The Best Project Manager Resume Keywords & Buzzwords | Everything You Need

BEST PROJECT MANAGEMENT KEYWORDS, BUZZWORDS & SKILLS

If you are a project manager, what are the best project manager resume keywords to integrate into your resume? 

What if you are not a project manager, but instead are seeking to hire a new PM or a senior project manager? What are the best project management buzzwords to use when searching through job databases and applicants’ resumes? Which keywords for project managers should you integrate into your job posting or search criteria?

Everything You Need to Know: Project Manager Resume Buzzwords, Keywords & Skills

This free guide is designed for Project Managers, Senior Project Managers, Program Management Leads, HR Staff, Hiring Managers, Change Management Project Leads, Recruiters, and other Project Management Practitioners.

  • If you are a new or very experienced project manager who is seeking a project management role, this guide provides you with a  step-by-step overview, best project management skills and resume buzzwords, and everything you need to know to increase the success of your resume.
  • If you are a hiring manager, HR staff, or recruiter, this complete guide provides you with a list of key project management skills and keywords for screening the resumes of project management job seekers to identify the best candidates.

“I have been a Sr Project Manager & Change Management Lead for over 15 years, and have led large-scale projects across Intel, Cisco, Goldman Sachs, State Street, Apple, Deloitte, and other firms .  Throughout my years of experience in finding new project opportunities, and also in screening project managers to be part of my team, I have discovered that applying the project management keywords below has greatly increased my successes”

Ogbe Airiodion Senior Project Manager & Change Management Consultant

Let’s Quickly Discuss the Interviewing & Resume Selection Techniques Used by Recruiters

What many project and program manager job seekers don’t realize is that 80%-90% of project management resumes and CVs are rejected before they are even seen by human eyes.

You might be spending a lot of time enhancing your LinkedIn profile or posting your resume on Monster.com , CareerBuilder , Indeed , Dice , Glassdoor , and other resume job boards, and still your profile or resume is not getting picked up by recruiters and hiring managers.

And even when it is seen by an actual person (a hiring manager, recruiter, head hunter, etc.), it is often rejected due to the various factors explained below in this coaching article for new and senior project manager resumes.

What should a project manager put on his or her resume? What project management skills are needed for a program manager to increase the chances of their PM resume being selected? What are the best project management keywords for resumes?

These are all great questions, but …

… before your project manager resume or program manager CV is seen by a live person, it often must pass muster with what is known as an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) bot or an ATS spider that crawls thousands of databases of resumes – across LinkedIn, Monster.com, CareerBuilder, Indeed, Dice, Glassdoor, and other resume job boards – seeking specific project management keywords and program manager skills within resumes.

LinkedIn is becoming the first place that recruiters go to find candidates. According to LinkedIn, over 1.6M recruiters actively use LinkedIn to find candidates. These recruiters use LinkedIn Recruiter, which has a robust ATS interface. 

Below is a key example of how these ATS and Recruiting platforms allow recruiters to search for the right candidates using specific keywords.

The first main step in the screenshot below that states: “ Find the right people – Search for any candidate on LinkedIn using keyword search, Boolean search, and 20+ advanced search filters ” is the step where the recruiter enters the keywords and then the system does the rest by searching through millions of records to generate a list of top candidates that matched the entered keywords.

For the next phase of the resume screening process, the recruiter goes in and prioritizes the final list of candidates generated by the ATS system (if the recruiter is using a resume job board), or by the LinkedIn Recruiter platform (if the recruiter is using LinkedIn).

Once the recruiter has finalized his or her prioritized list of candidates, the next step is to connect with those candidates.

See more: Additional Information on ATS Automated Resume Search Tools .

So, if you are a program manager or project manager, how can you get your resume past the profile or resume review bots to ensure it is picked up and reviewed by a person? And when you can do this, how can you ensure that your resume won’t be immediately discarded by the recruiter or hiring manager after they review it?

There are certain program management skills that you should add to your resume to increase the success of your resume getting seen by humans. These “must-have” project management buzzwords and keywords, as well as the best visualization structure to use for your resume are all included below.

Read on for answers to all of your questions on best resume keywords for project managers and program management leads .

Table of Contents

  • List of Best Project Management Resume Keywords & Buzzwords
  • The Best Structure & Format to Use for Your Resume
  • Best Ways to Integrate Skills, Keywords and Phrases into Your Resume
  • Sample IT Project Manager Resume Keywords for IT Projects 

Where Should You Post Your PM CV or PM Resume?

Additional Information on ATS Automated Resume Search Tools

The Best Buzzwords, Examples, and Keywords for Project Manager Resumes

Examples of top project management resume skills to use in your project or program manager resume are listed below. 

You DON’T need to include each keyword in your program management manager resume. Review and decide which buzzwords are relevant and missing on your project management CV, and then add those.  

For recruiters and hiring managers, focus on selecting only the main project management skills and keywords that are relevant to the job position you are seeking a candidate for.

List of Best Project Management Resume Keywords & Buzzwords for Your Resume

  • Assessing outcomes
  • Assessing progress
  • Attention to detail
  • Business alignment
  • Business analysis
  • Business requirements
  • Business requirement gathering
  • Business requirement assessments
  • Business process analysis
  • Business process improvement
  • Business process reengineering
  • Capacity planning
  • Change management
  • Change control
  • Conflict resolution
  • Collaborative
  • Collaborated
  • Coordinating
  • Communication
  • Communicate
  • Change impact assessment
  • Current state assessment
  • Current state-gap analysis
  • Current vs future state gap analysis

Don’t Miss: How to Integrate These Project Buzzwords into Your PM Resume

  • Data analysis
  • Data analysis & design
  • Data modeling
  • Designing project phase
  • Deployment management
  • Development
  • Development & testing
  • Due diligence
  • Disaster Recovery
  • Escalations
  • Executing plans
  • Execution metrics
  • Financial analysis
  • Future state assessment
  • Future state design
  • Gap analysis
  • Great interpersonal skills
  • Great verbal communication
  • Great written communication
  • Impact assessment
  • Integration planning
  • Leadership engagement
  • Manage meetings
  • Managing client expectations
  • Managing conflicts

How Can You Integrate These Program Manager Skills Within Your Resume?

  • Managing IT system development and implementation
  • Managing relationships with key partners
  • Managing vendors
  • Meeting deadlines
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Multitasking
  • Prioritizing
  • Problem solving
  • Process development
  • Process improvement
  • Project coordination
  • Project implementation
  • Project initialization
  • Project management
  • Project planning
  • Project reporting
  • Program risk assessment
  • Program risk mitigation
  • Program management risk mitigation
  • Quality control
  • Quality methods
  • Quantitative
  • Release planning
  • Release scheduling
  • Requirements
  • Requirements gathering
  • Requirements assessments
  • Reporting on the status of projects
  • Resolved project conflicts
  • Risk assessment
  • Risk management
  • Stakeholder
  • Stakeholder management

How to Integrate Project Management Experience Examples to Your Resume?

  • Scope Management
  • Solution development
  • Software Development
  • Status updates
  • Strategic planning
  • Target state
  • Technical requirements gathering
  • Transformation
  • User Acceptance Testing

Are there additional project management buzzwords you feel are missing in the lists above? Click here to contact the AGS (Airiodion) Editorial Team.

Project Manager Resume Examples. How Should a Project Manager’s Resume Be Structured?

In addition to the sections above that cover the best project management keywords for resumes, it is essential for us to address the best resume styles and formats that increase your resume getting selected for an interview. Every little bit helps when it comes to integrating buzzwords into your CV and optimizing the impact of your resume.

