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Table of contents

Popular project manager resumes
How to write a project manager resume
Project manager resume examples by experience level
Add a cover letter
Facts about the project management industry
Key takeaways for your project manager resume
Commonly asked question about resume writing

Project managers are in a great position right now. Your skills are in demand and your field is growing. But, as the field grows, so too does the competition. Our guide will help you stand out from the crowd by offering project manager resume samples and tips to help you get started.

This guide will show you:

Examples of popular project manager resumes.
How to write a project manager resume.
Project manager resumes at different experience levels.
Why cover letters are still important.
Key takeaways as you begin your job search.

Ready to get started with the resume-writing process? Head on over to our AI Resume Builder. This tool offers advice, professionally written text suggestions, and formatting and design help to empower you to create a project manager resume that you can be proud of — without the stress!

Popular project manager resumes

You already know how to be an incredible project manager. Now you need to learn how to make a resume that does justice to your professional skills. We’ve got you covered!

There are lots of different types of project managers. Here, you’ll find resume examples that represent several different project management careers. Take a look at three of our most popular examples, all of which have been made in our Resume Builder:

Project manager resume example

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Project Manager Cover Letters

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How to write a project manager resume

Want to land the project manager role of your dreams? You’re going to need to build the best project manager resume!

Creating the perfect resume begins with understanding all of the parts that make a resume. From the design to the header to the work history section, you need to look for ways to play to your strengths and put your best foot forward.

A good place to start is by making a resume outline, which will always include the following:

Contact info in the header.
A well-written, targeted resume profile.
At least one — if not more! — sections for skills.
A reverse-chronological list of work experience.
A full accounting of credentials in an education section.
Optional sections to help you stand out.

Let’s take a deeper dive into each of these points.

Step 1

Start with your header

A successful resume results in getting contacted for an interview. This means that your resume must include accurate and up-to-date contact information. The header might seem like a minor detail, but providing contact information is one of your resume’s biggest jobs. These are the essential components of a resume header:

Your name
Your phone number
A professional email address
Your city and state
Your LinkedIn profile (optional)

Some resume headers use design elements to add a bit of color or character to the resume. As a project manager, this can be appropriate, especially in creative industries. Just be sure to choose something professional and not distracting.

Writing tip

Double and triple check that your contact information is accurate. Even a flawless resume can’t help you if your potential employer can’t reach you!

Step 2

Add a professional summary or resume objective

Your header is the first step, but your resume profile is your real opener. This is where you get to introduce who you are as a professional and why you’re applying for the role.

There are two main types of resume profiles, each with their own strengths. Let’s look at what makes them different:

Job seekers with relevant experience should write a professional summary. A professional summary introduces the job-seeker’s strengths by summarizing their career and skills.
Job seekers who are entry-level or transitioning into a new field should consider writing a resume objective. A resume objective focuses more on the applicant’s goals. Here, you can explain what you want to contribute to your next role as well as what you hope to learn.

Both resume profile choices introduce you and your strengths as a candidate. The important part is deciding the best way to showcase those strengths.

Writing tip

Don’t forget to highlight your specialties in your professional summary. As a project manager, you could be targeting a number of industries. Use this section to state your career’s focus.

Professional summary example for a project manager resume:

Seasoned project manager with nine years of rich experience in the construction industry. Proven track record in managing over 40 large scale projects from conception to completion, consistently meeting tight deadlines and budget constraints. Skilled at leading diverse teams, streamlining operations and implementing effective project management strategies. Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems, improve operational efficiency and introduce process improvements. Committed to ensuring the highest level of client satisfaction, fostering strong relationships and driving business growth. Known for excellent leadership skills, attention to detail and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Sample objective for a project manager resume:

Motivated and detail-oriented professional with a diverse background seeking to use new skills honed in the Google Project Management Certification in a challenging role in project management. Bringing four years of experience in technical writing, along with strong analytical skills, problem-solving abilities and a proven track record in managing complex projects within tight deadlines. Eager to apply my leadership abilities, time management skills and project coordination expertise to a dynamic project management role to drive efficiency and productivity. Passionate about continuous learning and excited to transfer my unique skill set into the project management sphere.

