How to write a project manager resume (with an example)

When applying for a project manager position, your resume is typically the first impression you'll make on a potential employer. Make it count by submitting a thorough, high-quality resume that describes your relevant skills and experience in a compelling way. Taking the time to write a great resume improves your chances of capturing a hiring manager's attention. Explore this guide for step-by-step instructions and an example project manager resume you can use when applying for this position.

Identify keywords

Before you begin writing your resume, identify the keywords you plan to use. Keywords are incredibly important because many companies use software known as an applicant tracking system (ATS) to scan resumes for specific words and phrases. Research from Empxtrack, an HR software company, found that 75% of hiring managers use ATS software in their hiring processes. Keywords are crucial because if your resume doesn't pass an ATS, it probably won't get to a hiring manager for review.

A good way to identify keywords is to review the job descriptions that employers post, as hiring managers often include them in the job advertisement. Use the same words and phrases throughout your resume to give yourself the best chance of passing an ATS.

Choose a format

Start by choosing the format you want to use for your project manager's resume. A chronological resume is the most common format. This type of resume lists your work experience and education in reverse chronological order so employers see your most recent accomplishments first.

In some cases, you might want to use a different format. The other common types of resume formats are:

Functional resume: This format emphasizes your skills relevant to a project manager role rather than your work experience.
Combination resume: As its name suggests, a combination resume includes elements of both chronological and functional resumes.

These alternative formats can be helpful if you don't have much project management experience to show on your resume. If you have gaps in your work history, you can also use one of these formats to make them less noticeable.

Write a resume summary

While optional, having a summary at the top of your resume can be a great way to introduce yourself to employers and get their attention. Use your summary to describe your top skills, achievements, and experience for a project manager position. Aim to provide two or three details that distinguish you from other applicants. For example, you might mention how you successfully led a team to finish a recent project $5,000 under budget.

If you're applying for your first project manager job, you can write a resume summary describing your accomplishments. For example, you might mention:

An internship you completed and what you learned from the experience
An academic achievement, such as a high GPA
Transferable skills you've gained through other experiences, such as leadership or budgeting

Detail your experience

Employers want to know about your relevant experience in project management, so spend some time on this part of your resume. For each job you list, include your title, employment dates, and employer's name. Then, use bullet points to describe your job duties, focusing on ones that apply to a project manager position. Even if you don't have previous project management experience, try to write bullet points relevant to the role.

When writing your bullet points, use this format to show the action you performed, the job duty, and the outcome:

[Strong verb] + [duty] + [outcome]

Here's an example of a bullet point using this format:

Managed changes to project scope by conferring with clients, ensuring projects remained on schedule and within budget

Emphasize your achievements

There's a time to be humble about your accomplishments, but your resume isn't it. Make sure you let employers know what you've achieved in your career. Emphasizing your achievements gives a hiring manager an idea of what you might accomplish as a project manager at their company.

Project managers focus on outcomes, so do the same in your resume. Use measurable data and statistics to explain how you've successfully led teams to achieve project goals. For example, you could emphasize that you have a 99% track record of leading teams to complete projects by their deadlines. You could also describe the budget range of projects you've managed in the past.

"There's a time to be humble about your accomplishments, but your resume isn't it. Make sure you let employers know what you've achieved in your career."

List your skills

A skills section is another essential part of your resume since it shows employers your knowledge and abilities for the job. Focus on hard skills relating to a project manager position or the industry you want to work in. For example, if you're applying for a construction project manager role, you could list skills related to building codes and construction estimating. You can also include some soft skills to demonstrate your ability to lead teams, communicate with clients, and make decisions.

While the skills you list can vary depending on the position you're applying for, here are some common competencies of project managers across industries:

Budgeting
Project planning
Scheduling
Risk management
Resource allocation
Vendor management
Client retention
Project management methodologies, such as Scrum or Agile
Project management software
Leadership
Communication
Decision-making
Organization

Add your education and certifications

Don't forget to add your education and relevant certifications to your resume. List the specific name of your academic credential, such as the degree or certification you've earned. Provide the name of the institution where you received it. Many employers value continuing education, so consider earning a certification to include on your resume, such as the widely recognized Project Management Professional credential from the Project Management Institute.

Review your resume

Once you've finished writing your resume, resist the urge to submit it immediately. Instead, review it carefully to ensure that it's as good as it possibly can be. Use online editing and spellchecking tools to catch errors. Double-check your employment dates and other facts you include on your resume for accuracy. If you have time, ask a friend or trusted adviser to read over your resume. They might have feedback you can use to improve it before you apply for the job.

Project manager resume example

For more help writing a resume for a project manager role, see the below example.

Adam Jones
555-555-5555
[email protected]
Los Angeles, California

Summary

Efficient and decisive project manager with exceptional budgeting and leadership skills. Proven record of negotiating with vendors to save over $5,000 in project costs.

Experience

Project Manager | ABC Industries

2020–present | City, State

Lead cross-functional teams to complete projects ranging from $10K to $100K
Estimate project costs and negotiate prices, saving over $5,000 on average
Allocate resources among five to eight team members to ensure on-time project completion

Assistant Project Manager | XYZ, Inc.

2018-2020 | City, State

Provided support to three project managers to maintain project deadlines
Managed schedules for five-member teams to keep projects progressing on schedule
Prepared weekly reports to share key details with project stakeholders

Skills

Proficient in project management software
Skilled in project planning, scheduling, and budgeting
Adept at leadership and communication

Education

Bachelor of Science in Business | State University

A well-written project manager resume can help you land a job, whether you're applying for your first position or looking for a new role with a different company. Once you've finished writing it, upload your resume on CareerBuilder. This can take some stress out of finding open positions by instantly matching you to project manager jobs in your area.