Project Management CV: Example for Project Managers

Your execution metrics prove you’re a PM who’s going places. Your initiation and planning skills? Off the scale. But you can’t just assume those skills are going to sell themselves. When it comes to scoring the best jobs you need a project manager CV that’ll stand up to the most critical SWOT analysis a recruiter could unleash.

Read on and you’ll see a professional project manager CV example you can adjust and make yours. Plus, you’ll learn an easy formula for writing a CV for project management jobs that will land you 10x more interviews than any other CV you’ve written in the past.

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Looking for more general CV writing advice or guides for other jobs? Read more here:

• How to Write a CV [Professional UK Examples]
• Skills Based CV Format [Complete Guide]
• 20+ Free CV Templates to Download
• Medical CV Example & Guide
• Shop Assistant CV Example & Guide
• Data Analyst CV Example & Writing Guide
• Cleaner CV Example & Guide

Sample Project Manager CV Template

IT Project Manager CV

Now here’s the job-winning project management CV formula.

1. Use the Best Format for Your Project Management CV

A project manager is a professional specialising in project management. All industries make use of project management professionals. Your project management CV has to show you can take responsibility for the planning, procurement and execution of projects, in any endeavour that has a clearly defined scope, start and finish.

The potential scope of a project manager CV is vast. But somehow you have to distil that down into a brief, yet effective document that’ll only get 8 seconds of attention from the hiring manager. To make sure your CV life cycle ends with success, follow these rules.

• Use the right CV format. The best choice for a project manager CV is chronological format. It’s the one recruiters are most familiar with and proves you can walk the walk by putting the spotlight firmly on your job experience.
• Use an effective CV layout. Set your margins to one inch on every side, left align only (don’t use justification) and double space between sections. This creates plenty of white space to keep it easy to read and help the recruiter find the information they need.
• Choose a professional CV font. Calibri, Helvetica and Garamond are reliable choices.
• Don’t overdo it. Your CV length should be a maximum of two pages.
• Save your CV as a PDF file. It’s the best CV file format because it keeps your layout intact.

Read more: What to Include in a CV: Essential Sections

2. Write a Project Manager CV Profile

A CV personal statement, or personal profile is the introduction to your CV. It’s a short paragraph designed to grab the hiring manager’s attention. Think of it as the kick-off meeting that launches your CV project. All you need to do is answer 3 questions. 

1. Who are you? 
2. What can you offer to the employer? 
3. What are your career goals? 

The way you answer those questions will be different depending on how experienced you are. For a senior project manager CV follow this approach:

• Make a list of all your selling points as a PM. Include all of the professional experience, skills and abilities that make you great at your job.
• Then read the job description in the advert and match 3–4 points from your list to the skills and experience listed there.
• Use these points to write a personal profile targeted to the project management job you’re applying for. 

For an entry-level junior project manager CV do this:

• List any skills and abilities you already have. Think of your education and work experience you’ve already gained. Then highlight everything that’s transferable to an entry-level PM job.
• Use a combination of that skills and experience plus passion for the role, and knowledge about the employer to prove that you’re a good fit for the job.

In either case, you’ll find this section easier to write if you leave it until last. It’s much easier when you’ve got your experience, skills and education ready to refer to.

Now for the next phase of your CV project life cycle, your work experience section.

Check out this guide for even more tips on how to write your personal profile: How to Write a CV Personal Statement [20+ Examples]

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3. Write an Agile PM Work Experience Section

Your work experience section is mission-critical. Hiring managers need PM professionals who can step in and grab the bull by the horns. Here’s how to show you’ve got what it takes.

• Put your most recent PM gig first and work back from there. 
• For each role, include your job title, the name of your employer, dates of employment (use “present” as the end date if you work there now), then up to six bullet points about the job.
• Start your bullet points with a CV action word like boosted, analysed or facilitated, to give them added impact.
• Set out measurable achievements, not just a list of duties. It’s not only about what you did, you’ve got to show how well you did it too.
• Use the PAR (Problem Action Result) formula and accomplishment statements to structure your bullet points. 
• Target your work experience section to the job description. Pay attention to the PM skills and experience the hiring manager is looking for and match your experience to what’s required.

