project management personal statement cv

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Project Manager Personal Statement

• CV Templates & Advice

Have you found the perfect project manager job, but are struggling to write a great personal statement for your application?

Your personal statements is the perfect opportunity to show your potential employer who you are and where your strengths lie. We recommend using this short personal profile to promote your knowledge, key skills and work experience in project management.

Use this 100-150 word section at the beginning of your CV to provide examples of how you match the job specifications, and why you should be hired for this project manager role.

If you are seeking further useful information, then check out our tips on  how to write a personal statement .

What to include in your project manager personal statement

Why you are applying for the role.

• Refer to the knowledge you have of the industry and of the specific position to show awareness of the demands of the role.

Why you’re applying for the specific role

• What is it that attracted you to this specific role?
• Why do you want to work for this specific company?

Provide details about your education

• Provide a brief overview on your previous education (School/University/Higher Education Courses)

Your experience

• Where have you worked previously?
• What were you required to do in your last role?
• Did you have any additional responsibilities in your previous roles?

Your vision

• What are your career aspirations?
• What are you hoping to achieve in this role?

Example Project Manager Personal Statement

Highly motivated and respected project manager with a upper second class honours in Business Management from the University of Leicester, and eight years’ experience. I have excellent organisation and communication skills meaning that I excel at leading a team and ensuring all projects are completed on schedule. In my previous role I was responsible for managing the finance and sustainability strategy of a number of large scale projects and liaising directly with clients. I am looking to take on new challenges including managing multiple projects simultaneously and leading a bigger team. I am confident that, with my experience and expertise, I would be an asset to your team.

Find out how to become a Project Manager in our comprehensive guide.

Related links

• How to Become a Project Manager
• How to Write a Personal Statement
• How to Write a CV

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How to Write a Project Manager CV or Resume (With CV Examples)

Posted by Phillip Jewell on Oct 03, 2019

A helpful, illustrated guide to writing a great project management CV or resume, with two powerful project management CV templates.

In this guide, we provide advice and step-by-step guidance on how to write the perfect project manager CV or resume. This guide covers all aspects of the CV and resume writing process for project management, including:

- Project management skills to focus on and how to demonstrate them on your CV

- How to ensure your project management experience comes across in the most effective way

- The best way to present your projects

- The best way to format your project management CV

- Two-page project manager CV samples

Project Management CV Example

Project Management CV Example 2

As a project manager, your curriculum vitae or resume is one of your most important marking tools. In most cases, it will be your first - and possibly only - chance to make a positive impression on hiring managers.

A good project management CV should demonstrate your ability to realise plans by delivering projects in line with specifications, standards and expectations. It should also demonstrate your ability to manage all stages of project life-cycle, from initiation to closure.

Alongside this, it needs to convince hiring managers that you are a more effective project manager than your competition.

It needs to stand out from the crowd.

Don’t worry about whether you’re writing a project manager CV or a project manager resume. Depending on the country you live in, it may be called either. But the goal is the same: to impress the hiring manager and get you job interviews .

In this guide, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to prepare a high-quality, impressive document, whether it’s a CV or a resume.

Why is an effective project management CV important?

Project management is one of the fastest growing industries. In fact, the project management industry is growing at such a rate that there may be shortage of project managers in the future.

This was pointed out in the Project Management Institute’s Job Growth Report, which claimed that a staggering 2,100,000 new project managers will be required in the United States by 2027.

This is a huge number.

Even more project managers will be required in other countries, such as China and India.

These statistics are based on the United States only.

Source: Project Management Institute .

Despite this, it’s more important than ever to ensure your project management CV is as strong as possible. This is because, despite the expected shortage of project managers in the future, a huge number of companies are unable to successfully deliver projects.

In fact, according to a study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers , only 2.5% of projects are successfully completed.

With such a large number of project failures, whether it be the failure of entire projects or the failure to deliver 100% of projects, employers need to know how you can deliver project success .

They need to know that you have the skills, experience and knowledge to deliver on plans and overcome roadblocks. Good project managers can directly reduce costs and improve efficiency.

You need to show that you are capable of providing this level of value.

There is no better way of demonstrating your ability to do this than in your CV. In this guide, we will show you how to do exactly that.

Write an engaging, polished professional profile

Sometimes referred to as a personal statement, a professional profile is an introduction to your CV, introducing you as a project management professional and informing the hiring manager why you’re the ideal candidate for the role.

Think of this part of your CV as a sales pitch. It’s your chance to sell yourself and convince the hiring manager to take you seriously as a candidate.

Of course, the first step is to include your name and contact details, but this should be self-explanatory. Ensure you are contactable by inserting both your phone number and email address, as well as a link to your LinkedIn profile if you have one.

Professional profiles are usually between 100 – 150 words in length. Don't exceed 150 words or it will be too long and hiring managers will be less inclined to read it.

Ensure your professional profile is focused on your project management experiences, skills and knowledge.

This might involve drawing attention to your experience managing international projects in multiple global locations or highlighting your knowledge of various project management methodologies.

Are you experienced with Agile methodologies? Have you managed project budgets in excess of 1M? If so, use your professional profile to draw attention to these key facts.

The professional profile is one of your CV’s most important parts in terms of demonstrating your project management experience.

One of the main objectives of a CV is to ensure your experience in your profession comes across. An effective way of doing this is to produce a high-quality professional profile that showcases the highlights of your career.

Below is an example of a project manager’s professional profile. Take a look at this sample and notice how the candidate sells his project management experiences, knowledge and capabilities to great effect.

From just 150 words, it’s clear to see that he is a very capable project manager, with experience managing international projects and leading teams on a global scale.

Add your key skills and areas of expertise

There are a number of specific areas of expertise that will prove valuable to different employers. For example, certain employers may want project managers with experience using certain project management methodologies.

This is why it is important to ensure that your CV is tailored specifically to the job you are applying for.

Which skills are important for project management CVs?

Skills that are often expected of project managers include:

Change management, business transformation, risk management, stakeholder management, budget management, project planning, governance and proficiency with project documentation.

If you have know-how in these key areas, ensure it comes across in the skills section of your CV.

Other areas of expertise that may be relevant include specific project management methodologies , such as Agile methodologies or Lean methodologies.

Ensure your skills section demonstrates your knowledge of the different principles, frameworks and processes used to provide structure to project delivery.

While it is important to bring attention to your key skills, don’t make the mistake of adding too many skills.

The skills section should not be exhaustive.

Cramming your skills section with a huge number of skills results in the most important skills being difficult to locate. Ideally, you should select between 8 and 10 skills that are most important and relevant to the position you are applying for.

So how do you decide which skills to leave out?

The most effective way of identifying the key skills that employers are looking for is to locate and study the job description for the position you want to apply for.

The job description will include a list of the skills that the company expects in candidates.

Use this list of required skills to tailor your CV’s skills section to the position.

However, avoid copying the job description’s skills onto your CV word for word. Recruiters know the content of job descriptions and they will be aware that you have simply copied the content.

This may lead them to question whether you actually possess these skills. Instead, draw attention to a number of the job description’s key skills in your skills section.

The key skills section is not the only part of your CV where you should show off your skills. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate further skills in your CV’s career section, where you will be able to provide tangible examples of times you have utilised the skills.

For example, if you’re skilled in budget management, you can detail the value of the budgets you have managed during your time in project management.

Soft Skills for Project Managers

Showcasing certain soft skills is equally important to ensure you make a powerful impression on hiring managers. For project managers, possessing these soft skills is vital in order to deliver projects to high standards, maintain efficiency and achieve project objectives.

As with the previously mentioned hard skills, don’t make the mistake of detailing every soft skill in your arsenal or every skill that is expected of project managers.

If you do this, not only will your CV be excessively long and cluttered, but it will also look like a skills handbook from the Project Management Institute.

Instead, you want the skills in your CV to appear as if you have included them organically, rather than stuffing everything you can into two pages.

But which soft skills are most important for project management roles?

Here, we have detailed the most important soft skills for project managers.

1. Leadership

Leadership is arguably the most important soft skills for project management jobs. Although, leadership is not necessarily just a soft skill.

Leadership ties into the many skills that employers expect from projects managers; stakeholder management, business transformation, project planning – all of these skills require robust leadership capabilities.

As a project manager, leadership is all about inspiring project teams to come on-board with your visions and add value to the project by effectively playing their role. It’s about aligning project teams with project objectives.

