Business Development Manager Resume Examples

Writing a business development manager resume can feel like closing a tough deal – you need the right pitch. Job hunting in this field is competitive, and your resume is the first impression you make. Many managers struggle to convey their achievements and skills succinctly. Your resume needs to highlight your unique value proposition, showcasing not just what you've done, but how you made a difference. Failing to do so can mean missed opportunities. Without a clear roadmap, structuring your achievements and skills effectively can be tricky.

Choosing the right resume template is crucial for focusing on your career highlights. It ensures that your strengths stand out and that the most relevant information is easy to find. The right template can make a significant difference in how hiring managers perceive your potential.

Don't stress! We have over 700 resume examples to guide you in writing a standout resume.

What to focus on when writing your business development manager resume

A business development manager resume should clearly convey your skills in driving growth and forging strong client relationships. Demonstrating your ability to identify and capitalize on new business opportunities, along with measurable successes, will grab attention. Highlight leadership, strategic planning, and analytical skills to show you're equipped to spearhead initiatives and boost profitability. To further enhance the resume, include:

• Clear examples of revenue growth percentages you've achieved.
• Specific strategies you've implemented that led to market expansions.
• Key client acquisitions and the resulting impact on the business.
• Certifications or continued education relevant to business development.

Must have information on your business development manager resume

To ensure your resume catches the eye of hiring managers and passes through ATS systems, certain key sections should be included. Here are the must-have sections for a business development manager resume:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Key Skills
• Work Experience
• Education
• Certifications

Including additional sections like “Achievements” and “Professional Affiliations” can also help you stand out. Make sure each section highlights your relevant experience and skills effectively.

Which resume format to choose

For a business development manager resume, a reverse-chronological format is best as it highlights your career progression and achievements clearly. Opt for modern fonts like Rubik and Montserrat which are clean and professional, unlike the more dated Arial and Times New Roman. Always save your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and ensure it’s easy to open. Keep your margins at about 1 inch on all sides to ensure readability and a clean layout. Use clear section headings like "Professional Experience" and "Skills" that are easy for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan and understand.

A business development manager resume should include the following sections:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Core Competencies
• Professional Experience
• Education
• Certifications
• Skills
• Achievements

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How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

When writing the experience section of your business development manager resume, focus on presenting your past roles in a clear and concise manner. Start with your most recent position and work backwards. Go as far back as 10-15 years, focusing on roles relevant to business development. Include the job title, company name, location, and dates of employment for each position.

Tailor your resume for each job you are applying to by emphasizing the experiences and accomplishments that match the job description. Use action words like "led," "achieved," "improved," and "developed" to make your contributions stand out. Rather than listing your responsibilities, highlight your achievements with numbers and specific examples. This shows the impact you made at your previous jobs.

The example above lacks specifics. It doesn't showcase the full extent of accomplishments. The bullets are vague, offering no detailed results or metrics. This approach weakens your chances of standing out among other candidates.

In the second example, each bullet includes specific achievements and numerical data. This highlights your role in driving growth and bringing in revenue. The use of action words such as "Increased," "Secured," and "Expanded" emphasizes your active contributions. Including such details makes your resume more compelling and showcases your value to potential employers.

Business development manager resume experience examples

Step into the world of a business development manager—where making deals and breaking sales records is just another day at the office. But don't worry, we promise this won't be a "resume dating" game of guess the experience!

Achievement-focused

Highlight achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive results and make impactful contributions to your organization’s goals.

Skills-focused

Emphasize key skills relevant to business development, such as negotiation, networking, and market analysis.

Responsibility-focused

List responsibilities that showcase your role and the impact you made on the business.

Project-focused

Showcase significant projects you led or contributed to, highlighting your leadership and project management skills.

Result-focused

Highlight specific, quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact in your previous roles.

Industry-Specific Focus

Tailor your experience to the specific industry you are targeting, underlining relevant activities and accomplishments.

Problem-Solving focused

Demonstrate instances where you identified and solved business-critical problems, showing your analytical skills and initiative.

Innovation-focused

Show your ability to innovate and bring new ideas to your organization, contributing to growth and competitive advantage.

Leadership-focused

Illustrate your leadership experience, showcasing your ability to lead teams and projects collaboratively and effectively.

Customer-focused

Highlight your attentiveness to customer needs and how you have driven customer satisfaction and engagement.

Growth-focused

Illustrate your contributions to the growth and scalability of your previous organizations.

Efficiency-focused

Showcase your ability to streamline processes and improve efficiency, resulting in cost savings and productivity gains.

Technology-focused

Highlight your experience with technology and how you’ve used it to drive business improvements.

Collaboration-focused

Show your experience working collaboratively and fostering a team environment to achieve business goals.

Training and Development focused

Showcase your ability to develop and train employees, contributing to the overall growth and development of the team.

Write your business development manager resume summary section

Writing a compelling resume summary for a business development manager role can be the key to landing your desired job. The summary should be a brief, punchy statement that showcases your skills, experience, and what you bring to a prospective employer. Focus on including your most impressive achievements and how your skills align with the company's needs.

