how to write a manager resume

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Writing a Resume in Microsoft Word

Writing a resume in Microsoft Word offers a step-by-step guide for creating a new resume or revising an old one. If you already have the program installed on your computer, it’s a free way to get a resume. A resume is your introduction and first impression to a prospective employer.

Using Templates

The Microsoft Word program includes useful templates for users. The templates serve as guides with structure and formatting already in place. Choose a basic resume, curriculum vitae or job-specific resume. Insert your information by typing it in the template. You’ll be able to make edits to the document and change the formatting details to make it your own. Examples are provided to give you an idea of what a polished resume should look like.

The Style of Resume

As you make changes in the design and edits in the template, keep in mind the image you want to project. The resume is a first-hand look at your personal brand. If you’re looking for a creative job, you might want a creative-looking resume. For a high-level professional position, you may want to keep it more formal. Fonts and colors can vary based on your preferences, but most employers agree that simple and basic are best.

Information to Include

There are important details that should be included in any resume. This includes your contact information including your name, address, email address, social media contact info and phone number. Your employment history is key, but it’s usually recommended to only go back 10-15 years. Give enough info to describe your former jobs, but not so much detail that the reader gets bogged down. Include awards and achievements that make you stand out.

Review the Resume

Once you’ve written your resume, review the details to make sure you didn’t leave anything out. Proofread and check the spelling of the entire document. Ask someone you trust to look over the resume. Your resume is the ticket for an interview, so it needs to be correct.

Final Touches

After your proofreading is complete, name the resume document and save it to the computer. When you apply online through a website application or email, you can attach the resume document. Print a few copies on good quality paper stock to take with you to an in-person interview. Having a hard copy in addition to the digital copy can be advantageous and shows that you’re prepared.

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7 Manager Resume Examples & Templates [Edit Free]

• Manager Resumes
• Manager Resumes by Type

Manager Resume FAQs

It’s not easy being the boss. In management, you help employees advance their careers, improve the business’s bottom line, and juggle priorities without dropping the ball.

While it’s not a walk in the park, you’ve learned to handle whatever corporate life throws at you. Yet, demonstrating your abilities on a manager resume is challenging. How do you showcase experience and knowledge on one page?

We have the  top resume tips  to help you  make a resume you’ll be proud to submit, and we’ll also walk through the manager resume writing process.

These seven manager resume samples are helping managers land their next role in 2023, and they can help you  write a resume  that will catch any hiring manager’s attention.

Manager Resume Example

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• Start your work experience bullet points with action verbs like “led,” “founded,” “directed,” “oversaw,” and “managed” to immediately convey your role.
• If you’re a senior manager, tailor your work experience only to include the most relevant positions and technical skills, but if you’re newer to the field, consider adding a  resume objective  to convey your passion and abilities further.

General Manager Resume Example

• Strategically placing your MBA at the top of your general manager resume sends a clear message that you’re prepared to help a business run smoothly.

Case Manager Resume Example

• Elevate your case manager resume by weaving in different ways you’ve supported diverse populations, like this pediatric social worker section illustrates.

Project Manager Resume Example

• While it’s not much different than an objective, this lets employers know your qualifications and your abilities before they even look at your work experience.
• Even if you have one certification, it’s worth including it in its own area, so it’s easier to pinpoint.
• Don’t have any certifications? Research certifications available for project managers and start learning. Whether it takes you a lot of time or a little, know that you’re taking a big step toward forward movement!

Product Manager Resume Example

• Whenever possible, state your impact using quantifiable metrics. Even if they’re rough estimates, numbers are the best way to demonstrate your management abilities. 
• Your product manager resume should explicitly state your role, project goals, and impact for each position listed in your work experience.

Account Manager Resume Example

• You can also focus on other important metrics like the number of accounts you opened, the success of your upsells, and how you improved customer retention.
• When choosing a template, make sure you choose one that allows plenty of room for work experience, skills, and contact information.
• Using a template doesn’t mean you can’t get creative; feel free to make it your own with color and different fonts to help it look more like  you .

