How to Create an Innovation Manager Resume (With Example)

Updated 20 February 2023

A resume is an important aspect of your job search because it can highlight that you're a unique and valuable candidate for a job position. If you're pursuing a career as an innovation manager, an effective resume might help you successfully gain an interview. Reading an example resume might inspire you, helping you to create your own. In this article, we outline the steps for creating an innovation manager resume and provide you with a resume template and an example resume.

How to write your innovation manager resume

Here are nine steps to help you write an impressive innovation manager resume:

1. Study the job description

Studying the job description before you submit your resume is an important step. Ensure you understand the job, qualification and skill requirements thoroughly. Identify keywords used throughout the advertisement to describe the requirements, so that you can incorporate them into the body of your resume. The recruiting manager often includes specific steps to follow and information to include in your application. You might also pay close attention to these details so you can ensure you adhere to the instructions listed in the advertisement.

2. Begin with your contact details

Include your contact details at the top of your resume. This ensures they're easy to find if a recruiter wishes to contact you. In this section, you could include your full name, current professional title, email address, phone number and the city and state you live in. You can also include any professional social media or website links. It might be beneficial to write your name in a bold or larger font, allowing your resume to be easily identifiable.

3. Write a professional summary

A professional summary is a brief statement that informs an employer of your most relevant skills and experiences. When you write a professional summary, it's important to use active language. Active language can entice the employer to keep reading your resume and find out more about your knowledge and expertise. This introduction, although brief, is important because it's likely the first section a recruiting manager reads.

4. List your skills

When you list your skills, it's important to list them neatly and professionally. This is because it can help deliver the information quicker. The earlier a recruiting manager understands if your skills are a good fit for the company, the sooner they can decide whether they want to contact you for an interview. As you list your skills, it's important to also consider your soft skills, such as communication and time management, in addition to your experience in the employer's field or industry.

For example, if it's a computer engineering company, it's helpful to have experience in that field. If the employer believes that you have a better understanding of the computer engineering field, they might feel more confident in using your innovative ideas and strategies.

5. Add your work experience

As you add your work experience, start with the title of your position, followed by the name of the company that employed you and the date you started and ended the role. If you're still working there, write 'current' instead of an end date. You can then add a bullet-point list of your responsibilities while working in that position. You could also include any major achievements you earned.

Adding these lists of responsibilities can help you target keywords from the job description more effectively. It can also allow you to go into more detail about things you mentioned in your professional summary or skills section. When writing about your work experience, it can be helpful to use numbers when talking about achievements. For example, if your ideas helped save your previous employer money, tell the recruiting manager how much they saved.

6. List your education

As you list your education, start with the title of the qualification you achieved, followed by the educational institution you studied at and the date you graduated. You can then include any special achievements or results you received while studying. When listing your education, start with the most recent award first. If you have an extensive education history, you can choose to only include your most recent and relevant qualifications. This section allows a recruiting manager to appreciate your education and capabilities.

7. Include additional certifications

The last section of your resume is where you can include any additional certifications. These can vary widely, depending on the industry where you want to work. Include any certifications you've achieved that could apply to the role you're applying for. If these certifications expire eventually, you might include the date of expiry as well.

8. Proofread your resume

This important step allows you to feel confident in submitting a professional and well-written resume. You can use a spellcheck tool to proofread, but it might also be beneficial to proofread manually. When proofreading, check for grammatical and spelling errors. Ensure your information is concise. You might also consider requesting feedback from someone you trust. This is a helpful way to identify and correct any errors you may have overlooked.

9. Adjust your resume for each application

It's important to adjust your resume to mention the specific company to which you're applying. Mentioning the company by name can help show the employer that you've tailored your resume to that particular role, highlighting your passion and enthusiasm for the position. This can help attract the attention of employers. You can also research the company's values and goals, adjusting your resume to reflect these and establish your candidacy for the role.

What is an innovation manager?

An innovation manager is a professional who helps companies ensure they can continue to innovate and generate new and exciting ideas. They train other employees to help them develop their creative thinking and problem-solving skills. This role often requires strong soft skills, including communication, analysis and critical thinking. An innovation manager often works closely with company executives and helps them develop new products or achieve certain business objectives.

The role of the innovation manager, their title and their responsibilities can vary from company to company. That's why it's important to read through the job description and understand what the company expects from a candidate. Having a better understanding of what an innovation manager does can help you write a stronger resume and prepare you for the rest of the hiring process.

Resume template for innovation managers

Below is a resume template you can use to create your resume for a role in innovation management:

[Your full name]
[Current professional title] | [Email address] | [Phone number] | [City and state] | [Website or social media link]

Professional Summary
[One to three sentences emphasising your candidacy by explaining your unique skills, qualifications and experience.]

Skills
[A list of your relevant skills]

Work History
[Position title]
[Company name]
[Dates of employment]

[Key responsibility]
[Key responsibility]
[Key responsibility]
[Key responsibility]
[Key responsibility]

[Position title]
[Company name]
[Dates of employment]

[Key responsibility]
[Key responsibility]
[Key responsibility]

Education History
[Name of qualification]
[Educational institution]
[Date achieved]
[Special recognition or awards]

Certifications
[Any additional certifications that can relate to an innovation manager's role]

Resume example for innovation managers

Here's an example of an innovation manager's resume for you to review:

Melanie Horne Innovation manager | mhorneinnovations@email.com | 0455 555 555 | Newcastle NSW

Professional Summary
Dynamic and creative innovation manager with three years of experience in the technical healthcare industry. Eager to offer my expertise after accurately and effectively diversifying virtual care activities, increasing client satisfaction by 70% while reducing company costs by 30%.

Work History
Innovation manager
Brass Link
January 2019–Current

Develop and manage innovation initiatives
Begin emerging technology scans, trend analysis and estimates
Provide recommendations, insights and briefings on virtual care
Identify, summarise and document evidence that supports the case for change
Write and present high-quality innovation deliverables

Innovation officer
The University of Southern Parramatta
May 2016–December 2018

Pursued a range of different projects from start to finish
Innovated education practices, processes and systems
Ensured we met quality assurance throughout teaching and learning

Education History
Bachelor of Innovation Management (Honours)
The University of River Bank
November 2018

Certifications
First Aid Certificate (Expiry 2024) | CPR Certificate (Expiry 2023)