Project Manager Resume Examples & Templates (+ Writing Tips)
Read our article to learn all about writing a project management resume, how to highlight your skills and make a resume that stands out.
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Project manager resume example
A project management professional (PMP) is responsible for planning, organizing and scheduling the completion of projects within a company. Show recruiters and hiring managers you have the right qualifications to keep things running smoothly by following our project manager resume example. You can also jump into our Resume Builder to get started with your project management resume.
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Four keys to a top project manager resume
Make sure your project manager resume hits the mark with these tips:
Feature the right qualifications and skills.
Every project management job is different, so your resume should reflect that. Tailor your resume to the job description and what the prospective employer desires using project manager resume keywords from their listed requirements, skills and responsibilities. Not only will customizing your resume make it more attractive to hiring managers but it will also increase your chances of making it past the applicant tracking systems most companies use to filter resumes.
Give concrete examples of successful projects.
There’s a big difference between telling recruiters you led successful projects and showing them how successful your projects have been by featuring numbers and quantifiable metrics. Whenever possible, include a percentage or a number to show off the results of your efforts and hard work. This will give hiring managers a proper idea of your accomplishments.
Show you have strong leadership abilities.
A project manager needs to be able to delegate tasks and keep people on track. You can list yourleadership skills in the skills section, but it’s always a good idea to give concrete examples of how you’ve used them in your work history section. How many people did you manage? How many projects did you successfully complete?
Show off any extra training and credentials you have.
Project managers typically obtain additional certifications and training to solidify their expertise in their field. Be sure to include these achievements in your resume by creating additional sections to list them (e.g. Certifications, Training, Awards, etc.).
Action words for a compelling project manager resume
Action words can elevate your resume to make it more professional and impactful. So instead of using the lackluster, “I was responsible for…,” use one of the following action verbs to start your phrases:
- Launched
- Developed
- Strategized
- Organized
- Formulated
- Implemented
- Carried out
- Accomplished
- Tracked
- Supervised
- Oversaw
- Inspected
- Transmitted
- Shared
- Coordinated
- Collaborated
- Measured
- Assessed
- Reviewed
- Streamlined
For a more detailed list, check our action words article.
Build my resumeChoose the right format for your resume
There are three formats you can use to organize the layout of your project manager resume:
- The chronological resume format: Best for candidates with over nine years of work experience who want hiring managers or recruiters to focus on their career progression and professional development.
- The functional resume format: Ideal for project managers applying for an entry-level job with less than two years of experience. This resume format focuses on skills and training, giving you a wider range of sections to write about your abilities.
- The combination resume format: Great for mid-level project managers with three to eight years of experience. The hybrid resume gives equal focus to your work history and skills.
14 key skills for your project manager resume
Before choosing what hard skills and soft skills to include in your project management resume, don’t forget to read the job description to see what they’re looking for. Here are some project manager skills you can consider:
- Leadership
- Strong communication skills
- Team management
- Delegation
- Time management
- Organizational skills
- Risk management
- Adaptability
- Negotiation skills
- Conflict resolution
- Problem-solving skills
- Financial management
- Technical competence
- Quality management
- Critical thinking
- Emotional intelligence
- Networking
- Public speaking
- Presentation skills
- Crisis management
How to write a project manager resume
Contact information
In the header section, include your name and contact information, like your phone number and professional email address. You can also include your LinkedIn handle.
Resume objective or resume summary for project manager
You have two options to summarize who you are.
Choose the resume summary if you have more than two years of experience as a project manager. It’s a two-to-three-sentence snapshot of your top strengths and experiences related to the job posting. For example, take a look at this project manager resume summary:
Go for the resume objective if you’re an entry-level project manager and don’t have a lot of experience. It’s also a two-to-three-sentence paragraph, but unlike the summary, it includes a sentence where you state your employment goals.
Project manager skills resume section
Use 8-10 bullet points to highlight only the most relevant skills. You’ll know what to include in your resume skills section by reading the job posting and seeing what the prospective employer lists as most desirable or required. Make sure to include a well-balanced mix of hard skills and soft skills.
