General Manager Resume Examples

Crafting the perfect general manager resume can be like herding cats—challenging yet rewarding. As a general manager, you're used to juggling responsibilities, leading teams, and ensuring company goals are met. However, showcasing these skills on a resume can be difficult. The job market is competitive, and finding a position that matches your expertise requires a standout resume. Many general managers find themselves overwhelmed, unsure where to start or what to include. This guide will help you navigate the process, ensuring your resume reflects your experience, achievements, and leadership capabilities.

Choosing the right resume template is crucial. It’s not just about aesthetics; a well-structured template highlights your most important skills and experiences, making sure nothing important gets overlooked. The right format can make your resume clear and easy to read, making it easier for hiring managers to see why you’re the best candidate.

Don't miss out on our collection of over 700 resume examples designed to help you craft the perfect resume. Dive in and make your next career move a successful one!

What to focus on when writing your general manager resume

A general manager resume should instantly convey your leadership, strategic planning, and operational management skills. It should highlight your ability to oversee daily business activities, improve overall business functions, and ensure compliance with regulations. To boost impact, include metrics showcasing revenue growth, cost reduction, and team management success. Incorporate specific achievements, leadership roles, and problem-solving examples.

In an accountant resume, consider including:

• Clear examples of financial report accuracy.
• Key contributions to budgeting and forecasting.
• Demonstrated proficiency with accounting software.
• Specific instances of cost-saving initiatives.

Must have information on your general manager resume

When crafting your general manager resume, it's crucial to include essential sections that highlight your qualifications. Make sure to have:

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

These sections are vital to showcase your expertise and suitability for the role. Additionally, you might consider adding sections like Achievements, Professional Affiliations, or Languages to further highlight your qualifications and set yourself apart.

Which resume format to choose

For a general manager resume, the best format is the reverse-chronological format. It highlights your most recent experience first, which is crucial for showcasing your career progression. Using modern fonts like Rubik or Montserrat instead of the outdated Arial or Times New Roman adds a contemporary touch. Always save your resume as a PDF to ensure the formatting stays consistent. Keep margins between 0.5 to 1 inch to maintain readability. Clear section headings improve readability for both humans and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Your resume should include the following sections:

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

Resume Mentor's free resume builder handles all of this for you, ensuring your resume is not only professional but also ATS-friendly.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

To write a great experience section for a general manager resume, begin with your most recent job and work backwards. Include up to 10-15 years of work experience. Only list jobs relevant to the position you're seeking. Tailor each entry to match the job you’re applying for, focusing on achievements rather than duties. Use action words like "led," "optimized," and "executed."

Your resume should showcase your impact through quantifiable achievements. For example, instead of saying you "managed a team," say you "increased team productivity by 25% in six months." This makes your role clearer and more impressive.

Avoid vague job descriptions. Employers want to see concrete evidence of your capabilities. Ensure you use clear, simple language.

Here is a poorly written experience example:

This example is not effective because it is too vague. Statements like "Managed team" and "Handled budgets" don't tell the employer what you really accomplished. There are no specifics about improvements made or goals achieved.

Here is a well-crafted experience example:

This example stands out because it highlights specific achievements and provides numbers to illustrate success. Increased sales revenue and reduced costs show direct contributions. Leading a large team to high customer satisfaction demonstrates leadership and results.

For your resume, aim for clear, quantifiable achievements. Make each entry tell a strong story about what you bring to the table. This approach ensures your resume is both impressive and easy to read.

General manager resume experience examples

Welcome to the section where we dive into the nuts and bolts of crafting a stellar resume! We believe that your experiences should shine like the North Star and, of course, should be easy-peasy to read. So, let’s taco 'bout how you can beef up your resume like a boss!

Achievement-focused

Highlight your most impressive accomplishments that you believe set you apart. Think awards, recognitions, or successful initiatives you've led. Provide concrete examples and quantifiable results wherever possible.

Skills-focused

Outline the unique skills you bring to the table and how they have positively impacted your role. Choose skills relevant to your position and back them up with examples.

Responsibility-focused

Emphasize the roles and responsibilities you took on in your previous positions. Focus on what was under your management and how you managed it successfully.

Project-focused

Share your experience in leading or managing significant projects. Detail project scope, your role, and any notable outcomes.

Result-focused

Concentrate on the outcomes you have achieved in your past roles. Use metrics to provide a clearer picture of your impact.

Industry-Specific Focus

Your experience should reflect an understanding of industry-related specifics. Highlight your expertise and accomplishments within the sector.

Problem-Solving focused

Showcase your problem-solving skills by detailing specific issues you encountered and your approach to resolving them.

Innovation-focused

Detail any innovative approaches or solutions you have implemented. Highlight how these innovations have positively influenced your role or the company.

Leadership-focused

Emphasize your leadership skills and experience. Highlight the teams you have led and the results of your leadership.

Customer-focused

Your experience should reflect a strong focus on customer satisfaction and retention. Highlight any customer-centric initiatives you led and their results.

Growth-focused

Focus on your role in growing the company, whether it be in market share, revenue, customer base, or other areas. Use specific metrics to show growth.

Efficiency-focused

Describe your efforts to enhance operational efficiency. Provide examples of processes or systems you improved.

Technology-focused

Show how you have leveraged technology to achieve business goals. Detail specific tech solutions you implemented and their impact.

Collaboration-focused

Discuss your experience in building and maintaining collaborative relationships. Detail how these collaborations have benefited your role and the company.

Training and Development focused

Center on your efforts to train and develop employees. Highlight any programs you initiated and their success rates.

Write your general manager resume summary section

Creating an engaging resume summary for a general manager requires a blend of concise language and powerful details. This section should highlight your key skills and accomplishments. Think of it as your professional elevator pitch.

