How to Write a Resume for a Project Manager

So, you want to be a project manager? That's awesome! But getting a job these days is tough. You need a really good resume. One that shouts, "I'm the project manager you need!" This guide? It's your secret weapon. We'll break down how to write a resume that actually gets noticed. Ready? Let's dive in!

What's a Project Manager, Anyway? And What Does Your Resume Need?

Hold on! Before we write anything, let's make sure we're on the same page. What does a project manager do? They plan projects. They get things done. They keep everyone on track. Think of them as conductors of an orchestra. So, your resume needs to show you can lead, talk to people, solve problems, and stay organized. Got it?

Key Skills to Show Off

Okay, so what exactly should you highlight? Glad you asked! Here’s a quick rundown:

• Planning and Doing: Can you make a plan? Can you actually follow it?
• Risk? What Risk?: Show you can spot problems before they happen.
• People Person?: Can you talk to different people? Can you manage their expectations?
• Money Matters: Budgets. Can you make one? Can you stick to it?
• Team Leader: Can you get people moving in the same direction?
• Talk the Talk: Can you explain things clearly? Both in writing and out loud?
• Problem Solver: Show them you can fix stuff.
• Tech Savvy: Know any project management software? List it! (Microsoft Project, Jira, Asana... that kind of thing).
• Methodologies: Agile? Waterfall? Scrum? Kanban? If you know 'em, flaunt 'em!

Don't Do This! Common Resume Mistakes

Alright, time for some "don'ts." Here are some things to avoid like the plague:

• No Numbers: Don't just say what you did. Show how well you did it. Use numbers!
• Boring Words: Ditch the blah blah blah. Use strong action words!
• Typos: Seriously? Proofread!
• Random Stuff: Only include what's relevant to the job.
• Ugly Format: Make it easy to read!

How to Build Your Project Manager Resume

Ready to start building? Great! Here's the blueprint:

1. Your Contact Info

Name, number, email, LinkedIn. Make sure your email is professional. (No "partyanimal@..." emails, okay?). And keep that LinkedIn profile up-to-date!

2. Summary or Objective?

A short blurb about you. Experienced? Use a summary. New to the field? Use an objective. Let's look at some examples.

Example Summary:

"I'm a Project Manager with 8+ years experience, leading teams and getting projects done on time and on budget. Agile and Waterfall? I know them well. Plus, I'm PMP certified!"

Example Objective:

"Looking for a Project Manager job where I can use my leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills to help a company succeed. I'm eager to learn and grow!"

3. Skills, Skills, Skills!

List your skills! Both the technical stuff and the soft skills. Break it down like this:

• Project Management Stuff: Agile, Waterfall, etc.
• Software: Microsoft Project, Jira, etc.
• Hard Skills: Data Analysis, Risk Management, etc.
• Soft Skills: Leadership, Communication, etc.

Use the right keywords. Look at job postings and see what words they use. Use those words on your resume. This helps you get past those pesky Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

4. Your Work History

This is the most important part. List your jobs in order, starting with the most recent. Include:

• Job Title: What you were called.
• Company: Where you worked.
• Dates: When you worked there.
• What You Did: Your responsibilities and, most importantly, your achievements! Use action words. Show what you accomplished!

Example:

Project Manager | ABC Company | 2018 – Present

• Led teams to build software projects. Kept things on time and under budget.
• Managed budgets from $500,000 to $1 million.
• Saved the company 15% by finding better ways to use resources.
• Made projects 20% faster by using Agile methods.
• Stopped problems before they started by creating risk management plans.
• Told everyone what was going on with regular updates.

See how that works? Focus on what you did and how it helped the company. Use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result.

5. Education

Where'd you go to school? What degrees do you have? List them here. Also, any certifications like PMP or Agile certifications go here, too.

6. Certifications

Got any project management certifications? List them! Things like:

• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
• Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
• Scrum Master Certified (CSM)

7. Awards (Optional)

Got any awards? Brag about them! Show off your achievements.

Making Your Resume Look Good

Looks matter! Make sure your resume is easy to read. Here's how:

• Easy-to-Read Font: Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman. Size 11 or 12.
• Same Style: Keep the font, size, and spacing the same throughout.
• White Space: Don't cram everything together!
• Bullet Points: Make key info pop.
• Keep it Short: One or two pages max.
• Proofread!: Seriously. Get someone else to read it, too.
• Save as PDF: This makes sure it looks the same on everyone's computer.

Beating the Bots: Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Many companies use computers to scan resumes. These systems look for keywords. Here's how to get past them:

• Use the Right Keywords: Find them in the job description.
• Simple Format: No fancy tables or images.
• Standard Headings: "Summary," "Skills," etc.
• Save as Text (Maybe): Some older systems like text files (.txt or .rtf). You could submit both a PDF and a text file.

Make it Personal

Don't just send the same resume to every job. Tailor it! Here's how:

• Find the Key Things: What does the job really need?
• Highlight What Matters: Show off the skills and experience they're looking for.
• Use Their Words: Use the same keywords they use in the job description.
• Customize Your Intro: Make your summary or objective fit the job.
• Show How You Helped: Use numbers to show your achievements.

Examples to Get You Started

Need some ideas? Here you go!

Example Skills Section:

Skills

• Project Management: Agile (Scrum, Kanban), Waterfall
• Software: Microsoft Project, Jira, Asana, Trello
• Hard Skills: Risk Management, Budget Management
• Soft Skills: Leadership, Communication, Problem-Solving

Example Work History (Using STAR):

Project Manager | XYZ Company | 2019 – 2023

• Situation: XYZ needed to launch a new app.
• Task: I had to lead the team and get it done on time.
• Action: I made a plan, managed the budget, and kept everyone updated. I used Agile methods.
• Result: The app launched on time and got good reviews. Customer engagement went up 20%!

Last Tips to Really Stand Out

Ready to take it to the next level? A few more things:

• Show Your Wins: Focus on what you accomplished!
• Show You Can Lead: Give examples of how you led teams.
• Show You Can Solve Problems: How did you fix things?
• Show You Can Communicate: Be clear and concise in your descriptions.
• Get Feedback!: Ask someone to read your resume and tell you what they think.

That's it! Follow these tips, and you'll have a project manager resume that really shines. Remember to tailor it to each job. Good luck!