Government Project Manager Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Government Project Manager resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Government project managers typically manage large, complex projects that impact the community or society at large. They coordinate the efforts of multiple departments and stakeholders to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and according to specifications.
Government project managers are often tasked with implementing new programs or initiatives, which means they need to be highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple moving parts at once. It’s also important to have a solid understanding of the industry you work in, as well as the political landscape within which you operate.
If you’re ready to take your career in this direction or just looking for a fresh start, here are some tips and an example to help you write a stellar government project manager resume that hiring managers will love.
How to Write a Government Project Manager Resume
Here’s how to write a resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
When it comes to writing bullet points, the more specific you can be, the better. Rather than simply saying you “managed projects,” you could say that you “managed $10M construction project for city government, ensuring on-time completion while maintaining budget and quality requirements.”
The second bullet point is much more specific and provides a clear picture of what the project was, who was involved, and what the outcome was.
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
Chances are, when you apply for a government project manager role, your resume will be scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) for certain keywords. This system looks for keywords related to the job, like “project management” or “administrative support.” If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right terms, the ATS might filter out your application.
To increase your chances of getting an interview, use this list of commonly used government project manager keywords as a starting point:
- Government
- Contract Management
- Project Management
- Program Management
- Procurement
- Public Policy
- Contract Negotiation
- Cross-functional Team Leadership
- Strategy
- Stakeholder Management
- Program Evaluation
- Military
- Strategic Planning
- Contract Negotiation
- Public Sector
- U.S. Department of Defense
- Agile Project Management
- Customer Service
- Change Management
- Contract Management Services
- Operations Management
- Project Planning
- Microsoft Project
- Vendor Management
- Management
- Project Portfolio Management
- Business Strategy
- Team Leadership
- Management Consulting
- Program Evaluation
Showcase Your Technical Skills
As a government project manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of government projects. To be successful in this role, you will need to be proficient in a variety of software programs and systems. This might include project management software, like Microsoft Project or Primavera, as well as specific government software programs. Additionally, you will need to be familiar with the various regulations and guidelines that govern government projects.