As such, it’s vital that your CV demonstrates your leadership proficiency. But how can you demonstrate your leadership skills in your CV?

The first and easiest way to do this is to show results .

As the benefits of great leadership are great results, showing your achievements will demonstrate your ability to lead as a project manager.

Here is an example. If you state that you successfully delivered a project two-weeks ahead of schedule, despite challenges faced, this shows that you were able to pull your team together to overcome challenges and achieve your objective.

Remember, to ensure you come across as an effective leader, you don’t need to write huge paragraphs about leadership. You need to show how you have demonstrated your leadership qualities through results .

Alongside this, show that you performed daily tasks as a leader. For example, if you mentored and trained colleagues to improve their capabilities, ensure this comes across in your CV. If you led meetings with team members to identify improvement areas, ensure this comes across in your CV.

2. Communication

According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), 1 in 5 projects are unsuccessful as a result of poor communication.

To ensure this doesn't happen, project leaders needs to be able to communicate clearly about expectations and goals, as well as responsibilities and performance. They also need to be able to articulate project visions to team members to ensure stakeholders are on board with project objectives.

To maintain efficiency and ensure projects run smoothly, strong communication skills are crucial. Poor communication will usually result in poor project performance. As such, it's very important to effectively convey your communication skills in your CV.

A good project management CV should outline how you have shown your ability to articulate project visions and communicate goals to team members.

So how do you go about doing this?

Think about that the times that you have used your communication skills to influence or liaise with those involved in projects, from the outset to completion. How did you engage with your colleagues and stakeholders?

It's impossible to go through the full project life-cycle without communicating with a wide range of professionals, so identify your most significant moments of communication during your projects and draw attention to these on your CV.

This could be as simple as communicating project timelines and milestones to team members.

Here is an example of how we demonstrated this individual’s communication skills as a project manager:

'Developed transparency by introducing weekly meetings with key stakeholders to confer on roadblocks and outline the necessary solutions that were to be implemented'.

To make your communication skills shine on your project management CV, try to identify your achievements that have been brought about by your communication skills.

For example, did your influencing of key stakeholders enable you to adjust certain project priorities in order to meet deadlines? Highlighting this achievement would indicate that your communication skills are strong enough to add value to projects.

Another aspect of communication that is highly valuable for project managers is active listening. Project management isn’t just about telling people what to do.

Some of the most successful project managers are great active listeners, who listen to their team members and stakeholders to develop a stronger knowledge of requirements and problems.

How can you demonstrate your active listening skills on your CV?

Write about the times you have engaged with team members, whether through meetings or otherwise. Then show how you listened to their input and acted on it. Showing how you acted on input from your team members is a very effective way of drawing attention to your active listening skills.

Here is an example:

'Implemented daily virtual meetings between various teams after obtaining feedback from colleagues on the weak channels of communication between global teams'.

In the example above, the individual shows that he/she listened to the issues that team members presented, before acting on it by introducing a new process to improve performance.

Communication is a broad skill, encompassing collaboration, an ability to provide feedback and non-verbal communication. Of course, you can’t list all of these or provide tangible examples of times you have demonstrated every aspect of the communication skill set.

But try to identify times that you have utilised your communication skills to improve project performance, then bring this across in your CV.

An important thing to remember when detailing your soft skills is to show, rather than tell. Rather than telling the reader that you possess communication skills, show how you have utilised your communication skills.

3. Negotiation

Project managers are required to negotiate on a regular basis, whether it be negotiating contracts or negotiating the resolution of conflicts.

They must also negotiate with stakeholders to establish scope requirements, time parameters, costs, and so forth.

Effective, efficient negotiation benefits projects by mitigating risk, safeguarding project goals, developing trust, resolving conflict and providing a greater platform for the overall success of projects.

Showcasing your ability to negotiate on your CV will improve its effectiveness and show hiring managers that you’re an even more capable project manager.

But before we discuss how to demonstrate your negotiation skills in your CV, it’s important to understand what makes a good negotiator. What are the key concepts of negotiation in project management?

Emotional control, communication, active listening, planning and research are all key for successful negotiators.

These are the key qualities that you can draw out while highlighting your negotiation experiences.

How do you show your negotiation skills on your CV?

The best way to show your ability to negotiate is to describe your successful negotiations, breaking the negotiation process up into three parts: conflict, engagement, result .

Identify your negotiation achievements and start writing about them. For example, let’s assume you were project managing a relocation of your employer’s premises to a different site.

You might have encountered a problem with the unrealistic timescales that had been suggested. This is the first aspect of the negotiation process, the conflict .

Let’s say you then brought teams together to identify the required timescales, before presenting the results of your finding to the key stakeholders. This is the engagement aspect of the process, where you show how you communicated with the necessary individuals involved to work towards a beneficial conclusion.

Then, let’s assume that you convinced the key stakeholders to alter the timescales, by presenting researched information regarding project expectations. As a result, you were successful in your negotiation. This is the result of the process.

Use this three-step process – conflict, engagement, result – to ensure you effectively articulate your negotiation achievements in your CV.

However, it’s more effective to write about these three steps in reverse – result, engagement, conflict. This way you’re writing in the style of an achiever, focusing first on your achievement.

So how would this look on your CV?

Here is an example of how we used the conflict, engagement, result process on a project manager’s CV.

'Prompted key stakeholders to extend project timescales after identifying excessive costs involved in adhering to existing timescales, despite stakeholder’s initial reluctance to alter timescales'.

According to a paper published by the Project Management Institute , there are two key forms of negotiation: win-lose and win-win.

Win-lose is the type of negotiation where one party achieves their desired outcome and the other doesn’t. Win-win is the type of negotiation that involves more of a collaborative approach to reach positive outcomes than cannot be improved further.

When you’re writing about your negotiation experiences in your CV, think about whether you employed the win-win or the win-lose approach. Try to showcase your experience using at least one approach. If you can demonstrate your experiences using both approaches, even better.

4. Attention-to-Detail

While project managers oversea the key aspects of projects, such as project execution and project closure, they also need to be able to strike a balance between focusing on overall project goals and the smaller details.

These small details may be minor in relation to other aspects of project processes, but they are they kind of details great project managers deal with efficiently on a daily basis.

Effective project managers don’t miss the wood for the trees.

They focus on achieving overall project objectives, but they also possess the attention-to-detail to identify potential risks and provide resolutions to minor issues that could potentially cause projects to derail.

So, now that you know that attention-to-detail is an important project management skill, how do you go about showing it on your CV?

The best way to demonstrate your attention-to-detail skills doesn’t require you to even mention attention-to-detail. You can show your attention-to-detail by presenting recruiters or hiring managers with a professionally-written, polished CV that doesn’t contain any mistakes, spelling errors or grammatical issues.

As the CV is often the first impression recruiters will get of you, a professional, polished CV can create an instant image of an organised individual with great attention-to-detail.

If you submit a cluttered CV with mistakes, looking sloppy and unattractive, you might create a poor first impression, an impression of someone who doesn’t pay attention to the small details.

This is not the way you want to go, so ensure your CV is professional, well-presented and void of mistakes.

Another way of showing your attention-to-detail on your CV is to list your achievements related to precision.

For example, someone with excellent attention-to-detail might write about how they achieved high levels of accuracy while estimating the necessary resources required for projects. Or maybe they would show off a high success rate related to audits.

When showcasing such achievements, it’s always beneficial to use specific numbers and statistics if possible.

Another simple way of showing your attention-to-detail is to write about tasks that require concentration. As an example, you could write about analysing invoices to identify errors.

Use these tips to show off your attention-to-detail on your CV and it will ensure you come across as a conscientious, diligent individual who cares about the minor details.

5. Decision-Making

As a project leader, you need to make correct, swift decisions for the benefit of the project and the project team. The majority of great leaders, whether operating in project management or other professions, have one thing in common: they are all excellent decision-makers. Poor decision-making results in poor performance.

Project management CVs should show that you are an effective decision-maker.

When you’re preparing to describe your decision-making qualities in your new CV, it’s a good idea to remember that decision-making is made up of various other skills. Skills that good decision-makers often possess include analytical acumen, active listening and problem analysis. Rather than explaining that you are a good decision-maker in your CV, it would be much more effective to show that have demonstrated the qualities of good decision-makers.

For example, if you described a time that you identified a problem, acted on it and implemented new changes that delivered a positive outcome, this would demonstrate your decision-making capabilities.

