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How to Write a General Manager Resume

Your general manage resume’s format is as important as how you write your resume. This sample resume demonstrates the best resume layout to follow: 1-inch margins, bullet points and clear resume headings for each of the following sections.

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  • Professional header and contact info

    • Include your name, contact information and a professional email address.
  • Compelling summary statement

    • A brief resume summary or objective highlighting two or three business operations-relevant skills, experience or accomplishments.
  • Highlight your skills

    • Create a dedicated section to showcase hard and soft skills specific to business operations work, like financial analysis, budgeting and forecasting or operations management.
  • Emphasize your work history

    • List your work experience in reverse-chronological order. Include job titles, company names, dates of employment and key responsibilities and achievements for each role in a bullet list.
  • Supporting education section

    • Detail your educational background, mentioning any relevant degrees, diplomas or certifications obtained.
  • Additional sections

    • You can add resume sections for licenses, certifications, industry memberships or unions, awards, volunteer experience or spoken languages.

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How to Write a General Manager Resume Summary

A resume summary is a concise and compelling introduction highlighting your qualifications and achievements as a general manager. It should instantly grab the recruiter’s attention and entice them to read further. Follow these steps to create an effective summary:

Be concise

Summarize your summary into three to four sentences, succinctly summarizing your expertise.

Highlight experience

Emphasize your years of experience in managerial roles and showcase your leadership abilities.

Quantify achievements

Use specific metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as revenue growth or cost savings.

Tailor to job

Customize your summary for each application, aligning it with the role’s requirements.

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Good general manager resume example

“Highly accomplished general manager with over 10 years of experience leading cross-functional teams and driving revenue growth. Successfully implemented process improvements resulting in a 20% increase in operational efficiency. Adept at developing and executing strategic plans to achieve business objectives. Proven track record of building strong client relationships and fostering a positive work environment.”

The well-written example concisely presents the candidate’s experience and achievements, showcasing specific accomplishments and skills. It quantifies results and uses strong adjectives to portray the candidate’s capabilities.

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Poor general manager resume example

“Experienced general manager with good leadership skills. Managed teams and improved processes. Familiar with budgeting and financial management. Good at building relationships with clients.”

The poorly written example needs more specific details, making it less compelling and memorable to potential employers. It doesn’t provide quantifiable achievements or highlight the candidate’s unique strengths. A well-crafted summary should be robust, tailored and focused on making a strong first impression.

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PRO TIP:

Try the resume objective if you’re applying for your first managerial job. This alternative introduction pitches your transferable leadership skills and downplays your lack of previous experience.

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How to Add Your General Manager Work History

Your work history section as a general manager is crucial in showcasing your leadership skills, achievements and contributions to previous organizations. Follow these steps to create an impactful work history section:

Include relevant information

Include the company name, job title, employment dates and a brief company description.

Focus on achievements

Highlight your key accomplishments, such as revenue growth, cost savings, successful projects and team achievements.

Quantify results

Use metrics and data to quantify your impact and show your contributions measurably.

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Good general manager work history sample

General Manager, Google, San Jose, CA July 2017 – Present

  • Led a team of 50+ employees and oversaw daily operations, resulting in a 25% increase in overall productivity.
  • Implemented cost-saving measures that reduced operational expenses by 15% while maintaining high-quality service.
  • Spearheaded a new marketing strategy, resulting in a 30% increase in customer acquisition and revenue growth.
  • Successfully executed a company-wide reorganization, improving efficiency and communication across departments.

This good general manager resume work history uses specific metrics to showcase achievements and contributions. It demonstrates strong leadership and decision-making skills by highlighting revenue growth, cost savings and successful project management. The strategic use of numbers also helps hiring managers estimate the number of employees this job seeker could oversee.

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Poor general manager work history sample

General Manager, Google, San Jose, CA July 2017 – Present

  • Managed staff and handled day-to-day operations.
  • Worked on various projects and improved processes.
  • Responsible for budgeting and financial oversight.

The poor example lacks specific details and quantifiable achievements, making it less compelling to potential employers. It only provides a general overview of responsibilities without showcasing the candidate’s impact and effectiveness as a general manager.

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How to Write a General Manager Education Section

The education section of your general manager resume should highlight your academic qualifications, certifications and relevant training. Follow these steps to create an impactful education section:

1Start with your highest degree

List your highest degree first, followed by any additional degrees or certifications.

