5 General Manager Resume Examples & Guide for 2023

The role of a general manager might appear straightforward from an external perspective, but they significantly influence a company's success.

Being responsible for hiring staff, delegating tasks, and overseeing daily operations, your choices have a major impact.

So, how can you demonstrate to potential employers that you can elevate their business?

Your general manager resume should display to recruiters that you possess the necessary skills and experience.

If you're unsure how to achieve this, don't worry. We've simplified the process for you.

In this general manager resume guide, you'll discover:

• Ways to distinguish your general manager resume from the competition
• Proper structuring of resume sections and the optimal layout for showcasing your strengths
• Strategies for maximizing each section of your general manager resume
• What recruiters and potential employers are seeking in a general manager resume
• How to secure more interviews by customizing your resume for each specific position you apply for

Writing a general manager resume

As noted earlier, the term "general manager" is quite broad. Numerous general manager positions exist, each with varying responsibilities, work environments, scales, and more.

The duties of a general manager at one company might be equivalent to those of a store manager at another company.

To craft a general manager resume that secures you a job, you must tailor your resume to the specific needs of a company.

Keep in mind three factors while writing your GM resume: industry, company size, and company specifics.

A general manager at a large luxury hotel requires different skills and responsibilities than one at a small clothing boutique.

Significantly increase your chances of landing an interview by carefully studying a company's requirements and tailoring each section of your general manager resume accordingly.

Don't worry, we'll guide you through each section step by step, providing tips on how to make your resume stand out among hundreds of candidates.

Maximizing the value of your general manager resume header

As demonstrated in the templates above, general manager titles can vary across companies and industries.

Unless you're undergoing a significant career shift, it's best to use the same title on your resume as the job you're applying for. If you're transitioning between industries, identify common ground between them.

For instance, if your last three roles were in restaurants with different titles such as "General Manager," "Store Manager," and "Manager," you could tailor your title to "Restaurant General Manager."

On the other hand, if your previous experience is primarily in restaurant management and you're applying for a hotel management position, you might opt for a broader "General Manager" title instead of a specific "Hotel Manager" title, even if the job is labeled that way.

Avoid customizing your title to something completely unrelated to your experience, as it may create a negative first impression.

Besides your title, your header should contain other essential information.

Examine a few examples below to gain a better understanding of what constitutes an effective header.

This example showcases significant improvement. The title has been adjusted to align with both the candidate's experience and the target job.

It also features a professional email address, phone number, LinkedIn URL, and location.

Ensure that your LinkedIn profile and email domain convey professionalism to avoid recruiters dismissing your resume due to an unprofessional header.

Crafting a General Manager Summary to Capture Recruiters' Attention

The summary section serves as your initial opportunity to present your value and experience to recruiters and allows them to begin assessing your suitability for the role.

So, how do you compose the perfect summary for your general manager resume?

There are three crucial aspects that distinguish a compelling summary from a lackluster one:

1. Demonstration of relevant experience
2. Inclusion of pertinent achievements
3. Brevity and conciseness

If your summary fails to deliver relevant experience and engage the recruiter immediately, they might stop reviewing your resume at that point.

As with every section in your general manager resume, keep the information pertinent, concise, and engaging. If you have an extensive range of experience to choose from and are unsure where to begin, focus on aspects that align with your target job description.

Highlight your most impressive achievements. Avoid mentioning lackluster accomplishments or general responsibilities.

2 general manager resume summary examples

This example showcases significant improvement. The title has been adjusted to align with both the candidate's experience and the target job.

It also features a professional email address, phone number, LinkedIn URL, and location.

Ensure that your LinkedIn profile and email domain convey professionalism to avoid recruiters dismissing your resume due to an unprofessional header.

Crafting a general manager summary to capture recruiters' attention

The summary section serves as your initial opportunity to present your value and experience to recruiters and allows them to begin assessing your suitability for the role.

So, how do you compose the perfect summary for your general manager resume?

There are three crucial aspects that distinguish a compelling summary from a lackluster one:

1. Demonstration of relevant experience
2. Inclusion of pertinent achievements
3. Brevity and conciseness

If your summary fails to deliver relevant experience and engage the recruiter immediately, they might stop reviewing your resume at that point.

As with every section in your general manager resume, keep the information pertinent, concise, and engaging. If you have an extensive range of experience to choose from and are unsure where to begin, focus on aspects that align with your target job description.

Highlight your most impressive achievements. Avoid mentioning lackluster accomplishments or general responsibilities.

2 general manager resume summary examples

This example is vague and needlessly long. It lacks specific achievements and doesn't provide any real figures or numbers to support claims.

It doesn't contribute value to the conversation with your recruiter. Let's examine a better example.

This example is vague and needlessly long. It lacks specific achievements and doesn't provide any real figures or numbers to support claims.

It doesn't contribute value to the conversation with your recruiter. Let's examine a better example.

[good example]

Here's a concise, results-driven summary section that immediately informs recruiters that you're a strong candidate.