As a project manager, you likely utilise your decision-making skills on a daily basis. You will probably have a good idea of the best achievements to use in relation to your decision-making skills. But if you’re struggling to describe your decision-making skills, follow our three-step template: identifying problems, generating solutions and implementing corrective actions.

As mentioned earlier, if you’re describing your achievements it’s more effective to follow this three-step process in reverse. Start by describing the corrective action you implemented, followed by the solution you identified and the problem you faced.

'Overhauled the internal reporting system with a new, streamlined version, which reduced annual costs by 100k, after identifying the inefficiencies with the information management aspect of the system'.

Note that this achievement doesn’t directly mention decision-making. This isn't a problem. Hiring managers are experienced at identifying skills through achievements.

Another way to draw attention to your decision-making skills is to describe accomplishments that were achieved within deadlines.

Achieving objectives despite the demands of strict time limits requires good decision-making. So, describing such achievements in your CV will show hiring managers that you’re a sound decision-maker.

'Achieved the objective of generating a cost saving of 20k within 2 months by making the decision to negotiate a new, more cost-effective supplier contract'.

In the example above, the time factor plays a big role in highlighting the individual’s decision-making skills. It shows that the person was able to reach beneficial decisions under pressure. It also shows that his/her decision-making is good enough to add significant value.

Identify times that you have achieved goals within timescales, and use these examples to make a more powerful impact and exhibit your decision-making qualities.

Include your professional experience/career history

Now it’s time to include your career history. This is the section where you detail your employment and describe your project activities and achievements.

Here at CV Nation, we have reviewed hundreds of project management CVs, and we come across many issues with the presentation of project manager's career history. This is usually because they have worked on multiple projects within one role.

Many project managers make the mistake of including all of their career history in one chunk of text.

This may be acceptable in certain cases, but if your role has involved you working on 5 different key projects that you want to describe, you need to understand how to present this in the most effective way.

So how do you go navigate all these different projects in your CV.

The way to approach writing your project management career history when you're dealing with multiple projects is to split your role’s content up into individual projects.

For example, include your responsibility and achievements for the first project under the heading of the project name. Then follow the same process for the other projects.

Of course, you may not have worked on a large number of different projects, so this may not apply to you.

List your career history in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent position held and working backwards. As with other CVs, include your job title, company name, location of employment and the dates of employment.

Then provide some initial context, describing the company or the project, as well as the overall objectives of the role. This might include the size of the project, the nature of the project and the project budget. This information provides valuable context regarding the size and scope of the project.

Then include your key responsibilities and achievements

Try to write about responsibilities that showcase the value you add as a project manager and ensure you come across as achiever. For example:

‘Mitigated site incidents by 29% by implementing health & safety workshops for Construction teams’.

This example describes the project manager’s focus on health & safety while showing off an achievement, which provides tangible evidence of his proficiency in this area. Also, notice the use of numbers in this description.

Numbers, data and statistics greatly improve the effectiveness of project management CVs .

The numbers stand out on the page and offer an even stronger form of evidence to back up descriptions. Sometimes recruiters may even ignore achievements if they are not quantified, so it’s important to include numbers to showcase your capabilities as a project manager.

Numbers, data and statistics are even more beneficial for project manager CVs than they are for CVs in many other professions. Project manager’s ultimate goal is to deliver projects to high standards and within time parameters and requirements.

What better way is there to show off your ability to do this than by using numbers?

'Delivered the project 4 weeks ahead of schedule, which resulted in a cost saving of 40k'.

In this example, the use of numbers ensures the claim is much more specific than simply stating that the project was delivered ahead of schedule. When numbers are included in this way, it almost provides your statements with a guarantee as you’re being so specific.

To use numbers, data and statistics effectively in your CV, analyse your project documentation. Look at the targets that you worked to and find out what you achieved against those targets.

For example, if you were set a target of reducing costs by 10%, find out the total expenditure numbers and identify the percentage you reduced costs by.

Another way of locating such achievements if you don’t have access to such information is to ask previous colleagues for project evaluation reports. These may provide you with a long list of achievements to boast of in your new CV. Of course, ensure this information isn't confidential before requesting it.

To see how a project manager’s full career history should be presented, take a look at our sample project manager CV in this guide.

Include your Education and Training

After adding your career history to your CV, include your education and training details.

Start with your degree or your highest form of education. You should also include any additional information with your degree, if it is relevant in any way to project management.

For example, you may want to include your dissertation title or modules completed. If your degree is in a project management related field, including the modules of your degree can be a good way of showing off valued skills.

If you’re a graduate seeking an entry level role in project management, with no project management experience, education should be the focal point of your CV. In this case, you should use your education to showcase skills and knowledge gained, which you can utilise as a project manager.

For example, if you graduated with a degree in management, including modules related budget management shows your knowledge of key project management processes. For further advice on how to write an effective graduate CV, take a look at this article we produced on the topic.

Include any project management qualifications you have obtained, such as Prince2, as well as any other relevant training you have completed.

If you’ve attended any project management workshops, ensure to include those too.

Include an additional information section

The final step involves providing any other relevant information that you haven’t already included, such as language skills, licences and clearances.

Software proficiency is one of the most important pieces of additional information to include. If you're adept with any project management software packages, detail them here.

Additionally, if you're a member of any associations or organisations related to project management, this is the place to highlight it.

As you’re reaching the end of our guide, we’ve decided to provide you with a few bonus tips to ensure your CV makes an even stronger impact.

Include your job title – Project Manager –at the top of your CV. This will ensure it is easy for the HR department to identify you operate in project management and categorise your CV. Make the text larger than the body text and ensure the text is in bold so it stands out.

As you will see in the project manager CV sample in the guide, the headline stands out and ensures the hiring manager can quickly see the role that the candidate specialises in.

Include a brief headline below your job title and above your professional profile. The headline should be no more than 15 words. The aim of this headline is to give a quick, brief outline of your capabilities as a project manager.

Here is an example: “ Project Manager with 8 years’ experience leading multi-million-pound projects across 4 countries ”.

With this headline, the individual’s key qualities have been showcased: his project management capabilities, his experience managing large-scale projects and his experience managing projects on a global scale.

When this powerful headline is inserted at the top of the project manager's CV, it is the first piece of information that comes to the attention of the reader. As such, it makes a powerful impact and impresses the reader.

Identify your key project management qualities and communicate this in your headline. Take a look at the project manager CV sample in this guide to see how we made the project manager stand out with a strong headline.

How long should a project management CV be?

Your project management CV should be two-pages long. Some people recommend one-page CVs, but this won’t give you enough space to effectively demonstrate your experiences. If necessary, you can extend your CV to three-pages, but no more than that.

Which keywords should you include in your project management CV?

Technology has become a significant part of the modern-day job market. Many HR departments use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan and filter CVs based on specific keywords. As such, it’s important to ensure your CV is prepared in line with the requirements of ATS and contains the necessary keywords to ensure you pass through the system.

ATS ranks candidate’s CVs based on keywords related to skills, company names, years of experience and universities/schools attended.

As such, you need to ensure you include the relevant keywords, including specific skills. These include project management, project implementation, project delivery, risk management, quality control and stakeholder management.

However, don’t unnaturally fill your CV with buzzwords. We review many CVs here at CV Nation that have been populated with an excessive number of keywords.

This makes the writing seem unnatural and it won’t help your application. Instead, identify the buzzwords that you need to include and ensure they come across in a natural fashion, rather than shoehorning them into your CV.

As a project manager, you will probably already have a broad knowledge of the most important skills that recruiters expect in employees. To ensure your CV doesn’t get stopped by the bots, write about these skills in your CV.

How to format your project management CV?

Your CV should be broken up into six sections: contact details, professional profile (personal statement), key skills, professional experience, education and additional information. Ensure these sections are clearly separated by professional borders and use adequate spacing.

View our in-depth guide on CV format , which includes 12 CV examples.

Professional CV Writing Tip : To quickly insert a border under each section heading in Microsoft Word, simply type three dashes (---), then click enter. This will insert a neat line under the heading of your section.

Aim for margin sizes of between 2 and 2.5 cm (0.78” and 0.98” if you’re in the United States). The margins shouldn’t be too wide or too narrow.

Ensure the sections of your CV are uniform and consistent. For example, if you decide to use 12 pt. size for the professional profile’s section heading, ensure to use the same size on all section headings.

