Project Manager CV: Example & Writing Tips

Your project management skills are top-notch, with impressive execution, initiation, and planning abilities. But even the best skills need to be showcased effectively. To land top-tier jobs, you need a project manager CV that passes any recruiter’s scrutiny. In this guide, you'll find a professional project manager CV example you can tailor to your needs, along with a proven formula for writing a CV for project management roles that will boost your interview chances.

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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

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. Because this role is valued across industries, your project management CV must highlight your capability to lead projects with clearly outlined goals and timelines.

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

The personal profile or summary section introduces your CV and should immediately grab the hiring manager’s attention. Think of it as your elevator pitch. Address these three points:

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

How you frame those answers will depend on your level of experience.

If you’re writing a seasoned project manager CV:

• Draft a list of your key strengths—including relevant experience, core skills, and standout achievements.
• Compare that list against the job posting and pick 3–4 items that align most closely with the employer’s requirements.
• Incorporate those select points into a concise personal profile tailored specifically to the role.

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

• Identify the abilities and knowledge you’ve already developed through your studies, internships, or part-time roles—anything that translates to project management.
• Combine those transferable skills with enthusiasm for the position and insight into the company to demonstrate why you’d be a strong hire.

In both cases, it’s often best to tackle this part of your project management CV last, once you’ve fully mapped out your work history, skills, and education.

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

The work experience section is crucial—it’s where you demonstrate that you’re ready to take charge and deliver results. Here's how to effectively showcase your expertise:

• Start with your most recent project management position and work backwards.
• For each role, list your job title, employer, dates of employment (use "present" if you're still in that position), and up to six bullet points outlining your responsibilities and achievements.
• Begin each bullet point with an action verb (e.g., improved, developed, led) to add impact.
• Focus on quantifiable results rather than just listing tasks. Highlight not only what you did, but how well you did it.
• Use the PAR (Problem Action Result) formula and accomplishment statements to structure your bullet points.
• Customise your work experience to align with the job description. Make sure to highlight the specific PM skills and experience the hiring manager is seeking and reflect those in your own experience. 

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

4. Include an education section

Even if you’re an experienced project manager, it’s important to include an education section on your project manager CV. Here’s how to structure it:

• List the name of the university, the dates you attended, and the degree you earned. If you're still studying, be sure to include your expected graduation date.
• For postgraduate degrees, list them in reverse chronological order, with your most recent qualification first.
• Only mention honours if you received a 2:1 or higher.
• If you're a recent graduate with limited work experience, consider placing this section before your work experience to highlight your academic background.

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

5. Show off your project management CV skills

The range of skills needed for successful project management is vast, so how do you decide which ones to feature on your CV? Here's a strategy to help you stand out:

• Carefully review the job listing to identify the skills the employer is seeking. The job description will outline exactly what the hiring manager values.
• Make a list of your own relevant skills by reflecting on your work experience and education.
• Compare your list with the required skills in the job posting, then select 5–10 key skills to highlight in your CV.
• Aim for a balanced mix of soft skills, hard skills, and technical abilities.
• For each skill, include a brief example of how you've demonstrated it. Don’t just state the skill—show how you’ve applied it. For example: Time Management – Used work breakdown structure to organise and prioritise project tasks efficiently.

These skills would make a great addition to a project manager's 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

While meeting job expectations is essential, exceeding them will make your CV truly stand out. To make a CV that goes beyond the basics, consider adding extra sections that highlight your diverse skills and experiences. These additions will help your CV shine and set you apart from the competition. Here are some ideas:

• Languages: Proficiency in foreign languages is highly valuable, especially in project management roles within global organisations.
• Volunteer experience: Including volunteer work is another effective strategy. 82% of managers prefer to hire people with volunteering experience.
• Certifications and achievements: Adding relevant professional certifications, specific projects, notable achievements, awards, or participation in conferences/publications can further demonstrate your qualifications and make you a more appealing candidate. If these experiences are relevant and help distinguish you, be sure to include them.

7. Consider a cover letter

In a world dominated by project timelines and complex structures, it’s easy to overlook the power of a simple cover letter. However, it’s a crucial tool in your job application process.  In fact, more than half of employers say they’re a must-have. The best project management CVs are always accompanied by a well-written 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 that 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.

Finally, don’t forget to follow up. Just as you would monitor the progress of a project, ensure you stay on top of your job application. If you haven’t received a response within a week, reach out to the employer via email or phone to inquire about your application status. This proactive step can significantly increase 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