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How to Write a Project Manager Resume

Your project manager resume’s layout is as important as how you write your resume. This sample resume demonstrates the best resume formatting hacks to follow: 1-inch margins, bullet points and clear resume headings for each of the following sections.

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  • Professional header and contact info

    • Include your name, contact information and a professional email address.
  • Compelling summary statement

    • A brief resume summary or objective highlighting two or three business operations-relevant skills, experience, or accomplishments.
  • Highlight your skills

    • Create a dedicated section to showcase hard and soft skills specific to business operations work work, like project planning, budget management or team coordination.
  • Emphasize your work history

    • List your work experience in reverse-chronological order. Include job titles, company names, dates of employment, and key responsibilities and achievements for each role in a bullet list.
  • Supporting education section

    • Detail your educational background, mentioning any relevant degrees, diplomas or certifications obtained.
  • Additional sections

    • You can add resume sections for licenses, certifications, industry memberships or unions, awards, volunteer experience or spoken languages.

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How to Write a Project Manager Resume Summary

The resume summary section is a crucial component of your project manager resume, providing a concise overview of your qualifications and experience. Follow these guidelines to write an effective project manager resume summary:

Highlight your expertise and experience

Begin by stating the number of years of experience you have as a project manager and highlight your key areas of expertise, such as project planning, team leadership, budget management and stakeholder communication.

Showcase notable achievements

Include specific accomplishments that demonstrate your impact as a project manager, such as successfully delivering complex projects on time and within budget, improving team efficiency, or implementing effective project management methodologies.

Tailor it to the job description

Customize your resume summary to align with the specific requirements of the project manager role you are targeting. Incorporate keywords and skills mentioned in the job description to make your resume more relevant and appealing to potential employers.

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Good project manager resume example

“Dedicated project manager with over 8 years of experience leading cross-functional teams and delivering successful projects within diverse industries. Proven expertise in project planning, budget management, and stakeholder communication. Consistently achieved on-time project completion, exceeding client expectations. Skilled in Agile methodologies and adept at fostering a collaborative work environment to drive project success.”

This well-written resume summary effectively showcases the candidate’s experience and expertise as a project manager. It provides specific details about their years of experience, core competencies, and notable achievements. The mention of on-time project completion and client satisfaction demonstrates their ability to deliver successful projects. Additionally, the inclusion of Agile methodologies and collaborative work environment highlights their adaptability and teamwork skills.

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Poor project manager resume example

“Experienced project manager with good leadership skills. Worked on various projects and managed teams.”

This poorly-written resume summary lacks specific details and fails to showcase any notable achievements or core competencies. It provides generic statements that offer little insight into the candidate’s capabilities as a project manager. The lack of specific information and vague descriptions make it challenging for potential employers to assess the candidate’s qualifications or suitability for the role. It is crucial to provide concrete information in your resume summary to highlight your relevant experience and accomplishments as a project manager.

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PRO TIP:

If you are just starting out in your career and have little work experience, try writing a resume objective statement instead of a resume summary.

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How to Add Your Project Manager Work History

The work history section of your project manager resume provides crucial insights into your past roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments as a project manager. Follow these guidelines to write this section effectively:

Start with your most recent experience

Begin the work history section with your most current project manager position and list your previous roles chronologically. Include the job title, dates of employment, and the name and location of the company or organization.

Highlight responsibilities and achievements

Clearly outline your key responsibilities and notable achievements for each project manager role you held. Focus on project planning, budget management, team coordination, risk assessment and stakeholder communication.

Quantify achievements and demonstrate impact

Quantify your accomplishments to provide measurable evidence of your performance. For example, mention the number of projects completed, the size of project teams managed, the value of budgets overseen, or any awards or recognitions received for exceptional project delivery.

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Good project manager resume sample

ABC Corporation, Cityville, USA Project Manager | January 2017 – Present

  • Successfully led cross-functional teams in planning and executing multiple large-scale projects, ensuring adherence to scope, budget and timelines.
  • Managed project budgets ranging from $500,000 to $2 million, consistently delivering within allocated resources and achieving cost savings of up to 10%.
  • Implemented Agile methodologies, resulting in improved team productivity and a 20% reduction in project delivery time.
  • Received the Project Management Excellence Award for outstanding leadership and successful project outcomes.

This good work history example effectively showcases the candidate’s experience as a project manager. It highlights their ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage project budgets and implement Agile methodologies. Including specific achievements, such as delivering projects within allocated resources and receiving an excellence award, adds credibility and demonstrates the candidate’s value as a project manager.

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Poor project manager resume sample

XYZ Company, Project Manager

  • Managed project budgets.
  • Led large team across multiple projects.

This poor work history example needs to include essential details such as dates of employment, specific job responsibilities or notable achievements. It needs to provide insight into the candidate’s experience or contributions as a project manager. The absence of detailed information makes it difficult for potential employers to evaluate the candidate’s qualifications and suitability for the role.

