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While business operations will vary depending on the company, the ultimate goal is the same: Ensure the smooth day-to-day running of a business, and maximize profits. To excel in this job field, you should be detail-oriented, excellent in client interaction, have leadership skills, and keep up with the latest related software and business trends.

No matter what role you’re looking for — sales representative or business analyst, general manager or SEO, our expert tips and resume examples are what you need to create the right resume for a business operations career.

Top business operations resume examples

Salon Manager

Risk Analyst

General Manager

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How to build your resume for a business operations career

Ready to make your move in business operations? Use these resume examples for popular professions as a guide for putting together your own resume with our resume builder.

Career Track: Company Operations

Focused mainly on day-to-day administration, jobs in this field range from positions like analysts and assistants all the way up to chief operating officer. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, managerial positions in this field are expected to grow 4% by 2029, which means there’ll be plenty of competition for jobs. Make sure you stand out with a top-notch resume, based on these tips:

Assistant Operation Manager $52,746 Median Salary

Resume Format

Functional Resume

For this position, emphasize your job-ready skills and training using a functional resume format. Categorize your skill set into separate categories such as “Practical Skills” (e.g., financial analysis, administrative support, proficiency with software such as Microsoft Office) and “Soft Skills” (e.g., team management, collaboration, strong work ethic).

Summary statement tip

Feature a blend of notable work achievements and skills in a few simple yet crisp sentences. Start off with your current work title and relevant experience. For example: “Driven Assistant Operation Manager with 3+ years’ experience developing new business procedures to decrease overall operating costs.”

Skills to feature

Highlight intangible skills (or “soft” skills) such as the ability to handle stress, adaptability, time management and flexibility, as well as your proficiency in technical areas such as knowledge of G-Suite and spreadsheet software, quality analysis, project management, and report generation.

Get to the next level:

To climb up the career ladder, focus on the following areas:

  • Gain on-the-job experience in business administration and related fields.
  • Projects where you work closely with management positions, like COO and CEO.
  • Get professional training or certifications in areas of specialization such as project management.
  • Work towards gaining opportunities for supervisory experience.

Operations Manager$100,780 Median Salary

Resume format

Combination Resume

For this position, use the combination format, which emphasizes both your skills and relevant work experiences. Focus on important attributes such as analytical skills or leadership, and show how you’ve used them successfully at previous jobs. Quantify your accomplishments with numbers. For example: “Improved profit margins by 14% while reducing quality defects by 23%” or “Implemented scrap-reduction measures, capturing recurring annual savings of $1.5M.”

Summary statement tip

In a few sentences, show off skills that match what the employer wants, and illustrate them with specific examples. For example: “Grew company market shares by 36% in 9 months.” Be sure to also define yourself using some intangible skills, such as “critical thinker,” “negotiation expert,” “financial oversight,” and “time management.”

 

Skills to feature

Review the job description and take note of words and phrases that align with your own skill set, such as knowledge of marketing strategies, product management, excellent communication skills, a positive attitude and a customer service orientation.

Get to the next level:

To move up to a more senior position, add the following to your resume:

  • Get advanced training or a degree in business administration or related field, to show you’re putting in the effort to hone your skills.
  • Show examples of extensive practical experience in improving processes and operations.
  • Show examples of how you’ve successfully trained and managed junior employees.

Chief Operating Officer $184,460 Median Salary

Resume Format

Chronological Resume

For a senior-level job position like a Chief Operating Officer, use the chronological format, which describes your previous work experiences in detail, showing clear career progression. Stress your notable achievements with metrics. For example, “Oversaw business that increased profit levels by 9%.” Rather than listing out every single task from previous jobs, showcase notable achievements that show off your best skills.

Summary statement tip

Outline your work history, accomplishments, and skills in an “elevator pitch” aimed to tell the potential employer why you’re the best fit for the job. Start with your current job title and responsibilities. For example: “Focused Chief Operating Officer with 12+ years of extensive experience implementing strategic plans for improved product quality and output.”

Skills to feature

Focus on industry-specific skills as well as intangible qualities that present a full picture of your abilities, such as leadership, strategic thinking, financial management, conflict resolution, decision-making skills and communication. COOs should be detail-oriented as well as possess exceptional interpersonal skills. You can also highlight your analytical capabilities as well as your strong vision as a COO in the skill section.

Get to the next level:

To move on to a position like chief executive officer (CEO), focus on the following skills and experience:

  • Advanced degree, such as an MBA degree from a top business school, with exposure in related fields like Finance, Sales, or Marketing.
  • Show examples where you’ve excelled and improved company performance through leadership, management and sharp business acumen.
  • Initiatives and strategies you’ve implemented that have driven your company’s growth.
  • Formal training or certification in areas such as operations management.

