Program Manager Resume Samples & Writing Guide [2025]

You’re the mastermind behind many successful projects, but is your program manager's resume checking all the right boxes? With expert advice and a selection of the best program manager resume examples, I’ll show you exactly how to craft a perfect resume. Whether you need some actionable advice or a sample resume for program manager jobs, I’ve got you covered. Let’s begin!

This guide will show you:

• A sample program manager resume better than 9 out of 10 other samples.
• How to write a program manager resume that will land you more interviews.
• Tips and sample resumes for program managers showing how to put skills and achievements on your resume.
• How to describe your experience on a program management resume to get any job you want.

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Sample Program Manager Resume

Now that you’ve seen what a program manager resume template should look like, let’s get into the details of how to write your resume for program manager positions.

1. Choose the Best Format for Your Program Manager Resume

Not sure how to make a resume? Start with formatting. When you choose a reverse-chronological resume format, you simply can’t go wrong. It will probably work better than a combination resume and a skill-based resume. It’s perfectly organized and highlights your skills, strengths, and experience.

Speaking of employers—How long do you think a recruiter spends on each resume? According to a study, it’s only just a little over seven seconds. And that’s why the right formatting is so important.

When it comes to other details of resume formatting, make use of white space, clear resume headings, and a legible, classic resume font like Arial. Don’t forget about a clear resume header and your current contact details.

Pro Tip: Always save your program manager resume template as a PDF to keep the resume layout intact. Use a different file format only if the job ad asks you to do so.

2. Present Your Experience on Your Program Management Resume

Knowing how to illustrate program management experience on your resume is key. But you can’t just list your past jobs. You need to tailor this section to the job description so that the hiring manager knows you’re a good fit for the position.

Focus on listing your previous positions and showcasing the projects you’ve participated in. How can you do both?

Let me show you how to make a program manager resume work experience section:

• Adhere to the reverse chronological order.
• Include your job title, company name, location, and dates of employment in each entry.
• Limit yourself to six bullet points for each to present your job duties and professional achievements.
• Customize your resume to match the job ad.
• While showcasing your achievements, rely on numbers and percentages for an even greater impact.

Program Manager Resume Examples—Experience Section

The first program manager's resume example presents relevant achievements and duties in a sufficiently detailed manner. The second entry fails to do all and lacks bullet points.

It’s worth repeating: experience takes precedence in this job, especially on a senior program manager's resume. Put a spotlight on it by showing off your big wins as a program manager.

Start by listing all the programs you’ve managed in the past. Then return to it for every job application you make. Choose three to six past programs tailored to the job in question.

But—what if you’re not an experienced program manager? Read on. You can still write a top-notch entry-level program manager resume.

Begin with a list of your relevant achievements. To level up, you need to show consistently good project results. You must also prove your leadership skills.

If you’ve never held a job title of even a junior program manager, you should still follow the same steps outlined above. Here’s an example:

Program Manager Resume Sample: No Experience

The first sample shows exactly how aspiring program manager resumes’ experience sections should look—tailored to the job ad and well-structured. The second sample fails to prove that the candidate can do the job well.

Pro Tip: Spice up your work experience section with resume action words. They’re a powerful way to improve your resume writing style.

Creating a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide and use content from Certified Professional Resume Writers to have a resume ready in minutes.

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3. Present Your Educational Background

Even though relevant work experience is the most important part of any good program manager resume, you should never skip the education section. Granted, it’s not the main star of the show, but it can still help you score some extra points in the eyes of the hiring manager.

Here’s what you should include in your program management resume education section:

• College name and location
• Start and graduation date
• Degree obtained

If you have little professional experience, expand on your educational background by including relevant coursework, your favorite fields of study, extracurricular activities, and academic achievements, just like in the sample below.

Program Manager Resume Sample: Education Section

Get more hints and tips in our guide: How to Put Education on Resume: Tips and Examples. 

4. Highlight Relevant Skills on Your Program Manager Resume

Imagine your resume as a roadmap for a complex project, and your skills are the key milestones that guide hiring managers toward their destination—choosing you. I’ll show you how to showcase these essential milestones and keep your program management resume on course for success.
Showcase both hard and soft skills but don’t just pick them at random. Tailor them to the job offer you’re targeting. To make it easier, first prepare a master list of all your hard and soft skills. Then, each time you tailor your resume to a specific job ad, go through your list and select soft and hard skills that are the best answer to the employer’s needs.
I’ve prepared a list of program manager skills you can take inspiration from:

