key skills for managers resume

15+ Key Management Skills to List on Your Resume in 2024 (With Examples)

Pursuing a career in management gives you many opportunities for professional advancement. To land a management job, it is crucial to include the right skills on your resume. In this guide, we will discuss the best management skills and how to use them on your resume.

Why Should I Include Management Skills on My Resume?  

Any time you are applying for a job, it is essential to tailor your resume for that job.

Thus, it makes sense to include management skills on a resume being submitted for a management position.

Including management-specific skills helps you to relate them to the job you are applying for.

Plus, it is a good opportunity to emphasize key skills found within the job description.

The inclusion of the right management skills on your resume can drastically increase your chances of impressing employers.

If you want to know how to optimize your entire resume, read our career advice article on how to Tailor Your Resume to Any Job in 4 Easy Steps !

What Are the Best Management Skills I Should Add to My Resume?

Before choosing which skills to add to your resume, you should divide them into two main categories:

Interpersonal (Soft) Skills:

‍ Soft skills are those that deal with social interactions and emotional intelligence.

They include skills such as communication, collaboration, and teamwork.

Technical (Hard) Skills:

‍ Hard skills have to do with technical abilities.

Being trained in specific methodologies or knowing how to use specific software or equipment are examples of hard skills.

Let’s look at two skills involved in management: empathy and scheduling.

Empathy is an entirely emotionally-based skill.

It allows a manager to view a situation from either an employee's or a customer’s perspective.

This skill falls into the interpersonal category.

Comparatively, the ability to create a schedule is a more well-defined skill.

Scheduling involves interpersonal skills, such as communicating with your team.

Yet, it ultimately falls into the hard skills category because it is a technical ability that must be learned.

When adding management skills to your resume, you should aim to include both interpersonal and technical skills.

Adding both gives employers a more well-rounded view of you as a professional.

Beautiful resume templates to land your dream job

15 Key Management Skills for Your Resume Soft Skills for Management

• ‍ Planning: Planning involves a manager’s ability to set goals, develop strategies, and delegate tasks. To have a strong planning ability, you must be able to look at the big picture while also paying attention to minor details.
• ‍ Communication: A manager’s ability to communicate effectively can greatly affect overall productivity. To be a good manager, you need to be able to communicate clearly with both your team and customers.
• ‍ Organizing: Organizational skills are a fundamental component of management. Without being able to organize people and resources effectively, creating a strong business plan is near impossible.
• ‍ Delegation: Delegation is the name of the game when it comes to management. This is a manager’s ability to divide up tasks and distributing them to the appropriate team members or departments.
• ‍ Empathetic: Being a manager requires you to work with many different personalities and perspectives. The ability to be empathetic and see things from others’ viewpoints is essential for getting things done and solving conflicts.
• ‍ Public Speaking: As a manager, you will likely need to engage in public speaking often. From training new employees to sharing information with stakeholders, there are many times when having a knack for public speaking comes in handy.
• ‍ Presenting: Along with public speaking is the ability to create and share presentations. Presentation skills help to keep all members of a team on the same page. Plus, they can be a great way to share changes about business changes.
• ‍ Leadership: Leadership is more than just being in charge. It deals with your ability to inspire and empower your team members. A good manager will have a well-defined leadership style that is adaptable to many situations.
• ‍ Mentoring: Many employees come under your wing as a manager. The ability to mentor your team and help them grow is crucial for strengthening the business. Emphasizing mentoring on a resume shows employers your skills in growing a team.
• ‍ Conflict Resolution: Conflicts are imminent in any business situation. As a manager, you must be able to swiftly and calmly resolve conflicts. This can occur with both employees and customers.
• ‍ Team Motivation: A good manager will understand the motivation and work ethic of their team rests on their shoulders. The ability to motivate and encourage a team is a crucial skill for anyone looking for a career in management.
• ‍ Negotiation: Managers will often be responsible for some business deals or contracts. Negotiation is a critical skill to have in this scenario. The ability to negotiate will help ensure the business benefits from the deal or contract.
• ‍ Scheduling: Creating a staff schedule is no small matter – especially with large teams! Scheduling is a skill that requires both technical and interpersonal abilities to ensure both staff and business needs are met.
• ‍ Hiring/Onboarding: Knowing how to find and onboard new talent to a business is crucial. Having previous experience in hiring and onboarding is a valuable skill. Highlighting it on your resume will greatly increase your chances of landing the job!
• ‍ Budgeting and Accounting: Like all higher-level jobs, management involves a fair amount of bookkeeping, budgeting, and accounting. Earning certifications in each of these is a great way to add some extra hard skills to your resume.

For even more skill ideas for your resume, read our guide on 100+ Key Skills for a Resume (with Examples for Any Job) .

How Do I List My Management Skills on a Resume?

There are two main formatting options for listing your management skills on a resume:

• Including management skills in your work experience section
• Creating a separate section for management skills

While you can certainly choose just one or the other, including skills in both these places can be highly beneficial.

The key to using both methods is to highlight different skills in each.

For instance, if you mainly talk about your interpersonal skills in your work experience section, you should use the skills section to highlight more technical skills.

Here is a breakdown of how to use these two formatting options:

1) Include Management Skills in Your Work Experience Section

Work Experience  ‍ Assistant Office Manager, Bay Area Rentals November 2018 – June 2021 • Interpersonal Skills: Leadership, Collaboration, and Conflict Resolution • Technical Skills: Schedule Creation, QuickBooks, and Business Logistics

Why It’s Wrong:

‍ In this example, the applicant has used the descriptive bullet points to list skills.

You don’t want to transform your work experience section into a pseudo-skills section.

Each bullet point should give a clear example of a responsibility or accomplishment from your previous position.

Adding the skills should simply provide extra detail. 

Work Experience Assistant Office Manager, Bay Area Rentals November 2018 – June 2021 • Lead an office staff of over 30 employees • Optimized the staff schedule to reduce operational costs by 10 percent • Managed company logistics including inventory, storage, and transportation

In this corrected example, the bullet points imply the applicant’s skill level by providing real-life examples of how the skill was used.

Plus, these bullet points are much more descriptive and offer quantifiable evidence.

2) Create a Separate Management Skills Section

Interpersonal Skills • Communication • Delegation • Leadership Technical Skills • Negotiation • Hiring • Budgeting

Why It’s Wrong: Separating your skills into interpersonal and technical categories is inherently bad.

Managers often have distinct soft and hard skills that employers look for.

However, the skills listed are too vague and lack context.

Without a small amount of extra detail, the skills can seem pointless and end up being overlooked.

Interpersonal Skills • Empathetic Communication with Staff • Delegation of Daily Tasks • Leading a Staff of 50+ Technical Skills • Employment Contract Negotiations • Interviewing and Hiring • Creating Operational Budgets

In this corrected example, the bullet points are still short and sweet but provide significantly more context.

Pro Tip: When writing your resume, it is highly beneficial to use active language.

Take a look at our list of 350+ Action Verbs to Make Your Resume More Effective for more help brainstorming!

What Are Some Things I Can Do to Improve My Management Skills

Being a good manager requires many skills.

Learning and improving these skills can have significant impacts on how you perform in the role and your chances of being hired.

If you are looking for ways to improve your management skills, try these 3 tips:

• ‍ Learn About Different Leadership Styles: Learning about the many styles of leadership is key. Each style involves different interpersonal skills. Over time, you can combine your favorite elements and skills to create a leadership style that is unique to you. ‍
• Earn Certifications: You can earn all sorts of certifications that can boost your management skills through additional training. This is especially important if you are lacking in hard skills and need to enhance your technical abilities. ‍
• Find a Mentor: Learning from others in your field is majorly important. Finding a manager you admire that is willing to mentor you can be a great chance for professional growth.

Final Takeaways

Becoming a manager is all about honing and highlighting your best skills.

Here are our top 5 takeaways for including management skills on a resume:

• Include both interpersonal and technical skills on your resume.
• In your work experience section, use management skills to add extra detail and context to your job descriptions.
• In your skills section, provide enough specificity to make your skills highly relevant to the job you are applying for.
• Earn certifications to learn more technical skills.
• Learn from a mentor in the field of management.

Writing your resume doesn’t have to be a headache.

At Easy Resume, we strive to provide you with all the resume resources and tools you need!

While you’re here, make sure to check out our large collection of free resume guides and career advice articles.

Browse more resume templates that fit your role

Ed is a co-founder of Easy Resume. His background in scaling teams at tech startups over the last decade has given him extensive experience and knowledge around how to hire top talent and build successful teams. He enjoys mentoring, coaching, and helping others reach their career goals. When he's not writing about career-related advice, he's playing with his dog, Lilo, or going on long hikes in upstate New York.

