Best Project Manager Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

You’re well-versed in PM methodologies, keep information flowing seamlessly, and can win stakeholders’ respect. Describing all that in a project management resume is a project that must be aced!

Read on, because in this guide, you’ll see some great examples and templates. And you’ll also learn exactly how to move your project manager resume writing task from backlog to done.

This guide will show you:

• A professional project manager resume example you can refine and make yours.
• An easy formula for writing a resume for project management jobs that will land you 10x more interviews.
• Tips for creating a project management resume better than any other PMP resume you’ve written in the past.

Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.

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Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume samples here.

Are you here just to write up project management skills on your resume? Switch to: Project Management Skills on a Resume (20+ Examples)

Also, check out our guides for:

• Agile Project Manager Resume
• Project Coordinator Resume
• Program Coordinator Resume
• Project Engineer Resume
• Operations Manager Resume
• Construction Project Manager Resume
• Production Supervisor Resume
• Scrum Master Resume
• IT Project Manager Resume
• Best Sample Resumes for 500+ Jobs

Project Manager Resume Example

That’s one of those job-winning project manager resume examples. And now, here’s the job-winning project manager resume formula:

1. Choose the Right Project Manager Resume Template

Your project manager's resume serves the same purpose as you. Let me explain: a project manager, such as yourself, is responsible for turning grand ideas into deliverable projects, products, or features. In a word, you deliver value. The purpose of your project management resume is to do just that: deliver your PMP value to the employer, in the very first iteration. 

Structure your resume for a project manager following these tips:

• Go for a respected style like the reverse-chronological resume format. This resume style lists your most recent accomplishments, making scanning the document easier.
• Add your contact information to a resume header.
• Divide your document into these resume parts:
• Header with contact info
• Summary Statement/Career Objective
• Work Experience
• Education
• Skills
• Additional Sections (Conferences, Extra Training, Volunteering, Certifications, Etc.)
• Use white space, eye-friendly headings, and clear resume fonts for an ATS-friendly resume.
• Go for a two-page resume if you have years of experience under your belt. Otherwise, a one-page resume template should do the trick, especially since that’s how long a resume should usually be.
• Save your project management resume as a PDF file. That’s how you keep the resume format intact. 

Remember: employers will look you up online, so make sure your online presence is perfect and optimize your LinkedIn summary & profile to boost your chances of landing a job.

And now, since the resume layout is ready, let’s find out how to write your resume for a project manager.

Learn more resume hacks: The Best Resume Tips

2. Add Experience to Your Project Management Resume

For the best project manager resume, you must spotlight your most successful projects. HR managers will fish for your on-the-job expertise. It’s crucial for a project manager. Maybe more than for any other kind of applicant. 

Follow these rules when putting work experience on your resume for a project manager:

• List your accomplishment examples and not your duties. That’s what distinguishes experienced professionals from others.
• Use resume bullet points to boost the readability of your document.
• Start each bullet point with an action word. It’s the easiest way of making a resume that stands out. 
• Quantify those achievements, making them relevant, impressive, and impactful.

Here’s how you write achievements on a project manager resume. 

Project Manager Resume Example [Job Description]

As you can see, the first candidate listed the projects on a resume quite well, giving all the necessary details. The second, on the other hand, didn’t do that, so the recruiter won’t know what was the meaning of those projects. 

But what if you’re writing an entry-level project manager resume? 

The beauty of building a project manager resume experience description is that everyone has some experience managing projects. If you’ve set and met a work goal, managed a resource, led a team, or reshaped any process, you’re already a (junior) project manager.

So brainstorm all the projects you’ve managed or participated in. Dig into your memory to pinpoint previous successes. Check these project manager resume samples:

Entry-Level Project Manager Portfolio Example (Work Experience)

Again, everyone is a project manager if they think hard enough. The key action is to show that in an entry-level project manager resume experience section. 

Or to use the next section to your advantage…

Learn how to write a novice resume in our guide: Entry-Level Resume Examples

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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When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

3. Highlight Education on Your Project Manager Resume

If you’re writing a project management resume and already have plenty of experience, adding a degree to a resume is easy. Just limit yourself to listing your highest degree of education. But—if you’re a junior project manager, add bullet points to show your background a bit more.