Operations Manager Resume Example

• Ideally, you should limit this list to five to seven technical skills.
• For example, did you collaborate with partners to target a specific goal? Did you launch a new rotation system that improved efficiency?
• Consider your responsibilities and how you went above and beyond to meet your goals and help others.

Related resume guides

• Assistant Manager
• Store Manager
• Account Manager
• Product Manager

It may feel like a struggle right now, but we highly recommend you keep your manager resume at one page.

You may have lots of valuable experience in more senior positions, and it’s hard to figure out what to cut. It’s more than okay to exclude the job you held in college, and it’s okay to exclude entry-level roles and possibly mid-level roles, depending on how much experience you have.

A good rule of thumb is to include three jobs in your resume, beginning with your most recent position. If you include four to six bullet points for each role, you’ll find it’s a breeze to keep your management resume to a page.

At a glance, recruiters and employers want to see your management skills and abilities in action. There are so many types of managers, such as project managers, operations managers, account managers—the list goes on.

No matter the company or the profession, your resume job description bullet points should be chock-full of examples of where you led projects and teams successfully. You’ll have a winning resume when you back up your claims with numbers by writing descriptive points like Led and coordinated a project with HR to re-design new-hire training, which reduced average onboarding time by 18%.

If you’re looking to move up the ladder rungs, the best thing you can do in your manager resume is to show how you’ve exercised ownership and autonomy in your experience.

In your work history section on your resume, write about experiences where you headed up your own projects from start to finish , volunteered mentorship or suggestions that left a positive impact , and demonstrated a high aptitude for time management, organization, and problem-solving .

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Manager Resume Examples and Writing Tips

Best Resume Samples and Templates for Management Jobs

Alison Doyle is one of the nation’s foremost career experts.

What to Include in Your Resume

• Tips for Writing an Effective Resume

Manager Resume Samples

Management resume template.

If you are applying for a manager position, your resume needs to show off your management-related skills and experience. In the document, you should strive to demonstrate to potential employers your ability to lead, motivate, and organize those who work under your supervision. 

Always prioritize your information so that the most important facts about you and your career are at the beginning of the resume. 

For management-related resumes, you may include your management philosophy, examples of accomplishments, and quotes from others regarding your management skills, in addition to your work history and other relevant information.

Below, you'll find detailed information on skills to highlight on your resume, along with management resume examples for a variety of management jobs (including customer service, finance, human resources, operations, technical, and general management positions). There are also a few useful tips to help you craft a successful resume. 

List your specific management skills. Companies need effective managers who can help accomplish the goals and objectives of the company. From human resources to revenue targets, management skills are constantly used across all levels of a company. The ability of good managers to delegate different responsibilities to employees gives workers a sense of worth, teamwork, drive, and the opportunity to learn new skills as each goal is met. 

Business leaders also use management skills to coordinate employee output with third-party vendors, suppliers, and other external companies to reach targeted objectives.

Here is more information on various  management skills that you should highlight in your resume. Plus, review  management job titles and responsibilities , and browse through a list of leadership skills as well. 

The best way to showcase your management skills is to list them in a dedicated section or table at the beginning of your resume.

Some suggested titles for this section are: “Key Skills and Strengths,” “Core Skills and Competencies,” “Skills and Qualities,” or “Skills and Abilities.” 

Focus on keyword phrases. Use an employer’s job listing as your guide as you decide which of your management skills and related achievements you should emphasize on your resume . The management competencies you present should closely echo the keyword phrases listed in the “Preferred Qualifications” section of the job listing you’re applying for.

Use action verbs. Most of the language you use in your resume should be active (describing what you yourself have done) rather than passive (what has happened to you). Some  action verbs  that demonstrate key leadership skills include:  initiated , directed, innovate, originated, guided, coached, led, lead the path, developed, inspired, motivated, established, dominated, achieved, influenced, planned, and forecasted .