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• Resume and Cover Letter
• 11 Best Manager Skills for...

11 Best Manager Skills for Your Resume (with Examples)

8 min read · Updated on January 11, 2024

Show off your manager skills on your resume to progress your career

Is it time to start climbing the career ladder? If you're looking at stepping up into a management role, you'll need to showcase your manager skills on your resume. As a leader, there are plenty of skills that you can highlight to prove your suitability for the role – and the good news is that you probably already have plenty of them!

What are manager skills?

Manager skills encompass a broad mix of skills and abilities that enable a person to thrive in a management role and fulfil the tasks required of them. With the right skills, a manager can deliver positive results and business improvements, whilst overseeing a productive, motivated team.  Of course, they also need to show off those skills on their resume, so that they can get hired into a management role in the first place!

In this article, we'll look at some of the top manager skills that you should consider including on your resume to support your career progression.

Examples of the best manager skills for your resume

Let's take a look at some examples of top manager skills for your resume that will make hiring managers sit up and take notice.

1. Team leadership

When you reach a management position, you'll have a team working for you. That could be a team of one or two people, or a team of hundreds. Either way, you'll need to have the  leadership skills necessary to motivate them to produce excellent work, the delegation skills to allocate work fairly, the interpersonal skills to build trusting relationships with each and every person, and the confidence to manage their performance. Team leadership skills encompass many other skills, but you can't be a successful manager without the whole package.

Gone are the days of the authoritarian leader. These days,  empathy is a key management trait. To build a positive work environment, where workers are productive, happy, and motivated, managers need to take the time to understand individual personalities, drivers, and concerns. Empathy with the needs of the team enables a manager to make better decisions, to support their staff, and to build trusting relationships. All of this comes together to create an environment where everyone operates at their best and fulfils their potential – ignore this management skill at your peril!

3. Project management

Life as a manager isn't just about managing people and operations. At some point, you'll have a project to manage, too. A great manager doesn't just accept the status quo, they identify areas for improvement and implement the necessary changes to enable the business to thrive. Projects range in size, from the small, such as arranging an on-site team-building activity, to the large, such as implementing a multi-million-dollar computer system across several global locations. Successful projects are delivered within deadlines and budgets and in line with the agreed scope and quality expectations.  Project management is an important executive manager skill for your resume, and encompasses planning, cost control, stakeholder management, risk control, and delegation, among many other skills.

4. Communication

Everyone can communicate to some degree, but do you have the high-level communication skills needed on a senior manager resume? Wrapped up in this seemingly simple skill are negotiation, influencing, public speaking, digital communication and, sometimes,  foreign language proficiency . You can't simply add “communication skills” to your manager resume – that may be fine for a recent graduate, but by the time you reach the heady heights of management you'll need to prove you have the advanced communication skills necessary to lead.

5. Conflict resolution

In an ideal world, there would be no conflict. Unfortunately, we don't live in an ideal world and, at some point, you'll find yourself needing to manage conflict. The conflict may be between team members, with suppliers, or even across departments. Showing conflict management skills on your managerial resume will reassure recruiters that you can handle difficult situations with empathy, discretion, and decisiveness.

6. Team building

Teams don't manage themselves! Even the most cohesive teams need to be supported through change or difficulties – it's how you manage those situations that will set you apart as a manager. A well-oiled team can positively impact productivity, morale, and results. Your manager skills on your resume need to include skill in team building and position you as a supportive, collaborative, empathetic leader.

7. Results delivery

Of course, there's no point having a happy team if they simply aren't delivering the results the business demands. A successful manager always has one eye on the results, whether that's in terms of KPIs, sales figures, service level agreements, profitability, cost savings… or any one of a hundred other metrics that are used to measure business performance. Don't forget to add positive results to your manager resume, so that the hiring manager can appreciate your contributions and your ability to keep performance on track.

8. Delivering presentations

The majority of people don't enjoy public speaking – and indeed some people live in fear of it! But if you're going to be a successful manager, you'll need to be confident in delivering presentations. This is a great skill to highlight on your manager resume, as there will almost certainly be some element of presentation involved in your role. From small team meetings to large conferences with hundreds of attendees, your ability to speak confidently, articulately, and concisely will be valued.

9. Planning

Are you the type to leave things to the last minute and then drag your team into a blind panic in order to hit a long-forgotten deadline? Planning is a key management skill, whether you plan day-to-day schedules and activities for your team or you create long-term project plans. Don't forget to include planning skills on your resume.

10. Problem solving

The more senior the role, the bigger the  problems you'll be called on to solve. Luckily, with your clear thinking and logical approach, you're more than up to the job – but does your resume show that? Rather than pretending that everything always runs like clockwork, your resume could benefit from a dose of reality in the form of a business problem or challenge that you've swept in to resolve.

11. Commercial acumen

A good manager understands how their role, their team and their department fits into the bigger picture. Sound commercial acumen is a vital skill for managers and one which needs to be demonstrated on your resume.

How to convey manager skills on your resume

Now you know what to include, you need to consider how to write manager skills into your resume. The best way to add manager skills is to show, rather than tell. What do we mean by that? Well, take a look at these two statements.

I have strong communication skills

I successfully negotiated improved terms with a supplier, saving $10,000 per annum

Which do you think sounds more persuasive? The second? That's because the first statement is just your opinion. The second statement provides a real-life example and a quantifiable result, which proves your opinion to be true.

By providing quantifiable examples, you'll immediately level up your resume. Rather than settling for a basic, generic document, you'll transform it into a convincing, management-level resume that showcases your relevant skills and expertise.

The job posting can be used as a cheat-sheet to help you identify which skills to focus on when you're writing your resume. If a skill is mentioned in the advert, you can be sure the hiring manager will be looking for it when they review your resume. Ensuring you've included the skills as keywords will help your resume to find its way to the top of the YES! pile.

Soft skills vs hard skills

Manager skills on your resume should include a mix of  hard and soft skills . As a reminder, hard skills are the job-specific skills that you've learned over the years you've honed your craft, such as computer programming or accounting. Soft skills are those that are transferable between roles, such as problem solving and teamwork. A great resume includes both, to position you as a well-rounded professional.

Leverage your manager skills to secure your next role!

With your management skills clearly coming through on your resume, you'll soon have interview offers flying into your inbox. Remember these key points to ensure you're presenting a strong resume:

Use real-life examples

Quantify results wherever possible

Add a mix of hard and soft skills

Reflect the skills specified in the job advert

If you'd like some feedback from an expert before you send off your manager resume, why not submit your resume for a free, no obligation resume review ? With an independent pair of eyes on the document, you'll soon learn whether your resume shows you have the skills of a manager in business or whether further work is needed before you hit the send button.

Recommended reading:

Do You Really Want to Be Manager One Day?

Leader vs. Manager: Understanding the Difference Between These Two Key Roles

10 High Income Skills Companies Need in 2024

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

Why You Lose When You Lie on Your Resume: Learning From Mina Chang

See how your resume stacks up.

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Manager Resume Examples For 2024 (20+ Skills & Templates)

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Are you on the hunt for more Manager-level job offers?

You're going to need a strong resume. This comprehensive guide provides proven strategies, skills, templates, and examples for writing a job-winning manager resume based on data from coaching thousands of successful job seekers.

From top to bottom, this guide will give you the tools you need to create an excellent manager resume and increase the chances of you landing your dream job. I recommend reading the whole post but, if you're short on time, here is an overview of what we're going to cover:

• What To Know About Writing A Job-Winning Manager Resume
• The Best Skills To Include On A Manager Resume

How To Write A Job-Winning Manager Resume Summary

How to write offer-winning manager resume bullets.

• 3 Manager Resume Examples

The 8 Best Manager Resume Templates

Here's the step-by-step breakdown:

Manager Resume Overview: What To Know To Write A Resume That Wins More Job Offers

What do companies look for when hiring for a manager role?

When hiring for a manager role, companies look for candidates with a combination of technical expertise, leadership skills, and interpersonal abilities. Effective communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and organizational skills are also essential for success in a managerial position.

Managers should also possess technical knowledge that's relevant to the industry, and have strong interpersonal skills that are necessary for building strong relationships and working effectively with others.

Typically, organizations also look for candidates with prior management experience, as it demonstrates a track record of success in a leadership role. However, this isn't a requirement. Overall, companies seek candidates who can lead their team to achieve organizational goals, communicate effectively, and make timely and effective decisions.

Your resume should show your potential employer that both your personality and your experience encompass all of these things.