Here’s what to include in your resume education section:

• Relevant coursework
• Dean’s list
• Latin honors
• Extracurricular activities
• Studying abroad
• GPA on a resume

See these project management resume examples:

Project Manager Resume Examples [Education]

This candidate has kept it short, while showing some good PM skills. 

And while we’re at it…

Want to learn more about highlighting your education? Read more: Listing Minor and Major on a Resume

4. Put the Right Skills in Your Project Manager Resume

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 68,100 openings for project management specialists are projected each year. To boost your chances of landing one of those jobs, you need more than perfect experience and education sections. You need some impressive resume skills on your project manager resume.

Good examples of project management resume skills vary depending on your primary expertise. For example, valuable skills for a technical project manager resume will differ from skills on a digital project manager resume.

Start with this list of skills for PM resumes:

What Skills Should a Project Manager Put on a Resume?

• Cost Control
• Risk Management
• Methodologies: Prince2, Agile, Waterfall, Scrum, CPM, CCPM, IPM, PRiSM, Kanban, Scrumban, Lean, XP
• Presentation Skills
• Analytical Skills
• MS Office Skills
• General management skills
• Project Scheduling
• Strategic Planning & Analysis
• Business Development
• Business Case Writing
• Interpersonal Skills
• Teamwork Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Verbal and Written Communication
• Organizational Skills
• Active Listening Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Mentoring
• Problem-Solving Skills
• Time Management
• Critical Thinking

But—to create a truly agile project manager resume, never use a generic “skills list.” Always pick the PM skills you showcase straight from the job description. 

Here’s how to choose the best skills for a project manager resume:

1. Make two lists of skills: one listing all your skills, and another one listing project manager skills from the job ad.

2. Draw connections between both lists to find your resume keywords.

3. Add those soft skills and hard skills to the skills section of your resume. A good project manager resume is not only filled with technical skills. It’s a blend of soft and hard skills.

4. Tweak your resume achievements to prove those PM-related skills.

To increase your chances of landing the job, customize your skills section to reflect the specific requirements listed in the job ad. This targeted customization not only aligns your qualifications with the employer’s needs but also demonstrates your attention to detail and genuine interest in the role.

Here’s what this section could look like in a sample project manager resume:

Project Management Resume Examples [Skills]

Now, that’s a highly-skilled project manager’s resume. Definitely worth an interview.

Let’s see what else you can manage to fit into your resume.

Looking for some more skills wanted by employers? See our guide: Core Competencies for a Resume

5. Add Extra Sections to Your Project Manager Resume

You have some eye-catching strengths you may not even know you have. These can include conferences you spoke at, industry awards, programming projects, or even things you do for fun. 

Here are some things you can include as additional sections on your project manager resume:

• Licenses & Certifications: Regardless of whether you are a junior or a senior PM, certifications are another way to prove you know the difference between implementation and deployment. Make sure to get certified and put one of the widely recognized certificates such as Project Management Professional or Certified ScrumMaster on your project manager resume template. 
• Volunteer Work: Have you volunteered to build homes for the homeless or plan a charity event for animal shelters? Such activities scream “I can manage a project.”
• Languages on a Resume: It is not a must-have to put on a PM resume, but if you want to work in an international environment, listing languages on a resume will definitely give you extra points. 
• Conferences: Have you attended a Global Scrum Gathering? PM events and conferences show your engagement and prove you want to stay up to date.
• Hobbies and Interests: The best way to prove your soft skills is with your hobbies and interests. Use them wisely and they will back your communication, organization, or leadership skills.
• Relevant Publications: Publications can quickly turn you from a professional into an authority. And an authority is always a great hire.
• Awards on a Resume: To show you’re an exceptional professional who has earned recognition from your industry, include any relevant award on your resume.

See these project manager resume samples:

Senior Project Manager Resume Examples [Other Sections]

First example? Detailed and impressive. Second one? The opposite. Guess who’s landing an interview.

Now let’s take a step back and write a perfect, eye-catching opening to your document.

Polish off your application with extra information: What to Put on a Resume to Make it Perfect

6. Write a Project Manager Resume Summary or Resume Objective

Most hiring teams won’t read your project management resume. They’ll only scan the top of this document, as an average of recruiters spend only 7 seconds looking at a resume. Starting a resume with a well written resume profile is how you convince them to spend some more time on your document.

You can write two different resume profiles: a resume summary and a resume objective.What’s the difference between them?

• If you’ve got more than a year of relevant experience, write a resume summary.
• Write a resume objective if you have less than a year of relevant experience.