Don’t use large blocks of text. Large blocks of text make for an unpleasant reading experience and they make the key information difficult to locate. Recruiters won’t usually have time to skim through big blocks of text. Make the key information easy to identify by using bullet points.

Additionally, make sure your page transitions are neat. Ensure there are no single words or small sentences trailing over onto the second page. This looks untidy and unprofessional.

To fix page transition issues, you may have to alter the margin size. Decreasing the size of the bottom margin will enable you to include more content on the first page before the page transition.

Write your CV in Microsoft Word. It’s one of the best word processors on the market and it’s fully compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Certain files, other than Microsoft Word files, are not compatible with ATS.

For more detailed assistance with formatting your CV, view our in-depth guide on how to write a CV .

Which fonts and font sizes should you use in your CV?

Use a font that is easy to read and professional in appearance, such as Calibri, Times New Roman or Arial. Select a font size between 10 and 12. Any smaller than 10 will prove too difficult to read, and any larger than 12 will not look professional.

Of course, the font size can change in line with how much content you are working with, but stay between these guidelines.

Link to your LinkedIn profile

As previously mentioned, you should include a link to your LinkedIn profile at the top of your CV, with your contact details.

LinkedIn is one of the most effective tools for professionals, with huge numbers of recruiters using the platform to source and recruit talent. And what better way for you to stand out as a project manager than linking to an optimised LinkedIn profile that highlights the key projects you have successfully delivered.

LinkedIn is a great tool for project managers because it offers the opportunity to highlight specific projects on your profile.

To add a project to your LinkedIn profile, click the ‘Me’ icon and then click ‘View Profile’. Select ‘Accomplishments’ from the ‘Add Profile’ section on the right, before clicking the ‘Add’ icon next to ‘Projects’. Then provide some engaging information about two or three of your key projects. Ensure these details show how you achieved success in project management.

If your LinkedIn profile has an enticing headline and summary, adding some of these projects will provide great value by showcasing your ability to excel as a project manager.

Hopefully you have found this guide helpful in preparing the perfect project management CV.

Remember to proofread your CV to ensure it is void of mistakes that may make your document look unprofessional. View CV Nation's proofreading services .

As indicated earlier in this guide, project management is a growing industry. Investing time and effort in creating a strong project management CV can pay dividends in the long run. Use the tips and advice provided in this guide to make the most of the opportunities that are expected to present themselves in the coming years.

View 20 of the most common project management job interview questions and how to answer them. Or check out our three great project management cover letter examples .

If you feel you could benefit from further assistance with your CV, feel free to check out our comprehensive guide on how to write a CV .

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CV Example Project Manager

If being in charge of projects, resources and people and working to deadlines doesn’t faze you, then project management might be the career for you. As a project manager, you'll be responsible for keeping track of the work that needs to be done, setting deadlines, and delegating tasks to your project team, as well as identifying obstacles and setbacks.

Depending on your qualifications and skill set, you could work in a range of different sectors, including construction, retail, marketing, engineering, etc.

With all the challenges of project management, it can be a difficult job. You need to be able to juggle lots of responsibilities, stay organised and communicate with stakeholders at all levels of this business.

We show you how to convey all this with our writing tips and project manager example CV .

Personal statement or profile

In a project, the vision statement sets out what an organisation or project team wants to accomplish with the completion of a project. It is a clear and concise paragraph that captures the project’s objectives and requirements.

The same applies for your CV personal statement or profile . Serving as an introduction to your CV , your personal statement should highlight your project management expertise, qualifications and skills:

I am a detail-oriented project manager, with a PRINCE2 qualification and more than 10 years of experience in the construction industry. My experiences range from leading the construction of housing developments in London to major rail projects. My achievements include saving more than £50k on a building project by sourcing more cost-effective materials and negotiating new contracts.

Work experience

The project manager CV shows managers that you’ve worked on a wide range of projects, using a variety of skills from planning and risk management to budgeting and negotiation.

As the success of projects is very often measured with quantifiable metrics such as cost reduction, time saved, revenue generated, etc., describe your achievements for each project rather than just listing responsibilities:

Aug 2017 - Sep 2021 Construction Project Manager, Skale Care Homes, Sheffield

• Managed and delivered a project to build 5 care homes across Sheffield, each worth up to £50k and 3,000 sq ft in size.
• Oversaw the construction and installation of housing foundations, including roofing, water and heating systems.
• Managed approx. 50 contractors for the project.

Sep 2012 - Jul 2017 Rail Project Manager, Severn Rail, Bristol

• Led a team of 60 to install a new £1M rail system in Bristol.
• Created a risk log and safety protocols.
• Reduced £50k budget overspend by negotiating new supplier contracts.
• Completed project two months ahead of schedule.

Aug 2008 - Aug 2012 Housing Development Project Manager, ACT Company, London

• Project-managed the development of a housing estate in Greenwich, including the strategy, site assessment and construction.
• Communicated with property owners and suppliers to gather requirements. Established safety and standard operating procedures.

While you can get into project management roles with any degree, senior or specialised roles will usually call for undergraduate or masters degrees in economics, finance, business administration or supply chain management.

This is because as a project manager, you often need to understand how a business is run:

Sep 2007 - Jul 2008 MSc Supply Chain Management: Distinction, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire

• Modules included: Financial control, inventory management, human resource management, sustainable business management

Sep 2003 - Jul 2007 BSc International Management: 1st class, University of Warwick, Coventry

• Modules included: Accounting for business, principles of marketing, foundations of data analysis and operations management

As mentioned, project management requires a whole host of skills . Tackling daily project management challenges requires good communication, organisational skills, an ability to see the bigger picture and more.

Of course, if you can demonstrate an understanding of the principles of popular project management methodologies such as PRINCE2 or Agile, this will also let recruiters know that you understand what it takes.

Here are some skills to include:

• Methodologies: PRINCE2, Waterfall
• Software: JIRA, Confluence
• Cost control: Avoided budget overspend by £50k on a construction project by monitoring costs
• Time management: Prioritising the most sensitive tasks according to business requirements
• Communication: Negotiated new supplier contracts on housing development projects

Include keywords related to project management throughout your CV to show recruiters you understand the foundations and principles of project management. This also boosts the odds of passing the ATS: project management, change and transformation, budget management, project governance, risk and issue management, process improvement, project documentation, project planning, requirements gathering, stakeholder engagement.

Certificates

There are many certifications that demonstrate competence as a project manager. While you don’t need to take a course to get into project management, doing so shows recruiters that you’ve taken the time learn more than the basics.

Some of the more popular project management certifications include:

• PRINCE2 (Projects in Controlled Environments)
• APM (Association for Project Management) qualifications
• Project Management Institute Qualifications (PMI)

Jan 2021 PRINCE2 Practitioner

Comprehensive course, learning how to manage projects or to work in a project environment using the most internationally recognised project management methods.

Professional Affiliations

If you’re applying to senior roles or in specialised sectors (e.g. engineering, construction, healthcare, etc.), listing your professional affiliations could give you an edge over other candidates.

Many project managers choose to join Project Management Institute (PMI), the world’s leading project management institute for professional development and networking opportunities, all of which demonstrate career dedication and commitment;

Jan 2015 – Present Member of the Project Management Institute

If you choose to specialise in the translation sector or work for a global company, language skills can make you more marketable as a project manager.

Language skills demonstrate cultural sensitivity and reassure hiring managers that you’ll be able to pick up the context of what someone is saying, even if you don’t speak the language fluently:

English - native

German - fluent

Spanish - basic

Hobbies and Interests

A skill-based or project-based hobby can be a great addition to a project manager CV, especially if you’re lacking project management experience in a professional setting.

For example, if you organise events in your spare time for charity, Meetup or any other club, it shows recruiters that you can plan, budget and make use of resources.

Any kind of activity that requires strategic thinking such as chess, gaming or quizzing also demonstrates essential project management skills such as tenacity, patience and problem-solving:

Hosting Meetup events for expats: Organising quizzes and parties, managing all bookings, venues and participants

Format and layout

The best format for a project manager CV is either a chronological CV (which lists your most recent work experience and education ) or a combination / hybrid CV (which focuses on your work experience and skills).

This is because these formats are the ones which recruiters are most familiar with and which allow recruiters to quickly see whether you have the relevant experience. As project manager roles carry a lot of responsibility, recruiters want to know that you’ve handled this level of responsibility before.

