Manager CV Guide: How to Write + Examples for 2024

Whether you're steering teams or orchestrating strategies, the role of a manager is both a privilege and a challenge. As a visionary leader, your manager CV isn't just a document—it's your ticket to the executive realm, where your expertise belongs.

But here's the twist: the managerial landscape demands more than mere qualifications; it hungers for a narrative that showcases your knack for driving teams and propelling success. Say goodbye to generic templates; it's time to script your managerial success story.

This guide will show you how to write a manager CV that gets you the job. You'll get a ready-to-use manager CV template and several examples of manager CVs so you can get inspired. Let's start!

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Need a CV example for a different job? Check out our other guides:

• Account Manager CV Example
• Administrator CV Example
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• Executive Assistant CV Example
• HR Manager CV Example
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• Restaurant Manager CV Example
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Still not what you’re looking for? See our list of CV examples for all jobs.

Manager CV example

Before we get into how to write your own CV for manager jobs, let’s take a look at 5 specific examples of manager CVs:

Manager CV examples for different managerial jobs

Events manager CV example

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Project manager CV example

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For a more in-depth look, see our project manager CV guide.

Product manager CV example

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Office manager CV example

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For a more in-depth look, see our office manager CV guide.

Sales manager CV example

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And now, let's discuss how to write a manager CV step-by-step:

1. Start with an effective manager personal statement

Navigating the realm of managerial roles demands more than just a run-of-the-mill manager CV. Your journey has been marked by leadership, strategic insights, and accomplishments that set you apart. To capture this essence neatly, the manager CV personal statement emerges as your beacon—a compelling introduction that beckons employers into your world of expertise.

Writing it may seem like a tough ordeal, but with our framework, you’ll manage it easily. Here’s what to do:

• Start with a power adjective. Follow it up with your professional title and years of experience.
• Show the recruiter who you are and what you can do: present 1–2 most impressive achievements from your work history. Make sure they are quantified for maximum impact.
• Finish by showing your dedication, and make an offer to the employer by telling them how you’ll benefit their company.

View your personal statement as a preliminary conversation. You need to make it appealing to get to the job interview. Here’s what a great manager CV personal statement looks like:

Manager CV example—personal statement

A strong CV summary will convince the recruiter you’re the perfect candidate. Save time and choose a ready-made personal statement written by career experts and adjust it to your needs in the LiveCareer CV builder.

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2. Write an impressive manager CV work history section

Now, let’s delve into the heart of your manager CV—the work history section. Here, the tale of your professional journey unfurls, revealing your managerial acumen and leadership finesse.

Formatting the CV work experience section is key—just as a well-organized team thrives under your guidance, an orderly layout ensures readability. Structure each entry like that:

[Job Title]

[Employer Name, Location]

[Dates of Employment]

[List of Work Achievements]

Begin with your most recent role, and work backwards. This is the standard way to structure your CV for manager jobs. For your most recent role, include up to 10 bullet points of said achievements, for each previous role, aim for 3–5 bullets.

Also, remember that your management CV might not be read by a human first. It might have to go through an ATS to get on the recruiter’s desk. So try to use CV keywords that you can find in the job advert.

An effective manager CV could look something like that:

Manager CV example—work experience section

“Managerial candidates should avoid common mistakes during interviews, such as using 'I' excessively and not acknowledging the team's contributions. It's essential to value the human aspect by recognizing individual contributions and presenting achievements with a balanced perspective. Overemphasizing personal credit for team successes can suggest a lack of team-oriented leadership”.

3. Add an education section to your management CV

A CV education section is an often overlooked part of a CV. But it shouldn’t be. Especially when writing a manager CV. The firm life cycle growth increases strongly with manager education. This means companies will look for highly educated managers over those without a degree.

Depending on your managerial specialisation, some degrees may be of higher value than others. For example, production managers might want to pursue degrees in engineering and manufacturing, while office managers would benefit from business administration.