Check out this guide for even more CV writing advice: 20+ CV Tips and Advice for Job Application Success

4. Include an Education Section

It might seem like I’m stating the obvious, but even if you’re a well-established PM professional you still need an education section on your project manager CV. Here’s how to write it:

• Include the university name, years attended, and the name of your degree. If you’re still studying, include your expected graduation date.
• If you have post-graduate qualifications, follow reverse-chronological order and put the degree you completed most recently first.
• Only include honours if they’re a 2:1 or a first.
• If you’ve just graduated and don’t have much experience then change the order of your CV and put this section before your work experience section.

Read more: References on a CV: Should You Include Them?

5. Show Off Your Project Management CV Skills

The list of skills required for effective project management is endless. So how do you choose which skills to include on your CV to give your job application the edge? Here’s what to do.

• Carefully read the job advert and identify which skills are required by the role. Look at the job description and you’ll see exactly what the hiring manager wants. Compile those skills into a list.
• Now make a list of your own skills. Refer back to your work experience and education sections for inspiration.
• Then compare your lists, see what matches, and choose 5–10 of those to include in your CV.
• Aim for a mix of soft skills, hard skills and technical skills. 
• For each skill, add a sentence showing how you demonstrate it. Don’t just show, tell. E.g. Time management. Used work breakdown structure to clearly define project activities and tasks.

These skills would make a great addition to a project manager CV.

Project Management CV Skills

• Time management
• Risk management
• Leadership skills
• Methodologies (PRINCE2, Agile, Waterfall etc.)
• Problem-solving
• Interpersonal skills
• Organisation
• Communication
• Delegation
• Cost control
• Quality management

Read More: Best List of Skills to Put on a CV [Top Skills & Examples]

6. Add Additional Sections to Your Project Manager CV

Meeting targets is good, but smashing them is even better. The best way to write a CV that exceeds expectations is to include extra sections. They give your CV that extra bit of polish to make it shine brighter than the competition. Here are some ideas.

• Add a languages section. Foreign language skills are needed at all levels of the workforce and are a great choice for PM roles in multinational corporations.
• Including volunteer work is another effective strategy. 82% of managers prefer to hire people with volunteering experience.
• You could also include professional certifications, projects (perfect for PMs), achievements, awards, conferences and publications. If it’s relevant and makes you stand out as a candidate, include it.

7. Consider a Cover Letter

In a world of Gantt charts and organisational breakdown structures, it’s easy to forget that a simple letter can be an incredibly powerful communication tool. Yes, you still need a cover letter. In fact, more than half of employers say they’re a must-have. The best project management CV examples come with a matching cover letter.

Here’s how to write a cover letter.

• Use the right cover letter format.
• Start your cover letter with a ‘hook’. Show passion for the role and the employer and include an impressive professional achievement.
• Prove your experience and skills will enable you to nail your key deliverables.
• Include a cover letter ending with a call to action asking to meet to discuss the role further.
• Stick to the right cover letter length.

One last thing. Always follow up. You’d never just launch a project and let it run without monitoring it. Treat your job application with the same care and attention. If you haven’t got a reply after one week, touch base with the employer by email or phone about the status of your application. It’s an easy way to boost your chances of success.

And we’re done. You’re all set to write a project management CV to achieve your objective of job-hunting success.

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your CV 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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Thanks for reading. What did you think of our project manager CV sample? Got any PM CV tips and tricks you’d like to share? Need something specialist like an IT project manager CV? If you’ve got any questions at all, ask away in the comments section. I’m here to help.

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Sources

• https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1461&context=stu_hon_theses
• https://www.pcc.edu/staff/tmaldona/wp-content/uploads/sites/114/2018/08/Samples-of-a-PAR-formula-statements.pdf
• https://www.ubalt.edu/campus-life/career-center/career-services-online/career-cycle/documents/Writing%20Accomplishment%20Statements.pdf
• https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/us-deloitte-impact-survey.pdf