Contract Negotiator Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Contract Negotiator resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Contract negotiators are responsible for helping companies secure the best possible deals when entering into an agreement with another entity. They’re also responsible for ensuring that both parties are held accountable for upholding their end of the contract.
Contract negotiators represent a company’s interests in all aspects of a deal—from defining the terms of the agreement to managing the details of implementation. They may also be called upon to help resolve disputes that arise between parties during the course of a contract.
To land a contract negotiating job, you’ll need to be able to showcase your skills and experience effectively on your resume. Here are some tips and an example to help you do just that.
How to Write a Contract Negotiator Resume
Here’s how to write a contract negotiator resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
Bullet points are the most effective way to showcase your experience and qualifications. But rather than simply listing your responsibilities, you can make your resume more interesting by using bullet points to describe the results of your work.
For example, rather than saying you “negotiated contracts with vendors,” you could say that you “negotiated contracts with 15+ vendors, resulting in an average savings of 15% on all contracts.”
The second bullet point is much more interesting because it provides specific numbers and details about the project. It also provides a clear outcome—15% savings on all contracts—which is always a good thing to include in your bullet points.
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you apply for a contract negotiator role, your resume is likely to go through an applicant tracking system (ATS). This system will scan your resume for certain keywords related to the job, like “contract negotiation” or “purchase order management.” If your resume doesn’t have enough of the right terms, the ATS might automatically reject your application.
The best way to make sure your resume makes it past the ATS is to include relevant keywords throughout all sections of your resume. You can find a list of common contract negotiator keywords below:
- Negotiation
- Contract Negotiation
- Contract Management
- Contract Law
- Contracting
- Government Contracting
- Supply Chain Management
- Strategic Negotiation
- Business Strategy
- Contractual Obligations
- Pricing Strategy
- Business Development
- Project Negotiation
- Contract Review
- Procurement
- Contractors
- Sales
- Contractors Negotiation
- Strategy
- Negotiable Instruments
- Contract Risk Assessment
- Litigation
- Legal Advice
- Commercial Litigation
- Legal Research
- Dispute Resolution
- Litigation Management
- Contract Law
- Claims Management
- Liability
Showcase Your Technical Skills
As a contract negotiator, you need to be proficient in the use of technology in order to effectively do your job. This might include familiarity with contract management software, negotiation software, or e-discovery platforms. Additionally, you need to be able to use Microsoft Office Suite programs, such as Word and Excel, to create and track contracts.
Recruiters are also looking for contract negotiators who are comfortable with technology and are willing to embrace new ways of working. For example, many businesses are now using online platforms to negotiate contracts, so negotiators who are familiar with these platforms will have an advantage in the job market.