To write them, use these simple formulas:

Now, let’s see some examples:

Project Manager Examples [Resume Summary]

The first of those project manager sample resumes shows you’ve actually done the work. The bad resume example, on the other hand, has serious bugs. Why? The lack of numbers and company names makes it as non-actionable as a blank user story.

Writing an entry-level project manager resume? Write a career objective, following the same rules as mentioned above. Only this time, take project management achievements and transferable skills from your non-PM jobs. 

What is a strong resume objective for a project manager? 

Project Manager Examples [Resume Objective]

Wow. Which candidate would you hire? The difference is obvious.

Now, your resume is ready. But you’re not ready to send it to the hiring manager yet. Let’s see what we can do about your cover letter!

Want to improve your position in the job market? See here: Which High-Income Skills Should You Learn in 2024?

7. Engineer a Project Manager Cover Letter to Seal the Deal

Maybe you’ve heard conflicting opinions on how important a cover letter is. Here’s the bottom line—most employers still expect a cover letter along with a creative project manager resume.

Our HR statistics report shows nearly 5 of 10 hiring teams ignore resumes with no letters attached.

For a project manager cover letter, keep it brief. Again, highlight your most impressive accomplishments and experience to make the hiring manager think, “I’d better give this PMP resume a little extra time.”

To write a successful project manager cover letter:

1. First, get your cover letter formatting right.

2. Next, engage the reader in the opening paragraph of your cover letter.

3. Use the middle paragraph to prove your understanding of the job duties.

4. Finally, offer something the company needs at the end of your cover letter.

Don’t forget to personalize your cover letter by adding the addressee’s name. You can also check out the business’ website and mention something about it that jumped out at you.

Read more about writing a job-winning letter: Project Manager Cover Letter Guide

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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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Key Takeaway

Here’s a recap of how to write the best project manager resume:

• Choose a layout that makes scanning your resume easy.
• Focus on wins from your work history as a project manager.
• Match your project manager resume keywords to job description bullets.
• Find PM skills in the online job posting and sprinkle them across your resume parts.
• Include bonus resume sections to show off your PM certifications and awards.
• Proofread your project management resume and craft a personalized cover letter.

That’s it! You’re ready to ace your project management resume. 

Now, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s chat below in the comments, and thanks for reading!

About Zety’s Editorial Process 

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

• bureau of labor statistics: Project Management Specialists
• Riia O'Donnell, "Eye tracking study shows recruiters look at resumes for 7 seconds"
• Scrum Alliance Events Search

Frequently Asked Questions about Project Manager Resume

What should a project manager put on a resume?

In addition to the required resume sections, such as resume profile, work experience, education, and skills, a perfect resume should include extra resume parts. And they are:

• awards and accomplishments
• certifications 
• additional training 
• attended conferences

With the Zety resume builder, you won’t have to worry about what to put and what else to leave out. The software will tell you precisely what recruiters want to find in your resume. Pick one of our resume templates and start building your resume.

How do you say you were a project manager on a resume?

Your resume summary and work experience sections will help you explain what you’ve been doing for the last couple of years. Forget about responsibilities, though. Focus on what you’ve accomplished throughout your project management career and build achievement statements around it. To do that, you’ll need power words (supported, generated), numbers ($200,000, +40K), and clear-cut goals.

How do you write a career objective for a project manager?

1. Start with an adjective describing yourself, like dedicated.
2. Name 2–3 transferrable skills of a project manager that you have, such as communication and planning.
3. State your goals aligned with the company’s strategy, for example, to execute the local digital marketing strategy.
4. Mention the job title and company name.

What are the responsibilities of the project manager?

Project management job responsibilities are:

• Turn ideas into deliverables
• Assemble and lead project teams
• Set goals, oversee progress, define deadlines
• Gather and manage budget
• Ensure stakeholders satisfaction
• Evaluate effectiveness and efficiency

But remember! Job responsibilities mean nothing compared to achievements on a resume. Recruiters want to know what you bring to the table with your candidacy rather than read about the qualifications they listed themselves in the job description.

What skills should a project manager have?

• Communication
• Leadership
• Forecasting
• Problem Solving
• Time Management
• Risk Management
• Budget Management
• Strategic Planning
• Team Management
• Organization
• Delegation
• Negotiation
• Adaptability
• Stress Management