Project Manager Resume | Examples and Templates

As a project manager, your job is to plan, organize, and oversee all aspects of the project, from start to finish. With so much responsibility, it's no surprise that competition for project management jobs is fierce. In order to stand out from the crowd, you need a strong project manager resume.

In the whirlwind of competition, your resume is your initial handshake with potential employers—it needs to make a powerful impression.

This article will guide you through the process of creating a project manager resume that will make you stand out from the competition.

In this article, you will learn:

• How to pick the right layout and format for your resume.
• How to write each section of your project manager resume.
• Pro resume writing tips to make it stand out from other applications.

This also includes 2 complete resume examples that you can copy and edit.

Simplify the resume writing process by using a pre-made template from our resume builder, rather than starting from scratch.

Junior/ Assistant Project Manager Resume

You could get more inspiration to write your project management resume by referring to other relevant resume guides:

• Account manager resume
• Business manager resume
• Tax specialist resume
• Marketing manager resume
• Sales director resume

How Much Does a Project Manager Earn?

According to payscale, the average salary of a project manager is $77,000. As project management is a broad area with different specialties, the pay will vary significantly based on the industry.

Here’re the average salaries for popular project management specialties from the same website:

• IT project manager $90,000
• Senior project manager IT $118,000
• Project manager construction $78,000
• Assistant project manager construction $65,000

How to Write a Project Manager Resume from Scratch?

To stand out in a crowded field of applicants for a project manager position, a well-crafted resume that adheres to standard guidelines and best practices is essential.

A hiring manager in a reputable organization will be reviewing many applications, so it's crucial that your resume effectively showcases your organizational abilities and presents them in a clear and professional manner.

The format and layout of your resume should be carefully considered to make a strong first impression and demonstrate your qualifications for the role. That’s where you should start!

Resume Layout for Project Managers

The layout is the plan you draft to write the resume. It includes the headings, subheadings, and other important information you are planning to write.

Starting with a layout makes it easy for you to manage the resume space. Further, you won’t miss any important information along the way.

Here’s a sample layout for a project manager:

• Header with name and contact information.
• A professional summary.
• Work experience.
• Education.
• Skills.
• Additional sections (certificates, achievements, and interests).

Resume Format for Project Managers

When crafting your resume as a project manager, it's important to pay special attention to the format of your experience section.

Start by choosing from the right resume formats: the reverse chronological format is typically the best as it showcases your most recent work experience at the top.

The reverse chronological format is the most popular one and it is the most common format seen by hiring managers. So, we recommend you use this format.

Also, use a modern resume template to stand out from the others. Avoid using templates from MS office and instead, look for professional and modern templates.

Keyword Research for Project Manager Resume

Keyword research is essential when crafting a project manager resume. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter the numerous applications they receive.

An ATS is software that scans resumes for specific keywords related to the job. If your resume does not include enough of the right keywords, it may not make it through the initial screening process and reach the hiring manager.

To optimize your resume for an ATS, begin with the keywords found in the job listing. These typically include the required skills, qualifications, and experiences. Incorporating these keywords into your resume is a must.

Also, take the time to explore the company’s website. Understand their ongoing projects and client interactions. This insight helps you grasp what they value in a project manager and allows you to tailor your resume to reflect those needs.

For a deeper dive into using keywords effectively in your resume, refer to our comprehensive guide on keyword research for resume.

Start Your Project Manager Resume with Header

The header consists of your name and contact information.

This is a short and straightforward section. But still, a mistake in this section could be costly.

Because this section makes the first impression about your application and the accuracy of the information in the section is critical.

Resume Header Examples for Project Manager

CORRECT

Charles Miller

Project Manager

charlesmiller@gmail.com

(234)567-8910

https://www.linkedin.com/charlesm

INCORRECT

Project Manager

Charles Miller

charles@abcholdings.com

(234)567-8910

809, Park Street Bldg,

New Hampshire,

USA

To help you write your header, here are some general guidelines:

• Start with your name: state the first and last names.
• Add the job title of the position you’re applying for.
• Write your mobile number and personal email address.
• Add the link to your LinkedIn account.
• Don't add your physical address.