An effective way to describe yourself in a resume summary is by focusing on your most remarkable skills, experiences, and achievements. Use action words that convey accomplishments and leadership. Tailor your summary to the specifics of the job you are applying for to show your fit.

A resume summary provides a snapshot of your career and achievements. In contrast, a resume objective states what you aim to achieve in your next position. A resume profile is similar to a summary but focuses more on your career path and personal strengths. A summary of qualifications is a bullet-point list of your top qualifications for the job.

Here are two resume summary examples:

The first example is weak because it uses vague phrases like "done a lot of things" and does not provide specific skills or achievements. It also focuses on what the job seeker wants rather than what they can offer the employer.

The second example is strong because it highlights specific achievements like boosting revenue by 30%. It also emphasizes skills in strategic planning and staff development, which are crucial for a general manager. This summary paints a detailed picture of a successful professional who can bring value to the company.

In your resume summary, focus on clear, specific accomplishments and skills. Tailor your content to match the job's requirements to make a compelling impression.

Listing your general manager skills on your resume

In a general manager resume, the skills section can serve as a standalone area where you highlight your top abilities. However, it is also beneficial to weave these skills into other sections, such as your experience and summary, to provide a comprehensive view of your qualifications.

Strengths and soft skills refer to personal attributes that enhance your interactions, job performance, and overall work ethic. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities or knowledge sets acquired through training or experience.

Skills and strengths act as resume keywords, making it easier for employers to quickly see what you excel in. Using these keywords helps your resume get noticed, especially by automated systems that scan for specific terms.

In a well-crafted skills section for a general manager, you should focus on abilities pertinent to the role. A good skills section is concise, relevant, and demonstrates a balance between hard and soft skills. Here's an example:

A good skills section for a general manager's resume highlights relevant skills that are crucial for managing a team and operations effectively. Project Management, Strategic Planning, and Financial Analysis are essential as they demonstrate your ability to lead projects and make data-driven decisions. Team Leadership and Customer Relationship Management show that you excel in working with people, both within your organization and with clients. Additionally, skills like Operations Management and Sales and Marketing indicate a broad understanding of business operations and growing the company's market presence. Problem Solving is vital as it showcases your ability to address challenges and find effective solutions.

Best hard skills to feature on your general manager resume

Hard skills for a general manager should convey your technical expertise and business acumen.

Best soft skills to feature on your general manager resume

Soft skills for a general manager should highlight your interpersonal abilities and leadership qualities.

How to include your education on your resume

An education section is an important part of your resume. It shows your academic background and qualifications. Tailoring it to the job you're applying for is crucial—remove any education that is not relevant. Including your GPA can be beneficial if it is above 3.0. Listing honors like 'cum laude' can highlight your academic excellence. To list a degree correctly, write the degree name, institution, location, and date range.

The above example is poorly written. The degree is not relevant for a general manager role. It does not include a GPA or any honors. Also, the institution is not well-known, which further weakens this section.

This is the right example. It lists a relevant degree for a general manager position. Honors like cum laude are included. The GPA is high and listed with a 4.0 scale. Harvard Business School is a top institution, which adds value to your resume. This example is tailored and polished, making you a strong candidate.

How to include general manager certificates on your resume

Including a certificates section in your general manager resume is important as it showcases your additional qualifications and competencies. List the name of the certification to let the reader easily identify your expertise. Include the date of the certification to show the currency of your knowledge. Add the issuing organization to provide credibility and context to your qualifications. You can also place certifications in the header to highlight them early in your resume. For instance, you could write, "Certified Project Manager (PMI)."

This example is good because it includes certifications that are highly relevant to a general manager role. The titles are clear, the issuing organizations are respected, and the certifications cover vital skills like project management, quality improvement, and leadership. Including such qualifications demonstrates your commitment to professional growth and enhances your credibility.

Extra sections to include in your general manager resume

Creating a compelling resume for a general manager position can set you apart from other candidates by showcasing your comprehensive qualifications. Including diverse sections that highlight more than just your job experience can provide a holistic picture of who you are, making you a more attractive candidate.

• Language section — List languages you speak fluently or conversationally; language skills can be useful for companies with international operations. Highlighting your language abilities shows adaptability and cultural awareness.
• Hobbies and interests section — Include interests that reflect leadership, strategic thinking, or team activities. Engaging hobbies can highlight your well-rounded personality and stress management methods.
• Volunteer work section — Mention any volunteer roles you have undertaken, especially those that demonstrate leadership or organizational skills. Volunteering demonstrates community involvement and a sense of responsibility.
• Books section — Share titles of books you've read that are relevant to leadership, management, or your industry. Reading books in these areas shows your commitment to ongoing learning and self-improvement.

Tailoring your resume to include these sections can give recruiters a better understanding of your qualifications and personality. These elements offer insights into how you manage teams, solve problems, or engage with the community, all essential traits for a general manager.

Pair your general manager resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a brief but important document that you send along with your resume when applying for a job. It introduces you to the employer, highlights your qualifications, and explains why you are a good fit for the position. A well-crafted cover letter can help the applicant stand out by showing their personality, and attention to detail, and ability to communicate effectively.

For a general manager position, your cover letter should focus on leadership skills, experience in managing teams, and your strategic vision for the company. Highlight specific achievements, such as improving operations or increasing revenue, to demonstrate your impact. Explain how your experience aligns with the company's goals and values, and illustrate your problem-solving abilities.

Ready to create an eye-catching cover letter? Use Resume Mentor's cover letter builder for an easy and efficient experience. Export your cover letter as a PDF to protect its content and formatting, ensuring it always looks professional.