Additionally, there are a few best practices you want to follow to write a job-winning manager resume:

• Highlight your leadership and management skills. Include examples of how you have motivated and led teams to achieve organizational goals.
• Emphasize your communication and interpersonal skills.  Provide examples of how you have effectively communicated with team members, stakeholders, and clients.
• Include keywords from the job description: ensure your resume is optimized for applicant tracking systems (ATS).
• Highlight your problem-solving and decision-making skills.  Provide examples of how you have addressed complex issues and made effective decisions.
• Include any relevant certifications, awards or professional development courses. Demonstrate your expertise in your industry or field.
• Quantify your work: Use numbers to showcase the impact of your leadership on your team's performance. Some examples include improvements in employee productivity, increased team morale,  and boosts in overall team performance.
• Proofread: Carefully proofread your resume for errors and typos, as these can give a negative impression to potential employers (I recommend using the Hemingway App ).

Let's dive deeper into each of these so you have the exact blueprint you need to see success.

The Best Manager Skills To Include On Your Resume

Keywords are one of the most important factors in your resume. They show employers that your skills align with the role and they also help format your resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

If you're not familiar with ATS systems, they are pieces of software used by employers to manage job applications. They scan resumes for keywords and qualifications and make it easier for the employers to filter and search for candidates whose qualifications match the role.

If you want to win more interviews and job offers, you need to have a keyword-optimized resume. There are two ways to find the right keywords:

1. Leverage The 20 Best Manager Keywords

The first is to leverage our list of the best keywords and skills for a manager resume.

These keywords were selected from an analysis of real manager job descriptions sourced from actual job boards. Here they are:

• Communication
• Team Member
• Performance
• Development
• Consistency
• Interpersonal Skills
• Accountable
• Organization

2. Use ResyMatch.io To Find The Best Keywords That Are Specific To Your Resume And Target Role

The second method is the one I recommend because it's personalized to your specific resume and target job.

This process lets you find the exact keywords that your resume is missing when compared to the individual role you're applying for

Here's how it works :

• Open a copy of your updated manager resume
• Open a copy of your target manager job description
• Head over to ResyMatch.io
• Copy and paste your manager resume on the left and then do the same for the job description on the right
• Hit scan and review the results

ResyMatch is going to scan your resume and compare it to the target job description. It's going to show you the exact keywords and skills you're missing as well as share other feedback you can use to improve your resume.

Here's a video walking through this whole process:

Capturing an employer's attention is critical and you only have an average of six seconds to do it.

To increase the chances of getting more interviews and job offers, it's essential to make every second count. One way to do this is by putting the most relevant information at the top of your resume.

A quick Google search will tell you that a Summary or an Objective should hold this top spot but, unfortunately, that traditional advice simply won't capture your reader's attention. Winning in today's job market means using a more modern approach, what I like to call a “Highlight Reel.”

Here's how it works:

Highlight Reels: A Proven Way To Start Your Resume And Win More Jobs

The Highlight Reel is exactly what it sounds like.

It's a section at the top of your resume that allows you to pick and choose the best and most relevant experience to feature right at the top of your resume.

It's essentially a highlight reel of your career as it relates to this specific role! I like to think about it as the SportsCenter Top 10 of your resume.

The Highlight Reel resume summary consists of 4 parts:

• A relevant section title that ties your experience to the role
• An introductory bullet that summarizes your experience and high level value
• A few supporting “Case Study” bullets that illustrate specific results, projects, and relevant experience
• A closing “Extracurricular” bullet to round out your candidacy

For example, if we were writing a Highlight Reel for a manager role, it might look like this:

You can see how the first includes the Manager job title, the years of experience this candidate has, and it wraps up with a value-driven pitch for how they've helped companies in the past.

The next two bullets are “Case Studies” of specific results they drove at their previous employers, again driving home the measurable outcomes of their efforts with metrics. Their last bullet focuses on the results of a program they implemented to increase employee recognition that had amazing results.

This candidate has provided all of the info any employer would want to see right at the very top of their resume! The best part is, they can customize this section for each and every role they apply for to maximize the relevance of their experience.

Here's one more example of a Manager Highlight Reel:

While this candidate doesn't mention any management experience, they focus on their skills as a leader and what their team was able to accomplish with their guidance. You can see all the elements of a great Highlight Reel (especially the emphasis on measurable outcomes and results!).

If you want more details on writing a killer Highlight Reel, check out my full guide on Highlight Reels here.

Bullets make up the majority of the content in your resume. If you want to win, you need to know how to write bullets that are compelling and value-driven.

Unfortunately, way too many job seekers aren't good at this. They use fluffy, buzzword-fill language and they only talk about the actions that they took rather than the results and outcomes those actions created.

If you apply this framework to each of the bullets on your resume, you're going to make them more compelling and your value is going to be crystal clear to the reader. For example, take a look at these resume bullets:

❌ Responsible for managing a team of 10 client success managers to drive revenue. 

✅ Managed a team of 10 client success managers who worked collaboratively to increase sales revenue by $20 million in 12 months. 

The second bullet makes the candidate's value  so much more clear. It gives information about what the candidate accomplished, how they accomplished it, and also gives a timeframe. That's what we're going for here.

That said, it's one thing to look at the graphic above and try to apply the abstract concept of “35% hard skills” to your bullet. We wanted to make things easy, so we created a tool called ResyBullet.io that will actually give your resume bullet a score and show you how to improve it.

Using ResyBullet To Write Crazy Effective, Job-Winning Manager Resume Bullets

ResyBullet takes our proprietary “resume bullet formula” and layers it into a tool that's super simple to use. Here's how it works:

• Head over to ResyBullet.io
• Copy a bullet from your manager resume and paste it into the tool, then hit “Analyze”
• ResyBullet will score your manager resume bullet and show you exactly what you need to improve
• You edit your bullet with the recommended changes and scan it again
• Rinse and repeat until you get a score of 60+
• Move on to the next bullet in your manager resume

Let's take a look at how this works for the two resume bullet examples I shared above:

First, we had, “Responsible for managing a team of 10 client success managers to drive revenue.”

ResyBullet gave that a score of 46/100.  While it includes a couple of action words and a metric to describe the size of the team this candidate managed, it has too many common words and no soft skills:

Now, let's take a look at our second bullet,  “Managed a team of 10 client success managers who worked collaboratively to increase sales revenue by $20 million in 12 months.”

ResyBullet gave that a 60 / 100. Much better! This bullet had more content focused on the specific criteria the hiring team is looking for. We can see by exactly how much they increased sales revenue and in what timeframe. We can also see the skills used to achieve those results, by getting the team to work collaboratively towards a common goal, which is exactly what employers are looking for in an effective manager!

Now all you have to do is run each of your bullets through ResyBullet, make the suggested updates, and your resume is going to be jam packed with eye-popping, value-driven content!

And if you want to learn more about the underlying strategies behind writing great resume bullets, check out this guide.

3 Manager Resume Examples For 2023

Now let's take a look at all of these best practices in action. Here are three resume examples for different situations from people with different backgrounds:

Manager Resume Example #1: A Traditional Background

Manager Resume Example #2: A Non-Traditional Background

For our second Manager Resume Example, we have a candidate who has a non-traditional background. In this case, they are coming from the teaching field and looking to transition into a manager role and highlights their transferrable skills.  Here's an example of what their resume might look like when applying for manager roles:

Manager Resume Example #3: Experienced Manager With a Career Gap

For our third Manager Resume Example, we have a candidate who has 12+ years of experience in management but has a 3-year career gap. There are a few ways to explain gaps in your employment history , but here is an example of what your resume might look like when applying for manager roles:

At this point, you know all of the basics you'll need to write a manager resume that wins you more interviews and offers. The only thing left is to take all of that information and apply it to a template that's going to help you get results.

We made that easy with our ResyBuild tool . It has 8 proven templates that were created with the help of recruiters and hiring managers at the world's best companies. These templates also bake in thousands of data points we have from the job seekers in our audience who have used them to land job offers.

Just click any of the templates below to start building your resume using proven, recruiter-approved templates:

Key Takeaways To Wrap Up Your Job-Winning Manager Resume

You made it! We packed a lot of information into this post so I wanted to distill the key points for you and lay out next steps so you know exactly where to from here.

Here are the 5 steps for writing a job-winning manager resume:

• Start with a proven resume template from ResyBuild.io
• Use ResyMatch.io to find the right keywords and optimize your resume for each manager role you apply to
• Start your resume with a Highlight Reel to immediately grab your target employer's attention
• Use ResyBullet.io to craft compelling, value-driven bullets that pop off the page
• Compare the draft of your manager resume to the examples on this page to make sure you're on the right path
• Use a tool like HemingwayApp to proofread your resume before you submit it

If you follow those steps, you're going to be well on your way to landing more manager interviews and job offers.