If you are a recruiter or hiring manager, this section is also applicable to you. The best project manager resume examples referenced below are those that are easy to skim through and reflects a well structured formatting.

A project manager’s resume should include the following sections:

  • Highlighted Accomplishments
  • If you graduated 12+ years ago, then it is best to include your Education and Certification section after your Expertise section
  • If you graduated or acquired your certification within the last 12 years, then include your Education and Certification section under the Expertise section
  • Professional Experience
  • The Overview should provide a succinct summary of who you are as a professional
  • The Highlighted Accomplishments is where your resume really stands out. First impressions really matter, and so when a recruiter or hiring manager sees your accomplishments upfront, they are more likely to take the time to review the rest of your resume
  • The Expertise section is another vital section that allows you to integrate more keywords and buzzwords into your program management resume
  • The Education and Certification section should include your degrees and related certifications. For example, Agile Certification, PMI Certification, etc.
  • The Professional Expertise section should include a detailed list of your project, program, and work history
  • The Other section should include buzzwords like Excel, PowerPoint, Jive, SharePoint, Microsoft Project, and any other tools and platforms that you’ve worked with in the past. It can also include any military, volunteering, or other experiences you have

Sample Project Manager Resume with best Formatting & Structure .

Email us if you have any questions about this article. Are there additional project management buzzwords you feel are missing in the lists above? Click here to contact the AGS (Airiodion) Editorial Team.

Integrating Project Management Resume Skills, Keywords, and Phrases into Your Resume

Examples of top project management skills and keywords to put on your resume have been integrated into the phrases below. The keywords within the sentences are highlighted in bold font .

The goal with these keyword examples and phrases is to show you how project management keywords can be used in a resume so that they flow naturally . 

  • Collaborated with subject matter experts to update processes and procedures
  • Worked with all stakeholders and senior leadership to rapidly develop multi-prong implementation project plans
  • Successfully  managed  and  coordinated with all stakeholders, across the enterprise, and across regions to ensure that project deliverables were delivered on time
  • Developed, maintained, and tracked project management plans and schedule. Socialized with program sponsors and firm leaders to ensure leadership engagement
  • Strong expertise in applying flexible change management deliverables, including training , communications , and stakeholder engagement to increase end-user adoption of project implementation
  • Provided regular status updates to C-suite executives to ensure effective dissemination of project information
  • Successfully   implemented the various project phases, including planning, build, UAT/testing, Go-Live deployment, and normalization
  • Collaborated with impacted departments and SMEs to conduct a current state assessment, develop a target state solution, and perform a gap analysis  for the project
  • Conducted a  current state vs. target state   gap analysis  for the project
  • Managed  and  successfully  rolled-out the  target state
  • Coordinated  and  scheduled  joint discovery sessions with over 300 subject matter experts across the enterprise
  • Partnered  with the firm’s Risk Manager to build out a Compliance program
  • Managed  six  project workstreams and analyzed  the firm’s enterprise-wide  operating structure
  • Developed  a comprehensive audit framework to  perform current vs. future state gap analysis
  • Designed and delivered  deployment project plans  for a  target state  Shared Service function
  • Established   strategies  to maintain effective communications with all key stakeholders
  • Assessed the firm’s global banking and onboarding program
  • Investigated  and  identified  key  regulatory ,  operational , and  processing  gaps
  • Collaborated  with Ops, Finance, and other stakeholders to develop remediation plans
  • Designed  and  delivered  a target state  operating model
  • Facilitated  steering committee and working sessions, plus provided regular updates to senior executives
  • Responsible for taking small to large, company-wide, mission-critical programs/projects from original concept through final implementation
  • Ensured adherence to product processes, quality standards, and deliverables
  • Provided overall communication and interfaced with all areas affected by the program/project including cross-functional stakeholders , business sponsors, and vendors
  • Developed detailed program/project execution plan and managed all implementation processes including resource allocation, progress tracking , monitoring change control process, testing , documentation , training, and on-time delivery within budget constraints
  • Proven experience in managing multiple large programs/projects in an enterprise environment delivering enterprise software products
  • Personable and well-proven experience working well with all groups including business, operations, and technical organizations
  • Solid experience in decision making and negotiations
  • Excellent communication , problem solving , conflict / resolution management , active listening , time management, and interpersonal skills
  • Demonstrated consistent ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver technical solutions while mitigating or removing hurdles / obstacles
  • Familiarity with a fast-paced project execution environment; a mix of Agile and Waterfall
  • Managed program risks and issues, as well as changes to projects plans and deliverables

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this top guide on the project management skills resumes.

Sample IT Project Manager Resume Keywords

This section is applicable to any project manager, BUT designed specifically for technical program & project managers.

Examples of top keywords for IT project managers and technical program managers to include in their resume include:

  • Application development
  • Conflict resolutions
  • IT service management
  • Information security
  • Information technology
  • IT Project Manager
  • IT program management
  • Large-scale projects
  • Personable and proven experience working with both business, operations, and technical organizations
  • Management and tracking of project progress against the project plan
  • Managing software/IT/security projects
  • Mid-to-large-scale project implementation

How Can You Integrate These Skills into Your Resume?

  • PMI Agile Certified Practitioner
  • PMP certification
  • Resolving conflicts
  • Scrum Master
  • SDLC: Requirements Gathering, Analysis, Planning, Design, Build, Test, Deploy, and Maintain
  • Software development
  • System testing
  • Technical program management
  • Technical Project Manager
  • Understanding of software development, build, test, test automation
  • Understanding of all phases of SDLC from coding to deployment

Email us if you have any questions about this project management skills – resume optimization article.

Just like other job candidates, project managers normally post their resumes on job boards and websites like Monster.com ,  CareerBuilder , and  Indeed.com . 

However, in addition to posting your project manager CV online, it is essential to maintain a professional profile on sites like LinkedIn . This is important because LinkedIn is becoming the go-to place for recruiters to find project managers. LinkedIn’s job-posting platform  now rivals Monster.com

According to a  Forbes  article , “Companies are spending their recruiting budget on LinkedIn licenses more than on Monster licenses.”

So, when developing your project manager resume or building your professional social media profile, remember to include some of these key project manager keywords on your online profiles to improve your chances of being discovered by recruiters and headhunters.

 See below for more information on ATS scanning tools.

Using an automated tool, a recruiter or hiring manager enters specific project management keywords for the project manager resumes they would like to see. The automated ATS bot tool then crawls through thousands (or hundreds of thousands) of resumes using the specific project manager terms.

It then aggregates those project manager resumes that best match the entered project management search terms and submits these resumes to the recruiter. The recruiter then performs additional reviews and narrows down the selection using a more streamlined and predetermined list of project management buzzwords. 

Adding some of the best project management resume keywords and skill sets provided in the examples above will help increase the chances that your resume / CV will be selected by the bots and sent to the hiring manager for additional resume, and hopefully an interview.

“Resume Review Bots” Scanning Resumes for Project Manager Resume Keywords and Skill Sets 

As mentioned in the top section of this article, over 90% of large organizations use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to analyze project manager resumes and CVs to identify the first batch of project management candidates that best match the position they are looking to fill.

Unfortunately, the resumes for really qualified PM applicants are often rejected by these resume scanning software because a lot of qualified project managers are not doing a good job in integrating the right keywords onto their resumes.

This article aims to provide you with everything you need to know about which keywords, skills, and buzz words to include in your program/project manager resume, as well as what you can do to optimize your resume to ensure that it reaches an actual human recruiter, as well as the hiring manager.

What are the Best Project Manager Skills to Include on Your Resume?

