Sample Program Manager Resume W/ Skills and Description

As a program manager, you’ll be in charge of a variety of projects. How can you show that you’re the right person for the job in your resume?

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Program Manager Resume Example

Program Manager Resume Example

Program Manager Resume Examples

No matter what you’re managing, a program manager needs to be able to create process improvements in their niche while also inspiring loyalty from their team members. If you’re interested in getting a program manager job, here’s how you should create your resume, using our examples and tips.

What to Highlight in a Program Manager Resume

Typically, recruiters are looking for work achievements that show you’re capable of handling similar duties. You should show evidence of being able to inspire team members to follow you.

And now, let’s go over how to write a resume that showcases your best skills.

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The Structure of a Program Manager Resume

The structure of your program manager resume may depend on what resume format you end up choosing. The most common formats are the chronological format, which emphasizes work history, the functional format, which emphasizes skills, and the combination format, which emphasizes both. However, no matter the format, you’ll typically have these sections in your resume:

Header

The resume header gives general information about you, including your full name, phone number, and professional portfolio links, such as your LinkedIn profile.

Resume summary or objective

Next is your resume summary or resume objective. This is a short, two to three-sentence paragraph that goes at the very top of your resume regardless of the resume format you choose. This section should give a short, sweet rundown of your top skills, experiences and qualifications. A summary emphasizes your career achievements, while an objective focuses on explaining your career goals.

Skills

Your skills section is likely going to be fairly expansive in a program manager resume. Here are some common skills you’ll see for this position:

  • Achieving milestones
  • Supply chain management
  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel)
  • Product development
  • Process improvement
  • Communication skills
  • Business management
  • Cross-functional teams
  • Leadership
  • Problem-solving
  • Time management
  • Workflow management
  • Risk management

A project manager should usually have both hard skills and soft skills, with a slight bias toward soft skills. If you want to know which program management skills to include in your resume, check out a program manager resume example at ResumeHelp to see what other job candidates are including.

Work history

Your years of experience can show your initiatives and interests, as well as any important metrics you want to get across to a hiring manager. Include job titles you’ve worked in within the last 10 years in your experience section. Additionally, include short job descriptions of achievements and major responsibilities from each job.

Education

Include your top education credentials (e.g., bachelor’s degree in business management), as well as any related certifications. List your education in reverse chronological order, so the most recent experience is at the top, with less recent experience at the bottom.

Do's and Don’ts for a Program Manager Resume

Do:
  • Discuss specific achievements your past project teams have accomplished. This can be especially impactful in situations where you stepped in as a manager and used your leadership to lead a team to success.
  • Be specific about the skills you use. If you prefer using Agile or Scrum over Waterfall, list the former as skills and not the latter.
  • Include any program manager associations you’re part of. This may include the Project Management Institute (PMI) or the Project Management Professional (PMP).
Don't:
  • Apply to a position that doesn’t fit your experience and skills. If you have entry-level experience, applying for a senior program manager probably won’t get you far, for example.
  • Use a resume design that doesn’t fit the style of the company you’re applying to. Checking the company’s website can help you decide how to design a professional resume.
  • Talk in vague terms about your projects. Hiring managers want to know specifics about what you worked on and how you benefited from the program.

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FAQ: Program Manager Resumes

Have questions? We’re here to help.

It’s always a good idea to include a cover letter for your program manager application because of the benefits a cover letter can provide for you. You can provide further details about your management experience and skills, explain why you’re the best fit for the program, and request a job interview. Use the ResumeHelp cover letter builder to create a more effective cover letter.

Even if you don’t have a lot of experience as a program manager, you can still cite relevant experience. It’s just all about knowing what a hiring manager means by relevant experience. This may include academic experience, internship experience, and volunteer experience, as well as transferable experience from other fields.

One of the best ways to intelligently change your program manager resume so you can more effectively apply to different jobs is by using resume keywords – the skills and requirements listed in the job description. Tailor your resume with keywords that speak to what the hiring manager is looking for, presenting yourself as the perfect job applicant.

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WRITTEN BY Ho

Ho is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and editor with two decades of experience in content strategy, creation, and development. He holds a Master’s degree in Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins University and his background includes experience aiding military veterans as they transition to civilian careers.

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