Education formatting example:

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Georgetown University, Washington, DC September 2012 – May 2016

  • Concentration in Management and Leadership
  • Graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors

2Include honors and achievements

If you graduated with honors, earned scholarships or received special awards during your education, mention them.

Honors formatting example:

Graduated Magna Cum Laude

3Include professional certifications

List any relevant management, leadership or industry-specific certifications.

Certifications formatting example:

  • Certified Professional Manager (CPM), Institute of Certified Professional Managers December 2017
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification, Project Management Institute (PMI) September 2019
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PRO TIP:

Tailor your education section with relevant education and training that directly align with the skills and requirements of the general manager position you are applying for.

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15 Skills for Your General Manager Resume

The skills section of your general manager resume is a crucial part that showcases your abilities and qualifications. Here’s a list of top soft, hard and technical skills specific to a general manager role:

soft skills

Soft skills

  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Problem-solving
  • Team Building
  • Conflict Resolution
hard skills

Hard skills

  • Financial Analysis
  • Budgeting and Forecasting
  • Operations Management
  • Strategic Planning
  • Performance Management
technical-skills

Technical skills

  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • CRM Software
  • Inventory Management Systems
  • Data Analysis and Reporting
  • Project Management Software
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PRO TIP:

Focusing on this combination of skills will effectively showcase your qualifications as a competent general manager, capable of leading agile projects and achieving successful outcomes.

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20 General Manager Action Verbs

We will explore powerful action verbs that elevate your general manager resume and make it stand out to potential employers. Check out these 20 power words to present yourself as a capable and proactive general manager.

  • Achieve
  • Analyze
  • Collaborate
  • Delegate
  • Drive
  • Enhance
  • Execute
  • Foster
  • Implement
  • Lead
  • Maximize
  • Negotiate
  • Optimize
  • Oversee
  • Plan
  • Strategize
  • Streamline
  • Supervise
  • Transform
  • Utilize

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Additional Resume Sections

Consider adding the following sections to your general manager resume based on your specific circumstances and to enhance your qualifications:

  • Certifications: Include a separate section to showcase relevant credentials, such as Certified Professional Manager (CPM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification.
  • Professional Development: Use a professional development section featuring workshops, seminars or business operations programs to replace or supplement your education section.
  • Awards and Achievements: If you have received recognition or awards for your performance, productivity, or safety record, include a section to showcase these accomplishments.
  • Volunteer Experience: Replace your work history section with a volunteer section if you have less than three years of experience. Use this space to demonstrate relevant skills or attributes, such as leadership, communication or problem-solving.
  • Language Proficiency: Since business operations jobs can include a diverse range of employees, advertise your fluency in other languages as a workplace boon!
  • Memberships: Let hiring managers know about your membership to industry-specific organizations or unions.

Use a Cover Letter to Express Yourself

A resume is a concise overview of your skills and experience — a cover letter expands on this foundation. Add a cover letter to share one or two examples of how you excelled in similar roles or how your skills match a company’s needs. Use this sample as a guide or visit our helpful resources to boost your application.

General Manager Resume FAQ

What should be included in a general manager resume?

Your general manager resume should include:

  • A clear and concise summary statement.
  • A detailed work history showcasing your achievements and responsibilities.
  • A section highlighting your education and relevant certifications.
  • A list of key skills.
  • Any relevant achievements, awards or special projects.

How should I tailor my general manager resume for a specific job?

To tailor your resume:

  • Carefully review the job description and identify the critical skills and qualifications required.
  • Customize your resume by highlighting experiences and accomplishments that align with the specific job requirements.
  • Use keywords from the job posting to demonstrate your suitability for the role.

It may seem superfluous to edit your resume for each job, but this carefull customization can help you pass the applicant tracking systems that auto-delete up to 50% of applications before they reach a recruiter or hiring manger.

What are the essential soft skills for a general manager?

Some essential soft skills for a general manager include excellent communication and interpersonal skills to lead and motivate teams effectively. Strong problem-solving, decision-making and conflict-resolution skills are vital in handling diverse challenges and maintaining a harmonious work environment.

Should I include references on my general manager?

It is optional to include references on your resume. Instead, create a separate reference list with your professional references' names, titles and contact information. When requested, provide the reference list to the employer separately.

How can I make my general manager resume stand out to employers?

To make your resume stand out:

  • Focus on quantifiable achievements, such as revenue growth, cost savings or team performance improvements.
  • Use strong action verbs to showcase your leadership abilities and highlight specific results.
  • Tailor your resume to the industry and role, and ensure it is well-organized, visually appealing and error-free.