Layout and design

As a project manager, you need to be able to communicate clearly and concisely. To convey these skills in your CV, the layout should be clean, structured and organised.

This means clearly headed sections in 16 or 14pt with plenty of white space in between. While it’s fine to make use of colour to bring your CV to life, neutral colours such as blue and gray convey professionalism better than garish colours such as red, yellow, pink or purple.

Choosing the right fonts can help get the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. With its clear and crisp appearance, Arial is a popular choice. Calibri also makes for a pleasant reading experience as it allows you get a lot of text on the page without your CV looking cluttered. Use one of our resume templates to ensure a professional presentation of your skills and work experience.

Hopefully, you now have everything you need to create your own project manager CV.

Create your CV as a project manager now!

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How to Write a CV Personal Statement [20 Examples Included]

By Jeffrey Stromes

10 min read

When applying for a job, it’s critical that you immediately grab the recruiter’s attention . Otherwise, you’ll remain unnoticed, even though you may be a real gem in the pool of candidates. But how are you supposed to arouse the hiring professional’s curiosity right off the bat? The answer is hidden in these three words: a CV personal statement.

While writing a curriculum vitae is somewhat straightforward, creating a persuasive personal statement may be a challenge. Luckily, we’re here to end your struggles and teach you how to craft an eye-catching one, so keep reading to learn more!

Key Takeaways

As a highlight of your professional history, a CV personal summary aims to spark a recruiter’s interest and make them read your CV .

A personal summary is beneficial for all candidates, regardless of their experience, as it will allow a recruiter to learn more about them .

To write a compelling personal statement, you should tailor it to the job you want to apply for, highlight your experience and skills, and include your career goal.

What Is a CV Personal Statement?

Also referred to as a personal mission statement or career summary, a CV personal statement sums up who you are and what you may bring to the company . Its primary purpose is to spark a recruiter’s interest in you.

Located at the top of your curriculum vitae, a CV personal statement consists of two to four sentences that describe:

Mandatory CV Personal Statement Information

Who you are

How you’ll benefit the company

What your career objectives are

So, in other words, this part lets you show your greatest strengths and career goals . As such, it can be of great help if you’re starting out or seeking a different career path.

Here’s an example of a nicely crafted CV personal statement:

CV Personal Statement Example

As a dedicated Registered Nurse with five years of experience, I bring a proven track record in delivering compassionate and high-quality patient care. Proficient in diverse healthcare settings, I excel at assessing and addressing patient needs while fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. I am seeking a role where my skills and passion for excellence can contribute to the Houston Medical Clinic.

Why You Should Have a CV Personal Statement

By emphasizing your unique talents and skills and demonstrating why you’re the right fit for the job, a CV personal statement can help you stand out from other candidates . It will entice a hiring professional to continue reading and discover more about your skills, qualifications, experience, and achievements.

While a personal statement can help seasoned professionals with solid experience land a new job, it is also beneficial for job hunters seeking their first jobs. A CV personal statement for students allows high schoolers or undergraduates to get the job they want by summarizing their relevant academic achievements .

How to Write a Personal Statement for a CV

Here’s how to write a CV personal statement and pitch yourself to a hiring professional:

#1. Introduce Yourself

The very first sentence of your personal statement should indicate that you’re a serious candidate for the position. Describe yourself and your work experience using strong adjectives and action verbs .

The simplest way to introduce yourself is to ask, “Who am I professionally?" and an eye-catching answer will pop out immediately.

#2. List the Skills Relevant to the Position

After you’ve introduced yourself, highlight two to three skills relevant to the position . Check out the job description and look for the required competencies; select a couple of them that refer to you, and then list them in your personal statement.

By doing so, you’ll not only tailor your statement to the role; you’ll also pass the pre-screening process carried out by an ATS hassle-free.

#3. Include a Specific Goal You Want to Achieve

The next step is to add an objective you’d like to accomplish . However, make sure that the goal isn’t solely yours; it should be in line with the company’s as well .

Mentioning a specific goal that also aligns with the company’s will make a hiring manager consider you a valuable addition to the team. 

#4. Mention Your Previous Experience/Background

Having relevant experience is a one-way ticket to the next stage of the hiring process. Hence, if you possess it, mention it right away.

To do it effectively, go over the job ad again and peruse the duties and responsibilities that will await you in this position. Try to remember similar activities and experiences from previous roles and list them.

#5. Quantify Your Achievements

Listing accomplishments along with experience indeed adds some value to your personal statement for a CV. However, supporting it with measurable results gives it more credibility .

You can back up your achievements with growth percentages, value increases, budget savings, customer happiness , etc. Such quantifiable results will show a hiring professional how you can contribute to the success of their company as well.

20 CV Personal Statement Examples

Here, we’ll list 20 CV personal statement examples that you can use either to get inspiration or as personal statement templates.

#1. Recent Graduate CV Personal Statement

Here’s a personal summary example for a budding computer scientist CV:

Computer Scientist CV Personal Statement Example

As a recent graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, I am enthusiastic about applying my academic knowledge in software development. I am eager to embark on a career where I can use my technical skills and bring a fresh perspective to contribute to a dynamic development team. 

And here’s an example of a personal statement for a digital marketing graduate:

Digital Marketing CV Personal Statement Example

Having recently earned my Bachelor of Arts in Marketing with a specialization in Digital Marketing, I am eager to launch my career in the fast-evolving digital landscape. I am now eager to contribute my energy, fresh perspective, and dedication to excellence in a professional marketing environment that fosters continuous learning and growth.

This is an example of a law graduate personal statement:

Law Graduate CV Personal Statement Example

As a recent law graduate, I bring a comprehensive understanding of legal principles and a passion for justice. My academic journey has equipped me with strong research, analytical, and communication skills. I am eager to embark on a legal career where I can apply my knowledge to contribute to the pursuit of justice.

#2. Career Change CV Personal Statement Example

Check out an example of a CV personal statement for a transition from finance into data analytics :

Data Analytics CV Personal Statement Example

As a dynamic professional with a successful track record in finance, I am now eager to use my skills to start a new challenge in data analytics. My goal is to use my financial and newly acquired data analytics abilities to contribute to a forward-thinking company seeking to optimize its operations through actionable insights.

Here’s an example of a personal statement for a civil engineer seeking a career change :

Civil Engineer CV Personal Statement Example

After a successful decade in project management within the construction industry, I am excited to redirect my career toward sustainable development and environmental management. Armed with a Master's degree in Civil Engineering, I am eager to bring my proven leadership and technical skills to contribute to a sustainability-focused company looking to drive positive change.

Take a look at the CV personal statement of a software developer transitioning into web design:

Web Design CV Personal Statement Example

With a decade of experience in software development, I am seeking a career change that merges my passion for technology and web design. Having technical experience in coding and a deep understanding of web design trends, I am eager to apply my analytical thinking and technical skills to build attention-grabbing and highly functional web pages.

#3. Internship CV Personal Statement Example

This is an example of a CV personal statement for a marketing internship :

Marketing Internship CV Personal Statement Example

As a highly motivated and creative individual, I am seeking an internship in marketing where I can apply my strong analytical skills and passion for brand promotion. Proficient in social media marketing and content creation, I am eager to contribute fresh perspectives and innovative strategies to enhance the company's online presence. 

Check out a personal statement example for a cyber security internship personal statement:

Cyber Security Internship CV Personal Statement Example

As a dedicated and detail-oriented computer science enthusiast, I am actively seeking an internship in cyber security to apply my strong understanding of network security and information protection. Eager to expand my knowledge of cyber defense strategies and contribute to safeguarding digital assets, I am excited about the prospect of contributing to a dynamic cybersecurity team during my internship.

Check out the CV personal statement of a psychology student:

Psychology Student Internship CV Personal Statement Example

Enthusiastic Psychology student with a deep interest in understanding human behavior and emotions. Through coursework in cognitive psychology and research experience, I've developed analytical and critical thinking skills. Actively involved in campus organizations focused on mental health awareness, I am now seeking internships in the field of counseling or research to apply my academic knowledge to real-world situations.

Here’s what a CV personal statement of an environmental science student looks like:

Environmental Science Internship CV Personal Statement Example

Passionate Environmental Science student dedicated to sustainability and conservation. Through my coursework, I acquired a strong foundation in environmental science. I am actively engaged in campus projects focused on reducing carbon footprint. Eager to contribute my knowledge to real-world environmental initiatives, I am seeking internship opportunities to apply my skills to sustainable practices and conservation efforts.

