Embarking on a career in project management as an intern requires a resume that effectively showcases your skills and experience. This article provides examples of proven resumes and strategic advice tailored for those seeking internships in project management. Learn how to highlight relevant coursework, team projects, and any practical experience to catch the eye of recruiters. The tips shared here are informed by industry standards and the expectations of hiring managers.
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Here's what strong project management intern resumes have in common.
Show Impact With Numbers: The best resumes show your impact with numbers. They use metrics like
Match Skills To The Job Description: Include skills on your resume that you have and are listed in the job description. Popular ones for this role are
Understand The Industry Tools: Every industry has preferred tools. Show you can use important tools like
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For aspiring project management interns, the education section plays a prominent role in your resume. As you're probably a recent graduate or a student, this should be placed at the very top. This is a place to highlight your degree, relevant courses, and key academic achievements.
However, if you've undertaken further meaningful education, like a postgraduate degree or professional courses, list them first. This approach will get the attention of employers and explain any gaps in your employment history. As a potential project management intern, project-based courses or any certifications should be highlighted.
Breaking into project management requires certain specific qualifications. Highlight any experience or knowledge you have about project management methodologies, like Agile or Scrum. This is something potential employers will be looking for.
Also, don’t forget to mention any software skills you have, like proficiency in Microsoft Project or similar project management tools. Knowing how to use these tools is not common in other fields and it can set you apart in the field of project management.
The perfect length for a resume is one page. Especially for roles like project management intern, you likely lack extensive work history. Your resume needs to present the most important information in a clear and concise manner. Choosing a layout that makes the best use of space can help you to stick to one page.
If it's difficult to fit everything onto one page, consider removing older or less relevant experiences. The hiring manager will be most interested in what makes you an ideal fit for their project management internship, so focus on related experiences and skills.
As a part of the project management field, you will need to work effectively in teams and even lead them. Make sure you highlight any scenarios where you successfully worked as a team or led a group. For example, group assignments at college or a lead role in campus clubs can be worth mentioning.
These are skill sets that are highly field-specific and can demonstrate your potential as a project management intern. Strong leadership and team collaboration skills are not general requirements in all industries, thus emphasizing these can help you step into this specific role.
When applying for a project management intern position, your resume may first be reviewed by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) before it reaches a human. It's important to make your resume ATS-friendly to increase your chances of getting an interview.
Here are some tips to help your resume pass the ATS:
Remember to keep your resume format simple. Use standard fonts and avoid images or graphics that an ATS can't read.
As a hiring manager, I know a resume must show you understand the job. For project management intern roles, focus on skills and experiences that match what the job needs. This makes it easier for employers to see why you're a good fit. Here's how you can do that well:
When you apply for a project management internship, focus on what you have achieved rather than the tasks you have done. Employers are more interested in your results, how you've grown, and the impact you've made. Showing your accomplishments makes you stand out.
Instead of simply listing responsibilities like 'Assisted with project documentation,' highlight your achievements with quantifiable results. For example:
When you apply for a project management internship, the verbs you choose to describe your past work can show your energy and ability to contribute. Use verbs that make your experience stand out and prove you can take on tasks with confidence.
Before each listed job or project on your resume, think about the specific actions you took. This will help you choose the right verb. Here are some examples:
Want inspiration for other action verbs you can use? Check out synonyms to commonly used action verbs like Handling, Helped, Took, Enhance, Handled.
When crafting your resume as a project management intern, it's crucial to focus on the hard skills that show your capability in this field. You want to make it easy for hiring managers to see that you have the technical know-how. Here's a list to guide you:
You don't need to include every skill above, just those that match the job you want. Place them in a dedicated 'Skills' section for clarity. This helps with the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that many companies use to filter resumes. If you have experience with specific tools or techniques, such as
Remember, your resume is your first project to manage. Clearly showing these skills can make a strong impression. If you've used any of these in real-world projects, even in a classroom setting, include that experience. It demonstrates practical knowledge and can be a big plus.
As a hiring manager, I look for clear signs of leadership in your resume. This is key for a project management intern role. You need to show you can guide a team, even in small projects or group tasks.
Even if you're not sure you have leadership experience, think about any time you took the lead. This could be in volunteer work, sports, or school clubs. Remember, any time you helped guide a group or made decisions is worth mentioning.
When you apply for a role as a project management intern, showing that you have leadership qualities or that you've been promoted in the past is important. Employers look for candidates who are eager to grow and take on more responsibility. Here are ways you can show this on your resume:
Think about your experiences in school, volunteer work, or any part-time jobs. Even if you weren't officially in a leadership role, consider times when you took the lead on a project or initiative. You could say 'Managed the schedule and tasks for a charity event with 50+ participants' to show leadership. If you advanced in any way, such as moving from a member to an officer in a club, mention this growth. Use simple phrases like 'Promoted from member to vice-president of the debate club.'
When you're aiming to get hired as a project management intern, it's key to show any leadership roles or promotions you've had. Think about the times you took charge of a group or moved up in a role, even in small ways.
Remember to keep the details short but clear. Use phrases like:
These examples prove that you can take on responsibility and succeed. They are good signs to a hiring manager that you are ready to handle project management tasks.
When you want to stand out as an intern in project management, showing your impact in numbers can make a difference. You need to think about the ways you've helped save time, cut costs, or improve processes.
Here are some examples to consider:
Even if you're not sure about the exact numbers, you can estimate them by comparing project outcomes before and after your contributions. Use clear, simple language to describe these numbers so they stand out to hiring managers like me.
When you apply for an internship in project management, showing evidence of leadership or any promotions you've earned can set you apart. This is true even if your prior roles were not directly linked to project management. Leadership can take many forms, and it's your job to make these stand out on your resume.
Consider these pointers to effectively demonstrate your leadership skills:
Remember, as a project management intern, you will be expected to demonstrate potential for leading projects. Any prior experience where you took initiative or were entrusted with responsibility can serve as good evidence of this ability. Look through your experiences and find moments where you showed these qualities, and make sure they are clearly presented on your resume.
When you apply for a project management intern position, it's vital to show you have the potential to lead and grow. Think about times when you had more responsibilities or when someone trusted you to guide others. This will help you stand out.
Even if you have not had a formal promotion, any increase in responsibilities is worth noting. This could be as simple as:
When applying to small companies or startups, focus on your ability to adapt. Show that you can handle many tasks and roles. Use phrases like "managed various tasks" or "adapted to changing needs quickly." Mention projects where you took initiative.
For larger corporates, highlight your experience with structured processes. Use phrases like "followed established project management frameworks" or "worked within a large team environment." Mention specific project management tools like Microsoft Project or Jira, which are often used in big companies.