- Strategic planning
- Written and verbal communication
- Leadership skills
- Stakeholder management
- Conflict resolution
- Critical thinking
- Crisis management
- Data analysis
- Presentation skills
- Ethical decision making
- Procurement management
Work history
When you list your previous work history, start with your most recent project manager role and work backward toward older project management experiences. Include your job title and years of experience, and provide a few brief examples of your project manager job responsibilities with metrics.
Education
The education section of your project manager resume should include information about relevant academic qualifications and certifications. You can list important certifications in this section, or create a separate section to highlight them separately.
For more resume-writing tips, check our How to Make a Resume article.
Do’s and don’ts for a project manager resume
- Proofread your project management resume before submitting it to the job application. A typo or any grammatical errors could really affect your chances of getting interviewed.
- Write a cover letter for your resume. Cover letters are a great way to talk more about yourself, career achievements and why you want to work for that company.
- Include numbers and metrics. It’s the best way to impress hiring managers who view dozens of project manager resumes.
- Use first-person pronouns to start your sentences (e.g.. I, me or my).
- Include personal information, such as your religious background or political affiliations.
- Include more than 10 years of experience in your work history section, unless the employer requests to see your whole career history. Typically, resumes should be no longer than a page, unless you're an experienced project manager; in this case, your resume can be two pages long.
FAQ: Project manager resume
Have questions? We’re here to help.
What should a project manager put on a resume?
Your project manager resume should align with the job description and the requirements listed by the prospective employer. Focus on highlighting accomplishments that showcase your excellent leadership skills and how you delegate tasks, and make sure these achievements are accompanied by a metric that demonstrates the impact of your work (e.g. percentages, dollar amounts, project completion times, etc.)
Employers want to hire someone who they can trust will successfully run projects and meet deadlines, so focus your content on your contributions and any important projects you’ve managed in the past.
What is a good objective for a project manager resume?
A good resume objective for your project management resume should convey three things: your career goals, your top skills and what you can bring to the organization. It should be brief, concise and tailored to the project management role, making it clear how you can contribute to the company’s goals.
Take a look at this project manager resume objective:
“Detail-oriented and highly motivated project manager with a strong foundation in project management methodologies and a demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in team environments. Recently graduated with a degree in [Relevant Field], eager to apply academic knowledge and practical skills to contribute to the success of dynamic projects. Seeking an entry-level project management position to further develop skills and contribute to achieving project objectives in a growth-oriented organization.”
What is considered to be the most useful skill for a project manager?
The most useful skill for a project manager will depend on the job. No two jobs are the same, so even if they have the same job title, it’s important to read what the employer is looking for in a candidate before submitting.
If we were to choose a universal skill that’s important across project management jobs, however, it would be communication. Effective communication is at the heart of many aspects of a project manager’s responsibilities and contributes to the success of a project in different ways.
How do I sell myself as a project manager?
There are three things you can do to sell yourself as a project manager:
- Tailor your project manager resume to the job and include keywords from the job description. The more your resume reflects the job ad, the higher your chances of standing out.
- Demonstrate your success as a project manager with numbers. Give examples of successful project outcomes, talk about the multi-million dollar project you managed and include percentages to show your efficiency.
- Write a cover letter! We know, cover letters. But the truth is they make an excellent blank canvas for you to further talk about what you can bring to the table and impress hiring managers. You can go into more detail about a specific project, discuss more skills and invite whoever’s reading to call you to schedule an interview.
How can I improve my project management skills?
You can improve your project management skills by utilizing the right project management tools and software. For example, Trello or Basecamp are great tools for managing projects. Additionally, you can improve your skills by focusing on effective communication among team members while establishing firm goals and objectives. It’s important to choose the right people to complete a project while staying on track with budget and timeline goals.
Why is a project manager's resume important?
A project manager’s resume is important because hiring managers look over countless resumes, and a well-crafted project manager’s resume instantly stands out and creates a good impression. A well-written resume should showcase your competencies in completing projects by organizing, prioritizing, and delegating tasks. Your resume can also highlight your ability to productively lead a team while utilizing both soft and hard skills to achieve company goals.
What are some examples of project manager resumes?
If you’re not sure where to start while creating your resume or cover letter, then you can always look at a project manager resume sample. Entry-level and senior project managers can all benefit from reviewing project manager resume samples to get a better understanding of how they can organize their content.
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