Program Manager Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Program Manager resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Program managers are the people who keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. They oversee the development of new programs or initiatives, ensuring that they meet their objectives while staying on budget and on schedule. Program managers work closely with teams of people to identify needs, set goals, and create solutions that will resonate with customers. And they’re often the glue that holds everything together, keeping projects on track and moving forward when things get rocky.
Because program managers play such an integral role in so many different departments, it’s important to have a resume that showcases your skills and experience in a way that’s meaningful to hiring managers in different industries. If you’re looking for tips on writing a program manager resume that will stand out from the crowd, keep reading!
How to Write a Program Manager Resume
Here’s how to write a program manager resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
The bullet points are the first thing recruiters and hiring managers will read, so it’s important to use them to your advantage. They’re a great opportunity to showcase your experience and demonstrate your value.
For example, rather than saying you “managed project timelines,” you could say you “managed timelines for 15+ projects across five departments, resulting in zero missed deadlines and a 15% increase in productivity over six-month period.”
The second bullet point is much stronger because it provides specific details about what you did and the results of your work.
Related: What Is a Program Manager? How to Become One
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are used by most companies to manage the recruitment process. When you submit your resume online, the ATS will scan it for certain keywords related to the job opening. If your resume doesn’t have enough of the right terms, the ATS might filter out your application.
One way to make sure your resume makes it past the ATS is to include keywords throughout all sections of your resume, especially in the work experience and skills sections. You can find a list of common program manager keywords below:
- Program Management
- Project Management
- IT Strategy
- Change Management
- Integration
- Project Delivery
- Project Planning
- Vendor Management
- Business Analysis
- Business Process Improvement
- Agile Project Management
- Stakeholder Management
- Strategy
- Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
- Software Project Management
- Agile Methodologies
- Project Management Office (PMO)
- IT Management
- Requirements Analysis
- Scrum
- Cross-functional Team Leadership
- Management
- Business Process
- Business Intelligence (BI)
- Project Portfolio Management
- Solution Architecture
- Program and Project Management
- Operating Systems
- Engineering
- Software Development
Showcase Your Technical Skills
Program managers rely on specific programs, systems, and methodologies to complete their work. That’s why it’s important to list your technical skills prominently on your resume. By doing so, you’ll show that you’re a valuable candidate who is familiar with the essential tools and systems used in your field.
Recruiters are looking for program managers who are proficient in programs like Microsoft Office Suite, ERP systems, and manufacturing software. They also want to see that you have experience with government regulations related to your industry, as you will often be responsible for ensuring that the organization is in compliance with these regulations.
Related: How Much Does a Program Manager Make?
Remember The Basics
As you’re writing your resume, you’ll want to keep a few basic guidelines in mind.
Make Your Resume Easy to Scan
There are a few things you can do to make your resume more readable and easy to scan. Left-align your text, use a standard font size, and keep your bullets concise to make your resume more skimmable. You should also use a limited amount of formatting and try to have some white space on the page to make the document less overwhelming.
Be Concise
A resume should typically be one page long when you have less than five to eight years of professional experience. If you have more than 10 years of experience or are a senior-level executive, a two-page resume is appropriate. When trimming down a resume, remove irrelevant information, filler words, and unnecessary details.
Proofread
Proofreading your resume is an important step in ensuring that it looks its best. There are a few key things to look for when proofreading: spelling mistakes, punctuation mistakes, and grammatical mistakes. It is also important to be aware of easily confused words. Spell-checking your resume is a good way to catch mistakes, but it is important to have someone else read it over as well.
Use a Summary
Most job seekers are under the impression that a resume should only contain a list of their previous positions and duties, but this isn’t always the case. Adding a resume summary statement can be a great way to show off your best skills and experiences, as well as to explain why you’re the perfect candidate for the job. When done well, a summary can help to bridge the gap between your past experience and your future goals, making you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.
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