Make Your Project Manager Resume Summary Stand Out

Your resume summary sits at the top of your page, ready to catch the hiring manager's eye with a snapshot of your top skills and achievements.

This brief section is your opportunity to capture the hiring manager's attention right from the start.

Here’re some project manager resume summary examples:

CORRECT

Results-driven Project Manager with 7 years of experience delivering projects on time and under budget. Achieved a 25% increase in team efficiency and a 30% increase in project success rate through implementing new systems and utilizing Agile methodologies. Led teams of up to 10 members and managed budgets of over $1 million.

INCORRECT

Experienced project manager seeking a new opportunity in the construction industry. Skilled in budget management and team leadership.

When writing your professional summary:

• Keep it to 2-3 sentences.
• Use the first sentence to express your greatest achievement or your most relevant experience.
• Use the second sentence to explain what you can bring to the company.
• Use numbers and specific data to demonstrate your qualifications.
• Tailor it to the job you're applying for.

These tips will help you create a professional summary that effectively showcases your qualifications and stands out to hiring managers.

Differentiate Yourself With The Right Experience

The experience section of your resume is one of the most important parts of your application as a project manager.

It's where you showcase your qualifications and accomplishments, and it's often the first thing that hiring managers look at.

Unfortunately, many project manager resumes have boring experience sections that just list duties and responsibilities copied from a previous job description.

To stand out, it's important to focus on what you actually did in your previous roles, and the results you achieved. Include specific details about projects you managed, challenges you overcame, and the impact your work had on the business.

This information is much more valuable to hiring managers and will help them decide whether to shortlist you for the position.

Here are some example achievements for a project manager resume:

By focusing on your achievements and results, you can make your experience section stand out and increase your chances of getting shortlisted for the job.

Experience section for a senior project manager

INCORRECT

Aug 2016 to Present

Project Manager

SRT Investments

• Managed and completed infrastructure projects within company standards.
• Led a team of project managers to deliver product launches.
• Managed and completed projects using project management software.
• Worked with cross-functional teams to deliver projects.

CORRECT

Aug 2016 to Present

Agile Project Manager

SRT Investments

• Successfully managed and completed a $5M infrastructure project on time and within budget, resulting in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction and a 25% increase in company revenue.
• Led a team of 10 project managers to deliver 20 successful product launches, increasing company revenue by 35% and improving customer retention by 40%.
• Implemented an agile project management method which resulted in a 20% increase in project completion rate and a 25% decrease in project costs.
• Received numerous accolades from clients and upper management for delivering projects within scope, on time, and under budget.

The CORRECT example continues to provide specific results and accomplishments, highlighting the implementation of an agile method, which is a relevant skill for many project manager positions.

The example also mentions accolades, which can provide credibility and demonstrate the candidate's ability to deliver results.

On the other hand, the INCORRECT example continues to provide only general information and does not provide any specific details or achievements.

It does not give any indication of the impact of the work or any specific numbers or metrics to back up the claims. It also does not mention any relevant methods or tools used in the job, like project management software.

Experience section for an entry-level project manager

INCORRECT

Aug 2021 to Present

Project Manager

Avondale

• Worked under a technical project manager.
• Showcased project management skills throughout.
• Broaden my project management experience.
• Involved in construction projects.
• Created project plans.

CORRECT

Aug 2021 to Present

Junior Project Manager

ADC Developers

• Successfully managed a project budget of $500,000, delivering the project under budget by 8%.
• Worked in a 5 member team, resulting in the successful launch of a new product line, increasing company revenue by 15%.
• Implemented a new project management system, resulting in a 20% increase in project efficiency and on-time delivery rate.
• Coordinated with cross-functional teams to deliver a complex project, resulting in a customer satisfaction score of 95%.

It is important to focus on the results of your actions and not just the actions themselves. Using numbers or percentages to quantify your achievements will make them more impactful even for a junior project manager.

