General Manager Resume Examples & Writing Tips for 2025

General managers bridge the gap between strategic vision and operational execution. Chances are, you’ll wear many hats in your professional life. From driving organizational growth to dealing with day-to-day operations, you have to handle a diverse range of tasks. So, how can you showcase your talents?

When creating your GM resume, a common pitfall is making it either too broad (and failing to highlight the impact of your leadership) or too detail-oriented. You need to find the perfect balance.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to get it just right. We’ve got a selection of tailored examples, actionable advice, and tips to help you illustrate your strategic achievements and operational excellence.

How to use this General Manager resume guide

This guide is tailored to help general managers create resumes that showcase their leadership, strategy, and operational expertise.

With tools, tips, and examples specific to your role, you’ll be equipped to stand out in a competitive job market. Follow these steps to make the most of this resource, and consider streamlining your process with our resume builder for a polished and professional finish.

With this guide and our resume builder, you’ll have all the tools to craft a resume that illustrates your strategic and operational leadership. Ready to get started? Dive into the first section and take a step closer to your next leadership role!

What to focus on when writing your General Manager resume

Your 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 as well.

Highlight your financial impact as a GM

Successful GMs have their finger on the financial pulse. Accuracy is everything. Underline examples that show off skills when it comes to business finances. Wherever possible, use numbers to back up your points. This approach lets the hiring manager know what they can expect from you.

Show you’re an accounting software whiz

Are you ahead of the game when it comes to software? Don’t be afraid to shout about it. Recruiters are always looking for professionals with the best technological skills. Software like QuickBooks, Xero, and Freshbooks are common across industries. Be clear about which of these you’ve used.

Spotlight your individual contributions

One of the mistakes that all too many GMs make is failing to emphasize the impact of their work. Avoid talking in general terms about the company, and instead focus on what you did to improve it. You can use the STAR Method to do this.

That means following the below structure:

• Situation: What was the situation you were faced with at work?
• Task: What task did you have to complete as a result of this?
• Action: What action did you take?
• Result: What were the tangible results of your action (with metrics)?

Keep things short and sweet

As a general manager, you might have a wealth of experience you want to share. However, recruiters spend around seven seconds reviewing each new resume. For that reason, keep things concise. Avoid including large paragraphs of text and instead use a skimmable format.

How to choose the right resume format

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.

There are few exceptions to this rule. However, there’s one instance when you might use a functional resume format instead.

If you’ve held GM positions in a range of industries, it can make your resume look erratic. Streamline it by adopting a functional format and grouping positions by your skill set.

What to include in your resume header

Your resume header is like your business card—it includes your name, job title, and contact details.

Here’s a quick rundown of what it needs to provide:

• Your name: Add your first and last name. Nicknames are fine, so long as it’s used in a professional environment.
• Job title: Make sure it’s the same as the role you’re applying for.
• Contact details: List your email address and business phone number.
• Location: Next, add your location and whether you’re willing to relocate.

These are the basics. If your LinkedIn profile is up to date and will benefit your application, hyperlink it in your resume header. However, if it’s not exactly impressive, leave it out.

How to write a resume summary

Your resume summary is likely the first thing a hiring manager will read. So, crafting an engaging general manager summary is a must. It requires a unique blend of concise language and powerful details.

If you’ve ever worked on an elevator pitch, this statement is strikingly similar. It boasts your career highlights and accomplishments to date.

Not sure what to include? Here are some ideas:

• Your most impressive achievements plus metrics to back them up.
• Job-specific skills that make you stand out from other applicants.
• Action words that convey your accomplishments and leadership.

Don’t make the mistake of using the same resume summary for every application. Instead, tailor yours to meet the unique requirements of the position you’re applying for.  

Boasting clear statistics and specific skills, the above resume summary example perfectly illustrates the candidate’s suitability for the job. Use a similar style when writing your GM summary.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Sharing your work experience on a resume doesn’t need to be difficult. Use the reverse chronological order again—listing your most recent position at the top of the section. Include up to 10-15 years of work experience. Any more than that is unnecessary. Only detail jobs relevant to the position you're seeking.