A few examples of the best project manager skills to include on your resume include: Agile, Planning, Requirements Gathering, Designing, Testing, UAT, Analytical, Assertive, Assessing, Data Modeling, Deployment, and... Read more: https://www.ocmsolution.com/best-keywords-project-manager-resume/

How do You Describe Project Management on a Resume?

The best way to describe project management on your resume is to highlight project keywords and skills that you've used on past projects. Examples of top project management skills and keywords to put on your resume have been integrated into phrases below. The keywords within the sentences are highlighted in bold font. Read more: https://www.ocmsolution.com/best-keywords-project-manager-resume/

What are Project Manager Skills?

Top project management skills include Planning, Requirements Gathering, Stakeholder Management, Impacts Assessment, Designing, Change Control, Testing, UAT, Analytical, Assertive, Assessing, Data Modeling, Deployment, and many more. Read more: https://www.ocmsolution.com/best-keywords-project-manager-resume/

How Should a Project Manager's Resume Be Structured?

A project manager’s resume should include the following sections: Overview, Expertise, Education, Degrees, and Certification, Professional Experience, Military (if any), and Other. Read more: https://www.ocmsolution.com/best-keywords-project-manager-resume/

Click below to Airiodion Global Services know if you have any questions about the information provided in this “best keywords to include in a project manager resume” article.

Also, if there are other major keywords that you strongly believe should be included on this list, kindly let us know.

Contact Airiodion Global Services (AGS) today.

Note: Content on OCM Solution's ocmsolution.com website is protected by copyright. Should you have any questions or comments regarding this OCM Solution page, please reach out to Ogbe Airiodion (Change Management Lead) or the OCM Solutions Team today. OCM Solution was previously known as Airiodion Global Services (AGS).

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Jobscan > Resume Examples > Project Management Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords > Project Manager Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords

Project Manager Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords

A project manager position will allow you to showcase your leadership skills as you work for a wide variety of industries. If this sounds like you would like to do, land your dream job with these optimized project manager resume examples. ‌

Jobscan users have been hired by:

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Project manager resume sample

Project managers are efficient and organized with excellent communication and leadership skills. They enjoy planning all sorts of activities, have no problem making decisions on their own, and thrive under pressure. If these skills define you, they will help you thrive at any stage of your project management career path. Showcase them on a tailor-made project manager resume and catch the eye of any recruiter out there.

‌If finding a new project management job is something you’ve been thinking about for a while but haven’t exactly found the motivation to do, this is your cue. But before you take the leap, you must prepare a bulletproof resume that’ll guarantee your success . Being a type “A” person, you’re probably ahead of us and have most of it covered by now. However, let us give you some helpful tips to increase your chances of getting hired.

‌Take note. We’re about to show you one of our best project manager resume samples. If you follow it as closely as you can, there’s a pretty big chance your career path is about to change for the better.

New York City, New York 10001 • (555) 555-1234 • [email protected] • linkedin.com/in/mindy-castello

PROJECT MANAGER

Excellence-driven professional with 25+ years’ experience increasing efficiency, productivity, and revenue while effectively managing projects of all sizes. With a keen eye for detail and a disciplined approach to execution, excels at driving projects through to completion based on milestones and top-notch communication.

Project Management | Resource Coordination | Process Improvement | Strategic Planning Vendor Relationship Management | Contract Negotiations | Procurement & Purchasing | Reporting Cross-Functional Leadership | Team Building | People Management | Complex Communications | Windows | MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access) | OneNote | MS SharePoint | Lync | EBuy | Concur | Catalyst | Accenture | Kronos | TMS | InfoServe | Adobe CS | Plan Grid | BlueBeam | CORE

Drive development, implementation, training, and support of the enterprise project management methodology. Lead large cross functional teams in the deployment of enterprise-wide projects and programs. Direct multiple projects as project manager, leading a team of internal staff and external vendors in delivering business solutions.

  • Create project plans to fit stakeholder and customer needs and deliver with-in budget on desired outcomes; full accountability for project results
  • Define project roles and responsibilities in close collaboration with the Customer, including project scope and objectives to ensure a cross-functional understanding amongst project members
  • Perform project tracking through clear and concise status reports and time management reports; proactively identify potential issues and track project member progress against commitments
  • Learn from recent projects to identify and recommend improvements, cost saving initiatives, and substitutions to positively impact current and future project budget or schedule

Led project management on commercial furniture installation and design projects for key accounts. Engaged directly with clients to define scope and requirements, identify risks/issues, and offer effective solutions.

  • Designed and articulated the all-encompassing strategy for clients with the aim to deliver realized results
  • Managed deliverables from 3rd-party vendors and conducted site visits to coordinate product delivery logistics
  • Served as the tactical point of contact for clients regarding project planning, timeline forecasting, organizing deliverables, relaying meeting minutes, and driving client projects forward
  • Planned resources and assisted in training staff and consistently developing the talent pipeline • Achieved high levels of satisfaction by skillfully coordinating competing priorities and devising and executing strategies to meet schedules, budgets, and on-site logistics requirements

Contracted with a premier Fortune 100 company client. Recognized as a deeply embedded team member fully integrated into corporate culture with a talent for identifying and remedying obstacles to project success. • Provided high-level support to the PM Team on all areas including proposal review, purchase/change orders, job site inspections, and client delivery requirements

  • Ensured on-time attainment of metrics and objectives for successful project delivery by coordinating with client-side external, internal, and executive-level teams, as well as vendors and contractors
  • Propelled cost control and managed budget/fiscal spend details and approved payments • Collaborated cross-functionally with numerous teams across the organization and coordinated logistics, communications, and reporting; tracked metrics and results
  • Professional Certificate: Spencer Business and Technical Institute
  • Leadership Breakthrough: Rapport Leadership
  • Interpersonal And Communication Skills: Dale Carnegie

Resume written by Lezlie Garr

Why this resume works

Project manager resume, skills, and keywords

Most recruitment offices and HHRR departments use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to find the perfect fit. You might be wondering, “What does an ATS do?” It works like a search engine that responds to the resume keywords . So when you’re perfecting and personalizing your project manager resume, make sure to include the resume skills you know recruiters are on the hunt for.

‌‌The first step to building your best resume yet is identifying your strengths and using your project manager skills in your favor. If you’re still unsure which skills companies are looking for in a project manager candidate, check out this list.

Top Project Manager Resume Skills

  • Project planning
  • Team management
  • Goal setting
  • Relevant technical skills
  • Proofreading
  • Negotiation
  • Organization
  • Schedule planning
  • Prioritization
  • Budget management
  • Critical thinking
  • Attention to detail
  • Report development
  • Tech savviness
  • Proactivity
  • Resourcefulness
  • Perseverance
  • High motivation
  • Communication
  • Sense of urgency
  • Consistency
  • Conflict management
  • Adaptability

5 project manager resume writing tips

Once you’ve identified the most coveted project manager resume skills, writing a fabulous resume should come easy. Keep it short, simple, and follow the recipe for success with these handy resume tips.

1. Tailor your resume to each job.

Don’t take the easy way out by building a one-size-fits-all resume. That path will hardly lead you anywhere. Your project management resume needs to showcase that you’re cut for every aspect of the job. That’s why you want to make sure to keep it clean and only include your most relevant project management projects to date. It’s also helpful to highlight the main skills that helped you carry out your responsibilities as a project manager in your previous positions.

‌Put in a little extra effort and customize your resume based on the position and the company you’re applying for . This small action will make a huge difference and skyrocket your chances of getting an interview. By creating a resume that feels even slightly more personal, your prospective new boss will know you’re serious about your search.

2. Showcase the metrics behind your most significant achievements .

Most people write their resumes the exact same way. They type in a bunch of entries and simply specify their past few positions, employment dates, and responsibilities. While this method is not wrong, you could do something different. What better way to get your prospective employer’s attention than flaunting the skills they might hire you for.