Laura Lorta

Laura is an Editor at Cultivated Culture. She transitioned from teaching into the world of content so she's no stranger to career pivots. She also has a bachelors in Entrepreneurship and a Masters in Curriculum & Instruction / Bilingual Education. She currently shares job search advice to help people like you land jobs they love without applying online.

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How to List Management Skills on Your Resume

Here are the top ways to show your Management skills on your resume. Find out relevant Management keywords and phrases and build your resume today.

Is your resume ATS-friendly?

Drop your resume here or upload a file to find out if the skills in your resume are readable by an ATS.

In This Guide:

Top management skills worth listing on your resume, how to list management skills on resume, where to list management skills on resume, how to match your skills to the job, key takeaways for listing management skills on your resume:.

You’re applying for a position that requires you to be a great manager.

You know you have all the qualities and necessary experience. Not only that, but you’ve even decided to read an article on the most in-demand management skills for your resume.

But how do you prove your expertise to the hiring manager?

In a world full of aspiring leaders with great personalities and years of experience, how do you make yourself stand out ?

Here’s the answer – by building a compelling summary of your management skills and achievements that people just can’t turn down.

We know what you’re thinking, highlighting management skills on your resume without sounding arrogant seems challenging.

But don’t worry. We’ve compiled a list of the top resume management skills that will make you the center of attention without sacrificing your modesty.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• What the most in-demand management skills are
• How to highlight management skills on your resume
• What are some hard management skills worth mentioning to recruiters
• How to match your management skills to the job

… and more. Let’s begin!

Although being a manager might sound like being proficient in numbers, operations, and administrative tasks, you probably know best that this position requires a great deal of soft skills.

That’s why recruiters pay attention to how you manage conflict, people, and your time.

But what are some specific management skills worth listing on your resume?

Soft skills list

All of us use a combination of soft skills every single day. Be it at the store, the restaurant, or even in the park.

But what soft skills are required for managers?

As a manager, people expect you to influence others and lead them in the right direction.

As an applicant, however, recruiters expect you to share more about the ways in which your leadership skills have helped achieve company goals and create something new.

You can highlight your leadership skills in the resume summary, achievement, and experience sections. Just make sure to go beyond the plain “leadership skills” listed among your other skills.

Here's an example:

Led a team of 17 people responsible for building the company’s ESG bi-annual strategy.

Planning skills are essential for every company’s success – they allow employees to identify, manage, and execute tasks successfully.

Some planning skills worth mentioning in your resume include multitasking, problem-solving, strategic thinking, and even research!

Here’s how you can highlight your planning skills in the experience section:

Was responsible for planning and hosting six 500-guest events in Q1 of 2020 (in-person and online).

Time management

Whether you’re working from home or commuting, time management is without a doubt the backbone of all your tasks.

But you know how time works – it’s never enough.

What’s more, if one person delivers their part of the project late, the whole team needs to put extra effort to meet the deadline.

That’s why a good way to show your time-management skills to recruiters is by mentioning situations when you had lots of responsibilities and just a tiny amount of time.

Here’s one example of adding time management to your resume’s accomplishments section:

Developed valuable time management skills by working while studying full-time.

Want to save some time? Use our intuitive resume builder and bring your resume to life.

Organizational skills

Organizational skills are time management’s older sibling.

In addition to managing your time well, organizational skills allow you to focus your energy, mental capacity, physical strength, and efficiency on achieving a certain goal.

Recruiters know and value this highly.

You can make your resume memorable by highlighting times when your exceptional organizational skills made a big difference.

For instance:

Developed an innovative task management system that increased my team’s productivity by over 70%

Team building

Making sure that qualified employees work in cohesive teams has proven to be vital for all industries.

However, team building is not as easy as it sounds. Recruiters are aware of this, and that’s why they love seeing real-life examples of managers with strong team-building skills .

The accomplishments section of your resume is a great way to share more about this part of your personality.

Awarded #1 team leader for organizing 12 employees from different departments after major company-wide restructuring

Project management

Rumor has it, project management skills are necessary only for jobs in consulting or IT.

It’s time to bust the myth – that’s not true.

In fact, being able to plan, manage, and execute projects is important for each and every industry out there.

And guess what – applicants with strong project management skills are considered more reliable than others.

So if there’s a project that you’ve helped manage or execute, make sure to include it in the summary section of your resume.

Here’s one way to do that: A creative yet disciplined Associate Manager with 7 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Managed a $100 million project aimed at supplying off-grid electricity in rural Nepali areas.

Check out our selection of 4 job-winning project management resume examples and build yours in minutes.

Coordination skills

Achieving good coordination of people and processes is another management skill worth mentioning to hiring managers.

Sharing more about a project you’re proud of in your resume’s accomplishments section is a great way to do that.

Received a special award for coordinating large company events with up to 1,000 guests by myself.

Other management skills worth listing on your resume

Here are some other management skills for your resume that you can include as part of the skills section:

• Google Analytics
• Microsoft Office
• HTML5 & CSS3
• Data analysis
• Customer service
• Market research

Check out our complete guide to writing an outstanding Management resume

You’re already familiar with the most in-demand management skills. But how do you actually include them in your resume? Let’s see…

Make sure the skills you list are relevant to the position

Listing irrelevant skills that only take up space can make your resume look unprofessional.

That’s why we advise you to mention skills that will add value to your CV instead. Trust us on this one if you want to boost your chances of landing an interview!

Still not sure what your resume should look like? Here’s a list of the best resume examples out there.

Provide concrete examples with numbers

Recruiters just love seeing numbers on resumes! They are the easiest way to find out more about the actual results of your work.

That’s why linking your management skills to the goals they’ve helped you achieve is always a good idea.

You can do so by mentioning the number of teams you’ve led or the percentage increase in revenues that’s followed from your coordination efforts.

It all depends on your experience, achievements, and personal preference!

Check out this Management Consultant resume for some additional inspiration.

Be specific

Sounding vague could give off a weird feeling and make recruiters think you’re making skills up.

That’s why we advise you to be as specific as possible.

And if there are too many things you’d like to share but not enough space, go for one of our compact resume templates to ensure your resume fits on one page.

Skills section on resume

Listing skills in the skills section sounds intuitive and almost obvious. But choosing the right kind of skills might prove to be a bit more challenging.

For guaranteed success, we advise you to choose the top 10 most relevant skills that don’t necessarily have to be elaborated upon (like MS Office) and go for them.

In addition, it’s a good idea to follow the wording of the job advert’s requirement section, as most hiring managers use applicant tracking systems (ATS). They screen resumes for keywords and are often preferred for the first part of the selection process.

Communicating skills in the experience section

The experience section on the other hand is a great way to get into a bit more detail about your management skills.

Here, recruiters expect you to share more about your greatest achievements, but also about your day-to-day job tasks.

Include numbers and tangible results for bonus points!

Mentioning management skills in your cover letter

Your cover letter is the perfect place for telling a personal story and sharing why you’re the most suitable applicant for the job.

You can mention how your management skills have helped you achieve your goals and ultimately become a great team player. Or you can share more about a conflict situation you’ve handled perfectly well.

It’s up to you. Just make sure to use a professional tone of voice that matches the company’s culture.

Check this out: a professional Management cover letter example

You’ve got a list of skills for your management resume. Now what?

It’s time to match them to the job!

And although it might sound like too much effort, we advise you to tailor your resume to each job you apply for.

This extra step will show recruiters you’re serious about the job and will definitely pay off.

There are two ways to match your skills to the job:

Job position research tips

First, make sure to research the company and the position. Check out the company website and social media profiles, and look for hints in employee reviews.

In short – try to guess the skills and qualifications your employer of choice values most. And then build your resume accordingly.

Still not sure how to write your resume? This article will answer all your questions.

• Make sure to list at least some of your soft management skills, including leadership, time management, etc.
• Add your management skills to your resume’s header, experience, summary, and skills sections
• Don’t forget to tailor your resume to all jobs you apply for

• Resume Skills

CV (Curriculum Vitae) Format [Examples & Templates for 2023]

What is a confidential resume and how to write one, resume sections: everything you need to know, on recruiters' and employers' watch: top skills for your 2024 resume, how do you end a resume, awards on resume: how to list them on your resume.

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Best Management Skills to Put on Resume

When applying for management positions, it’s essential to showcase your skills and experiences that demonstrate your ability to handle these responsibilities. One effective way to do this is to include a skills section in your resume that highlights your top management skills.

In this blog post, we will discuss the top management skills to put on your resume, how to showcase them effectively, and provide examples to help you tailor your resume to the position you’re applying for.

Table of Contents

What Are Management Skills?

Management skills refer to a set of abilities and competencies that are essential for effective leadership and supervision of teams, projects, and organizations. These skills are crucial for managers and leaders to achieve their goals and objectives, and they encompass a broad range of capabilities, including planning, organizing, delegating, communicating, problem-solving, and decision-making.

