As seen in 1

Table of contents

Popular business resumes
How to write a business resume
Business resume examples by experience level
Write a business cover letter
Facts about the business field
Key takeaways for your business resume
Commonly asked question about resume writing

In business, strategic planning and an innovative mindset are often the key to driving success in the corporate arena.

As you step into the limelight by showcasing your skills and commitment to potential employers or partners, how do you show your professional abilities with a simple, easy-to-read resume?

Well, you’re in the right place. We’ll help you discover how to craft a resume that lands you the position you’re after in the business sector.

This guide covers:

Business resume examples that are excellent.
A guide on how to make an outstanding business resume.
Advice on choosing a business resume template and format.
Why writing a cover letter is always a good idea.
Takeaways to help you with your resume writing.

Ready to elevate your resume now? Check out our AI Resume Builder. Choose a template that shows true business sector ethos and enjoy specialized advice, including text options tailored to your field.

Popular business resumes

Before you learn how to write a resume, let’s see a few successful business resume samples that could be your key to securing your next career opportunity.

Are you looking for a specific job title? Check out one of our business-related guides:

Browse other popular samples

How to write a business resume

Prepare for a thriving business career by creating a resume that showcases your skills, organized clearly in distinct sections.

Start with a basic resume outline. It should have:

Your contact details clearly visible at the top.
A compelling resume profile.
A section dedicated to your business-related skills.
Your work history, listed from the most recent job backward.
Your educational background, including any certifications or extra training.
Additional sections for other skills, like language proficiency or volunteer experience.

Now, let’s go through each of these parts in detail.

Step 1

Start with your contact info

Think of your resume as a showcase of your professional strengths — it should be clear, easy to navigate and welcoming for anyone reviewing it for a business role.

Here’s what to put at the beginning:

Your name: Highlight it prominently, just like a personal brand.
Phone number: A direct way for potential employers to get in touch.
Email address: Make sure yours is professional (e.g., [YourName]@gmail.com)
Location: Mention your city and state, connecting your skills to a physical place.

Your resume design should be as structured and clear as a perfectly organized business plan. This thoughtful organization ensures that your skills and achievements are presented logically and effectively, much like how a business plan lays the road to success.

Next, let’s get into the core of your resume.

Step 2

Draw the reader in with your summary

Consider your professional summary as the executive summary of your business career, setting the tone for your entire resume. Positioned prominently, it’s your opportunity to create a lasting first impression.

Shape your summary as a concise overview of your professional journey, spotlighting the skills and experiences that distinguish you as the ideal candidate for a business role. Tailor it to your career level:

Experienced professionals should use a professional summary. A summary should encapsulate your expertise, highlighting major accomplishments that establish you as a standout candidate in the application pool.
Career beginners or career switchers should use a resume objective. Use an objective to outline your career goals and explain how your skills align with the company’s needs.

Your aim is to convince the recruiter that your background and abilities are valuable assets to their organization.

To add an extra layer of personalization, research the company’s mission statement. Tailor your summary to reflect their language and values, showing an alignment with their vision and culture.

Writing tip

Customize relentlessly. Your resume should match what you find in the job description, emphasizing the skills and experiences that are most relevant. This tailored approach guarantees you’ll make an ATS-friendly resume.

Professional summary for a business resume

Seasoned business strategist with a track record in developing robust business plans, optimizing operational processes and driving revenue growth. Skilled at analyzing market trends, crafting strategic initiatives and leading cross-functional teams to achieve key business objectives. Renowned for innovative problem-solving and adept at aligning business operations with corporate goals to enhance overall performance.

Career objective for a business resume

Recent business administration graduate ready to embark on a career with XYZ Corporate Solutions. Keen to apply analytical skills and a fresh perspective in business development and strategy implementation. Dedicated to contributing to team goals and maintaining XYZ’s reputation for excellence in client solutions and business innovation.

Step 3

List your most marketable skills

In the business world, a diverse skill set is essential for success.

Business professionals use a mix of hard skills, such as financial analysis and project management, with soft skills like leadership and negotiation. These skills are used daily, from strategic planning to effective team collaboration.

When listing skills on your resume, integrate hard and soft skills to create a well-rounded picture of your capabilities.

Writing tip

In business roles, your ability to work both with data and people is critical. Demonstrate your proficiency in these areas by including terms like “analyze,” “strategize,” “lead,” “negotiate” and “collaborate.”