Program Management Skills for Resumes

• Active Listening
• Adaptability Skills
• Administrative Skills
• Agile Methodology
• Budget Management
• Communication Skills
• Computer Skills
• Conceptual Skills
• Conflict Resolution
• Critical Thinking
• Customer Service Skills
• Data Analysis
• Decision-Making
• Documentation
• Interpersonal Skills
• Leadership Abilities
• Management Skills
• Mitigation
• Negotiation
• People Skills
• Prioritization
• Problem-Solving Skills
• Process Optimization
• Program Management
• Project Management Skills
• Project Planning
• Quality Assurance
• Risk Management
• Strategic Planning
• Time Management

Now, let me show you how your skills section should look:

Program Manager Skills Resume Example

Supercharge your skills section with our comprehensive guide: Resume Skill List: Examples of Skills to Put on a Resume

5. Add Other Sections to Your Program Manager Resume to Seal the Deal

Did you know that employment in the project management niche is expected to grow by 7% in the upcoming years? As program managers have similar job duties, we can expect this number to be pretty much the same. 

To win your dream job, you need to make your program manager's resume truly stand out from the crowd. And the best way to do that is by including some extra resume sections.

Are you an experienced program manager? Consider these sections:

• Professional Awards
• Relevant Affiliations
• Conferences & Workshops

As a candidate without program management experience, enrich your resume with extra sections like:

• Hobbies & Interests
• Volunteer Work

No matter your level of experience, it’s always a good idea to add a section presenting your knowledge of foreign languages. Believe me—such skills are highly valued no matter what specific industry you’re in.

Another section I highly recommend is one devoted solely to your professional certifications. Just make sure you keep them relevant to the job you’re applying for. You can include some general certifications, such as the Program Management Professional (PgMP®) certificate from the Project Management Institute, and list any industry-specific certifications you may have.

Let’s see what extra sections on a resume for program management jobs can look like:

Program Manager Resume—Examples of Additional Sections

Read more: What Makes a Resume the Best?

6. Grab Attention With Your Introduction

Remember those seven seconds I’ve mentioned? They’re spent at the top of your resume. That’s why you need an introductory statement, a.k.a. the resume profile.

It’s a short paragraph explaining why you’re the best candidate, and it takes the form of a summary or objective. Think about it as your elevator pitch. Write a good one, and your resume will get much more attention than those mere 7 seconds.

So which resume profile type should you use, a program manager resume summary or a resume objective?

• A resume objective is best if you’re inexperienced and writing a resume for an entry-level program manager. Career changers and program managers entering a new sector should also use it. A resume objective is a brief paragraph that describes your professional goals for the new job you’re seeking. It also gives a brief outline of the skills you’ve developed in your career to date.
• A resume summary is the best option for an experienced senior program manager resume. A summary functions as a brief description of your relevant program manager experience and skills. It gives the hiring manager an overview before they read your entire resume.

Your resume introduction should impress the hiring manager enough that they will read the rest of your resume. Let me show you how it’s done.

Program Manager Resume Examples: Summaries

The first program manager's resume summary is rich in detail and effectively showcases specific achievements to grab the recruiter’s attention. Unfortunately, the second one of these program manager resume summary examples is too vague to present the candidate’s potential.

Now, let me show you some sample program manager resume objectives.

Program Manager Resume Examples: Objectives

See that? The first program manager's resume objective is a clear and detailed narrative. It features measurable achievements that prove the candidate’s worth. The wrong sample program manager resume objective offers no evidence of the candidate’s value—it won’t entice the recruiter to read the rest of their resume.

Read more: The Best Resume Tips to Advance Your Career in 2025

7. Make a Cover Letter for Your Program Manager's Resume

You may think that cover letters are a thing of the past, but you couldn’t be more wrong. Cover letters are still needed, and if someone’s telling you that’s not the case, they’re not giving you any good resume-writing tips. Actually, 83% of recruiters think that cover letters are important.

So, here’s how to write a great cover letter:

• Pay attention to your cover letter formatting and pick a template that matches the one of your resume.
• Keep your cover letter short and make it fit onto one page.
• Address your cover letter properly by using the hiring manager’s name.
• Write a strong opening statement for your cover letter to grab and hold attention.
• Use the cover letter to present yourself as the answer to the recruiter’s needs.
• Finish with a strong call to action in your cover letter ending and don’t forget to include a professional sign-off.

Read more: How to Write a Perfect Program Manager Cover Letter + Sample

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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Key Takeaway

Let’s sum up how to write a program manager resume:

• Pick a resume format best suited for you.
• Fill your experience section with accomplishments and duties.
• Match the skills section to the requirements of the job ad.
• Add an education section.
• Boost your chances with extra sections and a cover letter.

Thank you for reading my article! Do you have any questions about how to make a program resume? Feel free to leave a comment in the comments section below. I’ll be glad to help you out!

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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• The Ladders, "Eye-tracking study"
• Human Resources Online, "Are cover letters important? 83% of recruiters say yes"
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Project Management Specialists"
• Project Management Institute, “Program Management Professional (PgMP)® Certification"