Include measurable results for your primary job duties and responsibilities. That way, you’ll creatively display your achievements. Remember to begin each bullet point with a compelling verb for a more dominant narrative.

3. Use an ATS-friendly resume template.

If you’re still creating a mailing list of prospective employers and sending them all the same resume, you’re taking the wrong approach to project management job seeking. If you want recruiters to notice you, you must remember ATS plays a massive role in the selection process. That’s why you want to keep your application ATS-friendly by using the right project management keywords.

If you’re unsure what an ATS-appropriate resume should look like, you can find many online templates to help you figure it out. The process of getting your project manager resume ATS-ready might seem daunting for recent grads and senior project managers alike. However, using the right tools will stop you from overthinking and help you get the work done.

4. Keep your grammar spot on.

Good writing will make you look more professional and educated. It will cause your future team and clients to take you much more seriously. But we’re jumping ahead of ourselves. Using proper grammar and syntax while writing your resume and cover letter will leave an excellent impression on the recruiting team. It’s the fastest way to impress them.

5. Avoid keyword stuffing .

With all this keyword optimization craze, now more than ever, all job seekers want to enhance their resumes massively. Who doesn’t want a better chance at getting noticed by their dream employer? However, things aren’t that simple.

‌If you lie on your resume, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Depending on the severity of your lie, you might even be jeopardizing your new position. The truth always comes out, and losing your employer’s trust may damage your career beyond repair. The best approach is always to remain faithful to what you know and what you’ve accomplished.

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21 Must-Have Keywords For a Project Manager’s Resume

If you are looking for keywords for a project manager’s resume, then you have landed on the right page. I have mentioned 9 keywords that you must include in your resume.

As we progress through 2023, the job market undergoes constant changes, and so do the expectations surrounding project manager resumes. Crafting a standout resume becomes pivotal to securing your dream project management position .

To achieve this, incorporating “relevant project manager resume keywords ” is key. This blog will explore crucial keywords that can elevate your project manager’s resume , boost its searchability during job applications , and increase your chances of an interview.

keywords for project manager resume

Reading Lists

9 Must-Have project management resume keywords

  • Project Management Skills : Showcase specific skills like budgeting, risk management, and stakeholder communication to exhibit your expertise in handling successful projects.
  • Leadership : Employers seek candidates with the ability to lead and motivate teams effectively. Highlight your leadership prowess to demonstrate your potential as a project manager.
  • Strategic Planning : Emphasize your capacity to develop and execute comprehensive project plans aligned with organizational objectives.
  • Team Collaboration : Collaboration plays a crucial role in project management. Highlight your ability to work with cross-functional teams to drive project success.
  • Agile Methodology : As Agile gains prominence, mentioning your proficiency in Agile project management can be advantageous.
  • Scrum : Agile project management techniques like Scrum are widely employed in the software industry and other sectors.
  • Problem Solving : Projects inevitably encounter challenges. Demonstrate your problem-solving skills to showcase your ability to navigate obstacles adeptly.
  • Data Analysis : In a data-driven world, employers value project managers who can analyze data to make informed decisions.
  • Change Management : Highlight your ability to manage change and adapt projects to evolving requirements.

21 project management resume keywords (Bonus)

1Project Management
2Planning and Scheduling
3Time Management
4Resource Management
5Task Monitoring
6Project Planning
7Budget Control
8Leadership
9Problem Solving
10Problem-Solving
11Team Management
12Stakeholder Management
13Project Documentation
14Quality Control
15Risk Management
16Communication Skills
17Agile Methodology
18Scope Definition
19Change Management
20Performance Metrics
21Project Monitoring

Increase Resume Shortlisting Opportunities for Project Managers

Tailor your resume to match specific job descriptions to catch the recruiter’s attention. Incorporate relevant keywords from the job posting to demonstrate that you possess the desired qualifications. This simple act can significantly increase your chances of getting shortlisted.

Write ATS-friendly resume

As hiring processes increasingly involve applicant tracking systems ( ATS ), resume searchability becomes crucial. ATS scans resumes for keywords , making it essential to include industry-specific phrases and skills.

For example, terms like planning, budgeting, PMP certifications, “project lifecycle managemen t” and “ risk assessment “ are ATS-friendly keywords that can enhance your resume’s visibility and boost the likelihood of getting an interview call.

project management resume keywords

How to Use Keywords for Project Manager Resume

  • To identify the most relevant keywords for project manager resume, research industry trends, job postings, and specific company requirements . Pay attention to frequently used terms and incorporate them thoughtfully in your resume.
  • Leveraging the power of keywords in your 2023 project manager resume is a must.
  • By strategically importing essential keywords like project management skills, leadership, and problem-solving, tailoring your resume for each job application, and ensuring searchability with ATS-friendly terms, you can boost your chances of securing your desired project management role.
  • Stand out from the competition and take the first step toward a successful project management career.

How to Prepare for a Project Manager Interview

Now, it’s time to prepare and confidently showcase your project management expertise during the interview . This is your chance to shine and demonstrate that you are the perfect fit for the role. Here’s how you can ace the interview and effectively use your resume keywords:

  • Review Your Resume : Before the interview, thoroughly go through your resume and pay special attention to the keywords you included. Familiarize yourself with the specific skills and experiences you highlighted.
  • Use Real-life Scenarios : Be ready to provide concrete examples of how you have applied the skills mentioned in your resume keywords in actual project situations. Utilize the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, showcasing your achievements clearly.
  • Emphasize Leadership and Collaboration : Highlight your leadership abilities and how you have effectively collaborated with teams in past projects. Employers value project managers who can lead and inspire their teams to achieve outstanding results.
  • Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills : Showcase your problem-solving abilities by discussing how you have overcome challenges and obstacles in previous projects. Illustrate how you analyzed data and made informed decisions to drive project success.
  • Show Adaptability : Emphasize your ability to manage change and adapt projects to meet evolving requirements. Employers seek project managers who can navigate uncertainties and deliver results in dynamic environments.
  • Ask Thoughtful Questions : Prepare relevant questions about the company’s projects, culture, and future goals. Demonstrating your interest and curiosity showcases your dedication to the role and organization.
  • Express Passion for Project Management : Convey your passion for project management during the interview. Enthusiasm and genuine interest in the field can make a lasting impression on the interviewer.
  • Practice Interview Etiquette : Exhibit professionalism and proper interview etiquette throughout the conversation. Maintain eye contact, offer a firm handshake, and express gratitude for the opportunity to interview.
  • Follow-Up After the Interview : Send a personalized thank-you email to the interviewer after the interview, reiterating your interest in the role and your appreciation for the opportunity. This gesture shows your attentiveness and professionalism.

Remember, your resume keywords have already captured the interviewer’s attention, but it’s your ability to articulate your experiences and skills that will set you apart from other candidates.

Be confident, authentic, and enthusiastic, and use your resume keywords strategically to showcase your project management expertise.

As you prepare for the interview, envision yourself thriving in the role of a project manager, making a positive impact on projects and teams. With the right preparation and the power of your resume keywords behind you, you’re well on your way to securing that dream project management position.

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project management resume key words

Project Management Resume Keywords in 2023 (With Expert Tips)

  • POSTED ON August 26, 2023
  • by Marcjean Yutuc

Todoist Top Personal Development Tool

In the past, hiring managers would typically scan resumes for keywords that were relevant to the job opening. However, with the rise of applicant tracking systems (ATS), this process has become more automated.

ATS are computer programs that scan resumes for keywords that match the job description. If your resume doesn’t contain enough of the right keywords, your resume may not even be seen by a human recruiter.

