How many times have you heard the phrase, your resume is your first impression?
But, it’s true, isn’t it?
We are trying to survive in a competitive business world and a dull resume is akin to showing up to a major meeting without any preparation: it’s an instant no. Contrarily, your CV should be as impactful, confident, and unforgettable as someone who leaves a lasting impression on you.
Think about it; a recruiter skims through hundreds of CVs a day. They are short on time and stressed out trying to find the one that perfectly aligns with the role offered. That’s why, your CV needs to be irresistible so the hiring manager does a double-take and actually enjoys reading about you.
Not sure where to begin? MyResumeStar’s got you!
Our guide will walk you through every step to designing an impactful business resume that not only grabs attention but also guarantees that you land your dream job. We will cover it all; from choosing the correct format and highlighting your accomplishments effectively so you can step into the dynamic business world confidently with your CV. The best part? We also have a FREE Business Owner Resume Text for you at the end of the blog post.
Let’s begin!
Understanding the Purpose of a Business Resume
Your CV isn’t just a long list of your jobs. It’s your power document.
Your business CV is essentially a personal marketing card that allows you to show your potential employers exactly what you bring to the table. Have certain skills that make you stand out? Perhaps additional certificates to back your knowledge? Let it all shine on your CV.
It’s like your own About Me page. Instead of dumping random facts, you weave a narrative of your employment history that’s not just limited to a bunch of jobs. It actually showcases your value proposition. What makes you different from other job seekers? How can you help their company thrive? Think about it carefully before creating a CV that genuinely reflects your talent and potential.
Pro-Tip: A CV should be concise, readable, and impactful to captivate the hiring managers.
So how does a business resume differ from other types of resumes?
Focus on Hard Skills
Adding a set of hard skills is quite crucial to building a resume. For example, setting the building budgets, controlling the flow of a construction project, identifying the clients; needs and wants, and bolstering business on social media networks are tasks that make up a significant part of business skills.
So make sure that the CV talks in-depth about the skills rather than simply stating “Proficient in Microsoft Office”. Because here’s the thing; several job seekers are good with Microsoft Office. What particular skill makes you different?
Emphasis on Results
Business resumes focus more on measurable accomplishments than academic resumes (which prioritize courses and research). Business roles want to see how your abilities and expertise have produced measurable outcomes at past jobs.
Rather than mentioning “Managed social media accounts,” go for something like “Increased social media engagement by 15% within three months by implementing a new content strategy.”
Professional Tone
A resume for entrepreneurs should have a results-driven, self-assured tone.
You might want to show off your industry knowledge with jargon but keep in mind that it can actually confuse or alienate potential employers.
The solution? Avoid using technical terms or overly casual language. Instead, opt for a clear and concise CV that connects with the employers on a human level. Why? This allows them to see why you would be a great fit for the company.
Choosing the Right Business Resume Format
Your resume needs to look right for the job. Think about it; when going for an interview, you might want to present yourself in the best possible light. Similarly, the right resume format allows you to appropriately showcase your skills to make a killer first impression.
Here are three common resume formats:
| Resume Format | Description | Pros | Cons |
| Chronological Resume | This is the most traditional format, listing your work experience in reverse chronological order (most recent job first). It’s a great choice for candidates with a strong and consistent work history in a particular field. This format effectively demonstrates career progression and highlights your consistent growth within your chosen field. | Easy to read and understand, clearly demonstrates career progression, ideal for candidates with a strong and consistent work history. | Can be less effective for career changers, individuals with employment gaps, or those with non-linear career paths. |
| Functional Resume | If you’re someone who’s changing careers or is worried about gaps in the resume then this format is the right one for you. Why? This approach emphasizes your accomplishments and abilities over your employment experience. This way, you can actually effectively fill any potential job gaps or illustrate how your talents are applicable to other industries. | Highlights skills and accomplishments, ideal for career changers, effective for individuals with gaps in employment. | Can be less effective at demonstrating career progression, and may not be preferred by some recruiters who prioritize chronological work history. |
| Combination Resume | This format blends aspects of functional and chronological resumes. This way, you can effectively demonstrate your skills and milestones whilst offering a succinct overview of your work background. This business resume layout allows you to modify your resume to a specific position’s requirements. | Helps showcase your abilities and professional background while providing flexibility and adaptability. | Can be more complex to create and may appear cluttered if not well-organized. |
Which format is right for you?
Feeling slightly confused? We got you!
- Choose functional if: You’re changing careers, have gaps in your employment, or want to highlight transferable skills.
- Choose chronological if: You have a strong and consistent work history in your desired field.
- Choose a combination if: You want to showcase both your skills and work experience in a balanced manner.
Read More :- All About Resume Formats
How to Write a Business Resume Step-by-Step
Understand how CV formatting works? Let’s explore the content of your professional business resume:
Contact Information
What’s the first thing a recruiter sees?
Your full name.
Make sure the name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile are clearly visible at the top of the page. You may also want to include your location when looking for local jobs.
Don’t make the amateur mistake of adding the unprofessional email address that you made in middle school. Instead, go for a professional one that is solely used for job-related queries.
