Planning to apply for a position as a facility manager? You’re in luck—there’s more demand than ever for facility professionals. Like any in-demand job, you’ll need to stand out from your peers. The best way is through a well-crafted résumé, structured to show why you’re qualified. A facility manager résumé isn’t difficult to create; you need to illustrate value with the right skills, approach, and fundamental comprehension of the position.
It’s a smart idea to take a résumé refresher before you compile yours. Format, structure, and formalities all matter. Once you’ve got the basics down, comb through section by section and highlight relevant information aligned with facilities management. Here’s what to focus on:
Objective
Your facility manager résumé objective is arguably the most important part of the CV. Put it front and center at the top of the page, right below your name and contact information. It shouldn’t be long—a couple of sentences—but it should encapsulate the ideas you want to communicate about your candidacy. Here are a few points to address:
- Why you’re qualified to be a facility manager
- What skills you bring to the table
- How you plan to add value if given the position
- What opportunities you see professionally
Think of the objective as a quick explanation for everything else to follow. Grab the hiring manager’s attention and get them to explore further. Here’s an example:
Recent graduate and newly credentialed FMP® seeking an opportunity to apply an inclination for strategic problem-solving in an established company environment. Aiming to supplement extensive education with practical experience, bringing long-term value to an organization that allows me to grow with it. Passionate about data, technology, and building positive relationships.
Your résumé should speak to your skills, education, and abilities in a way that backs up your objective. You’ve stated what you’re looking for—now, show them how you’re qualified to achieve it.
Work Experience
List your work experience from your most recent job through the last two or three positions you’ve had. Don’t overwhelm the hiring manager. Just show that you’ve had reliable employment going back the last few years. Even more important, list the duties and achievements from your most recent positions.
Emphasize duties and accomplishments that align with facility management objectives. For example, if you created a new system to file and retrieve documents at your old job, list it. It’s a good parallel for problem-solving something like workplace arrangement. Likewise, show real data improvements wherever possible. You need to make it clear that you understand the nature of facilities management: organization, improvement, problem-solving, and balance.
Education
Facility management is traditionally a job that requires higher education. Most companies want a Bachelor’s Degree in business—usually general business administration. Other degrees are cross-applicable, but should focus on the fundamentals of business management. You should feel comfortable with the basic ins and outs of business, and understand the impact of business policy on production and the workforce.
List your degree, the institution you received it from, the dates attended, and any accolades you graduated with. It’s also smart to list your minor if you studied one, even if you don’t think it applies. Many companies want to see not only a relevant degree, but that you were a capable and successful college student. College is tough! Don’t sell yourself short on accomplishments. Show that you buckled down and came out the other side with a well-rounded skill set—not just what it takes to do one specific job.
Certifications, Accreditations, and Memberships
Last, but certainly not any less important on a facility manager résumé, is a section for certifications, accreditations, and memberships. Here’s where you’ll list your IFMA certifications, facility management or building accreditations, and any industry memberships related to facility management.
It’s an important section that can boost your reputability as a seasoned FM or show your tenacity as a budding professional. If you have experience as a facility manager, this section shows you’re an active participant in this evolving industry. If you don’t have the work experience, emphasis on this section shows your dedication to the pursuit of a fruitful career in the field. Either way, make sure you’ve got certifications, accreditations, and memberships specific to the industry.
Don’t forget a cover letter
When finished, you should have a résumé that speaks to one specific thing: your desire to work as a facility manager. Read it, re-read it, and let a friend review it to make sure your message and qualifications are clear. A good rule of thumb? Your résumé should sound out of context for any other job other than a facility manager—that’s how you know it’s specific and tailored. Want to make sure you’ve got the right tone? Check out a few facilities manager sample ideas to get a sense of tone, buzzwords, and structure.
And don’t forget a cover letter. Your cover letter is a personal introduction and one of the best ways to stand out from other applicants with your same skill set and desire. It’s your shot to put a personality to the list of work experience and qualifications attached. Good luck!
Keep reading: The Modern Facilities Management Job Description
By Jonathan Davis
Jonathan writes about asset management, maintenance software, and SaaS solutions in his role as a digital content creator at Eptura. He covers trends across industries, including fleet, manufacturing, healthcare, and hospitality, with a focus on delivering thought leadership with actionable insights. Earlier in his career, he wrote textbooks, edited NPC dialogue for video games, and taught English as a foreign language. He holds a master's degree in journalism.