That’s why it’s so important to use the right project manager resume keywords in your resume. By using the right keywords, you can increase your chances of getting your resume seen by a recruiter and landing the job you want.

In addition to using the right keywords, you can also improve your chances of getting a project manager job by learning career development courses . These courses can teach you the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful project manager.

In this article, we’ll discuss the most important project manager resume keywords for 2023. We’ll also share some expert tips on how to use these keywords and how to craft an effective project manager resume.

puzzle pieces with project management keywords

Top Project Manager Resume Keywords in 2023

Communication.

Communication skills are one of the most important business skills . These skills are essential for project managers to be able to effectively communicate with their team members, stakeholders, and other project stakeholders. For example, a project manager with strong verbal communication skills would be able to give clear and concise presentations to stakeholders. A project manager with strong written communication skills would be able to write clear and concise reports and documentation.

  • Communication skills
  • Verbal communication
  • Written communication
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Active listening
  • Public speaking
  • Conflict resolution
  • “Communicated effectively with a team of 10 engineers to ensure that all project requirements were met, resulting in a project that was delivered on time and within budget.”
  • “Presented project status updates to stakeholders in a clear and concise manner, with an average presentation time of 15 minutes.”
  • “Resolved conflicts between team members in a timely and diplomatic manner, with a 90% success rate.”

Leadership skills are essential for project managers to be able to lead and motivate their team members to achieve project goals. A project manager with strong leadership skills would be able to set clear goals and expectations for their team members. A project manager with strong teamwork skills would be able to build and maintain a cohesive team.

  • Leadership skills
  • Problem-solving
  • Decision making
  • Strategic planning
  • “Led a team of 5 project managers to successfully deliver a complex project on time and within budget, saving the company $1 million.”
  • “Motivated and inspired my team to achieve ambitious goals, resulting in a 10% increase in productivity.”
  • “Delegated tasks effectively to ensure that everyone was working on the right things, with a 95% completion rate.”

Planning and Organizing

Project managers need to be able to plan and organize effectively in order to successfully complete projects. A project manager uses project planning skills to develop a comprehensive project plan that outlines all the necessary tasks, resources, and timelines. This ensures that the project is completed on time and within budget.

  • Project planning
  • Prioritization
  • Time management
  • Risk management
  • Change management
  • “Developed a comprehensive project plan that included all the necessary tasks, resources, and timelines, resulting in a project that was delivered on time and within budget.”
  • “Scheduled all project activities and milestones to ensure that the project was completed on time, with a 98% on-time delivery rate.”
  • “Managed the project budget and made sure that all costs were within scope, with a 0.5% budget overrun.”

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Technical Skills

Technical skills are crucial for project managers. They allow effective use of tools and technology for project management. For instance, a project manager skilled in Microsoft Project can create and track project schedules. Strong Excel skills enable a project manager to generate and analyze project data.

  • Project management software
  • Microsoft Project
  • Other relevant software
  • “Proficient in Microsoft Project and Primavera, with an average project completion time of 6 months.”
  • “Experienced in using Excel and PowerPoint to create reports and presentations, with an average presentation time of 15 minutes.”
  • “Knowledge of other relevant software, such as Visio and AutoCAD, with a 90% accuracy rate.”

Other Soft Skills

These skills are essential for project managers to be able to handle the challenges of project management. For example, a project manager with strong problem-solving skills would be able to identify and solve problems quickly and efficiently. A project manager with strong critical thinking skills would be able to make sound decisions that benefit the project.

  • Critical thinking
  • Adaptability
  • Stress tolerance
  • Attention to detail
  • Self-motivated
  • Results-oriented
  • “Consistently identified and solved problems to keep the project on track, resulting in a project that was delivered on time and within budget.”
  • “Used critical thinking skills to make sound decisions that benefited the project, resulting in a 10% increase in productivity.”
  • “Demonstrated adaptability by quickly adapting to changes in the project plan, with a 95% success rate.”
  • “Successfully managed stress and remained calm under pressure, with a 0% turnover rate among team members.”
  • “Took pride in my work and always delivered high-quality results, with a 99% customer satisfaction rate.”

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Project Management Certifications

Possessing the right certifications and methodologies can set you apart as a skilled professional. These credentials not only bolster your resume but also showcase your commitment to excellence. Here are some examples:

  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
  • Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
  • PRINCE2® Foundation
  • ITIL® Foundation
  • Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP)
  • Scrum Master

When listing your certifications and methodologies, be sure to include the name of the certification, the organization that issued it, and the year you earned it. You can also include a brief description of each certification or methodology.

What to know more about project management skills? Read these articles:

Starting a New Project: What You Need to Know? The 6 Most Important Things to Include in Your Project Outline 10 Mistakes to Avoid in Project Implementation (with Expert Guidance) Expert Reveal: How to Do Project Monitoring Effectively

project management resume keywords

How to Use Project Manager Resume Keywords Effectively

There are a few things you can do to use project manager resume keywords effectively:

  • Use the right keywords: When choosing keywords, it’s important to use the terms that hiring managers are actually using. You can find these keywords by reading job descriptions and talking to people in the industry.
  • Use keywords throughout your resume: Don’t just put keywords in your skills section. Use them throughout your resume, including your work experience, education, and skills.
  • Use keywords in a natural way: Don’t try to force keywords into your resume. Use them in a natural way so that your resume flows smoothly.
  • Get feedback on your resume: Once you’ve finished writing your resume, get feedback from someone who knows about project management. This will help you make sure that you’re using the right keywords and that your resume is effective.
  • Continuous refinement: Resume enhancement is an ongoing process. Regularly review your resume, update keywords as needed, and align them with evolving industry trends. A dynamic approach keeps your resume current and impactful.

Expert Tips: Crafting an Impactful Project Manager Resume

Tailor your resume to the job description.

"When you are crafting your resume, align it with the job description that you are applying for. Show them what you have to offer is what they require. Remove unnecessary or non-related information, unless it paints you in a capable light. Focus on your skills and your work experience and how they helped you achieve your goals. " Neal Taparia, Co-Founder of Cribbage Online

Focus on your impact

"Focus on your impact: Not what you did, but the impact you had. What did you contribute specifically to bring it in on time, on budget and on goal? Summarize the technical environment, key tools, sticking points and solutions in layman’s terms to provide a granular feel to what your projects were about, how you may have handled issues. Tell a story." Kristin Marquet, Founder and Creative Director of Marquet Media, LLC

Include a thoughtful cover letter

"Including a thoughtful cover letter is also essential, as hiring managers use them to gauge an applicant's communication skills. So take the time to craft one that demonstrates your ability to engage and inform an audience." Seth Besse, CEO of Undivided.io

Omit unnecessary and irrelevant information

"When creating your resume, omit all unnecessary and irrelevant information that will not add anything to your job search. Highlight your achievements and relevant project management skills. Tailor your resume to align with a project manager’s job description, this will help you filter out all of the information that won't add to your endeavor." Ben Richardson, Founder & Director of Acuity Training

Include your certifications

“Lean into certifications, especially if your resume experience feels a little light. When recruiters see impressive certifications like PMP or ACP on your resume, they know you’ve worked hard and developed objectively good skills to meet respected standards. Not everyone takes the time to earn these certifications, so it becomes a real standout feature that can help put you above the rest. ” Denise Hemke, Chief Product Officer at Checkr

Highlight technical and leadership skills

"When crafting a project manager resume, it’s important to include both technical skills and leadership abilities. As a project manager, you should be able to demonstrate your knowledge of various software applications as well as your ability to manage and motivate teams. When writing the content for your resume, focus on highlighting these valuable skills and emphasizing your expertise in them." Evan Tunis, President of Florida Healthcare Insurance

Include metrics and results of your projects

"One of the best ways to highlight your project management accomplishments is by including specific metrics and results from past projects you’ve managed. Be sure to include how many people were on the team and their roles, how much of a budget you managed, and any achievements or successes from the project. Showing potential employers that you can manage large projects effectively builds trust and gets you one step closer to landing the job." Keith Sant, Founder & CEO, Sell My House Company

Include how you integrate diverse team members

"I prefer to hire candidates who exhibit strong leadership skills but also excel in fostering harmonious teamwork. Applicants must showcase instances where they have seamlessly integrated diverse team members, leveraging their strengths to achieve project goals. They must highlight their ability to communicate, delegate responsibilities, and facilitate open dialogue, ensuring everyone is motivated. The individual’s demonstrated capacity to cultivate collaboration marks their skill in orchestrating multifaceted projects, making them an ideal candidate for the role." Ovidiu Cical, CEO and Co-founder at Cyscale

Frequently Asked Questions about Project Manager Resume Keywords

What are project manager resume keywords, and why are they important.

