In this guide, project managers will find resume examples and tips to show their skills and experience. Learn what hiring managers look for, how to list projects, and ways to highlight leadership. Our straightforward advice will help you present a resume that clearly shows you're ready for the job.
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Here's what we see in standout project manager resumes.
Showcasing Impact With Numbers: The best resumes show success with numbers. Include how you reduced costs by
Match Skills With Job Description: Include skills that match the job description. Show tools you know, like
Trending Keywords: Use current terms. In project management, words like
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Understanding where to put the education section in your project management resume depends on where you are in your career. If you are entering the field freshly after pursuing a study or degree relevant to project management, make sure to include your educational information at the start of your resume. This will readily explain to the employer your background in the field.
However, if you are an individual with substantial work experience in project management, then your experience should come first. This enables potential employers to understand your practical skills and experiences prior to your academic background. In such cases, your education section should follow your experience section.
Being able to adapt to change is crucial for a project manager. Show you can handle whatever comes your way.
You need to tailor your project management resume to be effective which also includes its length. If you are an entry-level or mid-level project manager with less than a decade of experience, aim for a one-page resume. This provides a succinct and concise overview of your skills and experiences.
On the other hand, if you're a seasoned project manager with extensive experience, a two-page resume is recommended. Despite this, always ensure your content is relevant and demonstrates value to avoid unnecessary length. If you notice your resume is too lengthy, try a different template or remove less relevant sections such as older or irrelevant experiences.
In your role as a project lead, displaying your leadership skills is crucial. Make sure to tailor this part of your resume to show how you guide teams and drive projects to success.
Highlighting these experiences will demonstrate not just your ability to manage tasks, but to lead people effectively, which is key in project oversight.
When you apply for project management jobs, your resume may first be seen by a computer program known as an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). It's important to format your resume so this system can read it well.
Here are two key tips to help you:
Being a project manager requires you to juggle multiple responsibilities simultaneously. To break into this field, highlight your ability to handle different aspects of a project at the same time. This includes managing people, handling budgets, and ensuring on-time project completion.
Showcase experiences where you have efficiently multitasked. This can include managing a group project during your education, or managing multiple elements of a project simultaneously during your previous work experience. These examples will highlight both your ability to multitask and manage people effectively, skills highly demanded in this field.
When you list your past work, make sure you are clear about your success. Many job seekers say they 'managed projects' or 'led teams' without giving details. You should show the results of your work. For example, say 'delivered 3 software projects on time and 10% under budget' or 'led a team of 5 engineers to create a new app.'
If you just say you have 'strong communication skills,' it is too general. Explain how you use these skills. You can write that you 'held weekly meetings with clients to keep them up to date on project progress.' This shows you can talk well with others. Remember, give examples of how you solved problems or made things better in your past jobs.
Unlike many roles, project managers are evaluated based on results. Therefore, your project management resume should emphasize your ability to successfully complete projects. Use figures and data to highlight your success, such as percentage under budget or time saved on project completion.
For instance, you could state 'Successfully completed a $500k project 10% under budget and 2 weeks ahead of schedule'. This quantifiable evidence provides demonstrable proof of your success as a project manager and increases your appeal to potential employers.
When crafting your resume as a project manager, remember to focus on what you've achieved rather than the tasks you've performed. Employers want to see the impact you've made.
Think about how your work has benefited a project. For example, instead of saying 'Managed a team to deliver a project,' you could say 'Led a team that finished a complex project 10% under budget and 2 weeks ahead of schedule,' which shows your ability to drive efficiency and cost savings.
Similarly, rather than 'Responsible for project reporting,' you might write 'Developed a streamlined reporting process that reduced delivery time by 25%, enhancing project communication efficiency.' Demonstrating the real-world results of your leadership and initiative provides clear value to prospective employers.
You need to show you're the right person for a project manager role. It helps to shape your resume to match the job you want. Do this by using keywords from the job ad and focusing on relevant skills and experience.
For technical know-how, list specific tools or software you've mastered. For example, say you've used
If you want a senior role, talk about your experience leading teams. Use numbers, like 'Managed a team of 10.'
Coming from another job? Link your past work to what project managers do. Say 'Handled project budgets' if that's something you've done before.
When crafting your resume, showing your growth in leadership roles is key. Think about any time you've led a team, overseen a project, or been recognized for your leadership skills. These are the kinds of experiences that can make you stand out as a project manager.
Here are some ways you can show this:
Remember, even if you weren't given a formal title, any role where you took charge of a project or guided a team counts. Use clear, simple language to describe these experiences. For example:
When you write your resume, using strong action verbs can help you show your impact. You want to make it clear that you're someone who gets things done. Think about the tasks you've managed and how you've moved projects forward. The words you choose will shape how hiring managers view your experience.
Below are verbs that are good to use when you apply for project management roles. These words can help you show that you can lead and complete tasks well. Remember, your goal is to make your experience stand out and show you're right for the job.
Want inspiration for other action verbs you can use? Check out synonyms to commonly used action verbs like Made, Established, Followed, Supervised, Maintain.
When crafting your resume as a project manager, it’s crucial to highlight the specific hard skills that make you fit for the role. Focus on these, as they show your technical capability and understanding of the job. Here's a list of skills you might consider:
Remember, you don’t need every skill listed, just those that match the job you want. Include these skills in a dedicated section for clarity. This also helps with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan for specific keywords. If you have experience with a particular project management tool or technique, make sure it’s visible on your resume. For example, if you’re an expert in
Your resume should not be a long list of skills. Instead, choose the most relevant ones. Think about the projects you've led or contributed to and select the skills that were most essential in those roles. These should take priority on your resume. By tailoring your skills section this way, you will show potential employers that you have the right tools for the job.
When you apply for a project management role, it's important to show the value you bring through clear metrics. Numbers help employers quickly see the impact of your work.
Use these metrics to reflect on your experience and estimate your impact. Even if you're not sure of the exact number, use your knowledge to give a solid estimate. Be honest and reasonable in your assessment.
When applying to small companies and startups, emphasize your ability to wear many hats and be flexible. Smaller companies like Asana or Trello often value versatility. Highlight your experience in managing various tasks and projects at once.
Consider adding phrases like: "Led cross-functional teams in a fast-paced startup environment" or "Managed multiple aspects of project development independently." Show that you can adapt quickly and handle different roles.