Learning And Development Manager Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a learning and development manager provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving collaborating with HR and designing training programs. A strong resume for learning and development manager applications showcases your skills, experience and achievements and helps you stand out from other candidates. In this article, we'll showcase resume tips and examples that can help you create a professional learning and development manager resume that catches the eye of hiring managers.
This comprehensive guide will give you all the tools you need to craft a learning and development manager resume that positions you strongly against other candidates. The guide will show you practical examples of how to structure your resume to show off your best and most relevant skills and career achievements. It will also show you how to tailor your resume according to the job description and your unique skill set. Read on to learn the tips Jobseeker careers experts recommend as the best for your learning and development manager resume.
Main sections of a learning and development manager resume
Although the content of a learning and development manager resume may differ according to your experience and seniority, the main sections will remain the same.
If you're applying for junior, entry-level or graduate learning and development manager positions and you lack work experience, consider using a skills-based resume format to emphasize your skills and education. Soft and transferable skills are often more highly valued by employers for junior roles, so highlight these. Also add any internships, volunteer work or training courses you've undertaken.
If you're already working as a learning and development manager, concentrate on proving your credentials with your work achievements. Use a reverse-chronological resume format to place work experience prominently in your resume. By using this resume format you can focus on showing how your experience has helped you develop the required skills for the job. Review the job description to understand which key skills and experience to focus on.
As a highly experienced candidate, you'll want your learning and development manager resume to showcase your depth of relevant work experience, as well as other achievements. Use a reverse-chronological format and add additional sections to prove you're a strong candidate. Senior resumes are often longer than resumes for junior roles. This is because you may choose to include extra sections, such as awards, professional memberships, publications, conferences or certifications on your resume.
While the content and format of your resume may vary depending on your experience levels, it's important to always include the following sections:
Resume Header with Contact Details
A learning and development manager resume header contains your name and contact information. Add your first and last name, your phone number and your email address. Include your address or location, but avoid adding any other personal information. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can add the URL to your header so the hiring manager can get a better understanding of your work history and experience. Make sure your resume header is as brief as possible and doesn't take up too much valuable space. Choose a clear, professional design that sets the tone for your application.
Make sure the email address you list in your header is professional-looking and doesn't contain any inappropriate content such as nicknames or unsuitable language. Opt for an email address based on your name or profession, or a combination of both. Finally, check your contact details before sending your resume, to ensure everything's up-to-date.
Elena Ward
elena.ward@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
124 Conch Street, Bikini Bottom, CA
linkedin․com/in/elena–ward123
Resume Summary
In your resume summary, write a short paragraph that highlights two or three of your key achievements and skills for learning and development manager roles. You could also call this section 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. A resume summary covers your career experience to date, while a resume objective focuses more on your ambitions for the future. Additionally, make sure your resume summary reflects the job description and focuses on qualities that are relevant to working as a learning and development manager.
Alternatively, write a paragraph that concentrates on your career objectives and how this role fits with your wider ambitions and progression.
A great resume summary should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for learning and development 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 what to include in your learning and development manager resume summary.
Good example:
Dynamic and results-driven Learning and Development Manager with a Master of Science in Human Resource Development and extensive experience as a Talent Development Manager. Proven ability to design and implement innovative training programs, enhance employee performance, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Adept at leveraging data analytics to measure the effectiveness of development initiatives and drive strategic talent management. Skilled in identifying organizational needs, developing tailored learning solutions, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives
Bad example:
Worked in roles related to helping people learn and grow at work. Have some background in human resources and have done things with training and development. Tried to make programs that help employees do better and improve over time. Used data sometimes to see if things were working and to help with planning. Worked with different teams to try to meet goals and find ways to help the organization
Conversely, a bad resume summary might be too generic, lacking focus on the specifics of the job description. It will also fail to provide any useful insights on what makes you a unique candidate. The visual above includes some examples of what not to do with your learning and development manager resume summary
Work History
In your work experience section, list any previous relevant roles you've worked in, as well as your key achievements as a learning and development manager. 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.
Add some bullet points under each job entry, explaining your achievements in the role, so the reader can see how you contributed towards success for the company. Provide evidence of your impact and make sure each point addresses a requirement listed in 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 learning and development manager jobs, with evidence to show the value you added. See the examples below for some ideas of what a great resume work experience looks like.
Good example:
Talent Development Manager, January 2022 - Present
Elevate Learning Solutions, Boston
- Designed and implemented a comprehensive leadership training program, increasing managerial effectiveness by 40% within one year
- Spearheaded a company-wide talent assessment initiative, identifying high-potential employees and reducing turnover by 25%
- Developed a mentorship program that improved employee engagement scores by 30% and accelerated career progression for junior staff
Bad example:
Talent Development Manager, January 2022 - Present
Elevate Learning Solutions, Boston
- Led various training programs to enhance leadership skills and improve team performance
- Managed talent development projects to identify and nurture employee potential
- Implemented initiatives to boost employee engagement and support career growth
In the graphic above you can see a great example of what to avoid when writing your resume work experience section. A poor resume work experience section would typically use vague descriptions of activities in previous jobs, while focusing too much on responsibilities rather than achievements. Failing to focus on the skills and experience that match the job description is likely to harm your chances of success.
