Check your account manager CV against the job advert
Account manager adverts look for people who keep clients happy and growing. Show the size of your accounts, how you looked after them, and what grew.
Start with your advert
Every account manager advert is different. The list below is what adverts for this job usually ask for, not what yours does. So start with your advert:
- Read the advert and copy out every "must have" or "essential" line, then the "desirable" ones.
- For each one, find the line in your CV that proves it. If you can't point to a line, that's a gap.
- Fill the gap with something true: a duty, a setting, a qualification or a result you really have. If you don't have it, say what you have that's closest, or leave it out.
Our guide to matching your CV to a job description goes through this in more detail.
What account manager adverts usually ask for
A portfolio of clients
Why they askAdverts want to know the size and type of accounts you've managed.
How to show itGive the number and type of accounts, and their value if you know it.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Managed [number] [type of] accounts worth about £[amount] a year.
Retention and renewals
Why they askKeeping clients is often the first target.
How to show itDescribe how you kept clients and any result.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Ran [quarterly reviews / check-ins] with clients; [result on renewals if known].
Growing accounts
Why they askUpselling and cross-selling are common targets.
How to show itGive a real example.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Grew [client or account type] by introducing [product or service].
Reporting and CRM
Why they askAccount managers report on performance and keep CRM records.
How to show itName tools and reports.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Prepared [performance reports] for clients and kept records in [CRM].
Only use a line if it's true for you. Swap each [gap] for your own detail: the setting, the number, the tool or the result. If you can't fill a gap honestly, cut that part of the line.
Mistakes that cost account manager applications
- No account sizes.
- Listing duties without one example of a client you helped.
Questions
Is account management a sales job?
Usually partly. Most roles have retention and growth targets, so show both relationship skills and results.