Step 3

Showcase your skills

Your project management skills are your bread and butter. From managing deadlines to promoting accountability for cross-functional teams, your skills range from highly technical to subtle and interpersonal.

Your skills section should highlight your full spectrum of project management skills. You utilize hard skills to make the most of project management software, manage budgets and perform technical analyses. Your soft skills help you motivate your team and delegate your time effectively.

While understanding hard vs soft skills might not seem necessary, it’s important that your resume incorporates both. A well-rounded skill set is essential for a project manager and prospective employers will be looking for both hard versus soft skills.

Writing tip

Project management is a profession which involves a lot of technical skills. Be specific when listing them. Instead of listing computer skills on your resume, for example, name the specific software that you use.

Hard and soft skills for a project manager resume

Hard Skills

Risk management
Contract negotiation
Agile and Scrum methodologies
Performance monitoring

Soft Skills

Problem-solving
Resourcefulness
Communication
Time management

Step 4

Fill in your work experience

Unless you’re applying for your very first job, the work history section of your resume is going to be one of the most important sections.

Your project management roles have come with lots of different responsibilities, from managing budgets to delegating tasks. Representing all of your competencies might seem tough, but your work experience section is the place to do it and we’re here to help you succeed.

There are a few things to keep in mind when you write your experience section:

Use data to quantify your achievements. Listing responsibilities can be repetitive and dull, but adding numbers gives life and impact to the things you’ve accomplished..
Use action words to give your experience extra impact. Words like “created,” “integrated” and “pioneered” give your resume a sense of confidence and momentum.
List your experience in reverse-chronological order. This shows the progression of your career.

Writing tip

The skills section might be finished, but the work history section gives you new opportunities to highlight both your technical skills and your soft skills.

Sample project manager work experience entry:

Technical Project Manager, Intuitive Solutions
Baltimore, MD
November 2020 – Present

Lead and manage a diverse team of 10+ members working on multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring timely and quality delivery.
Develop detailed project plans, including scope, budget and schedule, resulting in an average of 15% cost savings across all projects.
Manage stakeholder relationships, effectively communicating project status and addressing concerns, leading to a 30% increase in client satisfaction.
Supervise contract negotiations with vendors and suppliers, ensuring the best quality and cost-effective resources.
Successfully delivered 20+ projects within scope, time and cost constraints, enhancing the company’s reputation and client base.
Implement Agile methodologies to improve efficiency, enhance collaboration and accelerate project completion by 20%..

Step 5

Highlight your education

Becoming a project manager usually requires some level of education. Whether you’ve got a bachelor’s degree or a master’s, use the education section of your resume to highlight your training and expertise. Begin by listing your highest degree earned.

The education section is also a great place to list one or two certifications. If you have multiple awards or certifications, it might be better to list them within their own special section.

Project manager education entry example:

Education

Master of Business Administration (MBA), Project Management
Stanford University, Stanford, CA | 2019

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

Writing tip

If you’re a recent graduate, you may want to list relevant coursework with each degree. This showcases expertise in lieu of experience.

Step 6

Consider adding special sections

No two resumes should be exactly alike. Everyone has unique experiences that should guide the direction of their resume. Use your unique experiences to determine whether your project manager resume would benefit from extra sections. Some of the special sections that are common on successful resumes are:

Volunteer work: Volunteering shows passion and dedication to your community. Bonus points for volunteer roles which show off some of the soft skills involved in project management.
Language proficiency: Proficiency in multiple languages shows both mental agility and communication skills.
Hobbies and interests: Hobbies and interests are an excellent thing to include on your resume so long as they are relevant. For a project manager, this might include organizing community events or partaking in personal projects that utilize your technical skills.

Writing tip

For project managers, a special section detailing some of your most noteworthy completed projects is a great way to go the extra mile..

