Sales and marketing are two of the most challenging, fast-paced roles in almost any industry. Between contracts ending, new products being released, and consumers constantly shifting their interests, businesses must be able to adapt quickly. As a result, most marketing professionals juggle various responsibilities on any given day. The business development manager (BDM) is one of the essential roles in a sales team. This position manages interactions with potential partners outside your company’s existing customer base or direct vendors you’ve previously worked with. Regardless of whether your company operates as an independent business or as part of a giant corporation, every employee must understand their role in continuing to grow the organization. To assist you in successfully landing your next BDM role with a new company, we have compiled a list of the top 10 resume tips for this specific field and a sample resume for a BDM career path.
Business Development Manager Resume Example and Writing Guide
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Business Development Representative Resume Example
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Business Development Associate Resume Example
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Business Development Executive Resume Example
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Business Development Officer Resume Example
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Business Development Analyst Resume Example
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Business Development Specialist Resume Example
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Edit Your Resume to Fit the Job Description
The first step in optimizing your resume for any potential employer is carefully reviewing the job description—unfortunately, many job seekers mistake sending the same resume to each company. While your resume will vary slightly depending on the specific position, you shouldn’t send it to more than one company at a time. If you send the same resume to multiple companies, you will have a lower chance of getting hired. For example, suppose you’re applying for a position as a business development manager. In that case, you should include the following elements in your resume to ensure you grab the attention of human resource managers. The top two skills needed for this position are excellent communication and negotiation skills. Other essential skills include team building, problem-solving, and follow-up. Include examples of when you’ve employed these skills in previous positions.
Highlight Relevant Education and Experience
If you lack the relevant experience in business development required by the job description, it is essential to highlight your education and experience in related fields. If you don’t have a few years of business development experience, some employers may be reluctant to hire you as a BDM. You can include your expected graduation date on your resume if you have a bachelor’s degree. Don’t include graduation dates on your resume if you are still in school. Instead, you may want to include the name of your school, your expected graduation date, and your major. If you’re working toward a graduate degree, you should list your undergraduate degree first, followed by your graduate degree.
Mention Key Skills
Business development managers must be skilled in negotiation, networking, and presenting products to potential clients. Include these skills in your resume, along with examples of how you’ve employed them in the past. If you lack hands-on experience in one or more of these skills, you may want to include certification or training courses you’ve taken online or at a local university. If your job responsibilities include frequent travel, you can mention that this is an essential part of your position. Employers will likely be impressed by candidates who are committed to their jobs and willing to travel for them. If you travel for business, include travel dates and destinations in your resume. People are often more impressed by candidates who have traveled in the past or who regularly travel than candidates who have no travel experience or skills with languages or cultures outside their own.
Mention Previous Collaborations
If you previously worked with a specific company, it is essential to note that collaboration is in the business development manager resume example. If you were directly involved in partnerships or sales campaigns with this company, you could use that experience to your advantage during the job application process. If you worked with companies in your previous position that are still relevant to the industry, it is a good idea to note those companies on your resume. This could help you gain interest from hiring managers who recognize those names. Collaborations with large organizations, government organizations, or non-profit organizations could also benefit you in the hiring process.
Mention Company Mergers or Acquisitions
Business development managers may have experience with recently acquired companies. For example, you may have been involved in the transition between the two companies, or you may have been responsible for maintaining a partnership or company that was acquired. If you have experience with mergers or acquisitions, it is essential to note this on your resume. This could be relevant to hiring managers interested in candidates with experience managing under a new company.
Mention Any Business Development Strategies You Led Or Led By Example
As a business development manager, you should demonstrate that you have led and executed successful strategies in this role. For example, if you led a team to close a large contract, you could mention that on your resume. If you led a team that created a new product, and it was a success, you can also include that in your resume. If you have been a part of successful campaigns, you must mention these on your resume. Employers want to hire people who have succeeded in their past roles. If you have created new products, including a business development summary on your resume may be beneficial. This way, hiring managers can see exactly what you accomplished and how much your product or service will benefit their company.
Wrapping up
The best way to tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific job you want is to research the company and the person you are applying to. This will give you insight into what they value and are looking for and will help you tailor your application so that it stands out from the rest. A business development manager is an essential part of any sales team. This position manages all interactions with potential partners outside your company’s existing customer base or direct vendors you’ve previously worked with. If you want to become a BDM but have no experience, you can start by volunteering for charities or other organizations in your field of interest. Then, you can use these opportunities to network with potential employers and prove that you have what it takes to succeed in this challenging position.