Writing a CV or resume for a Facilities Manager role can often feel like a daunting task. You need to showcase your skills, experience, and achievements in a way that grabs the attention of hiring managers.
This article is designed to guide you through the process of creating a compelling Facilities Manager CV or resume. We’ll provide you with clear, straightforward advice and real examples to help you craft a document that not only reflects your professional capabilities but also positions you strongly to be invited for a Facilities Manager interview.
Whether you’re new to the field or an experienced professional, these tips and examples will assist you in presenting your qualifications effectively to potential employers.
Contents
Read The Job Description / Advert
The first step is, of course, to read the job description. We need to know what the firm is looking for so that we can properly highlight these characteristics in our CV. So read back over the job description and try to pinpoint the important points. A lot of times a firm will call things “required”; if you see this, you need to make sure you include that in your CV. Similarly, if certain things are repeated throughout the advert, this indicates they are of high importance, so we will want to make sure our CV shows that as well.
When performing this analysis, take care to copy the ‘exact’ words and phrases that are being used by the hiring manager. We will want to pepper these into our CV later.
Facilities Manager Job Description Example
Facilities Manager Position Available
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Facilities Manager to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of our facilities, maintaining a safe and efficient working environment, and managing our facilities team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of our facilities, including maintenance, security, and cleaning.
- Develop and implement efficient maintenance schedules and procedures.
- Manage and coordinate with external contractors and service providers.
- Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Handle emergency situations and implement contingency plans.
- Manage and oversee building projects and renovations.
- Prepare and control the annual facilities budget.
- Implement energy-saving initiatives and sustainability practices.
- Conduct regular inspections of the facilities to determine repair or renovation needs.
- Lead, train, and supervise the facilities management team.
Qualifications:
- Proven experience as a Facilities Manager or relevant position.
- Strong knowledge of facilities management operations and best practices.
- Excellent organizational and leadership skills.
- Familiarity with financial and facilities management software.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- A degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, or relevant field is preferred.
We offer a competitive compensation package, opportunities for professional development, and a dynamic work environment. If you are a motivated individual with a passion for facilities management, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.
Research The Company
Time to put on your detective hat and do some research on your target company. Look at their website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. You are looking for any piece of intel that will give you the leg up.
- Find out about recent work/projects they have undertaken or will be embarking on (highlight your experience in these areas on your CV)
- Find out what software/processes they use and make sure you include your proficiency in them in your CV
- Learn what interview questions you might expect should you make it that far
See if you know anyone who works there and/or connect (LinkedIn) with people ahead of the interview. A little nepotism could never hurt, and you might be able to glean more information about the role/hiring process in the meantime.
Find A Good CV Template
When selecting a CV template, it’s essential to opt for a simple design and structure. Not only are straightforward layouts more compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), but they also make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly identify and understand key details. A clutter-free and organized CV ensures that your most important information stands out, facilitating a smoother review process for potential employers.
This is the CV template that we recommend (click here)
Write 2 Or 3 Bullet Points As A ‘Professional Summary’
A handy approach is to craft three sentences: the first highlighting your qualifications and experience, the second showcasing your biggest professional achievement, and the third detailing your most recent experience.
Facilities Manager Professional Summary Example
- With over 10 years of experience in facilities management, holding a Master’s degree in Facilities Management and a Certified Facility Manager (CFM) credential. Expertise encompasses overseeing large-scale commercial properties, focusing on operational efficiency, safety compliance, and team leadership.
- Spearheaded a major energy efficiency project at a leading commercial complex, successfully integrating an IoT-based energy management system using Honeywell Building Solutions, resulting in a 30% reduction in energy costs and a 25% decrease in carbon footprint within two years.
- Recently managed a team of 40+ staff at a high-profile corporate office, overseeing a 500,000 square foot area. Focused on implementing a CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) for streamlined operations, leading to a 20% increase in maintenance efficiency and a significant improvement in team productivity.
Detail Your Employment History
Begin by listing your employment history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. This allows potential employers to see your recent experience upfront, which holds greater value. Keep in mind that brevity is key.
As you go further back in time, reduce the level of detail to ensure your CV doesn’t exceed two pages. Employers are less likely to read lengthy CVs.
When writing about your responsibilities on your CV, focus on how you’ve excelled in those roles, especially as a Facilities Manager. Instead of simply stating “Managed facility operations,” you could say, “Effectively oversaw operations of a 1 million square foot commercial property, enhancing operational efficiency by 25% through strategic process improvements.” This approach not only shows that you were in charge of facility operations but also highlights your ability to significantly improve efficiency. It’s about turning a basic job duty into a story of your success and impact.