Action words for managerial positions that show the ability to manage, supervise, and delegate are: organized, administered, coordinated, supervised, controlled, oversaw, managed, took charge of, maintained, handled, assigned, and dictated .

Quantify and boldface your achievements . Throughout your initial resume profile and in the “Professional Experience” section of your resume, be sure to describe tangible examples of the successful results you have produced during your management career.

Quantify these with numbers, percentages, or dollar amounts, boldfacing these figures to make them “pop” on the page and catch a hiring manager’s attention. 

Tips for Writing an Effective Resume for a Manager

Explore different resume formats and templates. When it comes to formatting resumes, one size does not fit all. The format that will be most effective for you depends upon your level of management experience, your work history, and your industry (a management resume for a tech manager, for example, would be formatted differently than that of a factory manager, with sections dedicated to specific technical competencies).

Here are the most common resume formats, along with templates you can download to create your own resume.

• Combination Resume  - A mix of a chronological and functional resume. 
• Chronological Resume  - This type of resume lists experience in order from most recent to oldest. 
• Functional Resume  - In this resume variant, the focus is on relevant skills and experience, rather than a chronological listing of positions held. 
• Targeted Resume  - The focus here is on matching your skills and experience to the job listing. 
• Resume with Accomplishments Section  - Think of this section as a place to show off your greatest hits in the workplace. 
• Resume with Skills Section  - You can include both  hard  and  soft skills  in this section. 
• Resume with Summary of Qualifications  - Use this section to give potential employers an at-a-glance view into why you are a strong, qualified applicant. 

Proofread your resume carefully. Resumes that are carelessly written, with spelling and grammatical errors, suggest to employers that your work might be sloppy as well. Take the time to edit and correct your resume and cover letter, following these proofreading steps .

Tailor a cover letter to complement your resume. Once you have a strong resume ready, your next step will be to create a cover letter—review these ​ management cover letters  to help get started. 

Review these resume examples for inspiration on how to make your management resume the best it can be. Do not copy these samples exactly—instead, use them as a framework to help you develop your own resume that highlights your skills and work experience. 

• Customer Service Manager
• Entry Level Management
• Financial Manager
• Human Resources Management
• Recruiting Manager

This is an example of a resume for a management position. Download the management resume template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Management Resume Sample (Text Version)

Manny Manager 123 Oak Avenue Raleigh, NC 27614 (123) 456-7890 manny.manager@email.com

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Guiding retail operations to continuing levels of efficiency and success.

Results-oriented Operations Manager with 5 years’ experience on-boarding, developing, and motivating high-performance teams that consistently produce upwards sales growth. Key skills include:

• Recruiting, Staffing, and Training
• Business Reporting
• POP, SKU, and Inventory Integrity Audits
• Supply Chain Optimization
• Warehouse Organization
• Loss Prevention / Inventory Control

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

MUSIC CENTER, Raleigh, NC Operations Manager (January 2018 – Present) Partner with Store Manager and task associates to ensure seamless operations of high-volume retail store operations. Scope of responsibilities include: inventory management, merchandise resets, staffing, training, shipping and receiving, and financial and operational reporting. Key accomplishments:

• Spearheaded introduction of new planograms that increased sales by 40% within one month.
• Consistently surpassed ambitious EBITDA, sales, and margin goals by more than 5%.
• Introduced sales incentive and employee recognition programs that increased staff retention by 80%.

TOYS FOR ALL, Raleigh, NC Store Manager (September 2015 – December 2017) Held key-holder responsibility for hiring, training, and supervising 50-member workforce. Managed daily store operations, formulated strategic marketing and promotions initiatives, and communicated sales and productivity goals to team members. Key accomplishments:

• Introduced new customer appreciation program that reduced churn by 60%.
• Coordinated high-profile seasonal sales events producing more than $100K in sales.

