How to Write a Project Manager Resume
You can write a great resume for project manager jobs if you show your skill at coordinating project tasks and resources. The tips below will help you explore this topic and generate powerful details for each section of your project management resume.
1. Write a concise profile summarizing your qualifications
In a brief paragraph, your Profile summary should give three to five key reasons you excel at overseeing projects. For example, maybe you’ve been recognized for setting clear goals and schedules on large client engagements. Or perhaps you just finished a master’s degree in project management or business administration. Points like these can help catch the hiring manager’s attention and set you apart from other applicants. Also, don’t be afraid to get specific in this section. Details on recent project budgets and highlights are often a great way to make your Profile stand out.
Entry-Level Profile Example
Project Manager Assistant with 3+ years of experience. Adept at scheduling project tasks, monitoring progress, preparing cost estimates, and allocating resources to team members. Naturally curious and committed to gaining and applying new expertise.
Senior-Level Profile Example
Project Manager with 15+ years of experience in the IT and construction industries. Consistent success managing projects valued at more than $1M. Skilled at reducing project costs, meeting tight deadlines, and allocating diverse resources. Certified Project Management Professional.
2. Add a detailed experience section
Under each job in your recent work history, give examples of your success in project management. With strong examples, you can give hiring managers a sense of the impact you’d make as a project manager at their organization. Brainstorm how you ensured various project tasks and stages were done at the right time, in the right way, and by the right person. For instance, maybe you developed a more reliable and accurate way to track project deadlines or contributors. For any project you completed ahead of time or under budget, see if you can quantify that success in terms of a percentage or dollar amount.
Also, consider adding project results if they’re likely to resonate with your target companies. What short- or long-term benefit did each engagement have on the client or company? For instance, did it help them cut costs, raise efficiency, or improve customer ratings?
Mid-Career Experience Example
Construction Project Manager, Smithson Development Company, Los Angeles, CA | July 2015 to Present
- Oversee construction projects worth $3M on average
- Coordinate internal resources and outside consultants to ensure timely project completion
- Manage any changes to project scope, schedule, and budget
- Forge strong relationships with clients, vendors, and other stakeholders
Highlight:
- Established a new system for separate tracking of project next steps and client appointments. Measure led to better internal communications and a more seamless customer experience
Senior-Level Experience Example
Senior Project Manager, Tetronics Solutions, Santa Fe, NM | June 2013 to Present
- Oversee and motivate a 15-member project management team
- Plan, schedule, and closely monitor each project to ensure timely completion
- Prepare accurate budgets based on careful review of project goals, materials, and labor resources
- Foster lucrative, long-term client relationships
Highlight:
- Established a more comprehensive system for tracking status of each project, raising overall efficiency by 15%
3. Include relevant education and certifications
Use the education and certifications sections to show your project management work has a strong knowledge base. If you majored in project management, business, or a related subject, include that next to your degree title. Also, consider giving details on related academic projects, especially if your work experience is limited.
Below are templates and examples to help you format your education and certification details. Note that optional template areas appear in [brackets].
Education
Template:
Degree Name — [Major], School Name, City, ST | [Year]
[#.# GPA] | [academic honors or awards]
Example:
Bachelor’s Degree — Business Administration, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM | 2007
Certification
Template:
Certification Name or Title, [Awarding Organization] | [Year]
Example:
Certified Associate in Project Management, Project Management Institute | 2015
4. List key skills and proficiencies
Include a “Key Skills” section on your resume to show the various ways you coordinate and streamline projects. You can also use this section to show the general value of your project management work in areas like cost reduction, client relations, or business growth. Below are some common project management skills to consider for this section:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Budgeting & Cost Accounting | Client Satisfaction & Retention |
| Cost Reduction & Elimination | Cross-Functional Collaboration |
| Efficiency Improvement | Process Redesign & Improvement |
| Project & Program Management | Project Planning & Scheduling |
| Reporting & Documentation | Revenue & Profit Growth |
| Risk Management & Mitigation | Stakeholder Relations Management |
| Targeted Resource Allocation | Task Prioritization |
| Team Leadership & Motivation | Time Management |
| Vendor Contract Negotiations | |
How to Pick the Best Project Manager Resume Template
As with most vocations, project managers should use a resume design that’s simple and straightforward. Opt for a visual template that lets the hiring manager quickly review your best career details. Use a clear resume font, and avoid any template that has an overly colorful or elaborate design.
Project Manager Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Mark Marsit
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Phoenix, AZ 12345 | www.linkedin.com/example
Profile
Project Manager Assistant with 3+ years of experience. Adept at scheduling project tasks, monitoring progress, preparing cost estimates, and allocating resources to team members.
Key Skills
- Budgeting & Cost Accounting
- Client Relations
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Process Streamlining
- Task Prioritization
- Vendor Relations
Work Experience
Project Manager, Gryphon Consulting Corp., Phoenix, AZ | June 2019 to Present
- Oversee four complex projects per year, each worth ~$750K
- Closely monitor projects to ensure on-time, under-budget completion
- Keep project costs in check by obtaining estimates from multiple vendors
- Review invoices for double charges and other inaccuracies
Highlight:
- Raised the firm’s bottom line by suggesting project upgrades and lower-cost service providers
Project Management Intern, XYZ Consultants Inc., Phoenix, AZ | September 2018 to December 2018
- Created and sent project proposals to customers
- Supported project managers by reviewing invoices, making vendor payments, and ordering materials
- Entered purchase orders into firm’s accounting system
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Science (Project Management), Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ | 2019
3.78 GPA | magna cum laude
Technical Skills
LiquidPlanner | Microsoft Excel | Microsoft Project
Kariann White, MBA
(123) 456-7890 | kar[email protected] | Pasadena, CA 12345 | www.linkedin.com/example
Profile
Collaborative Project Manager with 7+ years of experience. Skilled at preparing clear budget estimates and pinpointing best ways to avoid cost overruns. Experience using software and cloud-based applications to track projects and control costs. Project Management Professional (PMP). Master of Business Administration.