Describing yourself in the resume summary should be concise and impactful. Use action-oriented language and specific metrics when possible. Avoid vague statements and jargon that don't add value.

A resume summary differs from other sections like a resume objective, resume profile, or a summary of qualifications in its focus and length. A resume objective states your career goals, a resume profile is a brief overview of your professional background, and a summary of qualifications quickly lists your key skills and experiences relevant to the job.

Here are two examples of resume summaries:

The first example is poorly written. It is full of clichés like "skilled multitasker" and "works well under pressure," which do not provide specific information or highlight unique qualifications. It lacks details on specific achievements and measurable results, making it sound generic.

The second example is much better. It highlights the candidate's extensive experience and provides specific achievements like securing over $5M in new business annually. The use of metrics and clear, action-oriented language demonstrates the candidate's qualifications and impact, making it compelling to potential employers.

Listing your business development manager skills on your resume

In your business development manager resume, your skills section showcases your strengths and competencies that make you a fit for the job. Skills can be a standalone section or included in other areas like your experience and summary sections. Strengths and soft skills like leadership and communication play a key role in demonstrating your capacity to work with people effectively. Hard skills, such as financial analysis or CRM software proficiency, are specific, teachable abilities that can be measured.

Incorporating your skills and strengths into different parts of your resume allows you to use them as keywords, which is crucial for getting past automated systems. Resume keywords can make your resume more discoverable to recruiters searching for specific qualifications.

Having a well-organized skills section in your resume makes it easy for recruiters to quickly identify your capabilities. The skills are clearly listed and tailored for a business development manager role, ensuring they match job requirements.

Best hard skills to feature on your business development manager resume

Hard skills are essential for a business development manager to demonstrate their expertise in specific techniques and tools. These skills should show your technical proficiency and ability to achieve business goals.

Best soft skills to feature on your business development manager resume

Soft skills are equally important as hard skills for a business development manager. These skills highlight your interpersonal abilities and how you manage relationships and teams.

How to include your education on your resume

The education section is a key part of a business development manager resume. It shows your qualifications and proves you have the needed academic background. This section should relate directly to the job you're after. Leave out any irrelevant education.

Including your GPA can be impressive if it's strong, typically above 3.5. Make sure to note any cum laude honors. Listing a degree on your resume should include the degree name, institution, location, and the dates attended.

This example is poorly written. The degree is not relevant to the business development role. The GPA is average and not highlighted effectively. The dates are old and the degree lacks direct connection to required business skills.

This example is strong. The degree is directly linked to business development. Highlighting cum laude and a 3.8 GPA shows high achievement. The dates are recent and the details are clearly presented. This makes you stand out as a skilled and knowledgeable candidate.

How to include business development manager certificates on your resume

Including a certificates section in your business development manager resume is crucial. Certificates demonstrate your dedication and expertise in the field. You can also feature important certificates in the header for instant visibility to recruiters. For instance, list the name of the certificate prominently, include the date when you obtained it, and add the issuing organization.

Use an active voice and provide relevant details. This approach showcases your qualifications efficiently. For example, if you've completed a certification in "Sales Strategy," make sure to include that it was issued by a recognized institution like Harvard Business School. You show your certificates in the header too, like this: "Certified Sales Strategist (Harvard Business School)."

The above example is effective because the certificates are relevant to a business development manager role and come from prestigious institutions. This specificity enhances credibility. Recruiters can instantly recognize the value you bring, making you a strong candidate.

Extra sections to include in your business development manager resume

Navigating the complexities of a business landscape requires a diverse skill set and a well-rounded resume. For those looking to stand out in the role of a business development manager, it's essential to include sections that showcase unique attributes beyond professional experiences. These sections can provide a holistic view of your qualifications and personal interests, making you a more compelling candidate.

• Language section — Highlight additional languages you speak fluently as it can open doors to international markets and clients. Demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with diverse teams.
• Hobbies and interests section — Mention interests that reflect your personality and align with the company's culture. Engage potential employers by showing you're not just skilled but also well-rounded.
• Volunteer work section — List volunteer experiences related to your field to show your commitment to social causes and community service. Illustrate leadership and organizational skills gained during your volunteer work.
• Books section — Display books relevant to business and personal development that you have read to show continuous learning and professional growth. Inspire confidence in your initiative and self-improvement ability.

Including such sections enriches your resume, turning a generic list of duties into a narrative that emphasizes your abilities and personal traits. Each section reveals a different facet of your personality, helping employers understand you better. It's not just about what you can do, but also about who you are.

Pair your business development manager resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your resume when you apply for a job. It introduces you to the employer and explains why you are a strong candidate for the position. A well-crafted cover letter highlights your key achievements and how they align with the job requirements, giving you an edge over other applicants.

For a Business Development Manager, your cover letter should focus on your experience in driving sales growth, managing client relationships, and identifying new business opportunities. Emphasize your ability to develop strategic plans, lead teams, and negotiate deals. Show how your skills and achievements can help the company meet its goals.

Ready to make your cover letter effortlessly? Use Resume Mentor's cover letter builder for an easy, guided experience. Export your polished document as a PDF to maintain your formatting and protect your content. Give yourself the best chance to make a great first impression!