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY, Raleigh, NC Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Operations and Supply Chain), 2015

How to Get Your Management Resume Noticed

HIGHLIGHT YOUR MANAGEMENT SKILLS: Use strong action verbs to describe how you have led and optimized operations and teams during your career. List your most important management competencies in a dedicated section at the beginning of your resume, matching these to those emphasized in the job listing you’re applying for.

SHOWCASE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Quantifying your achievements in previous jobs with numbers or percentages will help to ensure that you rise above your competition for the job.

TAILOR YOUR RESUME TO THE JOB: Customize your resume each time you send it out for consideration, making sure that it utilizes the keyword phrases most emphasized by the employer in the “Preferred Qualifications” section of their job listing.

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Office Manager Resume - Samples & How-to Guide for 2023

You’re an office manager . Your daily tasks include managing staff and delegating work.

Well, once you get the job.

Your first task is to beat the hundreds of other applicants.

But how do you do this?

You need to show your skills before the job even starts.

This is done by creating a job-winning office manager resume , which we will take you through in this guide.

• An example of a finished office manager resume that works
• How to write an office manager resume that’ll fill up your interview diary
• How to make your office manager resume stand out [with top tips & tricks]

Before we get into the details, here’s an office manager resume example, created with our very own online resume builder :

Looks neat, right?! Follow the steps below to create an office manager resume that get results, just like the above example.

Besides our office manager resume example, we've got even more resume examples for similar positions. Check them out here:

• Operations Manager Resume
• Program Manager Resume
• Project Manager Resume
• Human Resource (HR) Resume
• Business Development Manager Resume

How to Write an Office Manager Resume

Before you can uncover your office management skills, you need pick the correct format.

Doing so will allow your best qualities to jump from the page.

The resume format that we always recommend starting with is called “ reverse-chronological ”, and it’s for good reason. Essentially, it allows the recruiter to immediately see the value that you can provide to the office. 

There are two other formats that you may want to try:

• Functional Resume – If your office management skills are stronger than your work history, then this resume format is recommended. It’s ideal for skilled individuals who lack experience in an office setting or who have gaps in their employment history
• Combination Resume – Combining both “Functional” and “Reverse-Chronological”, this format focuses both on your office management skills AND work experience. In opposition to the functional resume, you may want to use a combination resume if you have previously managed an office

Once you’ve chosen a format that suits your specific situation, you need to then organize your resume layout .

Use an Office Manager Resume Template

An office manager’s job requires great attention to detail.

As such, a cluttered resume just won’t cut it.

You need a professional-looking resume with zero formatting errors.

That means not using Word, which can result in your resume falling apart with every simple change.

Want to skip formatting issues? Use an office manager resume template .

What to Include in an Office Manager Resume

The main sections in an office manager resume are:

• Work Experience
• Contact Information

Want to go a step further? You can also add these optional sections:

• Awards & Certification

Interests & Hobbies

That sounds great, but what do we write for each of these sections? 

Read on to learn how.

Want to know more about resume sections? View our guide on What to Put on a Resume .

How to Correctly Display your Contact Information

Like a file of important documents, your contact section doesn’t require flair or creativity.

There is one thing it must be though – accurate!

The wrong phone number can ruin your chances of an interview, regardless of how great the rest of your resume is. 

The contact information section must include:

• Title – In this case, “Office Manager”
• Phone Number – Check this carefully
• Email Address – Use a professional email address (firstna[email protected]), not a personal one ([email protected])
• (Optional) Location
• Peter Fakester - Office Manager. 101-358-6095. [email protected]
• Peter Fakester - Office Boss. 101-358-6095. [email protected]

How to Write an Office Manager Resume Summary or Objective

Did you know that recruiters spend only a few seconds glancing over each resume?  

This fact highlights the importance of immediately hooking the recruiter.

To do this, use a resume summary or objective .

These are short, powerful paragraphs that introduce the rest of your resume. 

But what is the difference between the two sections?