Let Your Education Shine

The recruiter will state the education qualifications they are looking for in the ideal candidate. In most cases, a Master’s degree and a Bachelor’s degree will be stated in the job advertisement.

However, most recruiters are flexible about the education qualifications provided that the candidate has the required experience.

When writing your education section, use a consistent format to list all your Bachelor’s, Master’s, and High School education.

The name of the degree, institution, and year of graduation is all you need if you are a senior project manager. If you’re just starting, write more about your education including the key learning outcomes.

Top Project Manager Skills

The skills section in your project manager's resume is a critical component for many reasons.

• It helps your application rank well in the ATS test.
• It helps the hiring manager quickly check whether your skills align with the job description.

Find the right skills they are looking for – align them with your technical and soft skills – and pick 5-7 skills to write on your resume.

Write a mix of soft skills and hard skills.

Soft skills for project managers

• Time management
• Team building
• Problem-solving
• Interpersonal skills
• Written communication skills
• Negotiation
• Leadership skills
• Verbal communication skills
• Networking
• Decision making
• Supervisory skills
• Active listening
• Active learning

Hard skills for project managers

• Progress tracking
• Performance tracking
• MS Office and MS Project
• Kanban
• Lean six sigma
• Project variance analysis
• Strategic planning
• Inventory management
• Project finance management
• Investor relations
• Commercial strategies

You need to work long-term to build and refine soft skills – they come with experience. On the other hand, hard skills are easier to master. Find the right technical skills the hiring manager is looking for and make sure you know inside out.

Additional Sections for a Project Manager Resume

Your project manager's resume is ready with the above sections and that’s how 95% of the resumes look like.

But we’re making something that’s outstanding – better than most other candidates.

So we suggest you write a couple of additional sections to give a pleasant surprise to the hiring manager.

Here are some additional sections you could write for a project manager's resume:

• Computer skills & certifications
• Extracurricular activities
• Awards & media recognitions
• Languages
• Interests

Computing Skills & Certifications

If you have completed a certificate course in computer technology or a course on project management software, you could list it in this section.

If you’re a construction or architectural project manager, your skills in using relevant design and measuring software would be extremely important.

Project management certifications are the highest demanding qualifications for project managers and some of them could even outweigh your Master’s degree.

Check out the following list of skill certifications:

• Microsoft Office Specialist Certification
• Certificate in Project Management (CAPM)
• Certified Project Manager (CPM)
• Certified Practicing Project Manager (CPPM)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)

Awards & media recognitions

Media recognitions are a major part of a project marketing strategy. If a previous project you managed got media recognition or ran a PR campaign, you could include that in your resume as a separate section.

These awards and recognitions not only get you the job but also might turn the tables and allow you to set your price.

Make them pop out in your resume with small targeted sections that usually get the hiring manager’s attention.

Tips to Improve Your Project Manager Resume

• Include specific and quantifiable achievements in your resume, such as, "Managed a team of 15 engineers and successfully completed a $2 million dollar project on time and under budget."
• Use industry-specific keywords to make sure your resume gets past any applicant tracking systems.
• Make sure your resume is visually appealing and easy to read. Use bullet points, headings, and white space to make it easy to scan.
• Tailor your resume to each job you're applying for.
• Use a modern resume template to create your project manager resume.

Write a Cover Letter that Complements Your Resume

A cover letter is an important complement to a resume for a project manager job application.

It allows you to express your interest in the position and highlight how your skills and experience align with the job requirements.

A well-written cover letter can help to set you apart from other candidates and make a strong impression on the hiring manager.

It also provides an opportunity for you to show your communication skills and personality, which can be difficult to convey through a resume alone.

It is also a good way to address any potential concerns or gaps in your resume.

It should be tailored to the specific job and company and should be kept short, ideally one page with 3-4 paragraphs. It's an effective way to show your fit for the role and increase your chances of getting an interview.

The process of writing cover letters for each job can be tedious.

However, our ready-to-fill cover letter templates have changed the game saving you hours of time.

FAQ