If you're worried about running out of space, don't be concerned. It's better to keep your summary brief and utilize your experience section to further demonstrate your worth.

How to outshine other candidates with a tailored experience section

No two general manager positions are the same, which can sometimes create confusion during the hiring process.

In some companies, general managers might actually be managing directors or performing director of operations tasks. Navigating the optimal approach for your general manager's resume can be challenging.

As you examine the job description for your target role, pay attention to two primary aspects: industry and processes.

These two areas are unique to the job and will guide you in framing your experience section.

If you are applying for a general manager position in a specific industry (hospitality, retail aviation, etc.) and have experience in this industry, emphasize it.

Let’s take a look at an example of someone applying for a general manager/hotel manager position.

This applicant has effectively showcased their relevant sector experience. They display expertise related to the industry and provide concrete figures in their examples.

On the other hand, if you're applying for a role in a field where you lack extensive experience, emphasize your work history in terms of processes.

Suppose you're applying for a corporate management position with similar experience as mentioned above:

The bullet points mentioned are mostly unrelated to a corporate management role. As a result, potential employers might overlook your application in favor of candidates with more relevant experience.

Instead, concentrate on processes and de-emphasize industry-specific details that are not essential.

This example is much better, as it highlights transferable skills relevant to a corporate management position.

It's important to note that different companies prioritize different processes even within the same industry. Consider these two descriptions for general manager positions:

The General Manager is ultimately responsible for safety, P&L delivery, customer satisfaction, and employee engagement while maintaining the organization's ethical standards and reputation in the community.

The GM works to achieve the objectives of the Regional Consumer Business Units, focusing on profitability, revenue growth, facilities and asset management, supply chain excellence, product development, sales, marketing, materials, administration, and human resources.

Observe the differences in word choice and priorities between the two positions. The first one emphasizes customer experience, satisfaction, and community reputation, while the second one prioritizes growth, revenue, supply chain, and marketing.

Keep in mind that showcasing results is crucial. In each bullet point of your experience section, demonstrate the outcomes of your efforts. Avoid simply listing responsibilities; instead, highlight your achievements using numerical data to make your resume stand out.

Having refined your experience section, you can now proceed to focus on skills.

Creating an authentic general manager resume skills section

Recruiters often use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) to automatically filter out resumes that don't contain specific keywords related to the position.

This is particularly common in large companies with dedicated HR departments or those that engage staffing agencies to find suitable candidates.

To pass the ATS filters, your best strategy is to naturally incorporate keywords from the job description into your resume.

Merely adding keywords randomly or emphasizing overused buzzwords will be obvious and fail to impress anyone.

The most effective way to showcase your skills is to present them in the context of activities you performed at previous jobs and the achievements you accomplished.

Analyze your target job description and determine the most valued skills. Let's examine how to include soft skills in your general manager resume.

Observe in the preceding example that each skill is substantiated with genuine evidence and accomplishments.

Soft skills may be perceived differently. It is essential to offer context for your soft skills, enabling recruiters to gain an accurate understanding of you as a general manager.

The following is a list of soft skills that potential employers frequently seek in GM candidates:

Which technical skills are crucial for a general manager?

Technical skills are not always prioritized for most general manager roles, although this can vary depending on the industry.

For instance, a vast retail network might necessitate familiarity with CRM systems, or more specifically, Salesforce.

A general manager role in the manufacturing sector might demand knowledge of best manufacturing practices, such as Six Sigma and Continuous Improvement.

When assessing your target job description, identify any relevant technical skills they desire, and incorporate them into your resume.

Elements to incorporate in the education section of your general manager resume

Educational prerequisites for general manager roles can vary. A bachelor's degree is typically required, preferably in a field related to the position, such as engineering or business.

Although it's uncommon for general manager roles to demand a master's degree or higher, an MBA can offer a significant advantage in numerous industries.

Relevant experience may often replace a bachelor's degree. If you lack a degree in your field, emphasize your experience in other sections.

Unless you're a recent graduate, your education section need only contain basic information. Including the name of your degree, school, location, and years of attendance is adequate.

Certifications are generally optional for GM roles but can give you a competitive edge, particularly in sectors where specialized knowledge is essential.

Depending on your experience and industry, consider pursuing certifications in product management, HR, and similar areas.

The following are additional examples of relevant certifications for general managers.

Additional sections to enhance engagement on your general manager resume

In case the general manager role you're pursuing is particularly competitive or demands distinct skills, you might want to explore other methods to differentiate yourself from other applicants.

Incorporating a section for achievements offers a chance to emphasize leadership or industry experience that wouldn't fit in any other part of your resume.

If the organization you're applying to promotes work-life balance among its employees, incorporating a "Day In My Life" section is an excellent opportunity to reveal some of your personal aspects.

A notable example comes from Marissa Mayer's resume, which garnered much admiration, particularly from C-suite members of LinkedIn and Mark Cuban himself.

If your general manager role is project-based, you can briefly discuss those in a "projects" section, for example, opening new business units, developing a new training program, and so on. If you received awards in any of your previous positions, you can include those as well.

