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Business manager skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Timothy Edwards,

Aldo Musacchio Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical business manager skills. We ranked the top skills for business managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 20.5% of business manager resumes contained customer service as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a business manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 business manager skills for your resume and career

1. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how business managers use customer service:

Direct management responsibility for; Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, Purchasing, Customer Service, Production, Warehousing and Distribution.
Manage Banking Center team including Senior Relationship Banker, Relationship Banker, Customer Service Officer and 7 Customer Service Representatives.

2. PowerPoint

Here's how business managers use powerpoint:

Consulted and trained management team about the meaning of cost information using PowerPoint presentations.
Developed a Chrysler Strategy PowerPoint presentation which covered key product and platform strategies.

3. Project Management

Here's how business managers use project management:

Played a key role in implementing new project management/admin software and pro-active with purchasing and vendor involvement in business development.
Doubled production and income after obtaining business degree by doing extensive research in practice management and incorporating project management.

4. Human Resources

Human resources is a set of people in a business or a corporation that are designated to locate, interview, and recruit new employees into the company. They are also responsible to maintain the integrity of the employees and help them sort their problems out. They try to introduce and manage employee-benefit programs.

Here's how business managers use human resources:

Delivered innovative marketing and public relations strategies as well as Human Resources structure, talent acquisition, and effective management processes.
Partnered with Human Resources Director to coordinate benefits and compensation administration, recruiting strategies, employee relations and marketing.

5. Payroll Taxes

Here's how business managers use payroll taxes:

Performed monthly accounting for approximately 20 clients, including payroll processing, payroll taxes and financial statement preparation.
Established automated payroll taxes online.

6. Business Plan

Here's how business managers use business plan:

Created comprehensive business plan outlining business growth strategy, budget, including internal and external marketing strategies to improve school administration.
Provided focused management initiatives, oversaw business plan preparation and execution, and set up and maintained 70+ business accounts.

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7. Business Management

Business management refers to a subject where coordination of all spheres of an organization's operations by planning comes into existence. It majorly concerns with issues about income and other factors such as the profitability of the business.

Here's how business managers use business management:

Performed Business Management, Accounts Payable/Receivable, prepared invoices to major retailers in accordance with each retailer's specific contract requirements.
Assisted two individuals in the acquisition of this company and on to implement systems and general business management practices after acquisition.

8. Business Development

Business development is the ideas or initiatives that work to make business work better. Selling, advertising, product development, supply chain management, and vendor management are only a few of the divisions involved with it. There is still a lot of networking, negotiating, forming alliances, and trying to save money. The goals set for business development guide and coordinate with all of these various operations and sectors.

Here's how business managers use business development:

Facilitated internal business development meetings and strategy reviews under guidance of Operations Manager and the D&HS Business Development Manager.
Note: Returned to assist company Vice-President to effectively manage business development and finances to ensure business stability and future growth.

9. Financial Performance

Here's how business managers use financial performance:

Prepared detailed analysis of revenues and expenses to create targeted cost containment strategies that include identification of weak financial performance.
Assist in operational decisions relating to financial performance by design and implementation of reports and attendance at departmental meetings.

10. Business Operations

The operations that carry out the inner working of an organization are called business operations. From creating products, to marketing them, business operations play a vital role in every step.

Here's how business managers use business operations:

Create and implement models for various business operations such as client management, marketing strategy, training protocol and overall organization.
Facilitated smooth business operations by managing and coordinating all administrative and operations functions, including purchasing, inventory control and scheduling.

11. Product Knowledge

Product knowledge is the skill of having better information and knowledge about the product you are selling. Product knowledge is essential for the employees of the companies so they can communicate and inform the customers about the product. Having great product knowledge is essential for a better sales pitch and to give the customer a better and complete idea of the product that will influence him to buy the product eventually.

Here's how business managers use product knowledge:

Boosted overall sales 10% by facilitating prototype product knowledge teleconferences which linked treatment experts and state-wide, community-based physicians.
Leveraged significant product knowledge to assist clients in product selection by evaluating needs and communicating merchandise features and benefits.

12. Financial Management

Here's how business managers use financial management:

Proposed and implemented a new computer bookkeeping and financial management system which integrated all the churches financial information.
Provided senior technical and financial management to Government and Commercial IT contracts for two strategic business units.