Now that you’ve got the resume sections covered, don’t forget to choose a project manager resume template. Resume templates offer a variety of designs and styles, from creative templates that are eye-catching and bold to simple templates that are straightforward and easy to scan.

And, for people who want immediate access to a template, there are free downloadable options for Microsoft Word and Google Docs.

Project manager resume examples by experience level

Organizing your resume is almost as important as writing its contents. The way your resume is organized has a major effect on how it’s read. Different layouts benefit applicants with different strengths and experience levels. Let’s go over them!

There are three resume formats, and each one is well-suited for a different career stage:

Entry-level job seekers would benefit from a functional resume format.
Midcareer job seekers would be served best by a combination resume format.
Senior job seekers would benefit from a chronological resume format.

Let’s review some project manager resume examples using each format.

Functional resume format: Entry-level project manager example

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What makes this a great project manager resume sample?

This entry-level project management resume uses the functional format
The applicant is at the start of his career and has little experience, so the functional format is a great choice to emphasize his skills..
The career objective focuses on the applicant’s desire to contribute.
Emphasizing career goals over experience is the right choice for an entry-level candidate.
The professional skills section uses action verbs.
Impactful word choices like “collaborated,” “streamlined” and “assisted” make the candidate’s abilities feel more concrete.

Combination resume format: Midcareer project manager resume example

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What makes this a great project manager resume sample?

This resume uses the combination format.
By putting skills first and then detailing her work experience, this format allows the candidate to emphasize her skills and her experience equally.
The work history section of this resume uses quantitative data
Numbers make the applicant’s accomplishments feel more real.
This candidate has added a section for certifications.
Her certifications section complements her education and proves that she’s capable of putting her technical skills to work.

Chronological resume format: Experienced project manager resume example

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What makes this a great project manager resume sample?

This resume uses the chronological format.
Because this applicant is so experienced, his work history takes center stage.
The candidate uses a concise professional summary.
In this applicant’s case, briefly summarizing his experience is a great lead-in to his detailed work history section.
This resume includes a balanced mix of hard and soft skills.
The applicant’s technical skills are featured alongside softer skills like “time management” and “leadership.”

Add a cover letter

Create your cover letter

After all that writing, adding a cover letter might feel like a pain. But, power through! Writing a cover letter is easier than you think and an essential step to writing a job-winning application.

Your cover letter is your chance to explain the contents of your resume and why they make you the best candidate for the job. To learn how to write a cover letter that gets you the interview, get inspired by our library of cover letter examples and our guide on proper cover letter formatting.

If you’re still put off by all that writing, give our Cover Letter Generator a try. This tool generates text specifically written for project manager jobs. Use the suggested text or edit it as much as you want before downloading your finished project manager cover letter.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the career options for a project manager.

Facts about the project management industry

Now that your resume is in shipshape, let’s look at what you can expect from a project management career.

Here are a few facts that explain why nailing your project manager resume is so important.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, project management specialists held 781,400 jobs in 2021, most of them working full-time and many putting in more than 40 hours a week.
The median salary for a project management specialist is $94,500 per year.
Employment in the project management field is projected to grow by 7% from 2021 to 2031, providing 70,400 new opportunities per year on average during this period.

Key takeaways for your project manager resume

List your specialties
Project management is a fairly broad career, be specific so employers know what you can do.
Tailor to each job posting
Nobody wants a cookie-cutter resume. Read the listing and use keywords to craft a resume that is tailored to the job you want.
Use numerical data
Don’t just say what you’ve done, show your potential employers the impact of your work by attaching numerical data to your accomplishments.
Describe your projects
Whether under your work experience or in their own section, projects are essential to a project management resume. Describe them in detail to show off your project management talents.
Add volunteer work
Volunteer work shows engagement with your community, interpersonal skills and dedication. All of these things will help your project management resume stand out.
Proofread carefully
Everyone makes typos once in a while. Ensure that your resume reads as professional by having a friend look it over for mistakes.
Go the extra mile
Don’t neglect the opportunity to communicate your talents. A persuasive cover letter can be the thing that takes an ordinary resume up a notch to win the job!