Customer success manager resume examples
Why this is a good resume for entry-level customer success managers
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Kicks off with a clear objective
This budding customer success manager effectively uses a career objective to highlight their aspirations. Lacking extensive work experience, they emphasize their educational background and transferable skills.
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Represents a diverse skill set
Entry-level roles require a mix of hard and soft skills. This resume effectively portrays the full range of a skill set, from client onboarding to understanding customer relationship management (CRM) tools.
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Outlines relevant education
The resume features an education section, where the candidate underscores their credentials with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Why this is a good resume for experienced customer success managers
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Highlights advanced certifications
The resume features a section dedicated to advanced certifications and ongoing education, emphasizing the candidate’s commitment to staying at the forefront of customer success methods and best practices.
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Showcases leadership and mentoring skills
The resume reflects the candidate’s ability to lead teams, mentor junior staff and drive customer success initiatives. These leadership skills are crucial for experienced customer success managers who want to show their capacity to guide and inspire their team.
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Details significant achievements and KPIs
Significant achievements and key performance indicators (KPIs) are highlighted, indicating the candidate’s track record of success in driving customer satisfaction, reducing churn and increasing customer lifetime value.
Looking for a specific job title? Check out more resume examples you might be interested in:
Choose the best format for your customer success manager resume
For every job seeker, choosing a resume format is a key step in creating a resume. You should pick a format that’s well-suited for the current stage in your professional journey. There are three main options to choose from:
After you’ve selected the right format, the next step is to choose a design that reflects your professionalism.
Select a polished customer success manager resume template
Your resume template should be a reflection of your professional identity. It needs to be visually appealing and structured in a way that showcases your career trajectory clearly and efficiently, much like you’d map out a customer’s journey.
For your occupation, a simple resume template might be the best bet, as the clean, uncluttered design perfectly embodies your principles of clarity and communication. Ultimately, this minimalist approach ensures that your accomplishments, skills and experiences are the focal points.
If you’re looking to infuse a touch of contemporary elegance into your resume, consider a modern template instead. With its blend of color and clean lines, it can subtly reflect innovation while maintaining a professional tone.
Meanwhile, you can make a truly bold statement with a creative resume. This style helps you showcase your unique sensibility and flair, which are prized qualities in many industries. Just be careful that the design complements rather than overshadows the content.
Given the fast-paced nature of customer success roles, hiring managers often have to sift through a huge pile of applications quickly. Opt for a template that emphasizes your key skills, client testimonials and notable accomplishments at a glance. Clear section headings, bullet points and strategic use of white space can help guide the reader’s attention and make sure that they take away the most important information.
If you’re looking for a specific file format, we have multiple options to download, including Word resume templates and Google Doc templates.
With the right template in hand you can craft a resume that sets you apart. Let’s get started!
How to write a customer success manager resume in 5 easy steps
Navigating your industry requires more than an understanding of your customers’ needs. Yes, your skills are important, but you should know how to present them in the most effective way. Your resume is your professional storybook, and with the right details, it can pave the way to exciting opportunities.
Ready to chart out your path? Let’s walk through this, step-by-step.
Dive into the job description
Job listings are invaluable guides for all professionals, especially for customer success managers. Delve deep into these descriptions to identify key skills and attributes — such as client onboarding, churn reduction or strategic account planning — that are sought after in the industry. This will also give you insights into what specific companies or sectors expect from a top-tier customer success manager, allowing you to tailor your resume to fit those needs.
Remember, hiring managers often have a checklist of specific skills or experiences they’re looking for. These often translate into keywords that they use to screen applications.
A carefully tailored resume will integrate these keywords, signaling to employers that you’re not just a fit, but the perfect fit. If your resume misses these keywords, there’s a risk of it being sidelined.
To craft an ATS-friendly resume, align it with the job description. Successfully integrating the right keywords enhances your chances of securing that all-important interview.
For example, if a job description focuses on “strategic account planning” or “client onboarding,” ensure those terms find a place in your resume, provided they genuinely reflect your experience. Integrity is key; always be truthful about your skills and experiences.
Seek opportunities within your professional summary, skills section and work experience to weave in these identified keywords. Ensure that your phrasing aligns with the job description, creating a resonance with potential employers.
