How to write a shift manager CV (with template and example)

Updated 14 April 2023

Shift managers oversee operations in the absence of general or assistant managers and ensure everything runs smoothly. If you have experience and a passion for working in a particular sector, a career as a shift manager is a good option. If a shift manager role interests you, knowing how to write an effective CV that highlights your skills may be beneficial in attracting the attention of hiring managers. In this article, we discuss what a shift manager's role entails and provide steps for writing a shift manager CV with a template and an example.

What is a shift manager?

Shift managers oversee operations in the absence of a company's assistant or general manager. Although shift manager roles can vary depending on the type of business they work in, all shift managers share some fundamental similarities:

They manage staff and assign duties

When regular managers aren't present or require someone to oversee the daily operations of their staff and business, shift managers work to ensure the business runs smoothly. Their role includes supervising shifts and customer interactions, allocating duties, covering employee shifts if necessary and training new team members.

They provide customer satisfaction

Shift managers have a duty of care to an organisation's customers. For example, in the restaurant industry, this may include greeting and checking with customers during their meals, handling any issues or concerns professionally and ensuring the restaurant completes all customer orders to a high standard of quality. This also includes relaying customer feedback to appropriate staff members and creating action plans to improve the customer experience.

They handle business administrative duties

Shift managers handle various administrative duties that keep a business running smoothly. These include ordering stock and supplies when required, overseeing the collection of time sheets and handling payroll administration, receiving deliveries and quality-checking goods, recording sales numbers and opening or closing the business. These duties may vary according to the type of business in which they work.

How to write a shift manager CV

If you have the interpersonal and organisational skills and overall business expertise it takes to work in this role, write a shift manager CV that attracts the attention of potential employers. Consider the following steps to create an effective CV that appropriately and professionally highlights your suitability as a shift manager:

1. Highlight your personal information

The first thing to include in your CV is your personal information. This includes your full name and title, a contact telephone number, a professional email address and a professional website if you have one. Make this information clear and easy to identify and keep it succinct by only including the most relevant information and leaving out auxiliary facts, such as your age.

2. Include a professional summary

After your personal information, write a concise professional summary that highlights your most important skills and achievements as a shift manager. Restrict this section to about two to three sentences and include only your most relevant skills and qualifications. For example, if you have previous experience as a restaurant shift manager where the business experienced a marked improvement during your time there, mention that fact here.

3. List your recent and relevant work history

Employers look for practical examples of your experience in the industry and that's what your work history can demonstrate. Start with your most recent job and use a reverse chronological order to list your previous roles. Because shift management is a highly diverse role requiring many different kinds of skills, use this section to highlight anything relevant to the job you're applying for, such as working as a payroll administrator for a busy manufacturing plant.

4. Include your education

Becoming a successful shift manager doesn't require specific qualifications and many employers may value experience over education. Including your educational background with your work experience can demonstrate your skills as a professional who can work to deadlines and achieve goals. Because this role is so varied, any educational accomplishment can boost your candidacy, so be sure to mention any higher education or second-level qualifications.

5. Provide a comprehensive skills section

An in-depth and comprehensive skills section allows you to show employers what makes you the ideal candidate for the open position. Be sure to mention the hard and soft skills you've developed during your work experiences that you can use in the role for which you're applying. For example, if you developed an excellent sense of customer service while working as a customer service representative or as a server in a busy restaurant, mention that here.

6. Include any other qualifications you have

Because shift management is so multifaceted and doesn't require specific educational qualifications, adding additional qualifications can help you further distinguish yourself. Consider including any relevant certifications you may hold that emphasise your abilities. All kinds of qualifications can help you in this role, such as competence in first aid, payroll or human resources.

Related: 8 essential supervisor skills

Shift manager template CV

Once you've gathered all your relevant information, it's time to start writing your CV. While you begin this process, it's helpful to know how it may look on paper. Here's a CV template to help you visualise this:

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

Professional Summary
[Two to three sentences that highlight your 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 and subject], [Name of school or university]

Certifications
[Certification name], [Host organisation] - [Year completed or expiration date]

Shift manager example CV

Here's a CV example for a restaurant shift manager:

Stephen Greaves
+44 7777 000777 | stephen.andrew.greaves@email.com | Edinburgh

Professional Summary
Highly qualified restaurant shift manager with more than ten years of experience in all aspects of busy restaurant environments. Demonstrated shift leader in all aspects of the restaurant industry, including payroll, shift scheduling, order placement, sales control and quality assurance. Skilled problem solver with an aptitude for hiring and training quality staff and improving customer relations with thorough and quality-driven communication.

Experience
Shift Manager | April 2018–Current
The Highlander | Edinburgh

provide high-quality training to serving and kitchen staff
oversee, direct and advise staff throughout their shifts
oversee all restaurant administrative operations, including payroll, stock control and shift scheduling
improve the restaurant's quality assurance process to better align with industry quality standards and regulations
ensure a great experience for all restaurant patrons, greeting guests and swiftly handling concerns or issues

Crew Trainer | March 2015–April 2018
Stockbridge Eatery | Glasgow

oversaw all aspects of training new restaurant staff, both front and back of the house, to ensure high-quality employees
assisted management in creating comprehensive training courses and materials
researched the latest quality assurance restaurant standards to ensure compliance at all times

Education
B.Sc. Business Administration, Strathclyde University

Certifications
First Aid, St. John's Ambulance - 2020

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