Project manager resume keywords are specific terms or phrases relevant to the project management field that are incorporated into resumes to highlight a candidate’s skills and qualifications. These keywords are essential because many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes for relevant keywords. If your resume lacks these keywords, it might not reach human eyes. By including the right keywords, you increase your chances of getting noticed by both ATS and recruiters.

How can I identify the right project manager resume keywords for my resume?

To identify the right keywords, carefully review the job description of the position you’re applying for. Look for recurring terms, qualifications, and skills mentioned in the description. These are likely the keywords ATS and recruiters are searching for. Additionally, research industry-specific terminology and standard project management buzzwords that align with your experience and skills.

Should I use the same set of keywords for every application?

While some keywords may remain consistent across various applications, it’s important to tailor your resume to each specific job description. Adjust your keywords based on the skills and qualifications outlined in the job posting. Using a mix of general project management keywords and role-specific keywords can help your resume stand out for each application.

Can overusing keywords hurt my resume?

Yes, overusing keywords in an attempt to game ATS can backfire. While it’s important to include relevant keywords, your resume should still read naturally and emphasize your actual experiences and accomplishments. Remember, your goal is not just to get past ATS but also to impress recruiters with your genuine qualifications.

What’s the difference between hard skills and soft skills in terms of keywords?

Hard skills are specific technical abilities that can be easily quantified and tested. Examples include “project scheduling,” “budget management,” and “risk assessment.” Soft skills, on the other hand, are interpersonal and communication abilities that contribute to effective teamwork and leadership. Examples of soft skills keywords are “communication,” “team collaboration,” and “problem-solving.”

Can I include project management methodologies as keywords?

Absolutely. Including project management methodologies such as “Agile,” “Scrum,” “Waterfall,” or “Lean” can demonstrate your familiarity with specific approaches and resonate with employers seeking candidates well-versed in those methodologies.

Read more: Don’t Make These 10 Resume Mistakes According to Experts 

Key Takeaways

In today’s digital era, where job hunting happens online, your resume needs to shine. The key to unlocking opportunities lies in project management resume keywords.

Our experts have shared valuable insights on the importance of these keywords. They bridge the gap between your skills and the technology that scans resumes. As you create your resume, remember their advice.

But your journey doesn’t end here. Elevate your career prospects by exploring Skill Success All Access Pass . Subscribing grants you access to a treasure trove of courses that can sharpen your project management skills and more. It’s your chance to take control of your career growth.

Marcjean Yutuc

Marcjean Yutuc

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project management resume key words

Project Manager Resume [2024] - Example & Full Guide

Background Image

As a project manager, you’re the be-all and end-all of any project.

So, you’re great at setting goals, strategic planning, creating budgets, leading a team towards a common goal, keeping tabs on everyone and everything… 

Actually, is there anything you can’t do?

Well, if you’re here, chances are your weak point is writing a job-landing project manager resume .

And, yes—it may seem hard to transfer all of your work experience, skills, and professional achievements onto a single piece of paper. With the right guidance, however, it doesn’t have to be!

So, in this article, we will cover everything you need to know about writing an effective project manager resume, including:

Project Manager Resume Example

Step-by-step guide to write your project manager resume, 50 project manager skills to put on your resume.

project manager resume

Like the look of Jennifer’s IT Project Management resume? Create your own modern project management resume in minutes with these easy-to-complete resume templates and get started on your journey to earning the best PMP certification . 

Quite impressive, right?

These are the elements that make this project manager resume an example to follow:

  • Reverse-chronological format. This resume format is the most popular around the world and effectively shows off the candidate’s work experience.
  • Eye-catching resume summary. The project manager resume example above includes a brief and to-the-point resume summary that highlights the candidate’s skills and area of expertise.
  • Contact information. The project manager resume example above includes all the necessary contact details, such as the candidate’s email address, location, phone number, and relevant social media handles.
  • Achievement-focused work experience section. In this project manager resume example, the candidate doesn’t simply mention their responsibilities - they also include their work achievements to help them stand out from other candidates.
  • Relevant education section. The candidate only includes their key education details, such as their Bachelor’s degree and a field-related minor.
  • Use of bullet points. The candidate uses bullet points to organize and present the information which makes this project manager resume example look neat and structured.
  • Well-organized skills section. This project manager resume example includes the candidate’s soft and hard skills that are relevant to the IT industry and project management.
  • Effective use of additional sections. The candidate takes advantage of the extra space on their project manager resume by including relevant additional sections, such as their industry-related certifications and academic achievements to show off their professional background.

We've also got more resume examples that you might want to check out:

  • Program Manager Resume
  • Operations Manager Resume
  • Business Development Manager Resume
  • Human Resource (HR) Resume
  • Office Manager Resume

Writing a project manager resume is no different than working on any other project - you definitely need to have a plan and know the exact steps you’re going to take.

Luckily, you don’t need to figure it out yourself!

We’ve covered each step of writing a powerful project manager resume for you, so let’s dive in:

#1. Pick the Right Format for Your Project Manager Resume

The reverse-chronological resume format is by far the best option for your project manager resume. 

As we’ve mentioned above, the reverse-chronological format is the most popular resume format worldwide. It’s also a recruiters’ favorite!

Here’s what it looks like:

reverse chronological resume

This resume format gives the recruiter a clear picture of your professional background and work achievements by putting your project manager's work experience in the foreground.

Now that you’ve chosen a format for your project manager resume, let’s address the resume layout . 

These are the resume layout elements you should pay attention to:

  • Font style . Your project manager resume has to be easily readable, so choose a professional font style that looks good on both PDF and paper.  
  • Font size. Keep your font size at 11-12 pts for body text and 14-16 pts for section headings, so that your project manager resume is easy-to-read and fits into a single page.
  • Bullet points. Whenever possible, use bullet points to present information and make your project manager resume easy-to-scan as well as well-organized.
  • Resume length. Recruiters go through hundreds of resumes every day, so it’s best to fit your project manager resume in one page to make sure they actually read it.
  • Resume file format. If not asked otherwise, always save your resume as a PDF file so that it looks the same no matter the device or OS the hiring manager uses. 

Use Our Tried & Tested Templates 

As a project manager, you’re great at time management.

So, you probably aren’t too excited about spending hours on pointless tasks… like formatting your project manager resume.

And especially so when you could be focusing on more important things instead, such as perfecting the contents of your project manager resume.

What if we told you there’s a quick and easy shortcut?

Instead of wasting your time on designing your resume, just pick one of our professional resume templates and dive straight into filling in the contents of your project manager resume!