Education and Qualifications
In your education section, include details of your most relevant learning and development manager qualifications and educational achievements.
Opportunities as a learning and development manager and similar roles in the sector usually require a specialist degree. If you have a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management degree, be sure to mention this in your resume. You might also want to list any qualifications that highlight your project management skills or instructional design expertise.
For each entry in this section, add the name and level of your qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study. You can enhance this section by adding bullet points that show any outstanding grades, awards or achievements and any specialist subjects you studied. These details can make you stand out from other candidates.
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.
Master of Science in Human Resource Development, 2017 - 2020
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
Skills
Adding a list of your key skills provides a quick reference for the reader of what you can bring to a learning and development manager role. Skills such as instructional design expertise or communication and collaboration are particularly useful for learning and development manager jobs. Again, include any skills that match those listed in the job description. Focus particularly on technical skills required for learning and development manager jobs and transferable skills that show your qualities as a learning and development manager.
How to include hard skills on your learning and development manager resume
For your hard skills list, include any technical abilities or specific industry knowledge that's essential to working as a learning and development manager. These could be skills gained through work experience or qualifications. Furthermore, these skills are essential for a learning and development manager resume as they showcase your expertise in the field. Aim to include four or five key hard skills. If you have space, explain how and where you've used that skill to create successful outcomes in your career. These skills will demonstrate your credentials and show how you meet the job description.
The best resume hard skills sections focus on specific technical skills necessary for the job, showcasing skills that you have particular expertise in. There are some examples of valuable hard skills for a learning and development manager resume below.
- Instructional design expertise
- LMS administration proficiency
- E-learning development tools
How to list soft skills on your learning and development 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. In fact, you can develop soft skills throughout your career, and they tend to be suitable for various roles and professions. Aim to include approximately five soft skills that reflect the skills listed in the job description.
A good soft skills section would include skills that match the job description, and also reflect your key strengths and qualities. See the graphic below for an indication of what to include in a strong soft skills section for a learning and development manager resume.
- Communication and collaboration
- Critical thinking
- Emotional intelligence
Certifications
Under certifications and licenses, add any further qualifications that show you're a good fit for the job. Add any official certifications or accreditations that increase your level of qualification and suitability for working as a learning and development manager. Therefore, include the details of any licenses and professional certifications required for learning and development manager roles, along with completion dates so employers can see you're up-to-date.
See below for some suggestions of relevant certifications for a learning and development manager resume:
- CPLP Certification, 2022
- SPHR Certification, 2022
- ATD Master Trainer, 2022
Expert Tip:
Optional Information
If you need to provide further evidence of your suitability for the job, optional sections can be useful for a learning and development manager resume. Add any of the sections below that help you showcase your key skills and experience.
Hobbies
Including your hobbies and interests can be a valuable way of showing your key skills and qualities. They also help to show a different side of your personality, and can help your resume create a more memorable impression on hiring managers. If you're short on real world work experience, hobbies and interests can be a useful way of providing more information about your qualities. Don't include hobbies and interests in your resume unless they showcase a specific interest or aspect of your personality. You'll want them to add something to your application that you can't add elsewhere.
Volunteering
If you're lacking relevant learning and development manager work experience, volunteer work can help to show you still have the relevant skills. Add any voluntary roles, including your position, the name of the organization, the dates of your voluntary work and a brief explanation of your responsibilities and achievements.
References
Standard learning and development 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. Add two or three professional references, and be sure to approach each referee before you include them.
Please contact me for a list of references.
Best words to use in a learning and development manager resume
Start each bullet point in your work experience section with a strong verb to show actions you took. Choose verbs from the suggestions below that highlight your key skills or those mentioned in the job description.
- Design
- Implement
- Evaluate
- Facilitate
- Coordinate
- Develop
- Assess
- Mentor
- Collaborate
- Innovate
Jobseeker's clean, attractive resume formats can help your applications make a strong impression on employers. Check them out for help designing a winning resume, and see our cover letter templates to help win over recruiters and hiring managers.
Sample resume for learning and development manager positions
Now that you know everything that needs to go into your learning and development manager resume, let's review an example resume that you can use as a guide when creating your own:
124 Conch Street, Bikini Bottom, CA
•
elena.ward@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/elena–ward123
Dynamic Learning and Development Manager with a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management and extensive experience as a Learning and Development Partner. Proven track record in designing and implementing effective training programs, enhancing employee performance, and fostering continuous improvement. Adept at aligning learning initiatives with organizational goals, utilizing data-driven approaches, and leveraging strong interpersonal skills to engage and motivate diverse teams. Committed to driving organizational success through strategic talent development and innovative learning solutions
Learning and Development Partner
2020
-2022
ElevateEd Solutions (Bakersfield)
- Designed and implemented company-wide training programs, increasing employee productivity by 25%
- Developed a mentorship program that reduced employee turnover by 15%
- Conducted over 200 training sessions, achieving a 95% satisfaction rate among participants
Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management
2017
-2020
University of Utah (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Instructional design expertise
LMS administration proficiency
E-learning development tools
Communication and collaboration
Critical thinking
Emotional intelligence
CPLP Certification
SPHR Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Tips for learning and development manager resumes
Tips for best resume practices
- Adapt your resume for every job application for maximum impact. Review the job description to understand the specific requirements for the role.