Business skills to list on your resume:

Hard Skills

Financial analysis and reporting
Strategic planning
Proficiency in business software (e.g., CRM systems)
Project management tools

Soft Skills

Effective leadership
Team collaboration
Clear communication
Adaptability in dynamic environments

Step 4

Outline your business work experience

The business sector is ever-changing, with new challenges and opportunities arising constantly.

Your work history should reflect this dynamic environment, focusing on the tangible outcomes of your efforts.

In your experience section, go beyond listing duties. Highlight the concrete effects of your work on the organization’s performance and client relations.

As you detail your experience, consider including:

Key performance metrics, like revenue growth or cost reduction percentages, to illustrate your impact.
Leadership roles in projects or initiatives, such as streamlining operations or developing new business strategies that have driven growth or efficiency.
Energetic action verbs like “led,” “improved,” “innovated” and “negotiated” to add dynamism to your professional story.

Arrange your job history in reverse-chronological order to emphasize your most recent and relevant achievements.

Writing tip

While technical skills are vital in business roles, don’t overlook your interpersonal skills. Abilities in areas like team leadership and client relations are equally crucial.

Business work experience entry example:

Business Manager
Innovative Solutions Inc. | New York, NY | January 2018 – Present

Direct operations, achieving a 30% increase in efficiency through process optimization and workforce training.
Led a product diversification initiative that expanded the company’s market reach and increased sales by 25%.
Developed and executed a cost-reduction plan that decreased expenses by 20% without impacting product quality.
Cultivated a collaborative team culture, enhancing inter-departmental communication and resulting in a 10% improvement in project completion time.

Step 5

Detail you education and qualifications

In the business sector, the education section of your resume is crucial as it underpins your expertise in areas like management, marketing and operations.

Here’s how to structure this part:

Include any postsecondary education, such as a bachelor’s or associate degree, particularly in fields like business administration, marketing or other relevant areas.
Mention a high school diploma only if you haven’t completed college.
Highlight any pertinent certifications or additional training, especially those that align with current business practices and technologies.

If you have special certifications or training directly related to business, list them prominently. Also, if you’ve received any academic honors or awards, they can emphasize your dedication to professional excellence.

Sample education section for a business resume:

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration
Marketing and Management
City University, New York, NY
Graduation Date: June 2020

Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project Management Institute
Certification Date: July 2024

Writing tip

Include your GPA if it’s notably high (above 3.5). However, in the business world, practical experience, specialized training and professional certifications often carry more weight than academic grades alone.

Step 6

Add relevant additional sections

In business, your resume can benefit from specific sections that showcase the full breadth of your experience and skills.

Enhance your business resume with these tailored sections:

Professional development: Include any business-related training or certifications. Highlighting your knowledge in areas like financial analysis, project management or leadership courses can significantly bolster your profile.
Language skills: If you’re multilingual, this can be a significant advantage in global business, facilitating communication in diverse markets.
Industry memberships: Membership in professional organizations, like the American Management Association or the Business Professionals of America, demonstrates your commitment to staying connected and current in your field.
Notable projects: If you’ve led significant business projects, consulted on strategy or have a track record of successful initiatives, these experiences showcase your practical skills and entrepreneurial mindset.

Writing tip

Don’t forget to include major accolades or awards, such as “Manager of the Year” or “Innovative Business Strategy Award.” These recognitions speak to your capabilities and achievements.

When it comes to your resume template, a simple resume often works best, offering a clean and professional presentation.

However, depending on your industry, a more creative and modern template could also be suitable. For instance, if you’re in marketing, advertising and design, a creative resume might better reflect your skills. In contrast, industries like finance, consulting and law typically favor more traditional, streamlined resumes.

You can find various templates tailored to different professional needs online, many available for free on platforms like Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

Finally, remember that proofreading your resume is essential — it’s not just the last step but a critical one to ensure your application is flawless.

Next, we’ll explore how different resume formats can be advantageous in your business career search.

Business resume examples by experience level

As you walk through different phases of your business career, adapting the resume format can be as strategic as presenting a compelling business proposal.

How you structure your resume should reflect your business expertise and career progression. Here are three main resume formats to consider:

Reverse-chronological resume for experienced professionals: If you’re a seasoned business professional, a chronological resume is ideal. It highlights your extensive career trajectory, showcasing your progressive roles and significant achievements, emphasizing your success.
Combination resume for emerging professionals: For those who are building their presence in the business sector, a combination resume is effective. This format allows you to showcase a balance between your growing professional experiences and your developing range of business skills.
Skills-focused resume for newcomers: If you’re new to the business field, consider a skills-centric or functional resume. This approach is beneficial for emphasizing your skills and competencies over a detailed chronological work history.