Start by listing the main details about the role. That’s the company name, location, job title, and dates of employment. Below that, include bullet points stating your achievements—always try to show how your actions as a general manager positively impacted the business as a whole.

The bullet points in the above example are clear and straight to the point. Each one demonstrates leadership in cost reduction, sales growth, process optimization, and financial management.

The inclusion of metrics—such as “$10M budget” and “20% annually”—clearly show the impact the candidate had. Additionally, words like “optimized” and “developed” highlight the candidate’s central role in each achievement.

General Manager resume experience samples

Looking for some inspiration? Check out our top general manager resume experience samples below:

Achievement-focused sample

It’s all about the bottom line. Highlight your most impressive accomplishments that you believe set you apart. Think awards, recognitions, or successful initiatives you've led. As always, provide concrete examples and quantifiable results wherever possible.

Project-focused example

If you’ve spearheaded a ton of projects, you’ll want to shout about them. Clearly outline how you led a team toward success. Share your experience in leading or managing significant projects, detailing the project scope, your role, and any notable outcomes.

Industry-specific focused example

What’s your specialism? If you’ve worked in a specific industry for your entire career and are applying in that field, align your experience accordingly. Your experience should reflect an understanding of industry-related specifics. Highlight your expertise and accomplishments within the sector.

Listing your skills on your resume

General managers typically have a diverse skill set. Your talents will range wildly from “leadership” to “operations management.” When choosing what skills to put on a resume, consider the demands of this specific GM position. Oftentimes, you can find the required skills in the original job advert.

Be specific in the talents you have. 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 ATS.

Avoid using generic terms here. When you’re writing about your skills, it pays to pinpoint your most unique attributes. Where possible, mention software you can use such as the Oracle NetSuite or Microsoft Dynamics 365. These will instantly stand out on your GM resume.

Best hard skills to feature on your General Manager resume

Hard skills are central to any general manager role. Choose competencies you’ve found in the job advert or any unique to your training. Focus on the skills that deliver solid results—i.e. financial management, data analysis, and software proficiency. For the latter, be sure to highlight the programs you can use to a high level.

Best soft skills to feature on your general manager resume

Whatever your management level, you need your fair share of interpersonal skills. That’s where your soft skills come into play. Make it clear that you can inspire and motivate your team to get the job done effectively.  

Education on resume

Now show off your academic background and qualifications. This section should be skimmable while packing a load of information. Including your GPA can be beneficial if it’s above 3.5. Displaying honors like 'cum laude' can highlight your academic excellence. To show a degree correctly, write the degree name, institution, location, and year graduated.

Don’t limit the education on your resume to degrees. List professional certifications, online courses, and any other forms of education. Add certificates in specific software—such as a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) award.

Extra sections to include in your General Manager resume

Creating a compelling resume for a general manager position can propel you above 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

Do you speak a second or even third language? List languages you speak fluently or conversationally—language skills can be useful for companies with international operations. Displaying language abilities shows adaptability and cultural awareness. It’s ideal when applying to multinationals.

Hobbies and interests section

Want to add some color to your general manager resume? Include interests that reflect leadership, strategic thinking, or team activities. Make sure that each interest aligns with your managerial role. Engaging hobbies can highlight your well-rounded personality and stress management methods.

Volunteer work section

Looking for a simple way to bolster your work experience? Mention any volunteer roles you’ve undertaken, especially those that demonstrate leadership or organizational skills. Volunteering displays community involvement and a sense of responsibility.

Conclusion

Writing a persuasive general manager resume doesn’t have to be hard. Use the advice we’ve shared in this guide to create a balance, showcasing your operational skills and the impact you’ve had. Wherever possible, align your application with the demands of the vacancy. That will put you in the best possible position and could significantly increase your odds of landing an interview.