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, building relationships, and leading teams. The tips below will help you explore this topic and generate powerful details for each section of your project management resume.

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1. Summarize your project manager qualifications in a dynamic profile

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 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 over three 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 more than 15 years of experience in the information technology (IT) and construction industries. Consistent success managing projects valued at more than $1 million. Skilled at reducing project costs, meeting tight deadlines, and allocating diverse resources. Certified Project Management Professional.

2. Add your project manager experience with compelling examples

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. 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 $3 million 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, leading 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 your project manager-related 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 yoru project manager 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 and cost accounting Client satisfaction and retention
Cost reduction and elimination Cross-functional collaboration
Efficiency improvement Process redesign and improvement
Project and program management Project planning and scheduling
Reporting and documentation Revenue and profit growth
Risk management and mitigation Stakeholder relations management
Targeted resource allocation Task prioritization
Team leadership and 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

  • Entry-Level
  • Mid-Career
  • Senior-Level

Kariann White, MBA
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Pasadena, CA 12345 | www.linkedin.com/example

Profile

Collaborative project manager with over seven years of experience. Skilled at preparing clear budget estimates and pinpointing the 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 and cost accounting
  • Client relations management
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Project management software
  • Stakeholder relations management
  • Targeted resource allocation
  • Team leadership and motivation
  • Work planning and scheduling

Professional Experience

Construction Project Manager, Smithson Development Company, Los Angeles, CA | July 2015 to present

  • Oversee construction projects worth $3 million 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, leading 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

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 7% between 2021 and 2031. This growth rate is roughly the same as the average for all U.S. 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, 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, use a Combination (or Hybrid) resume because it’s easiest for hiring managers to learn about your relevant skills and experience. It’s also simplest 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.

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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.

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Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

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