Change manager CV (with tips, a template and an example)

Updated 29 March 2023

When companies go through large changes, such as mergers, expansions or policy updates, they may hire change managers to help them transition smoothly. Working as a change manager is an opportunity to help companies streamline and reorganise their strategies for reaching their goals and objectives. If you want to become a change manager, learning what to include in your CV may help you improve your chances of getting a job. In this article, we explain how to write a change manager CV, provide tips for writing one and include a template and an example for your reference.

How to write a change manager CV

Here are steps for writing a change manager CV, plus what to include in it:

1. Perform research

Before writing your CV, consider researching the change manager role and the company offering the position to help you learn what the employer wants in a candidate. The company's website can help you discover the organisation's mission, work environment and core values. The job description can also help you identify keywords, such as the qualifications and skills that hiring managers want.

2. Select a format

There are various CV formats that you can use depending on your qualifications and work history. An effective design can attract an employer's attention, improving your chances of getting an interview. This is because some companies use programs to screen CVs, and a professional format can help it read your details more easily. You can use a chronological, hybrid or skills-based format. You may also use professional templates to act as a guide.

3. Add your contact information

At the top of your CV, include your contact information. Insert your name, phone number, email address and location. Be sure to include current and accurate contact information in a visible font to help a hiring manager find it in case they want to contact you for an interview. You may also include a link to your digital portfolio, especially if you're applying online.

4. Include your professional summary

A professional summary highlights your career goals and professional qualifications. Make this section as brief as possible, with only two or three sentences. Include keywords from the job description demonstrating how you can fit into the organisation. The hiring managers may have many CVs to review, so it's best to make your summary compelling and clear to encourage the hiring manager to keep reading it.

5. Describe your professional experience

Below your professional summary, expand on your experience for the change manager role. Write your past roles in reverse chronological order, with your most recent and relevant job listed first. For each position, include your job title, period of employment, company name, location and responsibilities. For your most recent job, list at least five bullet points describing your duties using the present tense, and for the other work experiences, list three bullet points using the past tense. Typical duties of a change manager that you can mention in this section include:

developing change implementation strategies
researching to assess how changes impact employees
reporting to supervisors about change progression
educating team members about the transition
ascertaining the potential risks associated with suggested changes
identifying and managing any resistance to proposed changes
reporting any issues that arise from implementing changes
helping managers define employee responsibilities and roles after implementing changes
developing metrics to measure the success of implemented changes

6. List your skills

Add at least five skills related to a change management role in this section. List hard and soft skills, and include keywords from the job description. Change managers may use various soft skills to help organisations adapt to new changes, such as organisation, time management and adaptability. They may also require hard skills, such as knowledge of slide presentation computer programs and market research. Consider listing your skills in bullet form to make them concise.

7. Highlight your educational background

List your educational background, starting with your highest or most recent achievement. For each achievement, mention the diploma's or degree's title, the grades you obtained, the institution's name and your graduation date. Including the graduation date is not necessary if you graduated more than three years ago.

Change manager positions generally have no specific education requirements, but academic qualifications can help you be more competitive, increasing your chances of getting a job offer. Change managers typically pursue degrees in organisational development, workplace psychology and organisational behaviour. Degrees related to business administration and management are also relevant to this field.

Tips to differentiate your CV

Here are tips to help you write a compelling CV:

Use action words

Use action words to explain your skills and achievements. These words can make your CV exceptional and help you sound more confident. Action words you can use include directed, oversaw, developed and coordinated.

Customise your CV for each role

If you're applying for change manager roles in several organisations, consider creating different CVs for each application. For each job you apply for, match your skills and qualifications to the keywords listed in the job description. That way, your CV reflects what the employer is looking for in a change manager candidate, improving your chances of getting several interviews.

Focus on clarity

A clear CV can encourage the interviewer to keep reading it because it's easy to scan and review. Use short sentences, simple words, separate segments and bold text to help the hiring manager scan it. Recruiters usually have many CVs to examine, so focusing on clarity can ensure you capture the most relevant information within your CV.

Change manager CV template

Here's a CV template for a change manager role for your reference:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable]
[Phone number] | [Email address] | [City]

Professional Summary
[Two to three sentences that highlight years of experience, relevant skills, education or certifications and achievements as a professional].

Experience
[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

Education
[Degree], [Subject], [Name of school or university]
[City]

Example change manager CV

Here's an example CV for a change manager role that you can use as a guide to preparing your own:

Owen Wells
+44 5554 577654 | owenwells@email.com | Manchester

Professional Summary
Seasoned change manager with over five years of experience assessing business operations to meet best practices and needs. Possess a proven ability to make sustainable changes across a range of business operations and looking to pursue new professional challenges within a growing company.

Experience
Change Manager | December 2020–Current
Conro Capital | Manchester

executed change management plans that contributed to a 60% improvement in efficiency
define change management plans, project scope and targets
find and implement new business opportunities by utilising networking strategies
identify and manage interior and exterior resistance to proposed changes
constantly review and analyse changes to assess how they impact employees

Change Manager | June 2018–November 2020
Best Allianz Technical | Manchester

analysed and reduced the impact of change on the business
prepared cost-benefit analysis reports convincing the management of the benefits of implementing new changes
developed training documentation and programmes to help supervisors and managers implement various practices, making the transition easier for employees and management

Education
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Manchester University
Manchester

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.