Besides, our resume templates are far more visually appealing than basic text-editor resumes.

Check it out for yourself:

resume examples

#2. Add Your Contact Information

Now that you’ve dealt with formatting your project manager resume, you can start filling in the contents.

Let’s begin with the basics - simply add your contact information , including:

  • Your first name and last name
  • Your title 
  • Your phone number
  • Your email address
  • Your location
  • Relevant social media handles (optional)

Here’s an example of a contact information section that includes all of the above:

Lauren Anderson

Project Manager

012-345-6789

[email protected]  

Boston, Massachusetts

linkedin.com/in/laurenanderson29

This step is as easy as it looks - you just have to make sure to fill in the contact details correctly.

Otherwise, you may leave a bad impression which can hurt your application. 

After all, no company wants a project manager who’s sloppy and doesn’t pay enough attention to details.

#3. Write an Impactful Project Manager Resume Summary

The next step is writing an impressive project manager resume summary .

Your resume summary is meant to provide a quick overview (2-3 sentences) of your professional background to let the hiring manager see whether you’re a relevant candidate.

So, to make sure the recruiter doesn’t put your project manager resume aside after taking just a glance (and actually reading the whole thing), your resume summary has to be effective.

Here’s what a powerful resume summary includes:

  • Your title and years of experience
  • Your most relevant skills in project management
  • Your top 1-2 professional achievements

And here’s an example of an impactful project manager resume summary:

  • Strategic and detail-oriented Project Manager with 7+ years of experience. Outstanding organizational, time management, planning, and problem-solving skills. Met all project deadlines for 5 years straight and increased Company X’s market share by 12% through successful branding projects. 

job search masterclass novoresume

#4. Make Your Project Manager Work Experience Stand Out

As a project manager, you have tons of work experience , so the next step is to list it effectively.

First things first - let’s get the formatting right.

Here’s how you should format the work experience section in your project manager resume:

  • Follow the reverse-chronological order. Start with your most recent (or current) position and go backward in time. 
  • Add your job title. This is supposed to give the recruiter a clear idea of the role you had in the previous workplace.
  • Include the company's name and location. You can also briefly describe the company if it’s not a well-known name.
  • Add the date of employment. To show how long you worked at the company, use the mm/yyyy format.
  • Write down your achievements and responsibilities. Stick to 5-6 bullet points for the most recent roles and 2-3 for older jobs.

Now, no doubt you want your project manager resume to make a lasting impression on the hiring manager and help you land the job. 

So, filling in just the basic work experience details isn’t nearly enough - you’ll end up with a project manager resume that’s similar to other candidates’ resumes.

If you want to make your project manager resume stand out, ask yourself - what exactly are hiring managers looking for?

Sure, it’s your years of experience, but the responsibilities you had in previous roles weigh in much less.

To recruiters, the most important part of your professional background is a proven track record of success . 

As such, the key to a job-winning project manager resume is this: 

Make your work experience section stand out by focusing on your achievements over your responsibilities whenever possible.

So, here’s what you can do to take your work experience section to the next level:

  • Use action verbs to describe your achievements and responsibilities, e. g. spearheaded, managed, resolved, executed, etc.
  • Only include relevant work experience, e. g. you already have relevant project management experience, so the recruiter won’t be impressed that you scooped ice cream in high school.
  • Make your achievements quantifiable , e. g. ”Consistently delivered projects up to 12% below the budget” instead of “Consistently delivered projects under the budget”.

Here’s an example of what an impressive work experience section could look like:

IT Project Manager

08/2017 - 01/2022

  • Led and coached a team of 16 IT specialists.
  • Managed the Lean Training project for all 54 IT department employees.
  • Consistently delivered projects up to 12% below the budget.
  • Initiated and managed the project to replace all aging equipment, lowering monthly electricity costs by 23%.
  • Introduced a project performance management system that increased project efficiency by 18% over the period of 3 years.

#5. List Your Education Right

Whether you have a degree in project management, business administration, or any other related field, what matters most is your work experience, so keep your education section brief. 

Simply list your education starting with your highest degree as such:

  • Degree Name
  • University, college, or other institution
  • Location (optional)
  • Years attended 

As a project manager, technically you aren’t required to have a degree (though this can make competing against candidates with a diploma much harder), so only include your high school education in your project manager resume if you don’t have higher education .

Here’s an example of the education section:

BSc in Project Management

Colorado State University Global

09/2012 - 06/2016

#6. List Your Project Manager Skills

The skills section shows the recruiters your professional abilities, so it’s one of the most important sections (alongside the work experience section) in your project manager resume.

Here are some tips on how to list your skills effectively:

  • Tailor your skills section for project management. The point of the skills section is to prove to the hiring manager why you’re a great candidate for this position, in particular, so listing all of your skills is redundant.
  • Include any of the skills you have that the company is looking for. Carefully read the job description and see whether the company has listed any specific skills - if you match them, make sure to include them in your project manager resume. 
  • Research the most in-demand project management skills. The skills you need largely depend on the field (IT, marketing, retail, etc.), so research the project management field you’re specifically applying to and write down any of the industry-related skills that you have.
  • Take a look at your achievements. Not sure which skills you have? Your achievements are proof of your skills, so go back to the work experience section and take a closer look. For example, if you consistently deliver projects before the deadline, you’re likely skilled at time management, planning, delegation, etc.
  • List your soft skills and hard skills separately. This will make your project manager resume well-organized and easy to navigate.

Need some inspiration on which skills to include in your project manager resume?

Take a look at our list of the 50 most in-demand project management skills!

Soft Skills for a Project Manager

  • Public Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Communication Skills
  • Critical Thinking
  • Problem-solving
  • Negotiation
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Adaptability
  • Stress Management
  • Time Management
  • Collaboration
  • Compromising
  • Organizational Skills
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Resourcefulness
  • Decision-making
  • Attention to Detail

25 Hard Skills for a Project Manager

  • Business Strategy Knowledge
  • Forecasting
  • Project Management Methodologies
  • Microsoft Office Proficiency
  • Technical Documentation
  • Project Management Software Proficiency
  • Process Management
  • Strategic Planning 
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Risk Evaluation 
  • Risk Management
  • Database Management
  • Programming Languages
  • Technical Writing
  • Prioritization
  • Evaluation of Project Performance Metrics
  • Goal Setting
  • Financial Management
  • Contract Management
  • Vendor Management

#7. Include Your Project Management Certificates

While some companies don’t require project managers to have a degree, many are looking for certified project managers.

Having a project manager certificate also means that you’ll get paid more - in fact, certified project managers earn up to 16% more compared to their uncertified colleagues. 

So, don’t let your certificates go to waste and include them in your project manager resume (in reverse-chronological order, of course, in case you have multiple certifications )!

Here’s how to do it:

  • Certification name
  • Name of agency 
  • Year of obtainment
  • Location (if applicable)
  • Date of expiration (if applicable)
  • Expected date of obtainment (if applicable)

And here’s an example:

Certified Project Manager Professional (2019-2022)

Project Management Institute

#8. Make Use of Relevant Additional Sections

Do you still have some extra space on your project manager resume?

Take advantage of it!

Show off your project management experience by adding one or more of these additional sections:

  • Associations and organizations you’re a part of, alongside your role in them.
  • Publications , such as studies, interviews, and others.
  • Conferences , whether they’re on project management or industry-related subjects.
  • Awards , if any of them are related to project management.
  • Languages are always a plus, but even more so if you’re applying to an international company.

And here’s an example of how to put these extra sections on your project manager resume:

Conferences

  • BRIDGE 2021
  • English - Native or Bilingual Proficiency
  • Russian - Professional Working Proficiency

#9. Match Your Project Manager Resume With a Cover Letter

Now that you know how to write an effective project manager resume, there’s one more thing we need to address - how to write an impactful cover letter .