Detail Your Education History
Keep your CV concise, aiming for a two-page limit. The education section can often be streamlined.
Highlight the most relevant qualifications. For instance, if you have a degree, your A-levels become less significant. Similarly, if you’re in the U.S., having an MBA overshadows your high school GPA.
Unless an older educational milestone is crucial for the job or highly pertinent, focus on showcasing your Bachelor’s degree, post-graduate studies, or professional certifications. If you lack these, mention your latest qualifications. Remember, having a Master’s suggests you’ve finished school, so no need to state the obvious. Only include your educational background if it’s pertinent to the job.
CV Structure
Tactically structure your CV to the ‘most wanted’ attributes of the job description. For example, if the job description values “qualified”, then place your qualifications first; if they want someone with RECENT experience, put your last job up top. If they want multiple years of experience, highlight your tenure.
We always recommend that you have a Professional Summary up top (after your name/contact info), as it will be the first thing that anyone reads. As discussed earlier, this should be tailored towards the job advert and showcase your experience and skills in what the employer is looking for.
A fairly typical structure would go:
- Name and contact info
- Professional Summary
- Current (or most recent employment)
- Education & Professional Qualifications
- Employment History
WHAT NOT TO DO
Now that we’ve discussed what you should be including in your CV, let’s look at some things that you should avoid doing.
- Do not include personal history or likes. Employers are not going to care about your hobbies, so unless you have some inside information that the hiring manager only hires people who play a particular sport, for example, then leave your extracurricular activities off your CV. This does not extend to things like volunteer or charity work. Definitely include that if you have the space.
- Do not list your skillset and the tools/applications you have experience with. It takes up valuable space and is often obvious (Skilled in Excel…?). Instead, include these in your achievements section (Example: “Used Asana to manage and coordinate tasks for a remote team of 25 members”).
- Do not include references or “references available on request”. If employers want a reference, they will ask you for them; otherwise, this is just wasted space on your CV.
- Do not include a photo of yourself unless specifically asked. In many countries, including the UK and US, you should not include a photo of yourself on your CV/resume. Companies don’t want you to do it, as it opens them up to liability, and there is absolutely nothing for you to gain by doing so – plus, you are making it easier for firms to discriminate against you, either implicitly or explicitly.
- Do not use any fancy graphic or artistic CV format. Most CVs come in a standard format, allowing Application Tracking Software, recruiters and hiring managers to easily pick out the key pieces of information they need quickly based on their experience. If you throw them a CV in an artistic format, they are more likely to get annoyed and throw your application away. This is not a situation where standing out is good. You want your skills/experience to be noted, not your CV format.
- Do not include your previous salaries. This will severely impact your negotiation abilities down the line.
Facilities Manager CV Tips – Recap
Let’s recap what we’ve discussed so far:
Understand the Role and Industry ? Get a solid grasp of what a Facilities Manager does and the skills required. Make sure your CV reflects these points, showing how your experience aligns with the responsibilities of a Facilities Manager.
Highlight Relevant Experience ? Focus on experiences that directly relate to facilities management, such as managing buildings, overseeing maintenance teams, or implementing safety protocols.
Quantify Achievements ? Instead of vague statements, use numbers to demonstrate your impact. For example, stating “Reduced energy costs by 20% through efficient management” is more impactful than just “Managed energy costs.”
Showcase Leadership and Management Skills ? Leadership is a key aspect of a Facilities Manager’s role. Emphasize any experience where you’ve led teams, managed large projects, or coordinated with multiple departments.
Detail Your Technical Skills ? Mention any relevant software or tools you’re proficient in, like CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) or BIM (Building Information Modeling).
Include Certifications and Education ? If you have a degree in Facilities Management or related fields, or certifications like Certified Facility Manager (CFM), make sure these are prominently displayed.
Keep It Concise and Clear ? Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. Your CV should be easy to read and understand.
Customize for the Job ? Tailor your CV for each application, aligning your skills and experiences with the specific job description.
Proofread and Format Professionally ✅ Check for typos and ensure your CV has a clean, professional layout, reflecting your attention to detail, a crucial skill for a Facilities Manager.
Facilities Manager CV Sample
Below is an example CV from someone with a number of years experience in the field. For an editable .DOCX version, click here.
