Account Manager Resume Example & Writing Guide

The dynamic business world of account managers experiences fluctuations just like the stock market. One moment, you’re in a serene environment analyzing the numbers, and the next, you’re in a bustling meeting with the clients. You know you can rise up to a challenge, but to persuade your employers the same, you need a strong account manager resume.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the ins and outs of crafting one such document. You’ll learn how to showcase your skills and accomplishments best in order to convince hiring managers of your qualifications. 

Without further ado, let’s jump right in!

The Right Format to Use For an Account Manager Resume

The right format to use for most account managers is the chronological resume format. It’s the established format that lists your past jobs and accomplishments in reverse chronological order. Such an orderly arrangement gives recruiters a clear insight into your work history. Plus, it works well with the applicant tracking software (ATS).

If you’re writing an entry-level account manager resume and have no work experience, you can take advantage of the functional resume format. This one puts your skills as the main section, allowing you to focus on your strengths and still write a compelling resume without a professional history.

Finally, there’s the combination (hybrid) resume format, which is good if you have employment gaps. This one also uses your skills as the main section, but it backs up each one with a list of relevant achievements in reverse chronological order. 

Account Manager Resume Layout

A resume layout is the visual aspect of the document. To achieve a clean and professional look, you can follow these guidelines:

Mandatory & Optional Account Manager Resume Sections

The core of every account manager resume are these five mandatory sections: 

On top of that, you can include as many optional sections as you want, as long as there’s space left on the document, and they add value to your application.

Here are some sections to consider:

Of course, starting a resume from scratch can be daunting, even with all this information. That’s why you can use our resume builder to automate the process and ensure an optimal outcome.

Our digital tool allows you to choose from a number of account manager resume templates. You can then customize these templates and type in your information in blank spots. That way, you’ll have a submission-ready resume in minutes!

Account Manager Resume Template

Here’s one of the many account manager resume templates that you’ll find when using our resume builder:

How to Add Contact Information to Your Account Manager Resume the Right Way

A contact information section goes in the header at the beginning of your resume.

It’s a straightforward section where you should include the following details:

You can also add your address (but only a city and state) and a LinkedIn profile. You should avoid including sensitive personal information for privacy reasons.

Let’s see all that in an example:

Accuracy is paramount in this section, as you don’t want to miss out on a potential interview invite just because you misspelled your phone number or email address.

Account Manager Resume Summary & Resume Objective

The purpose of a resume objective or summary is to grab attention. These introductory paragraphs act as brief descriptions for your account manager resume. They should emphasize your key strengths in 2–4 sentences, convincing recruiters to take a look at the rest of your resume.

An account manager resume objective is best for entry-level candidates who lack experience and want to focus on their skills, motivation, and career goals.

On the flip side, a resume summary is best suited for experienced candidates as it should highlight a couple of your most notable achievements.

Junior Account Manager Resume Objective

Let’s start with a good example of a resume objective written by a junior account manager with no work experience:

For contrast, here’s a poorly written example that’s vague and without the necessary details:

Senior Account Manager Resume Summary

A strong account manager resume summary should point out one or two impressive accomplishments that should grab the readers’ attention.

Here’s a good example:

Now compare that to a bad example devoid of any concrete information about the candidate:

How to Add Professional Experience to Your Account Manager Resume

Professional experience is usually the central section of an account manager resume, so let’s find out how to craft it.

General Tips

Let’s start with the fundamentals and see what each work experience section needs to have.

Here are the details you should include for your previous jobs:

If you’re adding multiple previous jobs, you should line them up in reverse chronological order. Make sure that these jobs are relevant to the one that you’re applying for. A bartending student gig from a decade ago doesn't belong on an experienced account manager’s resume.

When listing achievements, you should use bullet points instead of blocks of text, as they are shorter and easier to read. Also, avoid talking about everyday tasks and assignments, but instead focus on outstanding results.

There are two ways to make those results truly pop:

Account Manager With Little/No Experience

Having little to no professional experience in the field of accounting means you should leverage other endeavors. This includes volunteer work, freelancing, personal projects, other jobs that require similar skill sets, etc.

