Craft the ideal business development resume

Business development is often one of the most exciting roles available in the world of work. Anyone that wants to pursue different challenges and wants to escape the monotony of some business roles will be excited by the prospect of taking a company to a whole new level.

But, of course, when the jobs are so desirable, it takes a spectacular business development resume to land the best positions. Ultimately, it all comes down to selling yourself just as you'll sell the business itself to prospects, suppliers, and customers.

HubSpot Director of Business Development Resume Sample

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Businesses Development Manager Resume Sample

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Business Development Manager Resume Example

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In practice, business development could mean just about anything. Therefore, it's vital to demonstrate a broad range of skills and experience when applying for more generalist roles.

With that said, you might well be a specialist that knows next to nothing about making an HR department more efficient but could double a company's profits in your first year. So whether you're a jack of all trades or the cream of the crop in specific areas, your resume needs to tell employers all about it.

Here's how.

1. Write a strong professional summary for your business development resume

Business development roles often attract a diverse range of applicants with a vast selection of skills and experience. We've already established that these jobs are highly desirable, and applicants understand by now that the role description doesn't have to fit like a glove to make an application worthwhile.

In most cases, that means that recruiters have plenty of information to sift through, and it's never been more vital to get straight to the point. Resumes for all sorts of roles start with an executive summary, but it's worth diving straight into specifics in this case.

As always, if you've been in business development for more than two years, add a summary of your experience. If you haven't yet been involved for that long, go with a resume objective.

Either way, take a couple of paragraphs to shout about your experience, achievements, and what you consider the most crucial skills you'll bring to the role.

Also, remember that business development is all about ideas and seeing them through. So try to incorporate at least one example of coming up with a way to improve a business and then executing it.

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2. Make your business development resume shine with a great work experience section

In the realm of business development, the work experience section of your resume is an invaluable asset that can make a significant impact on potential employers.

It serves as a window into your professional journey, showcasing your accomplishments, skills, and contributions in driving business growth.

With each role you've held, you've gained valuable insights, developed key relationships, and made tangible impacts on organizational success.

3. Maximize your business development resume with a strong education section

The education section of your business development resume holds significant importance as it highlights your academic foundation and demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and personal development.

While experience and skills are crucial in the field of business development, a solid educational background can provide a strong foundation for success.

By including your educational achievements in the business development field, you demonstrate your commitment to acquiring relevant knowledge and skills.

It establishes your academic credentials and shows employers that you have a strong theoretical understanding of business principles and strategies.

Additionally, it provides a platform for highlighting any specialized coursework, research projects, or academic honors that further support your qualifications in the field of business development. 

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4. Include the best skills in your business development resume

If you've got your eyes on a career in business development, or you're already in the middle of one, then the chances are you've got a diverse skillset. You're the total package in terms of identifying problems, planning a resolution, and seeing it through to completion. You'll also often work broadly across multiple departments with your employer, so your skills list should reflect your flexibility and communication skills.

However, it's critical not to go overboard. You have plenty of skills, but you're still dealing with that all-important limited space. Use the job description as a guide, then hone in on the most relevant skills and the ones that ensure you come across as adaptable. You'll include a mix of both hard and soft skills to check all those boxes for most roles.

Remember, the role in the job description might be what you're being brought into the company to do today.

However, many recruiters for business development roles have an eye on the future, and they want a rounded individual who might help the business in ways they haven't even thought of yet!