Project Manager Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Project Manager resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Project managers are responsible for organizing and managing all aspects of a project from end to end. They set timelines and milestones, coordinate cross-functional teams, and monitor budgets and timelines. They also anticipate and address potential roadblocks before they arise.
Project managers tend to thrive in environments where they’re surrounded by change, challenges, and lots of different moving parts that need to come together seamlessly. They thrive on having a voice in the process and are usually the ones who keep things running smoothly when everything starts to fall apart.
If you’re ready to take on more responsibility and are ready to move into a bigger role, it’s time to write a stellar project manager resume that will help you land the job. Here are tips and an example to help you do just that.
How to Write a Project Manager Resume
Here’s how to write a project manager 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 saying you “managed projects,” you could say that you “managed six projects simultaneously across three departments to ensure on-time delivery of new product line for Q4 2019 launch.”
The second bullet point is much more specific and provides more detail about what exactly you did and the results of your work. And that level of detail will make all the difference when it comes time for a hiring manager to review your resume.
Related: What Is a Project Manager? How to Become One
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you apply for a project manager role, your resume goes through an applicant tracking system (ATS). This program scans your resume for certain keywords related to the job opening. If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right terms, the ATS might automatically reject your application.
To increase your chances of getting an interview, focus on including keywords throughout all the sections of your resume. You can find a list of commonly used project manager keywords below.
- Project Management
- Microsoft Project
- Project Planning
- Change Management
- Project Coordination
- Program Management
- Stakeholder Management
- Project Management Office (PMO)
- Business Process Improvement
- Vendor Management
- Project Estimation
- Agile Project Management
- Management
- Strategy
- Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
- Scrum
- Agile Methodologies
- SharePoint
- Project Delivery
- Business Analysis
- Business Strategy
- Project Delivery Management
- Contract Management
- Negotiation
- Leadership
- Strategic Planning
- Team Leadership
- Operations Management
- Microsoft Access
- Software Project Management
Showcase Your Technical Skills
As a project manager, you rely on specific programs, systems, and tools to help you manage your projects. That’s why it’s essential 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 project managers who are skilled in specific programs, such as Microsoft Project, Asana, Jira, and Trello. They also want to see that you have experience with project management methodologies, such as Agile and Scrum. So be sure to list all of your relevant technical skills prominently on your resume.
Related: How Much Does a Project Manager Make?
Remember The Basics
As you’re writing your resume, you’ll want to keep a few basic guidelines in mind.
Make It Easy to Scan
There are a few things you can do to make your resume more readable and skimmable for potential employers. Left-align your text, use standard fonts, and avoid centered text. You should also use bullets instead of paragraphs to list your experiences, and keep bullets to no more than two lines. Additionally, you can use bolding and italics to emphasize important information, but should avoid using all-caps or too much formatting variation. Finally, try to leave some white space on the page to make the document less overwhelming.
Be Concise
There is no set length for a resume, but you want to be concise and get your point across quickly. A one-page resume is ideal for recent graduates and career changers, while a two-page resume is more common for those with more experience. When trimming down your resume, remove irrelevant information, drop references, and remove filler words. Font type and size, margins, and line spacing can all be tweaked to save space on a resume.
Proofread
Proofreading your resume is important in order to make sure it looks professional and error-free. Spell checking is a must, as are punctuation and grammar checks. It is also helpful to have someone else proofread your resume for you, as they may catch mistakes that you have missed. Beware of easily confused words, and make sure that your tense is consistent throughout the resume.
Consider a Summary
A resume summary statement is an excellent way to show off your most marketable skills and experiences. It can help to connect the dots between your past experiences and your future goals, and it can be a great way to show off your transferable skills. When writing your own, be sure to highlight your best traits, focus on your most highly transferable skills, and mention what you’re hoping to do next. A well-crafted summary can help you to stand out from the competition and to make a great impression on potential employers.
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