Resume Writing Tips for General Manager Business Development

Introduction

The role of a General Manager in Business Development sits at the crossroads of sales, strategy, and operational leadership. A strong resume for this position is much more than a list of job duties — it’s a strategic marketing document that showcases your proven impact, leadership capabilities, industry knowledge, and ability to drive growth. Given the competitive nature of this role, your resume needs to pass through ATS filters and convince busy recruiters that you are the right candidate. This blog breaks down ten pivotal tips that will elevate your resume to the next level, ensuring it is clear, results-driven, and aligned with the latest hiring trends.

1. Resume Summary

The resume summary is your elevator pitch on paper. It should be a concise, impactful paragraph that outlines who you are, your key strengths, and what you bring to the table specifically for a General Manager Business Development role. Use this space to emphasize your years of experience, core competencies, leadership style, and a snapshot of your biggest achievements.

Example: “Dynamic General Manager with over 12 years of experience driving business development and revenue growth in competitive B2B markets. Expert in leading cross-functional teams, executing strategic initiatives, and securing multimillion-dollar partnerships that increase market share and profitability.”

2. Key Skills

Highlight a robust set of skills that align with the job role and industry expectations. Mix hard and soft skills to illustrate your comprehensive capabilities.

• Strategic Planning & Execution
• Sales Leadership & Negotiation
• Market Research & Competitive Analysis
• Revenue Growth & Profit Optimization
• Stakeholder Relationship Management
• Team Building & Cross-Functional Leadership
• CRM & Pipeline Management (e.g., Salesforce)
• Budgeting & Financial Forecasting
• Contract Development & Compliance
• Analytical & Data-Driven Decision Making

3. Achievements vs. Responsibilities

A common pitfall is to list job responsibilities without quantifiable achievements. Hiring managers want to know how you made a difference. Shift the focus from duties to results by showcasing key accomplishments with concrete numbers, emphasizing your impact.

For example, instead of "Managed sales team," say, "Led a sales team of 15 to achieve a 25% revenue increase within 12 months, exceeding targets by $3M."

4. Tailor to Job Descriptions

Each application should involve tailoring your resume to the specific job posting. Analyze the language and keywords used in the job description, and mirror these in your resume where applicable. This practice improves ATS compatibility and shows recruiters that you’ve carefully aligned your experience with their needs.

5. Tools

• Salesforce
• HubSpot CRM
• Microsoft Excel (Advanced)
• Google Analytics
• Power BI
• Tableau
• LinkedIn Sales Navigator
• Slack
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Project Management Tools (Asana, Trello)

6. Metrics

• Revenue Growth (e.g., increased sales revenue by 30% YOY)
• Market Expansion (e.g., expanded presence into 3 new regional markets)
• Cost Reduction (e.g., reduced operational costs by $500K annually)
• Team Growth (e.g., scaled business development team from 5 to 20 members)
• Client Acquisition (e.g., secured 15 new enterprise clients over 2 years)

7. Education

• MBA in Business Administration or related field (preferred)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, or Economics

8. Format

• Use a clean, professional font (e.g., Calibri, Arial, or Helvetica)
• Maintain consistent margins and spacing for readability

9. Concise

Keep your resume to two pages maximum, focusing on the most relevant, recent experience and skills. Each bullet point should be succinct yet packed with information and metrics to maximize impact without overwhelming the reader.

10. Bonus

• Include keywords from the job posting to enhance ATS ranking
• Use action verbs such as "spearheaded," "accelerated," "negotiated," and "optimized"

Examples

• Increased company revenue by 35% within 18 months by developing and executing a targeted sales strategy across new market segments.
• Negotiated and closed a $7M partnership deal that expanded the company's product reach into international markets.

Conclusion

A compelling General Manager Business Development resume tells a story of leadership, strategic impact, and measurable successes. By focusing on your unique achievements, leadership qualities, analytical mindset, and aligning your skills with employer expectations, your resume becomes a powerful tool that sets you apart from the competition and opens doors to key career opportunities. Remember to keep it concise, ATS-friendly, and packed with quantifiable results to make your professional narrative impossible to ignore.