Effective managers also need to be proficient in interpersonal skills , such as teamwork, conflict resolution, and motivation, to build and maintain positive relationships with their employees and stakeholders. By mastering these skills, managers can foster a productive and efficient work environment, improve employee engagement and retention, and drive the success of their organization.

Top Management Skills for Your Resume

Here are some top management skills you can highlight on your resume:

• Leadership: The ability to guide and motivate a team towards achieving organizational goals. According to research by Mercer Mettl, close to 80% of companies are struggling when it comes to finding a leadership talent.
• Communication: The skill to communicate clearly and effectively with all levels of the organization, both verbally and in writing.
• Strategic thinking: The ability to develop and implement long-term plans and make decisions that align with the organization’s vision and goals.
• Problem-solving: The skill to analyze complex situations and develop solutions that address issues and challenges.
• Time management: The ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively to meet deadlines and achieve goals.
• Decision-making: The skill to make informed and timely decisions, taking into account relevant information and potential risks.
• Project management: The ability to plan, organize, and oversee the completion of projects, including the management of resources and budget.
• Team building: The skill to build and manage high-performing teams, fostering collaboration and a positive work culture.
• Adaptability: The ability to adjust to changing circumstances and effectively manage unexpected challenges.
• Conflict resolution: The skill to identify and resolve conflicts within the team or organization, promoting a productive and harmonious work environment.

Now, let’s break these skills down and see how you can showcase them on your resume.

Leadership skills are critical to achieving success in management and should be prominently featured in your resume. An effective leader is someone who guides their team towards the company’s objectives while promoting a positive and productive work environment. Even if the job description does not specifically require leadership skills, employers are generally looking for candidates who display leadership qualities on their resumes. They seek individuals who can inspire others and lead by example.

Here’s how to demonstrate leadership skills on a resume:

“Led cross-functional teams to successfully launch multiple projects, resulting in a 20% increase in revenue for the company.”

“Developed and executed strategic plans, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery of projects.”

“Mentored and coached team members, resulting in improved productivity, engagement, and career growth.”

“Created and maintained positive working relationships with team members and stakeholders, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.”

Communication

Being an effective communicator is a crucial management skill that can showcase your value to hiring managers. Communicating effectively and efficiently across diverse teams, through both written and verbal exchanges, is critical to success. When delegating tasks, effective communicators exhibit professionalism and articulate their expectations clearly. They excel at coordinating, collaborating, and organizing teams.

Here’s how to demonstrate communication skills on a resume :

“Developed and implemented a communication strategy that improved employee engagement by 30%.

“Conducted regular town hall meetings, team briefings, and one-on-one sessions to ensure consistent messaging and alignment across the organization.”

“Coordinated and collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure successful project completion, utilizing clear and concise communication to manage expectations and drive results.”

Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking is the ability to analyze complex situations , develop long-term plans, and make decisions that align with the organization’s vision and goals. In the workplace, strategic thinking involves taking a step back from daily tasks and operations and looking at the big picture. This skill requires the capacity to identify and prioritize key objectives, set achievable goals, and develop a roadmap to accomplish them.

Here’s how to demonstrate communication skills on a resume:

“Developed and implemented a long-term strategic plan for a product line, resulting in a 25% increase in market share and a 20% increase in revenue over a three-year period.”

“Analyzed internal data to identify opportunities for growth and improvement. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and launch new products, and to optimize existing products for market demand.”

“Monitored progress and made adjustments to the plan as needed to ensure objectives were met. Effectively communicated the strategic plan to senior management, stakeholders, and team members to ensure alignment and buy-in.”

Problem-solving

Problem-solving in the workplace is the ability to identify, analyze and resolve issues and challenges in a systematic and creative way. Effective teams require leaders who can use creativity and all available resources to identify and resolve issues successfully.

Here’s how to demonstrate problem-solving skills on a resume:

“Developed and implemented a cost-saving initiative that reduced departmental expenses by 20%, resulting in a total savings of $500,000 over a year.”

“Analyzed spending data and identified areas for improvement.”

“Proactively identified and addressed potential issues, avoiding delays and cost overruns. Effectively communicated solutions and recommendations to senior management and stakeholders.”

Time Management

Time management in the workplace is the practice of effectively allocating and prioritizing time to accomplish tasks and achieve goals. It involves planning and organizing tasks, setting priorities, and managing interruptions to minimize wasted time and maximize productivity.

Here’s how to demonstrate time management skills on a resume:

“Managed multiple projects simultaneously, consistently delivering high-quality results within tight deadlines.”

“Utilized project management software to track progress, identify potential delays, and adjust plans accordingly.”

“Coordinated and collaborated with cross-functional teams, ensuring efficient use of time and resources. Implemented best practices for time management and productivity, improving team efficiency and effectiveness.”

Decision-making

Decision-making in the workplace is the process of selecting a course of action from among various alternatives to address a particular situation or issue. Effective decision-making involves analyzing available information, considering possible consequences and risks, and choosing the best option that aligns with organizational goals and values.

Here’s how to demonstrate decision making skills on a resume:

“Developed and implemented a new sales strategy that increased revenue by 25% in six months.”

”Analyzed risks and benefits of various options and made data-driven decisions. Communicated decisions and plans effectively to stakeholders and team members.”

“Proactively identified potential issues and developed contingency plans to mitigate risks. Successfully navigated a changing market and maintained sales growth in a competitive industry.”

Project Management

Project management involves the planning, organization, and leadership required to successfully complete a project within a specific time frame and budget. It requires effective management of people, systems, tools, software, and budgets, necessitating significant training and technical skills in addition to interpersonal skills.

Here’s how to demonstrate project management skills on a resume:

“Led multiple cross-functional projects from initiation to completion, consistently delivering high-quality results within budget and timelines.”

“Developed and maintained detailed project plans, identifying project requirements and milestones, and allocating resources effectively.”

“Managed project budgets, tracked costs, and ensured profitability. Implemented best practices for project management, improving team efficiency and effectiveness.”

Team Building

Team building in the workplace refers to activities and processes that aim to improve communication, collaboration, and trust between team members, resulting in a more cohesive and productive team. Effective team building can lead to increased morale, engagement, and job satisfaction among team members, resulting in better performance and outcomes.

Here’s how to demonstrate team building skills on a resume:

“Facilitated team-building activities that improved communication, collaboration, and trust among team members, resulting in increased morale, engagement, and job satisfaction.”

“Developed and implemented strategies to create a positive work environment, including fostering open communication, recognizing and rewarding achievements, and promoting work-life balance.”

“Provided opportunities for team members to develop interpersonal and communication skills, including active listening, conflict resolution, and effective feedback.”

Adaptability

Adaptability in the workplace refers to an individual’s ability to adjust to new situations, tasks, and roles in response to changing circumstances, often involving unfamiliar or unpredictable conditions. It involves the ability to think creatively, take initiative, and develop new approaches or solutions to problems as they arise.

Here’s how to demonstrate adaptability skills on a resume:

“Successfully adapted to new roles and responsibilities, demonstrating flexibility, open-mindedness, and creativity in response to changing circumstances.”

“Proactively identified and addressed potential issues, developing innovative solutions that increased efficiency and productivity.”

“Quickly learned and mastered new technologies, tools, and software, ensuring seamless transition to new systems.”

Conflict Resolution

Within any organization, it is not uncommon for disputes to arise among employees, teams, or between the company and its customers. Therefore, individuals who possess the ability to effectively intervene and resolve conflicts through mediation and empathy are highly valuable. Such individuals can identify a mutually beneficial solution that meets the needs and interests of all parties involved.

Here’s how to demonstrate conflict resolution skills on a resume:

“Successfully resolved a conflict between two team members by actively listening to both parties, identifying the root cause of the problem, and proposing a mutually agreeable solution. Resulted in increased team cohesion and productivity.”

“Communicated with team members to understand their concerns and perspectives, and facilitated a constructive discussion to find a resolution that worked for all parties involved.”

“Collaborated with the HR team to find a solution that was mutually beneficial for the company and the employees during a workplace conflict. Resulted in increased employee satisfaction and retention.”

Where to List Management Skills on a Resume

Management skills are an important aspect of many job roles, and it’s essential to highlight them on your resume. Here are some tips on where to list management skills on your resume:

Use a Skills Section

A separate skills section on your resume is a great place to list your management skills. This section can be placed towards the top of your resume, right after your objective or summary statement. You can use bullet points to list your skills and separate them into categories such as “Leadership,” “Team Building,” or “Project Management.”

Include Them in Work Experience

Your work experience section is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your management skills in action. Be sure to include specific examples of how you used your management skills to achieve positive results. Use strong action verbs and quantify your accomplishments whenever possible.

