Bad example:
General manager with some experience in business and overseeing operations. Worked in roles where I planned strategies and led teams. Have worked on improving processes and customer experiences. Focused on achieving goals and solving problems to get good results
On the other hand, an unsuccessful resume summary is one that mentions irrelevant skills, qualities and achievements and fails to differentiate you from other candidates. The visual above includes some examples of what not to do with your general manager resume summary
Work History
Next, list your relevant employment history and any key achievements that show you're suitable for a general manager position. Add each previous employment in reverse-chronological order. This means starting from your current or most recent role and working back in time from there. Include your job title, the company name, the location of the job and your dates of employment.
In addition, include a few bullet points under each job, highlighting your key achievements so the hiring manager can see how they led to successful outcomes. Back up each point with evidence to show how you meet the job description.
An effective resume work experience section is one that constantly echoes the skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you used your skills to positive effect in each job. Each bullet point should be carefully crafted to showcase a particular skill or achievement relevant to general manager jobs, with evidence to show the value you added. See below for some good examples of what to include in your resume work experience section.
Good example:
Operations Director, January 2022 - Present
Stellar Dynamics Corp, Milwaukee
- Led operational strategy overhaul, resulting in a 25% increase in efficiency and 15% reduction in costs within one year
- Implemented lean manufacturing principles, achieving a 30% decrease in production cycle time and a 20% boost in output quality
- Spearheaded cross-functional team to integrate advanced automation, enhancing productivity by 40% and reducing errors by 50%
Bad example:
Operations Director, January 2022 - Present
Stellar Dynamics Corp, Milwaukee
- Managed team projects to improve processes and outcomes
- Oversaw departmental initiatives to enhance performance
- Directed efforts to optimize operational effectiveness
The example above can give you some idea of what not to include in your resume work experience section. Less effective resume work experience sections might take a more vague, descriptive approach to previous jobs. They focus on responsibilities and everyday duties rather than referencing career achievements and the value you've added for previous employers.
Education
In your education section, include details of your most relevant general manager qualifications and educational achievements.
Opportunities as a general manager and similar roles in the sector usually require a specialist degree. If you have a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree, be sure to mention this in your resume. You might also want to list any qualifications that highlight your data-driven decision making or financial analysis expertise.
Enter the name and level of the qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study or graduation. You can also add some bullet points outlining any high grades, awards you won or specialist subjects you studied. Adding this information will show the employer your dedication to learning and your areas of specialist knowledge.
If you took part in any volunteering or you were a leader or member of any university societies, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), 2017 - 2020
University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
Hard and Soft Skills
The skills section of a general manager resume is a chance to list any skills you have that match those of the job description. You could include strategic planning abilities, effective communication or any other skills that show you're a suitable candidate. Again, refer to the job description and make sure you include skills that the employer has listed as essential or desirable for employment as a general manager.
How to include hard skills on your general manager resume
Under hard skills, add any specialist skills you possess that are specifically required for general manager jobs. These tend to be technical skills and industry knowledge essential to the position. Furthermore, your hard skills list helps to show employers how competent and experienced you are at key general manager duties and responsibilities. It's best to aim for four or five key hard skills that match the job description. These can really showcase your suitability for the job.
Your resume hard skills list should reflect your unique and specific industry expertise and experience, while also fulfilling the requirements listed in the job description. See the examples below for an idea of what an effective general manager resume hard skills list looks like.
- Financial analysis expertise
- Project management skills
- Strategic planning abilities
How to list soft skills on your general manager resume
Soft skills are the personal skills and qualities that make you a good fit for the job. They include transferable skills and strengths that help you settle into the role, adapt to new challenges and build effective working relationships. Indeed, as the nature of work changes, soft skills are growing in importance, so make sure you include them in your resume. It's best to aim for four or five soft skills that match the job description and reflect your strongest personal qualities.
Your soft skills section should make the most of your unique personal qualities and strengths, while also reflecting the requirements laid out in the job description. See below for some examples of useful soft skills for a general manager resume.
- Leadership and motivation
- Effective communication
- Problem-solving abilities
Certifications
Under this section, list any relevant certifications or licenses that are relevant to general manager jobs. These could be official licenses required for the job or certifications that improve your employability. Therefore, list any official licenses and certifications, along with their dates, so employers can assess whether you've got the necessary qualifications to work as a general manager.
Read on to see some relevant example certifications for a general manager resume:
- PMP Certification, 2022
- Six Sigma Black, 2022
- MBA Degree, 2022
Hear from experts:
Optional Sections
If you need to provide further evidence of your suitability for the job, optional sections can be useful for a general manager resume. Choose optional sections from the list below, if they help to showcase your relevant skills and experience.
Hobbies
Listing your hobbies and interests can reveal key qualities that some employers may value. Hobbies can help you show different sides of your personality and make your resume more memorable to hiring managers. They're ideal to include if you're a junior candidate who might lack real world general manager experience. If you're thinking about adding hobbies and interests, just make sure they add something unique to your application, and showcase your personality and interests in unique and interesting ways.
Voluntary Work
This section can be valuable for a general manager resume, if you've done any voluntary work that showcases your relevant skills. Include the title of your volunteer role, who you volunteered for, as well as the dates you carried out the work. Provide brief details of your responsibilities and the impact you made.
References
Standard general manager resumes don't tend to include references, but you might find them requested occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Only include referees that you've had prior approval from, and notify them to expect contact from the employer.
Please contact me for a list of references.
Best strong verbs for your a general manager resume
Using strong action words to make your resume resonate with the employer. Add strong verbs from the list below to create a greater impact with your work experience section.
