Farm Manager Resume Example & Writing Guide

Farm managers oversee all operations on a farm or ranch, ensuring that the business runs smoothly and profitably. They’re responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling all aspects of the farm—from finances to human resources to inventory management.

Because there are so many different types of farms, farm managers can specialize in any number of areas, from crop production to livestock management. Some are responsible for managing large staffs, while others oversee small teams of workers directly. And depending on the size and scope of their operation, farm managers might work directly with the owner or president of their company or report directly to a corporate headquarters.

Regardless of your unique background and experience, your resume should highlight your ability to manage people and resources effectively while maintaining an eye on the bottom line. Here are some tips and an example to help you write a strong farm manager resume that will land you an interview.

How to Write a Farm Manager Resume

Here’s how to write a farm manager resume of your own.

Write Compelling Bullet Points

When you’re writing your resume, it can be tempting to focus on the responsibilities of your job. But that’s not enough to make a hiring manager take notice. Instead, you should focus on the results of your work.

For example, rather than saying you “managed farm staff,” you could say that you “increased farm staff by 20%, resulting in a 15% increase in crop yield.”

The second bullet point is much stronger because it provides specific numbers and details about how you contributed to the company’s bottom line.

Related: What Is a Farm Manager? How to Become One

Identify and Include Relevant Keywords

When you submit your resume online, it’s likely that it will be scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) for certain keywords. These programs look for certain terms related to the job in order to determine whether or not you are a good fit. If your resume doesn’t have enough of the right keywords, the ATS might not even forward your application to a recruiter.

The best way to make sure your resume includes the right keywords is to read through job postings and take note of the terms that are used most often. Then, use those same terms on your resume. Here are some of the most common farm manager keywords:

Showcase Your Technical Skills

Farm managers need to be proficient in a variety of software programs in order to effectively manage their operations. This might include farm management software, GPS systems, and mapping software. Additionally, farm managers need to be familiar with financial software in order to track expenses and budget for projects.

Related: How Much Does a Farm Manager Make?

Remember The Basics

As you draft your resume, there are a few basic rules to keep in mind.

Make It Easy to Scan

There are a few things you can do to make your resume easier to read. First, left-align all your text and use the same font size throughout. You should also try to keep your bullets under 2 lines each and use digits for numbers. Finally, leave some white space on the page to break up the text and make it easier to scan.

Be Concise

There is no set standard for how long a resume should be. However, it is generally recommended that a resume is one page long for those with less than 10 years of experience, and two pages long for those with more experience. When trimming down a resume, it is important to remove any irrelevant information and focus on the most relevant experience and skills.

Proofread

Proofreading your resume is important in order to make sure it looks professional and error-free. Spell checking is a must, as are punctuation and grammar checks. It is also helpful to have someone else proofread your resume for you, as they may catch mistakes that you have missed. Beware of easily confused words, and make sure that your tense is consistent throughout the resume.

Consider a Summary

Most job seekers include a resume summary statement to provide context for their experience and to illustrate how their skills might be a good fit for the role they are applying to. A well-written summary can also show a potential employer your future intentions and how you see your experience translating into the new role. When creating your own summary, be sure to focus on your relevant skills, play up your strengths, and keep it brief and to the point.

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