If you're uncertain about how to add other sections to your general manager resume, you can easily accomplish this with a helpful resume builder.

Essential points for crafting an outstanding general manager resume:

• Thoroughly examine job requirements, as general manager duties can differ significantly, and your resume should be customized accordingly
• Prioritize relevant industry experience and essential management processes you are familiar with above all else
• Ensure to include only pertinent certifications and skills that a prospective job necessitates
• Pass the ATS test by utilizing appropriate keywords and industry-specific terminology
• Distinguish your resume by incorporating relevant custom sections that create a lasting impact on potential employers

By Role

Start With This Resume

Assistant General Manager

As an Assistant General Manager, honing management and leadership skills should be your primary focus. Emphasize your ability to support the General Manager in his/her responsibilities and improve overall operations. Demonstrate prior experiences in staff management, training, scheduling, and budgeting. Instead of merely listing these skills, specify how you applied them: for instance, 'cut down costs by 10% through efficient budget allocation.' Always follow the 'skill-action-results' structure. Make sure to feature your skills in conflict resolution, communication, and decision-making.

View Assistant General Manager Resume

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Division Manager

Division Managers often come from a business background, showing your comprehension of the company's goals and strategies is essential. Highlight experience in strategic planning, inter-departmental coordination, and leadership. Show specific instances where you utilized these skills, such as 'increased department's productivity by 15% through effective strategic planning.' Prioritize business acumen on your resume that transformed a division - did you increase sales, cut expenses, or streamline processes? Your resume should portray your ability to lead and make impactful decisions.

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Manager In Training

The Manager In Training's role involves learning and adapting to various management practices. Showcase your eagerness to learn, adaptability, and potential leadership skills at the forefront. Provide examples of instances that reflect your ability to learn quickly and apply knowledge effectively like 'reduced order-processing time by implementing learnings from training.' Don't just focus on leadership, showcase your ability to work as part of a team too. Your resume needs to portray your commitment, passion, and readiness to step into a management role.

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Team Manager

For a Team Manager role, your main aim is to highlight your team leadership and coordination skills. Experience in people management, team motivation, and performance evaluation is crucial. Show actual instances where your excellent team management has led to improvements, like, 'enhanced team's productivity by 20% through regular performance evaluation and feedback.' Your resume should prioritize not just your management skills, but also how these skills had tangible effects on the team's performance. Show that you can navigate both interpersonal dynamics and project deadlines to get the job done.

View Team Manager Resume

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Restaurant General Manager

Reasons for the effectiveness of this resume:

1. Demonstrates sector-specific abilities
2. Exhibits a consistent focus on a specific industry segment

The applicant has not only developed a career in restaurant management but has also consistently worked within luxury restaurants and hotels. This focus on a specific niche indicates commitment and an aspiration for advancement in the field.

Start With This Resume

Hotel General Manager

Factors contributing to the success of this resume:

1. Illustrates field-specific technical abilities
2. Distinctive interests and skills that match the role

In some cases, specialized skills can provide an unforeseen benefit, depending on the job's requirements. The applicant is fluent in three languages, which can be a significant advantage for a hotel general manager position. Possessing relevant skills like these makes a candidate highly attractive to recruiters.

Start With This Resume

Fitness General Manager

Factors that make this resume successful:

1. Customizes the title to match the desired position
2. Presents soft skills as key strengths

This general manager resume exemplifies the importance of tailoring the title to the targeted role. "Fitness GM" and "gym GM" convey nearly the same meaning, but recruiters may filter resumes based on the specific title they seek. It is crucial to adapt your resume to suit the intended job.

Start With This Resume

Warehouse General Manager

Reasons for this resume's effectiveness:

1. Presence of pertinent trainings and courses
2. Demonstration of particular successes and accomplishments

Trainings and certifications can be highly specific to a given industry. Although not mandatory for all General Manager positions, they can be beneficial for specialized roles such as Warehouse General Manager. Having certifications in areas like health and safety standards can give you a competitive edge.

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Construction General Manager

Factors contributing to this resume's success:

1. Display of industry awards
2. Customized bullet points for the target job

Featuring awards and accomplishments on your resume is an effective method to showcase specialized skills and set yourself apart from competitors. Numerous general managers perform similar tasks daily, but not all of them are recognized with awards for their work.

Start With This Resume

Automotive General Sales Manager

Elements contributing to this resume's effectiveness:

1. Each section is succinct and captivating
2. Soft skills are reinforced with examples

Soft skills, such as "organized" and "team management," can have various interpretations. This candidate supports their soft skills with explanations and instances. Rather than expecting recruiters to take your word for it, provide proof to substantiate your claims.

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Adiminstrative General Manager

Factors making this resume effective:

1. Demonstrates consistency and growth
2. Features industry-specific technical skills

Certain technical skills can be valuable depending on the role you're applying for. If you're seeking an administrative general manager position and have experience with programs like Salesforce and other relevant software, be sure to highlight those skills.