Work Experience Sales Manager, ABC Company (2019-present): Led a team of 10 sales representatives and increased sales by 30% in the first quarter of 2020 by implementing a new sales strategy. Delegated tasks effectively and provided regular coaching and feedback to team members to improve their performance.

Mention Them in the Objective or Summary Statement

If your objective or summary statement highlights your desire to take on a management role, mention your management skills to demonstrate your readiness for the position.

Objective To secure a management position that leverages my strong leadership, team building, and project management skills to drive organizational success.

In summary, listing your management skills on your resume is essential to showcase your ability to lead, motivate and manage a team. You can include them in a separate skills section, highlight them in your work experience section or mention them in your objective or summary statement.

How to Match Your Management Skills to the Job You Are Applying for

Matching your management skills to the job you are applying for is an essential step in tailoring your resume to the position. Here are some steps you can take to match your management skills to the job:

Review the Job Description: Carefully read through the job description and take note of the specific management skills that the employer is looking for. For instance, they may be seeking someone with experience in project management, team leadership, or communication skills.

Identify Your Relevant Management Skills: Next, assess your skills and identify which ones are relevant to the position. Make a list of your management skills and compare them to the job description, focusing on the skills that match the position.

Customize Your Resume: Once you have identified the relevant management skills, customize your resume to highlight them. Use the same keywords and phrases that are in the job description to describe your skills, ensuring that your resume is tailored to the position.

Provide Specific Examples: Provide specific examples of how you have demonstrated these skills in previous work experiences. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to describe how you used your management skills to achieve positive results in your past roles.

Highlight Transferable Skills: Even if you don’t have direct experience in a particular area of management, you may have transferable skills that are relevant to the position. For instance, if you don’t have experience in project management, but you have experience leading a team and delegating tasks, you can highlight these skills as transferable to a project management role.

Use the Cover Letter: In addition to customizing your resume, use your cover letter to emphasize your management skills and how they make you a strong fit for the position. Be specific and provide examples of how your skills align with the job requirements.

In summary, matching your management skills to the job you are applying for involves careful review of the job description, identification of your relevant skills, customization of your resume, providing specific examples, highlighting transferable skills, and using the cover letter to further emphasize your qualifications.

Manager Resume Example

Here’s an example of a manager resume that demonstrates leadership, communication, adaptability, and conflict resolution skills:

[Full Name] [Address] [Phone Number] [Email] Objective: To secure a management position that leverages my strong leadership, communication, adaptability, and conflict resolution skills to drive organizational success. Summary: Experienced manager with 5+ years of experience leading high-performing teams in fast-paced environments. Proven ability to motivate and inspire team members, delegate tasks effectively, and communicate with diverse stakeholders. Skilled in project management, conflict resolution, and adapting to changing business needs. Work Experience: Manager, Sales Department ABC Company, Anytown, USA 2019 – present Lead a team of 10 sales representatives, providing clear direction and delegating tasks effectively to achieve weekly, monthly, and quarterly sales goals Develop and implement sales strategies, resulting in a 20% increase in sales revenue in the first quarter of 2020 Foster a collaborative work environment, resolving conflicts between team members and implementing team-building activities that improved team cohesion and productivity Effectively communicate with upper management, providing regular status updates and recommendations for process improvements. Adapt to changing business needs, adjusting strategies and tactics to meet evolving customer needs Manager, Customer Service Department XYZ Company, Anytown, USA 2016 – 2019 Managed a team of 15 customer service representatives, providing coaching and feedback to improve their performance and achieve departmental goals. Successfully resolved customer complaints and issues, reducing the number of escalated cases by 25%. Oversaw the implementation of a new customer service software platform, training team members and ensuring a smooth transition Collaborated with other departments, including sales and marketing, to improve the overall customer experience Adapted to changes in customer needs and market conditions, adjusting staffing levels and departmental processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Skills : Leadership Communication Adaptability Conflict Resolution Education : Bachelor of Science in Business Administration University of XYZ, Anytown, USA 2016 Certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute (PMI) Certified Manager (CM), Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM)

In summary, this manager’s resume example highlights the candidate’s leadership, communication, adaptability, and conflict resolution skills through their work experience, skills section, and education and certification credentials . By customizing your resume to highlight your management skills, you can showcase your qualifications for the position and increase your chances of landing the job.

How to Develop Management Skills

Developing management skills is a continuous process that requires a combination of formal education, on-the-job training, and personal development. Here are some steps you can take to develop your management skills:

Gain Formal Education: Pursue formal education in business management or related fields to gain a strong foundation in management principles and practices. Consider enrolling in a management degree program, attending management workshops and seminars, or taking online courses.

Seek Out Mentorship: Seek out mentorship from experienced managers who can provide guidance and insights into the challenges and opportunities of management roles. Look for mentors within your organization or industry, and build a strong relationship with them.

Get On-The-Job Training: Gain practical management experience by seeking out opportunities to take on management roles or projects in your current job. Volunteer to lead a team, organize an event or supervise a project to gain hands-on experience.

Practice Active Listening: Active listening is an essential skill for managers, and it involves listening to others, understanding their perspectives, and responding appropriately. Practice active listening by focusing on what others are saying, asking clarifying questions, and reflecting on their responses.

Develop Effective Communication Skills: Effective communication is key to effective management. Practice developing your communication skills by delivering clear and concise messages, tailoring your communication style to your audience, and using both verbal and non-verbal communication methods.

Build Strong Relationships: Building strong relationships with team members, colleagues, and stakeholders is essential for effective management. Develop relationship-building skills by networking, showing empathy, and demonstrating a genuine interest in others.

Focus on Continual Improvement: Continual improvement is essential for developing management skills. Set goals for your personal and professional development, seek out feedback from others, and regularly assess your progress.

In summary, developing management skills requires a combination of formal education, on-the-job training, and personal development. Seek out mentorship, practice active listening, develop effective communication skills, build strong relationships, and focus on continual improvement to become a skilled and effective manager.

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Management Skills for Your Resume: List & Examples

Applying for a job vacancy is always competitive. This is especially true when you want to shift  the focus of your resume to your management skills . The only way to get ahead is by having the best skills, education, and professional experience.

That’s why it’s important to make sure your resume reflects everything you’ve accomplished in your career so far—that includes highlighting some of your management skills.

However, nowadays, many hiring managers are used to reading the same skills over and over again. While it is essential that you add these skills,  you’ll need to do something that excites a potential employer .

That means you’ll need to make your experience and education count when you are listing your management skills.

In this post, we’ll cover what makes a good management skills resume section and how to make sure yours stands out from the crowd.

You’ll learn about the typical types of  management skills to put on a resume , and how to use certain words and examples to make those skills impress a hiring employer.

With our advice and tips below, along with the use of a  resume builder , you should not have much trouble  impressing a hiring manager with your abilities and experience . Keep reading to know what to include and how to showcase your management skills on your resume.

What Are Management Skills?

Management skills are the abilities you use to manage projects and people. They can apply to  both leadership roles and non-leadership roles , although some management skills are only relevant in certain situations.

For example, if your job involves managing a team of engineers or artists,  your ability to manage them will be critical .

On the other hand, if you’re applying for a job as an accountant or marketing manager, knowing how to lead a team might not be important—although it might still come up in an interview!

Management skills include:

• Planning –  Using strategies for achieving objectives
• Organizing –  Arranging resources so that work can get done efficiently (e.g., planning meetings with multiple stakeholders)
• Delegating –  Assigning tasks based on individual strengths/weaknesses; ensuring that everyone has enough work/time
• Monitoring  – Controlling progress and taking corrective action when necessary
• Motivating  – Encouraging others to perform at their best; giving feedback on performance

Some other managerial abilities that you might consider adding, include:

• Problem-solving
• Conflict resolution

It is essential to remember that  management skills can be learned and developed . Some people have a natural talent for managing others or organizing events, while others need to work hard on developing their skill set.

Either way, there are plenty of  ways to hone your management skills  before applying for jobs.

Why Are Management Skills Important for a Resume?

Management skills are crucial to showing you can  lead, manage projects, and manage budgets . Management skills are important on your resume because they demonstrate that you can:

• Communicate effectively
• Handle conflict well
• Solve problems on your own or with others
• Build relationships

By having these skills, managers can make sure their teams are successful at work. That is why  companies really focus on this section of a resume  when they are searching for the perfect candidate for the position.

A well-made resume can highlight all of these skills. If you do not know how to outline the information correctly, it would be best to use a  resume template . Using  a template does the job of making your resume look attractive  for you.

5 Important Management Skills

It’s not about what you list, but  how you list them . There are some management skills you would benefit from having on your resume.