Here’s an example of a candidate using their time as an intern to write an outstanding work experience section:

Experienced Account Manager

Experienced account managers should show the full extent of their competence through their professional experience section. This means highlighting outstanding results that directly demonstrate how your previous clients and employees benefited from your expertise.

Here’s a good example of a work history section for a key account manager:

Account Manager Resume Education Section

The education section of your resume serves to authenticate your skill set.

Typically, this part should be brief and show the following details: 

In practice, that looks like this:

However, if you’re a recent graduate or even still a student looking for your first job, you can add more to your education section. You can include a bullet list with notable details and relevant achievements like high GPA, relevant coursework, student projects, extracurricular activities, and more.

How to Add Account Manager Skills to Your Resume

There are two ways to add skills to your account manager resume, and you should utilize both to maximize your chances with recruiters.

These ways are:

Before that, you need to figure out which account manager skills to add in the first place. The best way to do that is to research the company and read the job ad. That will allow you to create a tailored collection of abilities that you know recruiters want to see instead of randomly adding every skill of yours that you can think of.

You can then include your list in the skills section, but make sure to keep hard skills and soft skills separate due to their differences. Finally, mention the most important skills in your resume objective, summary, and work experience sections, preferably next to relevant achievements.

Account Manager Hard Skills

Here are some of the account manager hard skills to include in your resume:

Account Manager Soft Skills

Some of the most important soft skills for account managers are:

Other Sections to Add to Your Account Manager Resume

Optional sections can secure you an interview on the spot as long as they convey highly valuable and relevant information about your competence.

Certifications

Certifications demonstrate specialized knowledge in specific areas in your field. They enhance your credibility and improve your employability. By adding certifications like Certified Strategic Account Manager (CSAM) or Key Account Management (KAM) to your resume, you show dedication to the craft, perseverance, diligence, and more.

Associations

Memberships in professional associations demonstrate that you’re an active individual who is committed to your career. That signals to potential employers that you’re up-to-date with the latest practices and that you’re likely a member of a strong network of professionals.

Some associations to list on your resume include the Strategic Account Management Association (SAMA) and the Association for Key Account Managers.

Volunteer Experience

Volunteer experience is one of the best sections to demonstrate valuable soft skills like collaboration, leadership, management, and organization. It also provides an insight into your personality, traits, and values outside work. Plus, it’s a great section to leverage if you don’t have enough professional experience.

Languages

Language skills can be highly valuable in the profession where a lot of work involves communicating with clients. This is especially important if you’re applying to work in a global company that caters to a diverse clientele. When listing proficiency in foreign languages, you should choose an established framework and start with the language you’re most proficient in.

Hobbies & Interests

Hobbies and interests are typically the least formal of all the sections you can add to your resume, but that doesn’t make it any less valuable. By briefly mentioning something you’re truly passionate about, you can stand out from the crowd. Your interests can also be great icebreakers during an interview.

Do I Need a Cover Letter as an Account Manager?

A cover letter is typically not a mandatory document when applying for a job, but it can drastically improve your chances of standing out from the competition.

On the one hand, an account manager cover letter represents an additional document that you can use to talk about your competence, qualifications, drive, and motivation. On the other hand, going the extra mile to write and submit an entirely optional cover letter shows dedication and willingness to go the extra mile.

5 Pro Tips for Writing an Account Manager Resume

Now that we’re done with the guide, let’s check out a couple of pro tips that can help you create a masterpiece:

Account Manager Resume Example

Use this example

Closing Thoughts

As you work on your account manager resume, remember to apply the same strategies that you do when negotiating with clients. However, instead of promoting products and services, your goal is to promote yourself and show potential employers that you’ll be an invaluable addition to their team.

You already know how to be strategic, detail-oriented, and people-centric. Simply apply those principles when writing a resume, and you’ll be halfway there. Don’t forget to leverage numbers to add measurable value to your accomplishments, as a resume is more than just a list of buzzwords.

By following these tips and guidelines, your interview will be right around the corner. Best of luck!