Resume Summary or Objective
Summary: Best for Leadership Resume
A brief overview of your key skills, experience, and career goals. Use this if you have a strong work history. An example of a business development resume:
“Result-driven business development manager with a proven track record of developing partnerships and increasing revenue. Key accomplishments include:
- Increased sales by 15% within six months through the implementation of a new client acquisition strategy.
- Established strategic agreements with important industry players and expanded market share significantly.
- Proven ability to establish and manage solid client relationships, leading to high customer satisfaction and repeat business.”
Objective: Best For Business Owner Resume with No Experience
If you’re someone who’s just stepping foot in the business industry or is changing careers then objective is the right choice for your CV. This is because the objective particularly focuses more on your professional goals rather than expertise.
For instance: “Highly motivated and inspired BA recent graduate currently on the lookout for an entry-level role as a marketing associate in a dynamic workplace. Eager to contribute to a productive team and acquire useful work experience.”
Keep in mind that an objective should clearly state your career goals and how the specific role will help you achieve them.
Professional Experience
While there are several resume formats, the most commonly used one is Reverse Chronological Order.
That involves documenting your working experience in a manner that you engage your most recent employment first before the previous one successively. When using the format make sure you provide your job title, company name as well as the location and dates of employment.
Want to make this section more impactful?
Utilize strong action verbs to illustrate your contributions. A few examples of strong action verbs are:
- Managed
- Led
- Developed
- Implemented
- Increased
- Reduced
- Improved
- Analyzed
- Solved
- Negotiated
- Launched
- Streamlined
- Coordinated
- Supervised
- Trained
- Designed
- Created
- Presented
- Achieved.
Each point of the work experience should add impact to your CV, rather than being a generalized gibberish. Take an example of customer service experience. Adding a general statement like “Managed customer service inquiries,” doesn’t really sound engaging or interesting. But, “Reduced customer service call volume by 10% through the implementation of a new online knowledge base” does captivate the attention of the recruiter in an instant.
Think about it; which one sounds more impactful?
This technique is well-known for quantifying your accomplishments i.e. adding metrics to make it more noticeable. This includes using specific numbers and percentages to effectively demonstrate your work in the field. Here’s another example:
Use a statement like “Increased sales by 15% within six months.” rather than something ambiguous like “Increased sales.”
Read More :- Action Verbs For Resume
Education
This section is all about your educational degrees, such as Bachelor, Masters, or MBA. Don’t forget to include the year of graduation too! And if you’ve amassed further knowledge with additional degrees, coursework or certificate then highlight it as well.
Remember, only include your GPA only if it’s higher than 3.5
Business Skills for Resume & Other Certifications
List both hard skills (technical skills) and soft skills (interpersonal skills).
Hard Skills
Top skills for a business resume include:
- Data analysis
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Financial modeling
- Project management
- Accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero)
- SQL
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot), ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle)
- Digital marketing tools (e.g., Google Analytics, SEMrush, social media scheduling tools)
- Business intelligence software (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Programming languages (e.g., Python, R)
- Statistical analysis, Supply chain management
- Business process improvement,
Business Resume Format
[Your Name] 123 Main Street, Anytown, CA 12345 (555) 555-5555 | fullname@email.com [Your LinkedIn Profile]
Professional Summary
[Insert a brief, compelling summary of your skills and experience. It should include your expertise, relevant achievements, and future career goals personalized to the job description.]
Work Experience
[Job Title] [Start Date] – [End Date]
[Organization Name]
- [Achievement 1]
- [Achievement 2]
- [Achievement 3]
[Previous Job Title] [Start Date] – [End Date]
[Organization Name]
- [Achievement 1]
- [Achievement 2]
- [Achievement 3]
Education
[Degree Name]
[Insert College or University Name], [City, State] [Graduation Date]
- Relevant coursework: [List relevant coursework]
- GPA: [GPA] (optional)
Additional Courses (if applicable)
- [List relevant certifications]
Awards and Recognition (optional)
- [List any awards or recognition you have received]
Skills
[List your most relevant hard and soft skills. Use keywords from the job description to increase your chances of getting past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).]
- Hard Skills:
- Data analysis
- Financial modeling
- Project management
- [Add other relevant hard skills]
- Soft Skills:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- [Add other relevant soft skills]
Additional Sections (optional)
- Publications
- Presentations
- Volunteer experience
- Languages
- Interests
Final Thoughts
Your business resume isn’t just a list of previous jobs. It is actually your personal brand story; a chance to show your employers who you are and why they should hire you. But creating a stellar resume for business professionals that lands you a coveted interview shouldn’t feel like navigating a labyrinth.
Luckily, our guide walks you through it all; choosing the perfect resume format to highlight your accomplishments and showcase your technical skills in a way that makes you truly stand out in the job market. With the tips in this guide, you’re not just applying for jobs; you’re opening doors to opportunities. Don’t want to take risky chances? Don’t worry; Resume Star has got you.
Let the MyResumeStar algorithm make the CV that lands the dream job for you!
Additional Resources :- Law Resume