Have you been applying for managerial roles with no success so far? It's possible that your resume isn't showcasing management skills recruiters are looking for. Don’t worry—that ends today. After reading this article you'll know exactly what those skills are and why they matter.
Managers are often the head of a team, account, or project—sometimes all at once. For this reason, good leaders who are able to strategize, plan, and coordinate tend to do well in managerial positions.
Recruiters want to see those characteristics displayed on your resume and—if you're lucky to receive a call back or email reply—during the interview. Below we’ve listed good management skills and examples to show off on your resume.
What are management skills
A management skill is an ability or trait a professional needs to perform a role that typically pertains to commanding a team, but also includes overseeing projects or accounts. (For a deeper dive, here are the main duties and responsibilities of a manager.)
“Management skills allow individuals to effectively lead a team, handle responsibilities, and deliver results in a structured environment,” says Max Williams, founder and HR Outsourcing specialist at Herobot.
Most of these can be learned and developed with practical experience, workshops, and certifications. There are also some traits people naturally have. For instance, you've probably heard at least once in your life that someone was a “natural leader.” (Maybe you?)
Because management skills are needed across industries, developing them has the potential to further your career and expand the horizons of job opportunities for you.
“What sets these skills apart from general professional skills is the direct impact they have on others,” Williams says. “Managers aren’t just responsible for their work but for the performance, well-being, and growth of their team members.”
On the hunt for a management role? Search open jobs on The Muse »
9 management skills for your resume
Here's a list of nine managerial skills to put on your resume when applying for management roles. Take into consideration we selected key abilities that are needed across industries, so you may not find a specific skill that pertains to your industry (e.g. CRM, advanced Excel).
1. Leadership
If you think about it, “manager” and “leader” are almost synonymous in the workplace. Since managers often supervise a team of coworkers, they're responsible for delegating tasks, ensuring productivity, and redirecting when necessary. Good leaders have “the ability to inspire, mentor, and guide teams towards achieving goals,” Williams says.
2. Strategic planning
“This refers to the candidate’s ability to think ahead, plan for the long term, and implement strategies that align with the company’s objectives,” Williams says. You must ensure that deadlines and important KPIs (key performance indicators) are being met, and also redirect the course of action and adjust when necessary.
3. Delegation
Managers often have to delegate tasks. For this reason, you should show recruiters that you're capable of delegating effectively by clearly communicating what needs to be done, how, and when.
Good managers also need to know how to assign tasks based on team members’ strengths and areas of expertise, Williams says.
Read this next: The 10 Rules of Successful Delegation
4. Conflict resolution
Conflict can arise in any company or industry. Coworkers may disagree on minor and major things, like whether to take on a new client or who's going to do the Sunday morning shift. It's often the responsibility of the manager to mediate and help find a solution.
“The ability to handle disputes and keep the team functioning smoothly is critical,” Williams says. “I look for examples where candidates have successfully navigated team conflicts or challenging client interactions and maintained harmony.”
5. Problem solving
Like conflict, issues are inevitable in any workplace. Even when you're super organized, certain situations are out of your control. For instance, a client asks for a big alteration in a graph material that was already in the finishing touches or a member of the sales team needing a day of work two days before Christmas. Your role is to think fast and come with creative solutions to fix the problem.
6. Public speaking
Great communication is essential—especially in front of your team, your peers, and leaders inside the company and outside of it. Managers often have to do presentations, handle meetings with clients, mediate conflict between customers or coworkers—all situations that require good public speaking and communication skills.
You must have the capacity to clearly and effectively communicate with team members, stakeholders, and upper management, Williams says. Basically, being able to translate your thoughts in clear and cohesive statements will always ensure you and your audience are on the same page.
7. Performance management
On the other side of task delegation is performance management. Your job doesn't stop at telling people what to do, but also supervising and redirecting when necessary. “Being able to manage team performance, provide constructive feedback, and help employees grow is a vital part of a manager’s role,” Williams says.
8. Negotiation
Even if you don't work in sales or related fields, negotiation is a key management skill to develop and have on your resume. You may need to reason with a client about a deadline, have your boss accept a suggestion that could facilitate your work, or argue in favor of a new hire, for example. All of those things require the ability to convince others with good, evidence-based arguments.
9. Prioritization
Have you ever heard the saying “If everything is important, nothing is important?” The point is that when people put everything in a priority list, it's common to end up not really prioritizing anything. As a manager handling your own tasks and also delegating tasks to others, it's critical to know how to prioritize so neither you nor your team ends up overwhelmed and unproductive.
How to showcase management skills in your resume
Though most resumes have a “skills” section, you don't want to simply put a list of management skills on yours without any evidence that backs up your statement. Recruiters and hiring managers like the “show, don’t tell” approach.
“Provide clear, quantifiable examples of how you’ve used these skills in your previous positions,” Williams says. “Management is a complex and dynamic function, so candidates need to weave these skills into the fabric of their resume.”
Include skills in the experience section
When describing your responsibilities in a past job, don't simply say “managed a team” or “responsible for leading the sales team.” Instead give a real-life example of your leadership and the impact it had.
“You could write, ‘led a team of five sales associates, increasing quarterly sales by 15% through targeted coaching and performance management,’” Williams says.
Use numbers to quantify your impact
“Numbers are powerful,” Williams says. Whenever possible, mention numbers (e.g. volume of sales, percentage of new clients) that quantify the outcomes of your actions and achievements as a manager.
“Highlighting metrics like ‘improved team efficiency by X%’ or ‘reduced project delivery times by X days’ gives concrete evidence of your management abilities,” he says.
Here are some extra examples provided by the expert:
- Implemented a performance review process that improved team productivity by 15%.
- Developed a new product launch strategy that increased sales by 30% over a 12-month period.
- Led a cross-functional team of 10 members, increasing product delivery efficiency by 20% within six months.
Tailor your resume to the job description
Since companies are now using applicant tracking systems (ATSs) to scan resumes, tailoring your resume according to the job description provided by the employer is more important than ever.
“Every job has different management demands, so it’s crucial to align your experience with the specific requirements of the role,” Williams says. “Review the job description carefully and emphasize the skills that are most relevant to that particular position.”
For instance, management roles in sales might have more emphasis on negotiation and communication skills. On the other hand, management roles in creative industries, such as social media and design, might need a manager with critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Read this next: How to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly (Template Included!)
Include relevant certifications or training
Listing relevant training and development certification (e.g. leadership development, project management, business management) is also a smart way to highlight management skills in a resume. “These should be highlighted either in a dedicated section or alongside your work experience,” Williams says.
Bottom line
Management skills are a mix of soft and hard skills that are needed in most industries and work environments. Some you may already have, while others you might need to take time to develop, either by taking new responsibilities at work or by enrolling in training courses.
When it comes to showcasing management skills in your resume, remember that recruiters want to see evidence of your abilities. Thus, you should go beyond simply listing responsibilities—detail your actions and highlight quantifiable results whenever possible.
Read this next: 10 Interview Questions for Managers—and How to Answer Them