Key Skills
- Budgeting & Cost Accounting
- Client Relations Management
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Project Management Software
- Stakeholder Relations Management
- Targeted Resource Allocation
- Team Leadership & Motivation
- Work Planning & Scheduling
Professional Experience
Construction Project Manager, Smithson Development Company, Los Angeles, CA | July 2015 to Present
- Oversee construction projects worth $3M on average
- Coordinate internal resources and outside consultants to ensure timely project completion
- Manage any changes to project scope, schedule, and budget
- Forge strong relationships with clients, vendors, and other stakeholders
Highlight:
- Established new system for separate tracking of project next steps and client appointments. Measure led to better internal communications and a more seamless customer experience
Project Manager Assistant, Lee Consulting Company, Pasadena, CA | May 2013 to July 2015
- Delivered proposals, answered client calls, and reviewed invoices
- Responded to RFPs by gathering estimates and other documentation
- Ordered and routed project materials to the appropriate manager
- Entered project expenses into accounting system
Education
Master of Business Administration, University of California, Berkeley | 2015
Bachelor of Computer Science, Caltech Pasadena, CA | 2013
Certification
Certified Associate in Project Management, Project Management Institute | 2015
Language
Fluency in Spanish
Miles Bateman
(123) 456-7890 | m[email protected] | Santa Fe, NM 12345 | www.linkedin.com/example
Profile
Project Manager with 15+ years of experience in the IT and construction industries. Consistent success managing projects valued at more than $1M. Skilled at reducing project costs, meeting tight deadlines, and allocating diverse resources. Certified Project Management Professional.
Key Skills
- Cloud-Based Applications
- Cost Reduction & Elimination
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership
- Customer Relations & Service
- Reporting & Documentation
- Stakeholder Relations Management
- Vendor Contract Negotiations
Professional Experience
Senior Project Manager, Tetronics Solutions, Santa Fe, NM | June 2013 to Present
- Oversee and motivate a 15-member project management team
- Plan, schedule, and closely monitor each project to ensure timely completion
- Prepare accurate budgets based on careful review of project goals, materials, and labor resources
- Foster lucrative, long-term client relationships
Highlight:
- Established a more comprehensive system for tracking status of each project, raising overall efficiency by 15%
Project Manager, IT Institute of Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM | December 2007 to June 2013
- Prepared project estimates by researching cost of materials, vendor services, and internal labor resources
- Generated revenue by responding to RFPs and conducting pitch meetings
- Supervised one project manager assistant and two clerical employees
Highlight:
- Used Clarizen cloud-based project management tool to improve team efficiency and collaboration
Education
Bachelor’s Degree — Business Administration, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM | 2007
Certifications
- Project Management Professional, Project Management Institute
- Certified Project Manager, International Association of Project Managers
- Project+ Certification, CompTIA
Frequently Asked Questions: Project Manager Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for project manager resumes?+
One of the best ways to enhance your resume is by using a good mix of action verbs in your Experience section. The following verbs list will help you brainstorm and capture the various ways you’ve led successful projects:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Allocated | Anticipated |
| Assessed | Audited |
| Budgeted | Calculated |
| Clarified | Configured |
| Controlled | Coordinated |
| Created | Enhanced |
| Established | Estimated |
| Garnered | Improved |
| Introduced | Launched |
| Managed | Monitored |
| Orchestrated | Ordered |
| Organized | Oversaw |
| Planned | Predicted |
| Prepared | Prevented |
| Prioritized | Produced |
| Quantified | Recommended |
| Restructured | Revamped |
| Reviewed | Scheduled |
| Sequenced | Streamlined |
How do you align your project manager resume with a job posting?+
The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that jobs for project management specialists will increase by about seven percent between 2021 and 2031. This growth rate is roughly the same as the average for all US vocations.
You can get more interviews in this growing field if you tailor your resume for each application. Start by looking at the job post and highlighting words that appear important – especially ones that are repeated or emphasized. These key phrases can tell you what details you may want to feature in your resume (as long as they’re accurate to your experience).
For example, if the company is looking for someone collaborative, you should call out that aspect of your experience in your Profile and Key Skills sections. Or say the company has many non-English speaking clients. You may want to highlight your foreign language skills both in your Profile and as a separate section farther down the document. With adjustments like these, you can make your resume more relevant to each opportunity.
What is the best project manager resume format?+
In nearly all cases, you should use a Combination (or Hybrid) resume because it’s easiest for hiring managers to learn about your relevant skills and experience. It’s also easiest for you to modify based on your job goals.
With the Combination format, you highlight your most relevant skills and experience in your Experience or Work History section and an intro section. (This combination of work history and intro content is where the format gets its name.) Your resume intro should usually include a Profile summary and Key Skills section, but you may also add a Career Highlights or Awards section.
Expert Advice: Include a cover letter with your resume
To increase your chances of an interview, write a strong cover letter. The key to an effective letter is customizing it based on each job opening. Read our project manager cover letter guide to learn how. For other related examples, see our operations manager and product manager cover letter guides.
