General manager CV examples

The best general managers simplify complexity – and your CV should do exactly the same for busy recruiters. A clear, concise CV immediately highlights your management experience, demonstrating how you’ve led teams and overcome organisational challenges.

You don’t need long explanations to prove your value; you just need targeted examples and clear structure. By following this guide and its helpful tips, the process of writing a CV will easily reflect your leadership credentials at first glance, making you a standout candidate in the competitive world of senior management roles.

A confusing CV layout is the professional equivalent of sending an unclear company memo – nobody’s reading it twice. Recruiters have limited time, so the quicker they can find your key information, the stronger your first impression will be.

Here’s the structure to follow:

• Name and contact details – Ensure your name and personal information are easily visible at the top. A photo is optional and depends on the role.
• Profile – Craft a short introduction that showcases your professional background and key accomplishments.
• Core skills – Briefly highlight your leadership and managerial strengths, such as strategic planning, budget management, or operational efficiency.
• Work experience – Outline your career progression in reverse order, emphasising your contributions and successes.
• Education & certifications – Provide details on your academic background, including certifications or specialised training that support your managerial expertise.
• Additional info – Optionally, include professional memberships, relevant industry awards, or related hobbies.

A cluttered CV format full of mistakes won’t impress anyone – especially busy executives. Use bullet points for clarity, divide sections clearly, and stick to a professional, easy-to-read font. Keep it concise, ideally no longer than two pages in length.

Your professional profile should clearly showcase your management style, achievements, and leadership strengths. Think of it as the strategic overview of your career – it should immediately convince employers you’re capable of leading teams and driving results, and will bring the same positive impact to their company.

Here’s what to include:

• Management background – Highlight experience in general management, operations, or strategic roles.
• Leadership strengths – Emphasise your skills in managing teams, leading organisational change, or developing strategic initiatives.
• Industry expertise – Mention key sectors you’ve managed or industries where you’ve delivered strong results.
• Proven achievements – Briefly highlight significant accomplishments, such as improving profitability, growing revenue, or increasing team productivity.
• Career aspirations – Clearly state what type of management role you’re aiming for, showing your enthusiasm and alignment with the company’s vision.

General Managers need diverse skills – from strategic thinking and financial management to leadership and communication. Clearly presenting these skills is crucial for capturing recruiters’ attention.

Tailor this section to match the job specification, highlighting skills such as strategic leadership, change management, profit growth, operational oversight, or performance management. Make sure your core skills section includes specific, relevant abilities rather than generic clichés.

Recruiters value results over vague responsibilities. Clearly outline your management history, demonstrating how you’ve driven organisational growth, improved operations, or successfully managed budgets and teams through your practical work experience.

Your past roles aren’t just bullet points – they’re your success stories. List roles in reverse chronological order, detailing tangible outcomes such as revenue growth, cost savings, improved customer satisfaction, or successful project delivery.

For candidates stepping up from a departmental management role, emphasise transferable leadership achievements and strategic initiatives you’ve undertaken.

• Outline – Provide a concise summary of the company, its sector, and your role as General Manager.
• Responsibilities – Clearly list key duties, such as overseeing budgets, strategic planning, and team leadership. Use action verbs  like “directed,” “streamlined,” and “expanded.”
• Achievements – Highlight measurable results, including improved profitability, increased efficiency, or team development accomplishments.

Your education and professional training play a critical role in validating your suitability for a General Manager position, but real-world practical experience is more important: so keep this bit brief. 

Clearly list relevant qualifications, degrees, management certifications, or executive training courses you’ve completed. Qualifications in business administration, strategic management, finance, or leadership training strengthen your application.