- Use a clear, professional resume format to make your document as accessible as possible, including a readable font and appropriate headings, margins and line spacing. This will make your resume easier for recruiters and hiring managers to read.
- Quantify your successes by providing figures and other evidence that shows how your skills have made a difference to your employer.
- Use strong action words to demonstrate the impact you've made in each learning and development manager role (e.g. 'facilitate', 'coordinate', 'develop').
- Use reverse-chronological order for your work and education, starting with your most recent employment and education.
Steer clear of these common resume writing errors
- Don't lie or exaggerate about your learning and development manager experience or achievements as it can harm your chances in the long term.
- Don't fill your resume with industry jargon or business-speak that could alienate the reader.
- Don't use passive language - avoid phrases like 'I was tasked with' and use strong action verbs instead.
- Don't use an email address that creates an unprofessional impression. Instead, create an email address for job applications based on your name.
- Don't use complex and elaborate formatting that can make your learning and development manager resume less readable and more difficult for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan.
Making an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are one of the key ways recruiters and employers manage the hiring process. The systems can screen candidates by scanning and ranking resumes based on each candidate's likely suitability for the vacancy. When you're writing your learning and development manager resume, there are several things you can do to make sure your resume stands the best chance of passing the ATS stage.
Follow these guidelines to create the best ATS-friendly resume:
- Adopt a traditional structure for your resume, such as a reverse-chronological format or a functional format. These are likely to be the easiest layouts for ATS software to scan.
- Use of job description keywords throughout your resume will help it rank higher in the ATS scanning stage, as it will more closely match the requirements laid out in the job description.
- Use clear headings that break your resume up into readable, scannable sections that match the standard content employers expect from a resume.
- Use design elements that help make your resume more readable. These might include white space, clear, professional fonts and subtle color accents to help certain elements stand out.
- Adopt simple, professional language to keep your resume as concise as possible. This tends to make your document more readable, and easier for ATS software to scan.
For advice and guidance on creating the perfect resume, read our expert career blog and check out our detailed resume examples.
FAQs for a learning and development manager resume
Alongside your learning and development manager resume, it's important to produce a professional cover letter that creates a similar positive impact on the reader.
Firstly, choose whether you're going to write a full cover letter, or whether a brief email confirming your application and drawing attention to your resume will be sufficient.
A full, formal cover letter follows a traditional letter-writing structure and format. Add your header, the recipient's address an use professional greetings and sign-offs. In your first paragraph, introduce yourself and confirm the role you're applying for, along with your reasons for applying. Next, outline your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to the learning and development manager job description. Finish by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and adding a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to contact you for further information.
If you want to impress employers with a professional cover letter, use Jobseeker's simple and beautiful cover letter templates.
There are plenty of ways to still make a positive impression with your learning and development manager resume, even if you lack relevant work experience. Use a functional resume format instead of the standard reverse-chronological structure. This emphasizes your skills and education over your work experience. Additional resume sections such as volunteer work, hobbies and interests, certifications and internships can all help you showcase your relevant skills. These can be more prominent in your resume if you haven't got a lot of work experience.
A strong resume headline can give the reader an immediate idea of your suitability for learning and development manager jobs. 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. Take the time to draft a concise, eye-catching headline which includes the job title, one or two key skills and reference to either your experience level or track record.
Here's an example of a strong resume headline:
- Aspiring Learning and Development Professional
- Champion of Workforce Skill Enhancement
- Strategic Learning and Development Leader
The best resume format for you depends on two things. Firstly, it depends on your experience level. Secondly, it depends on the type and level of position you're applying for. If you don't have much experience, for example if you're applying for a graduate role or changing careers, you might consider a functional resume format. This focuses on your skills and education above your work experience. If, however, you have experience in your chosen profession, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format might be the way to go. This showcases your relevant skills and achievements in your work experience section.
Takeaways for a winning learning and development manager resume
An effective resume is a concise, professional summary of your relevant skills and career achievements, showcased through a chronology of your career history. Choose a resume structure that makes the most of your relevant experience, whether through work or other activities, and be sure to tailor your resume to match the job description.
Jobseeker has a wealth of resume tools, including resume templates and examples, to help you create a winning job application. Sign up today to get started. Jobseeker's expert-designed cover letter generator can help your applications make a strong first impression on hiring managers. Find detailed cover letter examples to complement your resume and get your application noticed.
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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