Next, we’ll provide visual examples of each resume type and explain why they are particularly effective for business professionals at various stages of their career journey.

Entry-level business resume example

Functional resume entry level example program manager

Create your resume

Here’s why this resume works:

Strong resume objective
The resume begins with a clear objective statement, which is ideal for early career professionals who want to outline their goals and aspirations.
Well-organized skills section
The resume uses bold headers to categorize skill sets, such as project planning, collaboration and problem-solving, making it easy for hiring managers to spot key competencies quickly.
Balanced mix of skills
It includes a well-rounded mix of both soft skills, like attention to detail and hard skills, such as budget tracking. This balance is a sign of versatility and readiness to handle anything.

Midcareer business resume example

Combo resume mid career example operations manager

Create your resume

Here’s why this resume works:

Clear career progression
The resume employs a neat, two-column layout for the work history section, clearly tracking the candidate’s rise from a technician to a manager.
Action-oriented experience
Each bullet point in the work experience section begins with strong, action-oriented verbs like “manage,” “demonstrate” and “direct.”
Certifications are included
Adding certifications shows the candidate’s commitment to ongoing professional development and underscores their dedication to advancing their career.

Experienced business resume example

Chrono resume experienced example district manager

Create your resume

Here’s why this resume works:

Clean design with a strong header
The resume features a clean layout with a prominent header, including an insignia. Such a visually pleasing design is more likely to catch the attention of hiring managers.
Achievements are quantified
The work experience section effectively uses numbers to substantiate achievements, from figures like cost reduction percentages to audit scores.
Leadership skills are emphasized
Leadership abilities are consistently highlighted throughout the resume, from the professional summary to advanced certifications like Certified District Manager.

Write a business cover letter

Cover letter example risk management consultant

Create your cover letter

Creating a compelling cover letter can improve your viability in a competitive job market, often providing the extra push needed to get noticed.

A cover letter is an ideal platform for business professionals to elaborate on experiences and qualifications that might not be fully conveyed in your resume. For example, if you’re transitioning from traditional business roles to more modern, technology-focused positions or have recently upskilled to stay abreast of the latest business trends, your cover letter is the place to weave this narrative.

Looking for guidance? Consult our guide on how to write a cover letter or review cover letter examples for ideas. These resources can offer insights into more effective cover letter formatting as well.

Using a cover letter builder might be highly beneficial if you’re short on time. This tool provides tailor-made content suggestions that can be aligned with business roles and personalized to reflect your unique career journey.

Coming up next, we’ll discuss aspects related to earning potential in the business sector.

Facts about the business field

Even highly accomplished business professionals can gain from having a clear view of what their career trajectory might hold.

Here are three facts about business positions in the U.S.:

Overall employment in business and financial occupations will grow faster than average from now till 2032, with about 911,400 openings projected each year.
The median annual wage for business professionals is $76,850, much higher than the median annual wage for all occupations ($46,310).
The business majors associated with the highest average starting salaries studied management information systems and actuarial science.

Key takeaways for your business resume

Demonstrate your business knowledge

Ensure your resume emphasizes your proficiency in analyzing market trends, devising business strategies and improving operational efficiency.
Tailor your resume to the role

Carefully examine the job listing and tailor your resume to highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the position’s specific requirements.
Showcase your qualifications

Qualifications such as an MBA, project management certifications or financial analysis credentials are highly valued in business. Prominently display them on your resume.
Highlight quantifiable achievements

Business is about measurable results. Focus on key achievements like revenue growth, cost reduction and successful project completions, using specific figures to quantify your successes.
Choose the right resume format

Select a resume format that best displays your strengths. A reverse-chronological format is typically effective for those with solid experience, while a functional format may suit those new to the field or transitioning careers.
Prioritize precision and clarity

Accuracy is crucial in a business resume. Thoroughly review your resume for errors and consider having a colleague or mentor review it for extra scrutiny.
Include a compelling cover letter

A well-crafted cover letter can make a significant difference, showcasing your enthusiasm for the business sector and commitment to contributing to the field.

Commonly asked question about resume writing

Was this information about Business Resume: Examples, Templates & Tips helpful? Let us know!

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.