#4. Experienced Professionals CV Personal Statement Example

Here’s an example of a seasoned finance professional personal statement: 

Finance Professional CV Personal Statement Example

As a seasoned financial analyst with over 10 years of experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling, I am proficient in optimizing financial processes. I've successfully led cross-functional teams to achieve cost savings of up to 15%. With an MBA in Finance and a proven ability to drive profitability, I am eager to bring my strategic financial expertise to a leadership role.

This is what an experienced marketing executive CV statement should look like:

Marketing Executive CV Personal Statement Example

Accomplished marketing executive with a demonstrated history of driving brand growth in competitive markets. Over 12 years of experience, I developed and executed comprehensive marketing strategies, resulting in a consistent 20% annual increase in market share. I am now seeking a senior leadership position to apply my strategic vision and foster innovation in an innovative company.

 Take a look at the CV personal statement example of an IT project manager :

IT Project Manager CV Personal Statement Example

A seasoned IT project manager with PMP certification and a commitment to staying at the forefront of tech trends. I have a track record of reducing project timelines by 25% and enhancing system efficiency by 30%. Ready for a leadership role, I'm excited to lead a team in overcoming the next technological frontier.

Here’s an example of a human resources director personal statement:

Human Resources Director CV Personal Statement Example

With a decade of experience sculpting positive workplace cultures, I created and implemented HR programs that enhanced employee engagement and retention. Initiatives I've led resulted in a 20% improvement in employee satisfaction and a 15% reduction in turnover. Armed with an SPHR certification, I am excited to bring my strategic HR leadership to a company committed to fostering a positive workplace culture.

#5. Student CV Personal Statement Examples

If you’re a business administration student, this is what your personal statement should look like:

Business Administration Student CV Personal Statement Example

As an ambitious Business Administration student specializing in marketing, I offer a combination of academic achievements and practical skills developed through internships. Eager to apply my knowledge in a dynamic business environment, I am seeking opportunities where I can use my skills and passion for marketing to drive tangible results.

Here’s a graphic design student personal statement example:

Graphic Design Student CV Personal Statement Example

As a Graphic Design student with a creative flair and technical proficiency, I bring a unique blend of design skills acquired through coursework and hands-on projects. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and experienced in translating conceptual ideas into visually appealing designs, I am eager to embark on a career in graphic design and apply my artistic talents to contribute to innovative design projects.

#5. Entry-Level CV Personal Statement Examples

Check out a CV personal statement for an entry-level paralegal :

Paralegal CV Personal Statement Example

As a dedicated and detail-oriented recent graduate with an Associate degree in Legal Studies, I am eager to launch a career as a paralegal, bringing strong research, organizational, and communication skills. I am excited to contribute to a dynamic legal team where I can use a solid understanding of legal procedures and a commitment to maintaining the highest ethical standards.

Here’s an example of a virtual assistant CV personal statement:

Virtual Assistant CV Personal Statement Example

Tech-savvy and highly organized professional seeking an entry-level virtual assistant position. With proficiency in office software and platforms, I am well-equipped to handle administrative tasks such as managing calendars and coordinating meetings efficiently. I am eager to contribute my multitasking abilities and proactive approach to help streamline operations and enhance overall productivity in a virtual work environment.

This is what a good entry-level office manager personal statement should look like:

Office Manager CV Personal Statement Example

An enthusiastic and detail-oriented professional with a degree in Business Administration and a strong foundation in office management and administration. Through internships, I demonstrated the ability to coordinate daily operations, manage office supplies, and ensure a smooth workflow. Eager to use my organizational skills and proactive mindset to contribute to a positive and efficient work environment through effective communication and problem-solving.

Take a look at an example of a personal statement for a nurse CV:

Nurse CV Personal Statement Example

A compassionate and dedicated medical professional with an Associate degree in nursing. Through my coursework and clinical rotations, I gained a solid foundation in medical procedures as well as hands-on experience in patient care, medication administration, and treatment planning. I am seeking an opportunity to apply my knowledge and commitment to providing high-quality care.

Final Thoughts

To compel a recruiter to read your curriculum vitae to the very end, you need to grab their attention immediately. The best way to do it is by including a CV personal statement.

Though a bit tricky to write, this brief section of your CV is well worth the effort. Hopefully, our guide will ease the struggle and help you create an eye-catching personal statement and land that dream job!

Create your resume once, use it everywhere

Project Manager CV: free template, example, & guide

Maximize your Project Management potential with a CV upgrade

As a Project Manager you know how important it is to execute all tasks correctly , so why should preparing a curriculum vitae be any different? 

To ensure high-performance indicators on your applications, your CV needs to include the right information that focuses on your best qualities. 

For that reason, we provide an easy-to-use CV builder along with the expert advice in this article that will help you prepare your application in minutes.

In this article, you’ll learn how to:

• Create a project management CV for candidates with no experience
• Draft a personal statement with the right amount of details
• Include the ideal skills, experience, and education in your CV
• Choose the correct format for your curriculum vitae
• Add certifications that are relevant to the Project Manager role

As a Project Manager, you surely know the importance of ensuring quality results. Keep reading to get a job-winning formula to help you create a CV that goes beyond a hiring manager’s expectations .

The best Project Manager CV layout to use

Like working to complete one of your objectives, your CV has to follow some type of logical order . 

There are 3 CV layouts that are typically used , and depending on your experience one may be more advantageous than the others. 

These 3 layouts include:

• Combination
• Skills-based
• Chronological

The best CV layout for a Project Manager generally depends on experience . 

Both experienced, and less experienced Project Managers need to highlight different aspects of their skills and experiences.

If you’re an experienced Project Manager you should go with a chronological format for the following reasons:

• Demonstrates progression : This layout allows you to demonstrate your career progression and growth over time, which is critical in project management.
• Highlights stability : Long stints at companies suggest loyalty and stability which employers appreciate. 
• Recognisable and preferred : Many HR departments and recruitment software are used to this traditional format, making it easier for them to extract necessary information quickly.

Best layout for an entry-level Project Manager

For an entry-level or less experienced Project Manager try using a combination or skills-based layout . Here’s why:

• Focus on skills : A combination or skills-based CV allows you to mention skills that you have gained, either through education, unrelated jobs, or internships.
• Transferable skills : You can list transferable skills such as leadership, organisation, and communication if you’re switching from another professional field.
• Customisation : A skills-based CV is highly customisable and can be easily tailored to meet the specific requirements of the job.

The ideal CV layout will ultimately depend on your work history and skills and by choosing the format that best suits your qualities you should have an eye-catching application.

Study a well-structured Project Manager CV Sample

When drafting a CV, it’s never a bad idea to have a look at a finished sample. It can give you an idea of how you should outline your application. 

Study the Project Manager CV example to get a good idea of the information and structure you should use.

[James Smith]

[Project Manager]

[123 CV Street, London, UK, SW1 1AA]

[+44 7123 456 789 | [email protected]]

Personal Statement

Accomplished Project Manager with over 8 years of experience in the IT sector, holding a consistent record of delivering large-scale projects within budget and on time. Adept in project scheduling, risk and budget management, and quality control. Effective in stakeholder communication and conflict resolution, with a demonstrated ability to think critically and make strategic decisions.

Senior Project Manager | ABC Tech Solutions, London, UK | Jan 2018 – Present

• Managed a diverse project portfolio, overseeing budgets exceeding £1.5M and ensuring on-time delivery for 95% of projects.
• Facilitated communication between all stakeholders, resolving conflicts and fostering a cooperative team environment.
• Successfully managed project budgets, delivering all projects within the cost constraints and saving the company over £200K in excess expenditure.
• Ensured quality control in all projects, leading to a 15% decrease in project rework requests.

Project Manager | DEF Software, Birmingham, UK | Dec 2015 – Dec 2017

• Coordinated project schedules for multiple simultaneous projects, ensuring 90% of projects were delivered on time.
• Maintained open lines of communication with stakeholders, ensuring project goals and progress were clearly understood.
• Utilised critical thinking to navigate project challenges, resulting in a 25% improvement in project outcomes.

