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
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.
Example:
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.
Example:
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 – presentLead 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 – 2019Managed 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 ResolutionEducation:
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
University of XYZ, Anytown, USA
2016Certifications:
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.