Many other applicants will have some, if not all, of these skills on their document, so you’ll need to  use the correct words and phrases  as a way to stand out from the rest.

That is why every applicant should ask themselves, “what are some management skills to put on a resume  that will really make me stand out? ”

To answer this all-important question, we have created a list of some of the most important management skills you could have on your resume.

By reviewing this list, you can understand exactly what words to include when you are describing how you use those abilities and make these  common management skills look unique to a hiring manager .

Time Management

Time management skills are essential for a lot of different job vacancies. Being  able to organize time is an extremely valuable ability  that any hiring manager looks for in a candidate. While you should put this skill, you must do so with the correct examples.

By adding an example of how you have used your time management abilities in the past, you’ll stand out from the other candidates.

For example,  what could you include  when talking about managing a project or orders in a previous job?

Once, when we received multiple, orders, I stayed after hours and finished my work.

Having to stay after is an example of NOT managing your time well.

We had to fulfill multiple requests at once. I delegated the request that was easiest to the lead assistant and handled the other two. By doing this, we finished all the requests on time and before the deadline.

This gives a clear example of time management.

It also helps to use words such as

If you aren’t able to prioritize properly and stay on top of all your projects, then it can cause stress for both yourself and your employees. That is why time management is essential.

Project Management

This skill allows you to effectively plan out projects from start to finish, ensuring that everything goes smoothly without any hiccups along the way.

It also  helps streamline communication between team members  who may be working on different aspects of said project, so everyone stays on track with their tasks, which will ultimately result in a better product being delivered at the end!

Having project management skills mean  you can take a goal and make smaller goals  and set deadlines. This ultimately improves efficiency when completing a large project.

Apart from using the term project management, you can include phrases such as

• Goal Setting
• Strategic Thinking

You can demonstrate project management with an example from outside a professional setting, such as managing a college project.

Organization

Organizational skills  are arguably the most important set of abilities  for someone who needs to manage themselves or others. One example would be to create a chain of command.

These types of skills also help managers see and understand  where and how improvements could be made to projects .

By being an organized manager/employee, you will be able to see problems and then fix them, this means  the administration of your project will go much smoother over time , and you will get much better results.

Some words you can use to show off your organizational skills include:

Knowing how to  write a resume  with these skills will help you impress hiring managers and increase your chances of being hired.

Collaboration

Managers need collaboration skills so that they  can work with other people effectively .

Managers must also be able to  handle conflict professionally  and know how best to resolve issues between team members.

However, collaboration is not only about getting along with your workmates or the people that work for you. It’s also about  getting everyone involved  and making sure that everyone is being productive.

Do not only call attention to your collaboration skills in a physical workplace setting. You should also mention how you have used your managerial talent online.

Nowadays, collaboration skills are not only indispensable when you are in an office together,  video calls and online meetings  are incredibly important to all companies.

Analytical Thinking

This skill usually pops up on resumes no matter what the job position is. It is a bit of an ambiguous trait to list.

However, there are  numerous ways you can back up the claim  that you are an effective analytical thinker.

Using  words like “developed” and “identified”  when mentioning your previous work experience will help you a lot.

This is especially true if you can  mention how you took data from reports or statistics  and used them to assist you to increase productivity or sales.

The ability to analyze information and use it effectively is a vital skill for any manager. Managers require these skills, so they can  make decisions quickly, efficiently, and with little to no mistakes  made along the way.

How to List Management Skills on Your Resume

There are many ways to list management skills on your resume. The most effective way is by prioritizing the most relevant ones and  listing them in order of importance .

To know the best way to list your skills for a vacancy, you should  always carefully review the job posting .

If the company is searching for someone that knows how to finish a project on time and knows how to communicate with other team leads,  you should list your skills in the following way :

• Project management (highest)
• Time management (second highest)
• Collaboration (lowest)

The ability to manage people is critical when  overseeing projects and trying to achieve goals . In some positions, it’s also important for managing budgets or other resources.

Potential employers will want to know that  you have the skills necessary to be successful in the position . That’s why it’s critical not to list too many skills on your resume or include ones that are irrelevant to the job at hand.

If you list too many skills or experiences that have little to no relevance to the job posting, hiring managers are more likely to go right to the next job application.

Hard and Soft Management Skills

Tangible, measurable, and transferable skills are also known as hard skills. These types of abilities can be used in many jobs.

These abilities are more valued by employers than soft skills in many cases because they  are applicable and measurable in the workplace .

Soft management skills are intangible and specific to the job you’re applying for. While these may be desirable, they aren’t necessarily transferable from one job to another.

Here’s a list of examples of hard and soft management skills:

Hard Management Skills:

• Customer service

If you don’t have these  hard management skills , there are more that you can use. In time, you can also  learn and improve on these skills  and eventually add them to your document.

Soft Management Skills:

While an employer may not appreciate your soft management skills as much as your hard management skills, that does not mean you shouldn’t put any effort into the soft skill section of your resume.

Below, you can find some soft skill words you can include in your resume:

• Communication
• interpersonal ​skills​
• ​Persuasion​
• Decision-making​

When mentioning either soft or hard skills as part of your work experience, make sure to show how there was  quantifiable change . For example, you can write:

• Lead a team of three python programmers to ensure the project went ahead and finished the project 15% faster than previously scheduled.
• Communicated and gave feedback to team members, helping us increase work efficiency by 20%, creating easier communication between the group.

Management Skills are an essential part of any job, but they can be tricky to list on your resume. There are fantastic  resume examples  for different job sectors that  show great ways to include your soft managerial talents .

By looking over professional examples and templates, you will have an even better idea of how to create your own document.

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Use These Resume Keywords to Pass ATS (+ Keyword Examples)

• Julia Mlcuchova , 
• Updated May 9, 2024 11 min read

No matter how many resume writing guides you read, none of them ever fails to stress the importance of resume keywords. But why is that? 

Well, it's because they play a key role (wink wink) in making your resume ATS-friendly . Without them, your job application simply won't reach the recruiters’ eyes even if you're the perfect candidate for the job. But more on that later. 

The burning question is: How can you tell which resume keywords are the best for you? 

And that's exactly the question we'll be answering today! 

So, if you're currently in the process of crafting your resume, be sure to continue reading our article and learn: 

• What are keywords on a resume;
• How to know which resume keywords to use;
• Where to place your resume keywords;
• Which keywords are the most sought after;
• And, conversely, which (key)words to avoid. 

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

 Why care about resume keywords

What are keywords on a resume, how to know what keywords to use in a resume, where to use keywords in your resume, the most in-demand resume keywords in 2024, what resume keywords to include based on your profession, what resume (key)words you should avoid, key takeaways: resume keywords.

However, we can't delve into resume keywords without spending a few words on the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and keyword scanners . 

ATS is an HR computer software specifically designed to streamline the recruitment process. It can help the hiring managers in several ways, but what's interesting for you is how it processes your resume:

• Firstly, ATS scans your resume for relevant keywords (parsing).
• Secondly, it awards your resume a percentage score based on how closely your keywords match those sought after by the employer. The more relevant keywords, the higher the score. 
• And thirdly, it filters through the submitted resumes and ranks them based on the abovementioned percentage score. And the higher you rank, the more likely you are to get noticed by the recruiters. 

Besides the ATS, recruiters can also use standalone keyword scanners. But these function on more or less the same principles.

The bottom line is, in the world of job hunting, keywords are a pretty big deal . And you must get them just right!

Does your resume list the right keywords?

Find out how good your resume really is with our AI Resume Checker.

So, what exactly do keywords for resume look like? 

They can be specific terms or phrases describing requirements that directly relate to the job you're applying for. They typically include essential skills, qualifications, experiences, and competencies that employers are seeking in candidates for a particular role.

Let’s have a look at a specific example so you'd have a better idea of what we're talking about here.

Below, you'll find a mock job posting we've created with highlighted keywords . 

Judging by the sea of orange, you can see that pretty much anything can be made into resume keywords. 

But if we continue to work with our example, we can break the keywords down into several categories : 

• Degrees (Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Bachelor's degree in Communications)
• Job duties (developing, implementing, and managing digital marketing campaigns; develop and execute digital marketing strategies; conduct market research; etc.) 
• Soft skills (Creative thinking, problem-solving abilities)
• Computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite, Google Analytics, Adobe Creative Suite)
• Industry-specific hard skills (SEO, conversion rate optimization [CRO], Google Ads, Facebook Ads Manager, LinkedIn Ads, HubSpot, Mailchimp)

And now that you've got a solid understanding of what resume keywords are and their importance, let's look at how you can find out what keywords to use in a resume you're currently working on. 

