Project managers have a knack for organization and a drive to help achieve goals. Your resume, like a successful project, should be well-executed, on-time, and backed by objective data. To help you truly stand out in 2023, we’ll talk through 16 project manager resumes and dissect the pieces that make them successful.
You can use the examples above as a starting point to help you brainstorm tasks, accomplishments for your work experience section.
As a Project Manager, your resume should showcase your experience managing complex projects and delivering results. Here are some tips to help you focus on what matters most:
Highlight your achievements:
Showcase your strongest achievements and the results of your projects using concrete numbers and metrics wherever possible.
Emphasize your leadership skills:
Showcase your experience leading teams, delegating tasks, and managing stakeholders.
Focus on project management methodologies:
Showcase your experience in project management methodologies such as Agile, Waterfall, or PMI, and your ability to adapt to different project environments.
Tailor your resume to the job and company:
Customize your resume to each job you apply for, emphasizing the skills and experiences that make you a strong fit for the specific role and company.
Here are the essential sections that should exist in a project manager resume:
Additionally, if you're eager to make an impression and gain an edge over other project manager candidates, you may want to consider adding in these sections:
Let's start with resume headlines.
Results-Driven Project Manager Experienced in Meeting Goal-Focused Deadlines
Certified Project Manager Offering 4+ Years of Experience
Good headlines specifically highlight professional qualities and accomplishments relevant to the position of Project Manager, such as the applicant's certification, years of experience, and track record of achieving goals and meeting deadlines. By having a clear promotional angle, the resume headline draws the reader in and highlights the applicant's best qualities right away.
Recent Graduate Eager to Put Skills to Work
Experienced Project Manager Seeking New Challenges
Bad headlines don't contain any promotion of the applicant's skills, or sound generic without any tangible skills they could offer as a Project Manager.
These types of headlines don't stand out, don't capture any attention, and add no value to the resume.
A resume summary is a crucial part of a Project Manager's resume, providing a brief yet comprehensive overview of their skills, experience, and accomplishments in the field. As a Project Manager, your summary should emphasize your expertise in project planning, execution, and delivery, as well as your ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage stakeholders.
Here are a few tips for writing an effective summary for a Project Manager:
Why these are strong:
Why these are weak:
To secure a Project Manager position in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment where I can utilize my strong organizational and leadership skills to deliver projects on time and within budget, while exceeding client expectations.
As a recent graduate with a degree in Business Administration and 1 year of experience in project management, I am seeking a Project Manager role that challenges me to learn and grow while delivering high-quality projects that meet client needs.
Why these are strong:
To obtain a Project Manager job in a company where I can gain experience.
Looking for a Project Manager role in a dynamic organization.
Why these are weak:
Why these are strong:
Why these are weak:
Dear Hiring Manager at [Company Name],
I am excited to apply for the Project Manager position at [Company Name]. With over 5 years of experience in managing multiple projects and implementing project management methodologies, I am confident in my ability to deliver successful projects within scope, schedule, and budget.
In my previous role, I led and managed multiple projects simultaneously, resulting in a 15% increase in project completion rates. I developed and maintained project timelines and budgets, resulting in an average project cost savings of 20%. I also implemented project management methodologies such as Scrum and Agile to ensure timely delivery and successful completion of projects.
One of my greatest strengths is coordinating and managing projects involving cross-functional teams, resulting in a 10% increase in team efficiency. I am skilled in developing and maintaining project plans, timelines, and budgets to ensure successful delivery. I also excel in communicating project progress and identifying risks to stakeholders and upper management.
In addition, I have experience assisting senior project managers in project planning and execution, including creating project timelines and budgets. I am also skilled in communicating with team members to gather information and update project plans and status reports. My strong coordination skills have helped in the successful execution of project-related activities such as meetings and team building activities.
I am a driven and proactive team player who is committed to delivering successful projects while maintaining effective communication with stakeholders and team members. I believe my experience and skills make me a strong fit for the Project Manager position at [Company Name].
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss my qualifications with you.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
A cover letter is a valuable tool for any job seeker, and this is especially true for project managers. Project management is a highly competitive field, and a cover letter can help you stand out from other applicants. It can showcase your communication skills, highlight your relevant experience, and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position.
While a resume provides a summary of your skills and experience, a cover letter allows you to personalize your application and connect with the hiring manager on a deeper level. It's an opportunity to tell your story, explain why you're passionate about project management, and show how you can add value to the organization.
Here are some of the key reasons for pairing your project manager resume with a cover letter:
We understand that writing a cover letter may seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Remember that the cover letter is an extension of your resume, so you can use the same format and content as your resume. It's also a chance to address any gaps or questions that the hiring manager may have after reading your resume.
Tips for aligning your cover letter with your resume:
When crafting a resume for Project Managers, it's important to take into account the details of their experience. A resume should be tailored to the individual and include only relevant information. As a general rule, we recommend keeping Project Manager resumes to one to two pages, depending on seniority and experience. For those with less than five years of experience, one page is recommended. However, experienced Project Managers with more than five years in the field should use two pages to include all of their important accomplishments.
When formatting a Project Manager resume, it is important to focus on showcasing your skills and experiences that are most relevant to this field. Highlight roles where you have managed projects and tangible results achieved, such as successful partnerships, budget management, and delivering projects on time and within scope. Always use a simple, easy-to-read font that is recruiter friendly. Additionally, remember to include the right keywords to showcase your technical abilities and industry-specific terminology that potential recruiters may be searching for.
When including hard skills on a resume as a Project Manager, it is important to highlight skills in leadership, data analysis, budgeting, risk management, communication, negotiation, and resource management. Leadership skills involve the ability to effectively manage a team, delegate tasks appropriately, ensure that deadlines are met, and handle conflicts. Data analysis skills involve the ability to interpret data related to functions like planning and scheduling, prepare reports and visuals, and analyze the efficacy of project plans. Budgeting skills involve the ability to set and manage the budget and costs for projects, accurately estimate incoming and outgoing funds, and identify cost-saving strategies. Risk management skills involve the ability to identify potential risks, prepare for and respond to risks, and help the team to shift towards more effective strategies. Communication skills involve the ability to communicate instructions and expectations, clearly and accurately, to facilitate effective collaboration and team morale. Negotiation skills involve the ability to negotiate contracts, establish mutually beneficial agreements, and resolve disputes, among all stakeholders. Resource management skills involve the ability to manage resources like personnel, equipment, and materials, to ensure that projects are completed effectively, efficiently, and on time.
1. Focus on transferable skills from other positions and relatable positions. Your resume should provide examples of leadership and management skills that you have picked up over the years. Highlight your problem solving and communication abilities and provide examples that showcase your proficiency in these skills. 2. Include any key accomplishments you have had in prior roles that relate to project management, even if they aren't official project manager roles. 3. Mention any training or certifications you may have that could show proficiency in project management skills. 4. Make sure to showcase your technical strengths. Any software programs or technical skills that you may have acquired that relate to project management in any way should be included. 5. Highlight any organizations, non-profits, teams, etc that you have been a part of and showcase how your leadership, communication and problem-solving skills benefited them. They can be indicators of your project management prowess.