By embedding relevant keywords from the job listing — like “strategic account planning” or “client onboarding” — you’ll not only pass the initial automated screenings but also capture the attention of hiring professionals.
Embarking on the writing journey might seem daunting initially, but remember, every great story starts with a single word. With a bit of practice and focus, you’ll design a resume that reflects your skills and resonates with your future employers.
Illuminate your journey with a professional summary
As a customer success manager, your career might be filled with stories of client relationships nurtured, challenges overcome and goals achieved. Now comes the time to summarize it in a paragraph.
You’ll start your resume by encapsulating your experiences with a resume profile. There are two main types of resume profiles you can consider: professional summaries and career objectives. Both can spotlight your strengths in the realm of customer success.
Professional summaries offer a snapshot of your career, highlighting key milestones and achievements. They’re perfect for those who have steadily climbed the ladder in your field, showcasing accomplishments like client retention rates or successful product adoption strategies in the context of previous roles.
Resume objectives, meanwhile, focus on your future aspirations and what you aim to achieve in your next role. They’re especially valuable for job seekers who are newer to the field or those looking to pivot into a new niche within it. This format allows you to spotlight transferable skills and other abilities you’ve honed outside of the workplace.
Let’s see how each of these might appear on a customer success manager’s resume.
Customer success manager professional summary example:
Dedicated customer success manager with over eight years of experience in fostering client relationships and driving product adoption. Successfully managed a portfolio of 50+ key accounts, achieving a 95% retention rate. Recognized for a proactive approach in identifying client needs and crafting solutions that enhance user experience and drive growth.
Customer success manager resume objective example:
Energetic professional with a background in sales, eager to transition into a customer success manager role at XYZ Company. Passionate about understanding customer challenges and collaborating cross-functionally to ensure product value realization. Aims to leverage skills in communication and problem-solving to enhance client satisfaction and loyalty.
Highlight your key customer success skills
When it comes to customer success, your unique blend of skills can be the bridge between a satisfied customer and a brand advocate. That’s why showcasing a diverse set of skills is particularly important. There are two main types of skills to consider.
The first is hard skills. Your hard skills might include proficiency with customer relationship management (CRM) software, data analytics and product knowledge. In essence, these are concrete, measurable abilities that will help you use the tools and platforms essential to the role.
Soft skills are the heart and soul of customer success. Your ability to communicate effectively, empathize with clients and adapt to changing situations can be the key to building and maintaining strong customer relationships. These interpersonal abilities drive home your capacity to foster client loyalty.
Your role as a customer success manager is pivotal in making sure clients get as much value from your products or services as possible. Your skill set should show you’re solving problems for your customers and enhancing their experiences.
OK, let’s take a look at examples of skills that customer success managers often showcase on their resumes.
Essential skills for a customer success manager resume
Here’s an example of a well-structured customer success manager skills section:
- Proficient in leading CRM platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot.
- Strong analytical skills with a focus on customer behavior insights.
- Deep product knowledge and ability to train clients effectively.
- Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Proven track record in resolving customer issues promptly.
- Skilled in upselling and cross-selling techniques.
Pro Tip
Always stay updated with the latest computer skills. Being adept with emerging platforms and technologies will show employers you’re committed to staying up to date in the field.
Detail your customer success work history
If your resume is the story of your professional journey, then the work experience section is where you get to share your most powerful chapters. By laying out work experience on your resume, you offer hiring managers a glimpse into the roles you’ve played and the successes you’ve achieved.
Work experience isn’t about listing your responsibilities. You’re trying to make your history come alive by highlighting your achievements, collaborations and any initiatives you’ve led or been a part of. You want to show employers you have what it takes to succeed at their company.
To make your experiences stand out, consider using action words. These dynamic verbs can breathe life into your roles, making your contributions feel immediate and impactful.
Here’s an example of a standout customer success manager work history entry:
Customer Success Manager, TechSolutions Inc.
San Francisco, CA
June 2019 – Present
- Manage a portfolio of 50+ key accounts, achieving a 97% retention rate.
- Designed and implemented a feedback loop with clients, leading to a 30% improvement in product features based on user needs.