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How to Write a Project Manager Education Section

The education section of your project manager resume allows you to highlight your academic qualifications and any additional certifications or training that add value to your profile as a project manager. Follow these guidelines to effectively write this section:

1Start with your highest level of education

Begin the education section by listing your highest level of education, such as a degree or diploma. Include the degree name, major or field of study, educational institution and the year of completion.

Education formatting example

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration XYZ University, Cityville, USA Graduated: May 2016

2Mention relevant certifications

If you have obtained any certifications that are relevant to project management, include them in this section. Examples of certifications that add value to a project manager resume include PMP (Project Management Professional), PRINCE2, Agile, Scrum or Six Sigma.

Certifications formatting example

Project Management Professional (PMP) Project Management Institute (PMI), 2017

3Include relevant training programs

If you have completed any training programs specific to project management or related areas, mention them in this section. This could include courses on project planning, risk management, stakeholder communication or leadership development.

Training formatting example

Agile Project Management Certification ABC Training Institute, 2018

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PRO TIP:

Tailor your education section with relevant education and training that directly align with the skills and requirements of the factory worker position you are applying for.

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15 Skills For Your Project Manager Resume

The skills section of your project manager resume is essential to showcase your capabilities and qualifications in the field. Here’s a list of five soft skills, five hard skills and five technical skills specific to project manager responsibilities:

soft skills

Soft skills

  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Problem-solving
  • Adaptability
  • Collaboration
hard skills

Hard skills

  • Project Planning
  • Budget Management
  • Risk Management
  • Quality Assurance
  • Stakeholder Management
technical-skills

Technical skills

  • Project Management Software
  • Data Analysis
  • Agile Methodologies
  • Change Management
  • Reporting and Documentation
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PRO TIP:

How you format your skills section depends on your resume format: a skills-based format like the functional resume will have multiple layouts, but a timeline-based format like the hybrid or chronological resume will have a simple list of six-to-eight skills.

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20 Project Manager Action Verbs

Using action verbs in your project manager resume can elevate the impact of your accomplishments and responsibilities. Here’s a list of 20 power words specifically tailored for a project manager position:

  • Align
  • Analyzed
  • Communicate
  • Coordinate
  • Deliver
  • Evaluate
  • Executed
  • Facilitate
  • Fostered
  • Implement
  • Innovate
  • Lead
  • Monitor
  • Mentor
  • Mitigate
  • Negotiate
  • Orchestrate
  • Oversee
  • Resolve
  • Streamline

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Additional Resume Sections

Consider adding the following sections to your project manager resume based on your specific circumstances and to enhance your qualifications.

  • Certification: Include a separate section to showcase relevant credentials, such as PMP (Project Management Professional), PRINCE2 or Agile.
  • Professional Development: Use a professional development section featuring workshops, seminars or business operations programs to replace or supplement your education section.
  • Awards and Achievements: If you have received recognition or awards for your performance, productivity, or safety record, include a section to showcase these accomplishments.
  • Volunteer Experience: Replace your work history section with a volunteer section if you have less than three years of experience. Use this space to demonstrate relevant skills or attributes, such as project planning, budget management or risk management.
  • Language Proficiency: Since this industry can include a diverse range of employees, advertise your fluency in other languages as a workplace boon!
  • Memberships: Let hiring managers know about your membership to industry-specific organizations or unions.

Use a Cover Letter to Express Yourself

A resume is a concise overview of your skills and experience — a cover letter expands on this foundation. Add a cover letter to share one or two examples of how you excelled in similar roles or how your skills match a company’s needs. Use this sample as a guide or visit our helpful resources to boost your application.

Project Manager Resume FAQ

What should I include in the skills section of my project manager resume?

In the skills section, highlight your project management skills, such as leadership, communication, budget management, risk assessment and proficiency in project management methodologies. Include relevant technical skills like project management software, data analysis and change management.

How can I demonstrate my experience managing complex projects on my resume?

Showcase your experience by providing specific examples of projects you have successfully managed, highlighting the project scope, objectives, team size, budget and outcomes. Mention any challenges you encountered and how you overcame them, demonstrating your ability to navigate complexities and deliver results.

Should I include certifications like PMP (Project Management Professional) on my project manager resume?

Yes, including certifications like PMP can significantly enhance your project manager resume. It demonstrates your commitment to professional development and adherence to industry standards. Mention relevant certifications, especially those recognized in project management, to showcase your expertise and qualifications.

How should I address employment gaps in my project manager resume?

Address employment gaps by focusing on any relevant freelance work, consulting projects or volunteer roles you undertook during that period. Emphasize the transferable skills you acquired and any professional development activities you pursued. Showcase your commitment to continuous learning and staying updated in the field.

Is tailoring my project manager resume for each job application important?

Absolutely! Tailoring your resume to each job application is crucial as it allows you to highlight the specific skills, experiences, and achievements that match the requirements of the project management role. Review the job description carefully and make adjustments to emphasize your most relevant qualifications and experiences.