13. Financial Analysis

Here's how business managers use financial analysis:

Coordinated and prepared annual capital and operating budgets, quarterly financial forecasts, monthly financial statements and detailed financial analysis.
Supported human resources with retaining and attracting talent through providing financial analysis on benefits, social insurance, and compensation.

14. Direct Reports

Here's how business managers use direct reports:

Coached direct reports who helped manage and execute a variety of improvement projects and operations throughout the MetroHealth Ambulatory Network.
Managed and directed 12 field-based direct reports across the USA focused on biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing quality control microbiology laboratories.

15. POS

POS is an abbreviation of "Point of Sale" which is the time and place where a customer completes a transaction. It can either be a physical shop that consists of POS terminals or a virtual shop. A POS system helps simplify the retail functions and track important sales data.

Here's how business managers use pos:

Increased productivity by updating hardware and software and installing and maintaining an updated POS and inventory management system.
Implemented next-generation POS & inventory tracking technology.

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What skills help Business Managers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on business manager resumes?

Dr. Timothy Edwards

Professor, Interim Director, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Writing and research skills. Analytical and critical thinking skills. Technical skills such as web design, graphic design, audio and video production skills. Employers are interested in potential employees knowledge, intelligence and skills.

What soft skills should all business managers possess?

Aldo Musacchio Ph.D.

Professor, Program Director of the MBA, Brandeis University

When we talk to employers, they usually tell you they want students who know how to listen and drive. They want someone who is going to be happy to be in the company, who is going to participate actively in meetings and teams, and who is going to be good at listening and the following guidance.

What hard/technical skills are most important for business managers?

Aldo Musacchio Ph.D.

Professor, Program Director of the MBA, Brandeis University

Lately, employers appreciate software skills to manipulate data, like some knowledge of Python or R, and information visualization software like Tableau. Many companies have their databases in SQL format, and having the capacity to work with it is key. Interestingly, digital marketing and social media skills also get a lot of traction as many employers do not know how to keep and manage a presence in social media, especially in Instagram, and may not be as good as students using tools like Google Analytics.

What business manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Wayne Counts

Associate Dean, The University of Texas Permian Basin

Accounting is a field where there is almost always a demand. Regardless of whether a business is booming or in decline, someone has to keep track of it and report it. With the steady increase in the public sector, there is always an increased demand to make sure the taxpayers are getting what they are paying for, so assurance services seem to keep rising in demand.

What type of skills will young business managers need?

Wayne Fletcher

Associate Professor, California Baptist University

Interestingly, as you speak to employers, this has not changed over the last 20+ years. I had a conversation with my advisory board last week and discussed this question. Employers, generally speaking, are seeking students with good soft skills. By soft skills, I am referring to the ability to effectively communicate across different mediums, the ability to critically think through situations, and the ability to demonstrate self and situational awareness (emotional intelligence).

However, additional elements our advisory board identifies are personal integrity and decision making from an ethical perspective. Employers expect that an accounting major, or a finance major, or (fill in the blank) will possess the knowledge and technical competencies to perform entry-level professional work. And, if a graduate is smart, they can be trained to work in a specific business. However, soft skills take a long time to develop - and employers often don't believe they have the time or capability to focus on that specific aspect of new employee development.

Do you want to know more?

List of business manager skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a business manager resume and required skills for a business manager to have include:

Customer Service
PowerPoint
Project Management
Human Resources
Payroll Taxes
Business Plan
Business Management
Business Development
Financial Performance
Business Operations
Product Knowledge
Financial Management
Financial Analysis
Direct Reports
POS
Financial Data

General Ledger
Office Equipment
Internal Controls
QuickBooks
Expense Reports
Inventory Control
Accounts Receivables
Cost Accounting Standards
CPA
Develop Rapport
Journal Entries
Medicare
Accounts Payables
Sales Associates
Administrative Functions
Bank Deposits

Medicaid
Office Management
Event Planning
Inventory Management
Financial Operations
Facebook
Fixed Assets
Discounted Cash Flow
Bank Reconciliations
Office Operations
Telemedicine
Contract Negotiations
Financial Transactions
Business Impact Analysis
Financial Aspects

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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