- Collaborated with sales and product teams to ensure seamless onboarding experiences, reducing churn by 20%.
- Conduct quarterly business reviews, identifying upsell opportunities and increasing revenue by 15%.
- Championed customer advocacy, resulting in a 25% increase in client referrals.
Pro Tip
The example above emphasizes the power of quantifiable achievements. Highlight metrics, particularly those related to customer feedback, to paint vivid picture of your impact and dedication to client satisfaction.
Highlight your training and education
Your educational background and training can help give you credibility in the job market. It’s essential to showcase this foundation on your resume, especially if you’re just starting your career.
We suggest listing your education on your resume. Start with the most advanced degree or certification you’ve earned, then work backward. While many in the customer success world might have degrees in business or communications, in reality the field attracts people from diverse educational backgrounds who can bring unique perspectives to the role.
Don’t forget to highlight any specialized training or workshops you’ve attended. This could range from courses in customer relationship management software, to workshops on effective communication, to leadership training programs. These additional credentials just might set you apart from other candidates who have similar experience levels.
How to list your education and training:
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
Bachelor of Science in Communications
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Certification in Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Tech Training Institute, San Francisco, CA
Optional sections for your customer success manager resume
Certifications and professional development
As you craft your resume as a customer success manager, consider emphasizing any certifications or professional development courses you’ve undertaken. These can demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in your field even after you graduate.
How to list certifications on your customer success manager resume:
Certified Customer Success Manager (CCSM) – Success Training Institute, 2023
- Completed an intensive course focusing on advanced strategies for customer retention and growth.
Professional Development Course in CRM Software – Tech Training Institute, 2020
- Underwent training on the latest CRM software tools to enhance customer relationship management.
Key Projects and achievements
Highlighting key projects and significant achievements can provide potential employers with a clear picture of your capabilities and results-driven approach.
How to list key projects on your customer success manager resume:
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Customer Retention Initiative
Led a team to implement a new customer feedback system, resulting in a 25% increase in customer retention rates. -
Onboarding Process Revamp
Designed and executed a new customer onboarding process, reducing customer churn in the first 90 days by 15%.
Workshops and seminars
Your participation in workshops and seminars can showcase your dedication to continuous learning and networking within the industry.
How to list workshops and seminars on your customer success manager resume:
- Advanced CRM Workshop, TechCon 2022, San Francisco, CA
- Customer Success Strategies Seminar, Success Summit 2021, New York, NY
Interests and hobbies
Including hobbies and interests can offer a glimpse into your personality outside of work. Ensure they’re relevant or provide transferable skills that can be beneficial in a customer success role.
How to list interests and hobbies on your customer success manager resume:
- Attending tech and customer success webinars.
- Maintaining a blog on customer relationship trends and best practices.
- Organizing local networking events for professionals in the customer success field.
Volunteer work
Showcasing volunteer work, especially if it’s related to customer relations or community engagement, can be a valuable addition. It demonstrates your commitment to using your skills for a broader good.
How to list volunteer work on your customer success manager resume:
- Organized and led customer service training for a local nonprofit.
- Volunteered at tech conferences, assisting in workshops and panel discussions.
- Initiated a mentorship program for aspiring customer success professionals in the community.
Add a cover letter
In a dynamic industry, a well-crafted cover letter can be the touchpoint that sets your application apart from the others.
Cover letters offer a unique opportunity to showcase your dedication to customer success, your understanding of the company’s products or services and your vision for fostering long-term customer relationships.
This space is perfect for offering insight into specific experiences where you’ve made an impact on customer retention or satisfaction. Maybe you want to share a story about turning a challenging customer situation into a success or how you’ve implemented a strategy that led to increased customer loyalty.
Plus, if there are any career gaps or unique issues revealed on your resume, the cover letter provides a platform to address them.
For those seeking guidance, our guide on how to write a cover letter and our collection of cover letter examples can offer valuable insights.
To ensure your cover letter aligns seamlessly with your resume, consider using a cover letter template from our Cover Letter Builder.
Let your dedication to customer success and your passion for building strong relationships shine through in your cover letter, positioning you as the ideal candidate for the role.
Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.