List your degree title, graduation date, and school. Omit mentioning your secondary school on your manager CV. Show just those that are fully relevant to the managerial position. Do it like this, and you’re in the clear:

Management CV example—education section

4. Present applicable management skills for a CV

Managers need to be skilled. Not only do they have to know what the workers they manage need to do, but they also must exude leadership, be communicative, and have the capacity to teach others. And according to a survey, 69% of managers struggle with communication.

Don’t shy away from showing your communication skills, leadership skills, and other applicable, relevant masteries you have. Use the CV skills section to write down up to 10 bullet points that show your expertise.

Manager CV—skills examples

In the UK, providing examples to back up your skills is not uncommon. If we took the first five skills from the manager CV sample above and added explanations, they would look like that:

• Strategic Planning: Orchestrated a company-wide expansion initiative, resulting in a 30% increase in market reach and a 25% growth in revenue within the first fiscal year.
• Team Leadership: Led a cross-functional team of 15 members to successfully launch a new product line, achieving a 20% boost in sales and earning accolades for exceptional teamwork.
• Financial Analysis: Implemented a cost optimization strategy that reduced operational expenses by 15% while enhancing profitability through data-driven insights and market trend analysis.
• Operations Management: Streamlined supply chain processes, reducing lead times by 25% and ensuring consistent product availability, contributing to a 10% increase in customer satisfaction.
• Sales and Marketing Strategy: Developed and executed a comprehensive sales and marketing plan that increased market share by 12% and boosted brand visibility through innovative digital campaigns.

5. Manage your CV extra sections

As a manager, you will most likely not make a good impression by adding a list of hobbies on your CV. But you can add many other sections to make your managerial CV soar in value. Here are some bonus CV sections to include on your management CV:

• Known languages
• Publications
• Professional awards
• Certifications
• Conferences
• Courses
• Volunteer work
• Additional activities

Remember to include bonus sections that are relevant to your manager CV. Unless you want to manage a fishing boat, no one will care that you won a 2019 cod fishing tournament.

Manager CV example—additional sections

6. Supplement your management CV with a cover letter

Elevate your manager CV game by unlocking a secret weapon: the cover letter. Much like a strategic manoeuvre in a high-stakes game, a well-crafted cover letter amplifies your chances of landing that coveted managerial role.

Writing a manager's CV is simple. Start with a powerful opening—express your enthusiasm for the position and briefly touch on your managerial journey. Elaborate on key experiences and accomplishments highlighted in your CV. Conclude with a confident call to action, expressing eagerness for an interview to discuss your potential contributions as a manager.

Keep it concise—the best cover letter length is no more than one A4 page. Mirror the keywords from the job description, demonstrating your attentiveness to the role's requirements.

With a well-crafted cover letter in hand, you're poised to make an unforgettable impression on potential employers seeking visionary managers.

7. Ensure the format of your manager CV is top-notch

Here’s the thing. Even if your CV shows the greatest managerial achievements possible, it will get overlooked if it’s not reader-friendly. This is why you must ensure your manager CV has a clean layout. Follow these rules:

• Begin with a clear CV header featuring your personal information. Make sure this information is easily accessible.
• Use a legible CV font (e.g., Arial, Calibri) and maintain font consistency throughout the document. A consistent font creates a cohesive and professional appearance.
• Maintain consistent margins (about 1 inch) on all sides. Use ample spacing between sections and bullet points to enhance visual clarity.
• Save and share your CV as a PDF document. PDFs ensure consistent formatting across different devices and software.
• Have your CV span no more than two pages. The length of a CV should not exceed two pages.
• Utilize a simple CV template. Excessive visual elements don’t make your CV better, they make it less organized.

You don’t have to be a CV writing expert. In the LiveCareer CV builder you’ll find ready-made content for every industry and position, which you can then add with a single click.

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Do you have any questions on how to write a manager CV? Did you find our management CV examples useful? Use the comments section below to post your questions and feedback. We’ll be happy to reply.

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.