Master of Business Administration (Project Management), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK | 2014

Bachelor of Computer Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK | 2013

• Proficient in project scheduling and timeline management
• Excellent stakeholder communication
• Experienced in risk identification and mitigation strategies
• Strong budget management and cost control abilities
• Adherence to quality control standards and procedures
• Effective conflict resolution and team management

Certifications

• PRINCE2 Practitioner | 2016
• Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) | 2011

Useful tips for experienced candidates preparing a Project Manager CV

Have you found a job advert that spoke to you, and think it’s better than your current position? Or maybe you’ve just been out of work for a while. 

Either way, you know what it takes to be a successful Project Manager, you just need to know how to list your productivity on your CV . 

To ensure that your experience on your CV can help you stand out you should:

• Use data that can quantify your achievements
• Mention your past responsibilities
• Don’t forget to highlight your project management skills

Your project scheduling, communication, budget management, and other r elevant skills should be present throughout your CV.

Show off your best qualities in your personal statement

As an experienced Project Manager, you can use your productivity in your current or previous roles as a major advantage. 

You should also mention your goals and long-term plans in the company you are applying to as hiring employers want to get to know a bit more about you both personally and professionally. 

To introduce these elements, you can write something like this:

Project Manager with over 10 years of experience in the IT industry, holding a proven track record in delivering complex projects within agreed timescales and budgets. Successfully led teams of up to 15 members, managing budgets over £1M and consistently achieving project goals. Skilled in Agile and Prince2 methodologies, and adept in identifying efficiencies, with a record of improving delivery times by 20%. Seeking to utilise these skills to drive successful project outcomes and further business growth in a dynamic, forward-thinking environment.

Skills to mention in your Project Manager CV

As an experienced Project Manager you’ve surely developed and demonstrated skills over the years. 

If you’re thinking about the skills that will stand out to an employer, here is a list of skills you can add to your skills section and other parts of your CV:

• Resource allocation
• Quality management
• Agile methodologies 
• Earned value management
• Critical path method
• Conflict resolution
• Benefit tracking
• PM software proficiency
• Project charter development
• Change management

If you can add these skills throughout your CV, you’ll be able to hit on the right keywords and impress a hiring manager with your knowledge of the sector. 

How to write your Project Manager CV experience section

The experience section of your Project Manager CV should convincingly demonstrate your track record of delivering projects successfully. 

It’s key to not only mention your responsibilities but also the tangible results you’ve achieved, backed by quantifiable data .

Begin with your most recent job, following a reverse chronological order . For each role, provide your job title, the company’s name, the location, and the period you were employed. Then, write a bullet-point list of your duties and achievements.

Here’s an example:

Senior Project Manager, ABC Tech Solutions, London, UK (Jan 2018 – Present)

• Managed a portfolio of high-profile projects with budgets over £1.5M, ensuring all were delivered on time and within budget.
• Successfully led a cross-functional team of 15, fostering collaboration and boosting team efficiency by 25%.
• Oversaw risk management processes, reducing project-related issues by 30%.
• Negotiated with vendors, saving the company £100K annually in project costs.

For each bullet point, try to start with a powerful action verb like “Managed”, “Led”, or “Negotiated”. 

Remember, your CV should be tailored to the specific role you’re applying for. So, highlight the experiences and accomplishments that are most relevant to the job description.

What to include and avoid in your education section

Even though you are focusing on your work history, your CV’s education section is important; it provides context to your qualifications and academic background. 

Here is what to include:

• Qualifications : List your degrees along with the institutions where you studied and the dates. Begin with your highest qualification.
• Degrees and relevant coursework : If applicable, mention specific degrees, courses, or projects that are particularly relevant to the role you’re applying for.

What to Avoid

• Overemphasis : Don’t dedicate too much space to your education. For experienced professionals, a few concise lines should suffice.
• Secondary education : There’s no need to list your secondary education unless it’s particularly relevant, or you’re at an early stage in your career.
• Unnecessary details : Avoid including grades for every subject or every module during your degree, focus on the most relevant or impressive.

While education is a key part of your background, it should not overshadow the practical experience and abilities that make you an excellent candidate for the job. Keep it short and sweet.

How to write a junior Project Manager CV

Are you just out of uni, or trying to enter a new sector? There is good news and bad news.

The bad news is that a study showed that 35% of entry-level positions ask for previous experience. A bit of an oxymoron.

The good news is that you simply have to adapt your CV to your level of expertise as a Project Manager. 

In this case, you should stick to a skills-based or combination style format. 

Look to focus on your relevant skills and experience as an intern or whilst working in a previous position.

That way you can come up with the perfect personal statement and information in each of your CV sections that will grab an employer’s interest . 

Keep reading to find out how to put your entry-level CV together. 

Tips for writing your entry-level personal statement

The introduction to your CV, also known as the personal statement, is critical. It is the first section of professional information that your employer will pay attention to. 

As a junior candidate, you should focus on the following details: 

• Your motivation to improve as a Project Manager 
• Your relevant skills
• What your goals are
• Why you want to work for the company

Try to make your personal statement like the following example:

Motivated Business graduate with a 2:1 from University of Manchester, possessing strong leadership and problem-solving skills from university projects and internships. Eager to apply these skills in a project management role, with a commitment to learning and excelling in the field. Recognised for a detail-oriented, proactive approach, dedicated to achieving superior project outcomes.

Highlight your entry-level Project Manager skills

Since you’re just starting out as a Project Manager, it’s key to capitalise on your skills . 

Include any skills that you developed during internships , work placements, or volunteer work. 

Here are some examples of hard and soft skills that you can include in your skills section and throughout your CV: 

• Project scheduling
• Stakeholder communication
• Risk management
• Budget management
• Critical thinking 
• Quality control

By adding any of these to your CV you can increase the possibility of being called in for an interview, like in the following example of an entry-level experience section:

University of Leeds, Group Project, Leeds, UK – Team Leader (Sept 2022 – May 2023)

• Led a 5-person team in a semester-long Business Management group project, achieving a project grade of 90%.

Developed and managed the project schedule, ensuring 100% of milestones were met on time .

Show off your education section

Your education section will also be a key part of your CV as you want to cover for your lack of full-time experience as a Project Manager. 

You may want to stress your educational background and achievements, grades, and projects a bit more than an experienced candidate. 

Here is an example for you to follow:

Bachelor of Business Management (First Class Honours), University of Leeds, Leeds, UK (Sept 2020 – June 2023)

Achievements

• Secured a top 5% grade in the course module ‘Principles of Project Management’.
• Awarded ‘Best Group Project’ for leading a team of four in a semester-long project under the ‘Strategic Business Planning’ module, achieving a grade of 93%.

Don’t forget to add any certifications along with your educational background as they will surely be a plus for your CV. 

Whether you are a long-time Project Manager or creating a project management CV with no experience, your strategy for creating your application is key. 

When writing your CV remember to follow the advice that we mentioned above:

• Use quantifiable data and be specific 
• Choose the CV layout that best suits you
• Take advantage of our online tools including a Project Manager CV template
• Include the right skills

If you manage to hit on all these points you won’t have trouble demonstrating that you can handle all the requirements listed in the job advert.  Remember to be honest, detailed, and precise , and you’ll get called in for an interview in no time!

Struggling with CV Writing?

Ease the process with our templates

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• Project coordinator CV example

Project coordinator roles are varied, exciting and can lead to exciting career opportunities within project management.

But to land yourself a job, you’ll need a compelling, skills-packed CV that stands out from the competition and bags you an interview.

This complete writing guide includes an example project coordinator CV and will help you to put forward an interview-winning application.

Guide contents

• Structuring and formatting your CV
• Writing your CV profile
• Detailing work experience
• Your education
• Skills required for your project coordinator CV

CV templates 

Project coordinator CV example

Unsure about how to showcase your skills in a way that looks organised and is easy to read?

The  CV example demonstrates exactly how to achieve this. By working to a defined and clearly headed structure, the content is incredibly easy to digest.

While writing your own CV , you should aim for simple, clear and professional presentation like this.

Project coordinator CV structure & format

First impressions count, so a sloppy, disorganised and difficult-to-read CV won’t do you any favours.

Instead, perfect the format and structure of your CV by working to a pre-defined structure and applying some simple formatting tricks to ease readability.

Don’t underestimate the importance of this step; if your CV lacks readability, your written content won’t be able to shine through.