Career Track: Strategic Operations

Companies are always looking for new ways to improve efficiency and control costs — this is where experienced strategic operations workers come into play. Working alongside product management, sales and other departments, strategic operations professional implement standards, systems and best practices for creating products and services, and help manage distribution and maintenance. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, strategic operations job opportunities will grow by a robust 11% by 2029.

Strategic Operations Lead $52,929 Median Salary

Resume Format

Functional Resume

This resume format is ideal for those who are just starting out in this industry, as it focuses on groups of key skills instead of work experience. Feature training and activities that show you’re capable of handling strategic operations work.

Summary statement tip

Since this position relies heavily on working with managers and other employees, highlight your interpersonal skills. For example: “Developed and deepened relationships with clients, vendors, and internal stakeholders to enforce company policies and structures.”)

Skills to feature

  • Negotiation knowledge
  • Motivated attitude
  • Administrative support
  • Excellent verbal and written communication
  • Logistics expertise
  • Expert using Excel or other job-related programs

Get to the next level

Take advantage of the expanding job market by adding the following to your resume:

  • Advanced degree in business administration or related field
  • Stay up to date with job-specific expertise, such as SEO best practices and eCommerce training technologies
  • Become a Certified Management Consultant (CMC)

eCommerce Site Coordinator $71,002 Median Salary

Resume Format

Combination Resume

This format lets you focus on specific skills and experiences from previous jobs that highlight your abilities in areas such as data collection, analysis and reporting, executing strategic plans, and managing campaign performance.

Summary statement tip

Since this role involves advising managers and other decision makers on solving problems, show off a combination of technical and soft skills that show your ability to handle these situations. For example: “Proficient in maintaining strict budgetary and scheduling guidelines and satisfying customers with high-quality, targeted campaigns.”

Skills to feature

  • Creative thinking and problem solving
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Testing and data collection
  • Excellent presentation skills
  • Social media expertise
  • Project management

Get to the next level

Gain qualifications and skills that emphasize your ability to handle more responsibilities, such as:

  • Advanced degree (e.g., MBA) in business management or similar relevant field
  • Examples of successful campaigns or projects that increased profits or customer retention
  • Technical proficiency in areas such as HTML, CSS, or e-commerce software
  • Gain SEO Essentials certification

 

Director of Operations$129,633 Median Salary

Resume Format

Chronological Resume

Highlighting work experience and professional accomplishments is the ideal use for this resume format, which makes it a good fit for this position. Focus on your achievements as well as responsibilities that highlight your key skills.

Summary statement tip

Put your long history of people skills and problem-solving at the forefront. For example: “High-achieving Director of Operations specializing in building teams, modernizing and improving operational procedures, and increasing efficiency and profitability while tightly controlling costs.”

Skills to feature

  • Advanced degree in business administration, business management, finance or related area
  • Process improvements
  • Strategic planning and execution
  • Operations oversight
  • Ability to manage, coach, and provide training
  • Exceptional organizational and analytical skills

Get to the next level

To advance in your career, focus on adding these skills and experiences to your resume:

  • Say up to date with current IT, logistics and supply chain management practices
  • MBA in commerce management
  • Advanced management training

Business operations resume FAQ

How to format your resume based on your career level?

Format your resume easily for the specific job position that you are applying for, following these guidelines:

Functional resume: Highlighting your training and skills, the functional format is an ideal choice if you’re a recent graduate or first-time job seeker.

Chronological resume: Senior-level positions like chief operating officer (COO) favor applicants with extensive experience and work accomplishments, which are showcased in the chronological format.

Combination resume: Also known as a hybrid resume, the combination format presents a blend of relevant skills and work experience, making it a perfect choice for intermediate-level jobs such as general manager or operations manager.

For more information about formatting your resume, visit our resume format page.

What are some skills you should feature if you want to move up in your business operations career?

To excel in business operations, skills like these are required — include them in your resume, along with skills and knowledge the particular job is seeking:

  • Exceptional organizational skills
  • Quality assurance
  • Strategic planning
  • Excellent verbal communication skills
  • Customer service
  • Problem-solving
  • Strong work ethic
  • Ability to analyze and synthesize information
  • Critical thinking
  • Proactive approach
  • Budget management
  • Ability to build alliances
  • Multitasking
  • Leadership
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Understanding company policies and products
  • Cash-flow management
  • Business acumen
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Risk assessment
  • Financial reporting
  • Marketing strategies
  • System evaluation
  • Personnel management
  • Administrative operations
  • Superior management skills

What other certifications and training are necessary or useful for business operations?

Advance your career path by adding certifications and additional job-related training to your portfolio, such as these examples:

  • Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
  • Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)
  • Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
  • SAP Certified Application Associate (CRM)
  • Professional Certificate in Team Leadership
  • Certified Project Director (CPD)
  • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
  • Certified Data Professional (CDP)
  • HubSpot Inbound Marketing