A resume summary is a 2-4 sentence summary of your professional experiences and achievements.

• Experienced office manager seeking to leverage advanced management skills to improve efficiency at Atkins Digital. 5+ years of industry experience includes developing a paperless office environment, as well as meeting 100% of revenue goals and cutting cost by 18% on average.

A resume objective is a 2-4 sentence snapshot of what you want to achieve professionally.

• Motivated manager looking for an office management role at Atkins Digital. Passionate about improving efficiency with quarterly targets, research, and performance evaluation. Experience includes training and managing 15 staff members at Pizza Palace. Cut costs by 18% and reduced staff turnover by 12%.

Which one should you choose?

Generally, we recommend going with a summary if you have lots of experience as an office manager. An objective is more weighted to showing your goals, so is better suited to those who have yet to work as an office manager (graduates, career changers, or those still studying).

How to Make Your Office Manager Work Experience Stand Out

It’s no secret that the work experience section is where jobs are won and lost.

After all, recruiters need to be confident that you can do the job.  

Luckily, you can build a job-winning work experience section with just a few tips and tricks.

• Read the job description to look for what the company wants
• Make a list of your most notable achievements
• Use bullet points to list the achievements that align with the job description

Here’s the best way to structure your work experience section:

• Position Name / Title
• Company Name
• Responsibilities & Achievements

Office Manager

Organic Beer Limited

03/2018 – 06/2020

• Developed a paperless office environment, which reduced labor hours by 15 weeks
• Met 100% of revenue goals in 2018 and 2019
• Oversaw operations and delegated daily jobs for 46 staff members
• Built an efficient team with performance feedback and annual appraisals. Staff turnover decreased by 25%

To really make your application stand out from the crowd, you should focus on your achievements instead of daily tasks. This will show real examples of how you’re able to positivity improve office-efficiency, wherever you go.  

Instead of saying:

“Organized documentation”

“Developed a paperless office environment, which reduced labor hours by 15 weeks”

Now, do you think that the first statement will impress the recruiter?

Of course not!

It shows that you organized documentation, but it doesn’t show the results on your work.

The second statement shows that you reduced labor hours by 15 weeks, and in an environmentally-conscious way. Hard numbers that prove your skills – can’t argue with that!

• Remember, you are going for a management role. Be sure to show that not only are you skilled at office duties, but you also posses the skills to lead.

What if You Don’t Have Work Experience?

Maybe you’re a graduate looking for your first managerial job?

Or maybe, you have experience in an office, but never as a manager?

Now, you can try to win the recruiter over by saying how much you want the job.

But that won’t work…

It's a better idea to show relevant experiences from your non-office-manager jobs.

Are you a recent graduate? Make sure to check out our student resume guide !

Use Action Words to Make Your Office Manager Resume POP!

…are all common words that the recruiter sees time and time again.

However, you want to separate your resume from the competition, which means using power words to make your achievements stand out:

• Conceptualized

How to Correctly List your Education

Next, it’s time to talk about your education.

There’s nothing too complicated with this section, just simply enter your education history in the follow format:

• Degree Type & Major
• University Name
• Years Studied
• GPA, Honours, Courses, and anything else you might want to add

B.A. in Business Administration

Boston State University

• Relevant Courses: Business Communications and Academic Skills, Introduction to Work and Organisations, Contemporary Management, Managing Organisations, Management and Strategy, Contemporary HRM

Still need answers? If so, allow us to answer some of the most frequently asked questions:

What if I haven’t completed education yet?

• Regardless of whether you’re a marketing graduate or still studying, you should still mention every year of education to date

Should I include my high school education?

• The general rule is to only include your highest education. So, include your high school education if you don’t have a relevant degree

What do I put first, my education or experience?

• Experiences are the priority, so those go first. If you’re a recent graduate, you will likely need to start with education

Need more advice? Check out our guide on how to list education on a resume .