Formatting Tips

• Length: Whether you’ve got one year or three decades of experience, your CV should never be more than two sides of A4 . Recruiters are busy people who’re often juggling numerous roles and tasks, so they don’t have time to read lengthy applications. If you’re a recent graduate or don’t have much industry experience, one side of A4 is fine.
• Readability: To help busy recruiters scan through your CV, make sure your section headings stand out – bold or coloured text works well. Additionally, try to use bullet points wherever you can, as they’re far easier to skim through than huge paragraphs. Lastly, don’t be afraid of white space on your CV – a little breathing space is great for readability.
• Design: It’s generally best to stick to a simple CV design, as funky or elaborate designs rarely add any value to your application. A clear, modern font and a subtle colour scheme work perfectly and allow your skills, experience and achievements to speak for themselves.
• Avoid:  Logos, profile photos or other images aren’t necessary and rarely add any value – save the space for written content, instead!

Structuring your CV

Work to the simple but effective CV structure below:

• Name and contact details – Pop them at the top of your CV, so it’s easy for recruiters to contact you.
• CV profile – Write a snappy overview of what makes you a good fit for the role; discussing your key experience, skills and accomplishments.
• Core skills section – Add a short but snappy list of your relevant skills and knowledge.
• Work experience – A list of your relevant work experience, starting with your current role.
• Education – A summary of your relevant qualifications and professional/vocational training.
• Hobbies and interests – An optional section, which you could use to write a short description of any relevant hobbies or interests.

Below, I cover what type of content to  include in each CV section.

CV Contact Details

Start off your CV with a basic list of your contact details.

Here’s what you should include:

• Mobile number
• Email address
• Location – Share your town or city only; there’s no need for a full address.
• LinkedIn profile URL  – Make sure it’s up-to-date.

Quick tip : Delete excessive details, such as your date of birth or marital status. Recruiters don’t need to know this much about you, so it’s best to save the space for your other CV sections.

Project coordinator CV Profile

Your CV profile (or personal statement , if you’re a graduate or entry-level applicant) provides a brief overview of your skills, abilities and suitability for a position.

It’s ideal for busy recruiters and hiring managers, who are often time-strapped and need to skim-read applications.

Think of it as your personal sales pitch. You’ve got just a few lines to sell yourself and prove you’re a great match for the job, so make it count!

Tips to consider when creating your profile:

• Ditch clichés:  If your CV is riddled with clichès like ‘ Dynamic thought-leader’ or ‘determined and hard-working team player’ , hit the delete button. Phrases like these are like a broken record to recruiters, who read them countless times per day. Hard facts, skills, knowledge and results are sure to yield far better results.
• Keep it short and punchy:  When it comes to CV profile length, less is more, as the tone should be snappy and exciting. 3-5 lines are perfect for a profile, while entry-level and graduate applicants can write a longer personal statement.
• Tailor it to the job: No matter how much time you put into your CV profile, it won’t impress if it’s irrelevant to the role you’re applying for. Before you start writing, make a list of the skills, knowledge and experience your target employer is looking for. Then, make sure to mention them in your CV profile and throughout the rest of your application.
• Avoid objectives: Don’t discuss your career goals in your CV profile. If you think they’ll benefit your application, it’s best to discuss them in your cover letter instead.

What to include in your project coordinator CV profile?

Relevant experience  – Start with an overview of any relevant experience you’ve gained so far. What type of companies have you worked for — IT, construction, engineering? How many years of experience do you have? What type of projects have you assisted with or delivered? What budgets have you worked with? Do you have any specialisms?

Key skills – Employers want to see that you’ve got the skills, methodologies and knowledge required to carry out the role, so make these clear from the get-go. Take a look over the role description and pinpoint skills, knowledge, tools and techniques they’re looking for — these are what you should include in your profile.

Qualifications – Showcase your highest or most relevant qualification(s), whether that’s a degree or a PMP/ PRINCE 2 certification.

Achievements   + results – You might have won an award, managed a particularly big budget, landed some stand out feedback, improved processes, boosted profitability or gained a high grade in a university project — whatever they might be, try to incorporate 1-3 stand out results and achievements into your profile.

Quick tip: Even the best of writers can overlook typos and spelling mistakes. Whilst writing your CV, use our quick-and-easy CV Builder , to double-check your accuracy.

Core skills section

Make sure that your most valuable skills aren’t missed by adding a bullet-pointed core skills section like the one below.

This should also be targeted towards the role you’re applying for. For example, if the job advertisement lists ‘Microsoft Planner’ as a key requirement, you’d list that here.

This immediately helps the reader to see that you’re a perfect match for the job.

Work experience/Career history

By this point, employers will be keen to know more detail about your career history.

Starting with your most recent role and working backwards, create a snappy list of any relevant roles you’ve held.

This could be freelance, voluntary, part-time or temporary jobs too. Anything that’s relevant to your target role is well-worth listing!

Quick tip: If this will be your first shot at a project coordinator role, you can still list roles from different industries here. However, wherever you can, try to point out any transferable skills and knowledge you’ve gained.

Structuring your roles

Your work experience section will be long, so it’s important to structure it in a way which helps recruiters to quickly and easily find the information they need.

Use the 3-step structure, shown in the below example, below to achieve this.

Provide a brief overview of the job as a whole, the sector you worked in and the type of projects you managed (if applicable).

“Responsible for supporting a range of IT infrastructure project schedules for a large government organisation; worked alongside 3 project coordinators, reported to the Project Manager.”

Key responsibilities

Use bullet points to detail the key responsibilities of your role, highlighting hard skills, software and knowledge wherever you can.

• Oversaw the coordination of project schedules, resources, equipment and information.
• Liaised with the Project Manager to identify and define project requirements, scope and objectives.
• Monitored and reported on key project milestones and mitigation action on risks and issues.

Key achievements

To finish off each role with extra impact, list 1-3 stand out achievements, results or accomplishments .

This could be anything which had a positive outcome for the company or client you worked for.

Where applicable, quantify your examples with facts and figures.

• Received a PMP rating of ‘S’ for the years 2018 and 2019.
• Improved upon the quality of reporting to senior stakeholders by effective tracking and weekly 121s with each PM.

There should already be mentions of your highest and most relevant qualifications earlier on in your CV,

However, here you should create a more exhaustive list of your qualifications and educational background.

If you’re an experienced candidate, simply include the qualifications that are within the project management space, such as:

• PRINCE2 qualifications
• PMP Certification
• Certified Associate in Project Management Certification
• Change Management Foundation Certification

However, less experienced candidates can provide a more thorough list of qualifications, including A-Levels and GCSEs.

You can also dedicate more space to your degree or certifications, discussing relevant exams, assignments and modules in more detail.

Interests and hobbies

Although this is an optional section, it can be useful if your hobbies and interests will add further depth to your CV.

Interests that show transferable skills, such as volunteering to organise events (organisational skills) or being part of a sports team (teamwork and communication) can add to your application.

Additionally, hobbies that are related to the specific sector you’re going into (for example, if you’d be coordinating projects for a digital marketing agency, you might list blogging or designing websites as a hobby) can help you to stand out.

On the other hand, generic hobbies like ‘going out with friends’ or ‘listening to music’ won’t add any value to your application, so are best left off your CV.

Essential skills for your project coordinator CV

You should always target the skills, knowledge tools and methodologies list in your CV towards the specific role you’re applying for, by carefully reading through the job description. However, commonly sought after project coordinator skills include:

Project management skills – Employers want to see that you’re confident in the concepts involved with delivering a project from concept to delivery, so pack your CV with as many general project management skills, tools, techniques and methods as you can.

Project plans, schedules + calendars – If you have experience of creating, maintaining and managing project plans, schedules, work hours and budgets, it’s essential to discuss it in your work experience descriptions.

Documentation + reporting – Project coordinators are often responsible for documenting and reporting on project progress and creating summary reports, so pinpointing your written communication and report writing experience in previous roles will be a huge benefit.

Software knowledge – From Microsoft Projec t and Planner to Trello and Basecamp, make sure to take note of any software or programmes listed in the job description and include them in your core skills list and previous role descriptions.

Writing your project coordinator CV

An interview-winning CV for a project coordinator role needs to be both visually pleasing and packed with targeted content.

Whilst it needs to detail your experience, accomplishments and relevant skills, it also needs to be as clear and easy to read as possible.

Remember to research the role and review the job ad before applying, so you’re able to match yourself up to the requirements.

If you follow these guidelines and keep motivated in your job search, you should land an interview in no time.

Best of luck with your next application!