Here's how you can figure it out in 4 simple steps :

Firstly, review your job posting carefully and highlight any words or phrases that pop up (just like we did with our example). This step is by far the most indicative, since the job posting tells you what exactly are these particular employers looking for. 

But what if your job posting isn't particularly generous with the job requirements description? If that's the case, your next step should be to analyze job postings pertaining to the same/similar job position. Although precise requirements can differ from employer to employer, the basic skills needed to handle the job remain largely the same.

Another step worth exploring is to take advantage of tools such as Moz Keyword Explorer or the good old ChatGPT to identify relevant keywords related to your industry, role, and specific skills.

Although AI-powered tools can be daunting, navigating them is actually really simple and intuitive. Our AI Resume rewriter analyzes the content of your existing resume, as well as job postings for your desired job or industry. Besides suggesting new keywords, it can help you nail that professional tone and formatting. All you need to do is upload your resume and wait. That's it!

Following these steps should provide you with plenty of potential resume keywords to choose from. But don't forget, the most reliable source of relevant keywords is always the specific job posting you're applying for .

To ensure that your resume is easy to read for both the ATS and the hiring manager’s eyes, your keywords should be weaved naturally throughout the whole document . 

Yes, we know, it's really tempting to make a “Keywords section,” stuff it with all the necessary words and phrases and be done with it. But, unfortunately, that's simply not good enough. 

Remember how we divided the keywords from our example into different categories based on what types of skills/experience/requirements they represented? Well, all that effort will come in handy now! 

Organizing your resume keywords in such a way gives you a good idea of where to later place them on your resume.

Keywords for resume summary

Since your resume summary ’s main purpose is to hook recruiters by presenting your most impressive qualifications, it's a great place to start sneaking in those keywords!

Generally speaking, there isn't any rule as to which keywords should be featured in this section, but we do have two humble recommendations:

• The title of the position you're looking to fill. 
• How many years of experience you have.  

What these two? Well, that's because it's pretty difficult to fit them elsewhere. 

Based on our example, we could start our resume summary with: “Detailed-oriented Digital Marketing Specialist with more than 4 years of experience.”

And voilà — two resume keywords with one stone!

Keywords for education section

Similarly, your education section is also quite straightforward when it comes to keywords. Here, you can simply include keywords in the form of degrees if the job posting calls for any.  

But pay close attention to the wording! 

For example : Our made-up posting uses the phrase “Bachelor's degree in Marketing.” Therefore, in your education section, you should write “Bachelor's degree in Marketing,” not “B.A. in Marketing” !

Keywords for resume skills

And, in your skills section , you should mention your skills. Yes, mind-blowing, we know! 

If there's a place anywhere on your resume where it's okay to dump as many keywords as possible, this is it. Just make sure to further divide your skills section into sub-categories (like language skills, computer skills, interpersonal skills, …) for the sake of readability. 

And, if any of your skills are known in the industry by their acronyms, be sure to include this version of the keyword as well. 

For example: Don't just write “ conversion rate optimization,” or “CRO.” Instead, use both versions like so — “conversion rate optimization (CRO).”

Keywords for work experience section

Finally, we get to the most extensive part of your resume — your work experience section . And here, all gloves are off! You can incorporate a wide variety of keywords describing your skills, your industry knowledge, or job duties. 

Also, don't be afraid of repetitions! In fact, the most important keywords should appear 2-3 times throughout your resume. 

And, one last golden nugget of information for you! If you want to avoid unnecessary words on your resume and come across as more proactive, turn your job duty nouns into action verbs . 

For example like this:

Action verbs on resume example

• Developed, implemented, and managed over 20 comprehensive digital marketing campaigns across multiple channels, including social media, email, and display advertising.
• Development and executed digital marketing strategies resulting in a 30% increase in online traffic, a 25% boost in lead generation, and a 40% enhancement in brand visibility and engagement.
• Conducted in-depth market research and competitor analysis, analyzing data from over 100 sources to identify trends, opportunities, and customer preferences.

As we've already mentioned, each and every job posting is unique and so are the keywords they contain. 

But, there are several keywords that seem to be particularly popular with the employers at the moment. Have a look, why not? Maybe some of them will be suited for your resume as well. 

Top 10 resume keywords for hard skills

• Data analysis
• Project management
• Cloud computing
• Cybersecurity
• UX/UI design
• Software development
• Statistical analysis
• Machine learning

Top 10 resume keywords for soft skills

• Communication skills
• Adaptability
• Problem-solving
• Time management
• Collaboration
• Emotional intelligence
• Critical thinking
• Analytical skills

Now, let’s zoom in on three professions in particular and look at which keywords are the most widely expected to appear on your resume.

And what a better way to show you how it works in practice than adding some stunning resumes to the mix! 

FYI, if any of these happen to catch your eye, feel free to use them as your first draft. Just click on the red button and write away!

#1 Project manager resume keywords

Project management is about making sure projects get done well and on time. It involves planning, organizing, and leading a team to reach goals within a set budget and schedule. Additionally, project managers help teams work together smoothly and solve any problems that might arise along the way.

Some of the most relevant keywords for you are: 

• Project Management
• Agile Methodology
• Waterfall Methodology
• Budget Management
• Risk Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Team Leadership
• Project Planning
• Schedule Management
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Resource Allocation
• Communication Skills
• Milestone Tracking

Project manager resume keywords example

This resume sample was contributed by a real person who got hired with Kickresume’s help.

#2 Data analyst resume keywords

Data analysts sift through heaps of data to uncover important patterns and trends. By doing this, they help businesses and organizations make better decisions based on facts and figures. In a nutshell, they're vital parts of any company.

So, if you're looking to make a career as a data analysts, don't miss out on these neat resume keywords : 

• Data visualization
• Data mining
• Quantitative analysis
• Data interpretation
• SQL (Structured Query Language)
• Python/R programming
• Statistical modeling
• Excel/Spreadsheet proficiency
• Data cleansing
• Business intelligence (BI)
• Dashboard creation
• Predictive modeling

Data analyst resume keywords example

#3 sales resume keywords.

Sales is all about building relationships and helping people find what they need. And so, sales professionals need to listen to customers, understand their needs, and offer solutions that make them happy. After all, it's about connecting with people and making sure everyone leaves with a smile on their face.

On your sales professional resume, don't forget to include these resume keywords:  

• Customer relationship management (CRM)
• Business development
• Client acquisition
• Account management
• Lead generation
• Negotiation
• Closing deals
• Cold calling
• Prospecting
• Relationship building
• Client retention
• Sales strategy
• Revenue growth
• Pipeline management

Sales resume keywords example

So far, we've talked (quite extensively) about all the keywords that shouldn't be missing from your resume. But what about the words that should be avoided at all costs? 

Yep, there are such things as resume taboos , and we're going to explore them right now! 

• Overused buzzwords. First of all, forget about hackneyed language like "innovative," "motivated," or "dynamic." These words have been used so much that they've lost all meaning. Instead, demonstrate these qualities through specific achievements and experiences.
• Passive language. Remember action verbs? Now, meet their less pretty cousins. Verbs like "assisted," "helped," or "participated in" can make you sound like that one person in a group project that only came for the presentation. 
• Irrelevant skills. A simple rule of the thumb — if it doesn't add value to your resume, it shouldn't even be on it! 
• Unnecessary filler words. Finally, go through your resume one more time and be merciless. Every little piece of fluff like "very," "really," "extremely," "basically," or “pretty” must go! 

And there you have it, our short list of shame. Always proofread your resumes to remove these lapses of judgment and use more relevant resume keywords instead.

To sum it all up, resume keywords are essential for making your resume ATS-compliant. 

Resume keywords are specific terms or phrases that describe requirements related to the job you're applying for.

You can find them as : qualifications, soft skills, hard skills, degrees, certificates, years of work experience, job duties, and competencies.

To find out what keywords to use on your resume, follow these 4 simple steps : 

• Start by reviewing the job posting you're responding to. Highlight any words or phrases that pop up. 
• Research similar job postings. Secondly, you can find inspiration by analyzing job postings pertaining to the same/similar job position. Because the basic skills needed to handle the job remain largely the same across all companies. 
• Consider using online keyword research tools. Or, you can employ the help of keyword research tools freely available online.  
• Lastly, check your resume keywords with AI Resume Rewriter . Besides suggesting new keywords, our Resume Rewriter can help you adjust the language of your resume to reflect your professionalism and  attention to detail.

Julia has recently joined Kickresume as a career writer. From helping people with their English to get admitted to the uni of their dreams to advising them on how to succeed in the job market. It would seem that her career is on a steadfast trajectory. Julia holds a degree in Anglophone studies from Metropolitan University in Prague, where she also resides. Apart from creative writing and languages, she takes a keen interest in literature and theatre.

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