Top 10 Skills for an Office Manager Resume

What is the recruiter looking for as they skim through your resume?

Well, that you have the correct skills for the job.

But what skills is the recruiter looking for?

Which skills should you list?

• Look at the job description and other job offers online
• Highlight all the skills they are looking for
• List all highlighted skills and any more you can think of

Here are some of the most common office manager skills...

Hard Skills for an Office Manager:

• Business Operations Management
• Performance Evaluations
• Microsoft Office
• Inventory Management
• Preparing Reports

Soft Skills for an Office Manager:

• Communication
• Reliability
• Team Player
• Time Management 
• Generally, try not to list too many soft skills. You see, these skills are hard to back-up. Any graduate can say they are a team player, but not many can conduct performance evaluations.

Here’s a more comprehensive list of 101+ must-have skills this year .

What Else Can You Include?

Congrats – all of the main sections have now been covered.

But don’t turn off the office lights just yet.

You need your resume to really impress! 

Doing a good job at the above sections should be enough to get you shortlisted, but adding extra sections can be the major factor in whether you’re hired for the executive role or not.

Awards & Certifications

Have you won an employee of the month award?

Have you completed any courses that improve your skills?

If you have something to be proud of, make sure to mention it in your resume!

Here’s an example:

Awards & Certificates

• “HR for People Managers” – Coursera Certificate
• “Employee of the Year 2019” – Xcel Inc.
• Google Ads Certified Expert
• “Critical Thinking Masterclass” – MadeUpUniversity

Even though it may not be a requirement on the job description, being able to speak a second language is an impressive skill that could always come in handy. 

As such, feel free to add a language section if you have space.

Rank the languages by proficiency:

• Intermediate

That’s right, a section about your personal interests!

You’re likely wondering why this section is necessary.

Well, it isn’t a section you need, but it does allow the hiring manager to learn more about you as a person.

So be sure to include your hobbies, especially if you enjoy social activities. 

Here’s which hobbies & interests you may want to mention.

Include a Cover Letter with Your Resume

Cover letters are an essential part of the application process.

You see, a cover letter allows you to start a conversation.

Unlike the dozens of generic resumes the hiring manager receives daily, a cover letter is a personalized piece of content that shows you go the extra mile. 

Here’s how to create a cover letter that converts:

You should complete the following sections…

Personal Contact Information

Your full name, profession, email, phone number, location.

Hiring Manager’s Contact Information

Full name, position, location, email

Opening Paragraph

It’s no secret that recruiters skim through resumes and cover letters. As such, you need a powerful opening paragraph. Use concise language to mention…

• The position you’re applying for
• Your experience summary and best achievement to date

With the recruiter now intrigued to know more, you can get deeper into the following specifics:

• Why you chose this specific company
• What you know about the company
• How your top skills are relevant to the management position
• Which similar industries or positions have you worked in before

Closing Paragraph

Don’t just end the conversation abruptly, you should:

• Conclude the points made in the body paragraph
• Thank the hiring manager for the opportunity
• Finish with a call to action. This is a great way to continue the conversation. A simple “At your earliest opportunity, I’d love to discuss more about how I can help your office succeed” will work

Formal Salutations

Finish the letter with a professional closer. We would recommend something like “Kind regards” or “Sincerely.”

For more inspiration, read our step-by-step guide on how to write a cover letter .

Key Takeaways

Followed all of the advice above?

Then you’re in a great position to land that elusive office management job.

Let’s quickly summarize everything we’ve learned today:

• Format your office manager's resume in the best way. We recommend starting with the reverse-chronological format, and then using a professional content layout
• Use a resume summary or objective to highlight your best qualities
• Focus on your best achievements from your work experience, not your daily responsibilities
• Make your application personal with a convincing cover letter

Suggested Reading:

• Best Resume File Type - PDF vs Word [+Templates]
• 9+ Essential Resume Ideas [to Get Your Next job]
• How to Write an ATS Resume [8+ Templates Included]

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