How do you write a resume for a project manager?

To write a resume for a project manager, you should include three to six sections that utilize applicant tracking system (ATS) friendly formatting and verbiage that highlight your expertise and experience for the role. Employers use ATS software to pre-screen job candidates.

Section 1: Header

To write a resume for a project manager position, start at the top with a header. Skip the visual embellishments here, like WordArt and other distracting graphics.

The header section of your project manager resume should include your:

• Name: This should be your full legal first and last name. Middle name is optional but not required. Do not include nicknames, as this can appear unprofessional.

• Address: You may include your full physical address, though it is also acceptable to simply include your city and state. Including your city and state has a clean, streamlined look and should not work against you in the application process.

• Phone Number: Include your full ten-digit telephone number. If applying internationally, then you should include the country code.

• Email: It goes without saying your email should be professional and include your full name, if possible. Depending on the role and your age, you may also want to exclude an email address that includes your birth year.

There are different options for formatting the header section of your project manager's resume. Whatever you choose, it should be simple, and your name should have its own line and larger/bolder font than the other information.

Optional Sections: Professional Objective and/or Summary

You may choose to include a professional objective and/or a qualifications summary section for your project manager resume. More and more, these sections are being discarded as they often result in redundancy. However, they can be a great opportunity to include some of those ATS keywords.

Section 2: Education

Project manager roles typically require at least an associate's degree. In fact, 93% of all project managers have a college degree. Roughly 70% hold at least a bachelor's degree.

One of the main things ATS scans for is education requirements. Suppose the project manager position you are applying for requires a bachelor's degree, and you do not have this listed on your resume. In that case, it is unlikely a hiring manager will ever set eyes on your resume.

Section 3: Experience

In the experience section of your project manager resume, list your previously held professional, volunteer, or internship roles. These should be relevant to the position for which you are applying.

Some applicants prefer to separate paid and unpaid work experience. If your relevant paid work experience is minimal, however, it might benefit you more to lump them all together.

Project managers oversee individual projects, ensuring adherence to the timeline and budgetary parameters they usually set. Project managers must be strong communicators and collaborators with strong leadership and problem-solving skills.

To demonstrate your technical and soft skills on your resume for a project manager role, you should include discrete details. Specificity here is key.

Do not simply say you managed the project's budget, timeline, and scheduling. Include the specific business management software utilized, whether it be Salesforce, Outlook, Timely, or another program.

In addition to using discrete details to explain your function in previous roles, do not leave out specific, quantifiable accomplishments -- If you managed to stay within budget, list by how much.

And, do not forget to include ATS-friendly formatting and verbiage. For ATS-friendly formatting, stick to docx and pdf file extensions and ditch the pomp and flair. For ATS-friendly verbiage, research keywords for project manager roles within your industry. Also, study the job posting.

If the project manager post lists scheduling management as a requirement, your resume should list, specifically, scheduling management. You should also include the specific scheduling software utilized, whether it be Acuity, Timely, Homebase, or the like.

Optional Section: References

The job market is divided on the necessity of a references section on your project manager's resume since hiring managers usually request this information later on in the hiring process. However, it should not hurt your chances to include references. These are often listed in the document footer.