- Lead
- Strategize
- Oversee
- Optimize
- Negotiate
- Implement
- Mentor
- Innovate
- Allocate
- Communicate
Jobseeker's resume templates were created by careers experts to help you produce a professional resume in minutes. You can also find cover letter templates to complete an eye-catching job application that gets you noticed.
Sample general manager resume
Now we've covered the main sections to include in your general manager resume, let's take a look at how it all comes together in the example below:
1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA
•
aurora.murphy@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/aurora–murphy123
Dynamic and results-driven General Manager with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and extensive experience as an Operations Director. Proven track record in streamlining operations, enhancing productivity, and driving business growth. Exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and team management skills with a strong focus on achieving organizational objectives and delivering exceptional customer service. Adept at implementing innovative solutions and fostering a collaborative work environment
Operations Director
2020
-2022
BlueWave Logistics (Plano)
- Increased operational efficiency by 25% through process optimization and implementation of lean management principles
- Led successful integration of a $50M acquisition, ensuring seamless transition and alignment with company objectives
- Reduced operational costs by 15% through strategic vendor negotiations and supply chain enhancements
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
2017
-2020
University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL)
Financial analysis expertise
Project management skills
Strategic planning abilities
Leadership and motivation
Effective communication
Problem-solving abilities
PMP Certification
Six Sigma Black
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Quick tips for a general manager resume
Tips for best resume practices
- Review your resume thoroughly and correct any errors before sending it, to avoid unnecessary harm to your chances.
- Aim for a brief, concise general manager resume. One page is ideal for junior roles, while two pages are more suitable for senior positions.
- List your qualifications in your education section, including any necessary degrees or certifications, along with high grades.
- Write a compelling resume summary or objective to introduce yourself and your key general manager skills.
- Quantify your career achievements by including evidence of your impact throughout your resume.
Things to avoid on your resume
- Don't use an unprofessional email address. Instead, create a simple email address based on your name.
- Don't list work experience that has no relation to the role you're applying for. It wastes space and is unlikely to impress hiring managers.
- Don't forget to keep your contact information up to date, to ensure the employer can contact you if necessary.
- Don't use passive language because it's less engaging for the reader. Change phrases like 'the target was exceeded' to 'I helped the team exceed the target'.
- Don't add hobbies and outside interests unless they help you prove a skill required for the role.
Making an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are increasingly taking responsibility for the management and processing of job applications, helping hiring practices to become more efficient. This can include screening resumes by scanning and ranking each application according to how closely it matches the job description. When writing your general manager resume, a few simple tips can help you pass the ATS stage with a higher-ranking resume, giving you a better chance of success with your applications.
Create an ATS-optimized resume by following these quick tips:
- Use a traditional resume format, such as reverse-chronological or functional. These will give your resume a structure that's easier for ATS systems to scan.
- Add keywords that match the job description throughout your resume, as ATS applications scan for these and well-placed, considered use can help your resume rank more highly.
- Include clear headings that make it easy to identify each section of your resume. This will help any ATS software navigate your resume during the scanning process.
- Utilize a clean, clear resume design that helps make your content more readable. Use simple fonts and subtle color accents and design elements that don't detract from the written content.
- Use concise language to keep the length of your resume to between one and two pages. This will make it easier to scan for ATS applications.
For tips and ideas to help you draft a professional resume to get noticed by employers, read our expert career articles and check out our detailed resume examples.
A general manager resume FAQs
Now that you know how to write a professional general manager resume, you might also want to learn how to write an accompanying cover letter that makes a similar impact.
In some situations, a full, professional cover letter may not be necessary. Check the job advert and decide whether to write a formal cover letter, or if a brief email is more suitable.
A traditional cover letter should follow formal letter-writing conventions and structure, including a header, the recipient's address and professional greetings and sign-offs. For the main body of the letter, open with a short paragraph introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying for the general manager role. Follow that with an explanation of your skills and experience and how they're relevant to the position. Close by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and leaving a call to action that encourages the employer to open a dialogue with you.
For help creating an eye-catching cover letter that impresses recruiters and hiring managers, use Jobseeker's professional cover letter templates.
If you have no experience, it's still possible to write a professional general manager resume that makes a positive impression on hiring managers. Use a skills-based resume format to highlight your relevant skills and education. This is more suitable for junior or entry-level roles where you might not have much work experience to showcase. Use the additional information sections at the end of your resume as a showcase for relevant skills and achievements. These can be a particularly useful way of proving you have the skills necessary for the job.
You can use a resume headline to introduce your document and set the tone for your general manager applications. Resume headlines are also a powerful way of increasing your resume's chances of passing the ATS stage. They reference the job title and some of the keywords that match the job description. Write a few words to set the tone for your resume, including the job title, your experience or track record and one or two key skills that make you stand out.
See below for an example of a well-constructed resume headline:
- Aspiring General Manager Seeking Opportunities
- Dynamic General Manager Driving Success
- Experienced Senior General Manager
The best format for your resume depends on two key factors. Firstly, the amount of relevant work experience you have. Secondly, the type of role and its level of seniority. For entry-level roles, or situations where you're changing to a new career, a functional resume is often the best option. This places your skills and education above your work experience. On the other hand, if you're experienced in your industry or applying for senior positions, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format is usually best. This places most emphasis on your work experience.
Takeaways for a winning general manager resume
If you want to catch the eye of employers and recruiters, you need a professional resume that showcases your best skills and career achievements. Pick a resume format that matches your experience levels, and tailor the content of your resume to reflect the details of the job description.
Use Jobseeker's resume templates, other tools and resources to create an application that impresses employers. Sign up today to access a wealth of valuable resume and cover letter resources. To make the best possible impression with your applications, write a cover letter with the help of Jobseeker. You can also find plenty of expert-designed cover letter examples for inspiration.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
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