The point of a cover letter is to prove to the hiring manager that you’re the full package - a competent project manager and the perfect fit for the company.

So, your cover letter should be personalized for the position and include any important details that you haven’t mentioned on your project manager resume.

Here’s how to write a compelling cover letter (even if you aren’t confident in your writing skills!):

  • Start your cover letter by putting your contact information in the header.
  • Directly greet the recruiter and mention your top 1-2 achievements in the first paragraph.
  • In the body of your cover letter, describe your professional background (work experience, skills, etc.) in detail, explain why you want to work for this particular company, and stress why you’d be a great asset to them.
  • To end your cover letter , include a call to action.

Check out our guides on cover letter writing tips and cover letter mistakes to make sure your cover letter is top-notch. 

Here’s an example of a convincing project manager cover letter :

project manager cover letter

Want to show the hiring manager that you are thinking of every detail from A to Z? Match your cover letter to your project manager resume with our cover letter templates !

Key Takeaways

Congrats - now that you know the step-by-step plan of writing a project manager resume, you’re prepared to write a job-winning project manager resume for yourself! 

Before you start, let’s run over the main elements of writing an effective project manager resume:

  • Use the reverse-chronological resume format to put your project manager work experience in the center of attention.
  • Write an eye-catching resume summary to spike the recruiter’s interest in reading your project manager resume.
  • To land the job, focus on your achievements over responsibilities when describing your work experience.
  • Only add industry-related soft and hard skills to your project manager resume.
  • Add extra sections, such as certificates, awards, associations, etc., to paint a full picture of your professional background.
  • Convince the hiring manager you’re the perfect candidate by attaching a compelling cover letter to your project manager resume.

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  • Resume Keywords

40+ Project Manager Resume Keywords [Practical Examples]

Project management: an art or a science?

Perhaps, a bit of both. In the bustling world of project delivery, it’s not just about what you’ve done, but how you articulate it.

That’s why we’ve delved into the minds of hiring managers to unearth the most impactful keywords they look for in project manager resumes.

Get ready to transform your resume from a simple document to a career-launching toolkit.

Top Project Manager Resume Keywords with Examples

Project Lifecycle ManagementLed the full project lifecycle, from initial concept through final delivery, ensuring on-time, under-budget completion.
Budgeting and Cost ControlManaged project budgets up to $2M, consistently maintaining costs within a 5% variance of projected expenses.
Risk ManagementIdentified and mitigated project risks, reducing potential delays by 30%.
Agile MethodologyImplemented Agile methodology, resulting in a 20% increase in project delivery speed and improved team collaboration.
Stakeholder EngagementEnhanced stakeholder engagement through regular updates and strategy sessions, aligning project goals with business objectives.
Cross-Functional LeadershipLed cross-functional teams of up to 25 members, fostering a collaborative environment to drive project success.
Resource AllocationOptimized resource allocation, ensuring the right personnel and tools were available at critical stages of the project.
Scope ManagementManaged project scopes meticulously, preventing scope creep and ensuring all deliverables met client specifications.
Process ImprovementStreamlined processes, achieving a 15% increase in operational efficiency for project tasks.
Time ManagementDemonstrated exceptional time management, consistently meeting or exceeding all project milestones.
Quality AssuranceImplemented quality assurance protocols, resulting in a 40% reduction in post-launch issues.
Communication SkillsUtilized strong communication skills to bridge gaps between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Team LeadershipExhibited effective team leadership, mentoring junior project managers and leading teams to success.
Strategic PlanningEngaged in strategic planning, aligning project goals with long-term business objectives.
Problem SolvingApplied advanced problem-solving skills to address complex project challenges, ensuring smooth execution.
SchedulingExpertly managed project scheduling to optimize workflow and meet tight deadlines.
Performance MetricsUtilized performance metrics to track project progress and implement improvements, resulting in a 25% performance increase.
Contract NegotiationSuccessfully negotiated contracts with vendors, resulting in a 10% cost reduction while maintaining quality standards.
Change ManagementLed change management initiatives, ensuring seamless adoption of new processes and technologies.
Client Relationship ManagementFostered strong client relationships, leading to a 95% client satisfaction rate and repeat business.
Vendor ManagementCoordinated with multiple vendors to ensure timely delivery of resources and services, maintaining project continuity.
Technical ProficiencyLeveraged technical proficiency in software like MS Project and JIRA to enhance project tracking and reporting.
Data AnalysisConducted thorough data analysis to inform project decisions, leading to more targeted and effective strategies.
Reporting and DocumentationMaintained detailed project reporting and documentation, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Conflict ResolutionResolved team conflicts effectively, maintaining a positive work environment and keeping the project on track.
Risk AssessmentConducted regular risk assessments to proactively address potential issues, minimizing disruptions.
Continuous ImprovementChampioned a culture of continuous improvement, leading to a 20% increase in project efficiency over two years.
Deadline-OrientedConsistently deadline-oriented, ensuring project phases were completed ahead of schedule without compromising quality.
Decision MakingExercised sound decision-making under pressure, ensuring project stability and progress.
Workflow OptimizationEnhanced workflow optimization, leading to a 15% reduction in process bottlenecks.
Collaboration SkillsUtilized strong collaboration skills to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
Project PlanningExcelled in project planning, ensuring all projects were thoroughly mapped out from inception to completion.
InnovationFostered an environment of innovation, leading to the development of two patented products.
Compliance ManagementEnsured strict compliance with industry standards and regulations, maintaining project integrity and legality.
MultitaskingDemonstrated exceptional multitasking abilities, managing multiple projects simultaneously without compromising quality.
Customer SatisfactionFocused on customer satisfaction, consistently receiving positive feedback and a high Net Promoter Score (NPS).
Goal SettingEstablished clear, achievable goals, providing direction and focus for project teams.
AdaptabilityAdapted quickly to changing project requirements, minimizing delays and disruptions.
Return on Investment (ROI)Maximized project ROI by strategically allocating resources and streamlining processes.
Technical WritingProduced high-quality technical documentation, facilitating clear understanding of complex processes.

Why Are Keywords Important in a Project Manager Resume?

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are commonly used to filter project management resumes. These systems scan for specific keywords related to project management competencies.

Without these keywords, even the most experienced project manager might not make it past the initial screening. The ATS looks for terms relevant to project management skills, methodologies, and tools.

For example, a project manager resume should include keywords like “Agile,” “risk management,” and “stakeholder communication” to align with the job requirements.

Alison Adams

Alison Adams, a Philly native and proud University of Pennsylvania alum, is your go-to Career Expert with a laid-back approach. She’s been in the job seeker’s shoes and knows how to navigate the wild world of work. Alison’s all about sharing practical tips and tricks with a personal touch, making her a favorite for those looking to level up their careers.

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Project Manager Resume Examples For 2024 (20+ Skills & Templates)

project management resume key words

  • Pinterest 1

Looking to score a job as a Project Manager?

An awesome resume is going to be key. This guide is your one-stop-shop for writing a job-winning Project Manager resume using our proven strategies, skills, templates, and examples.

All of the content in this guide is based on data from coaching thousands of job seekers (just like you!) who went on to land offers at the world's best companies.

If you want to maximize your chances of landing that Project Manager role, I recommend reading this piece from top to bottom. But if you're just looking for something specific, here's what's included in this guide:

  • What To Know About Writing A Job-Winning Project Manager Resume
  • The Best Skills To Include On A Project Manager Resume

How To Write A Job-Winning Project Manager Resume Summary

How to write offer-winning project manager resume bullets.

  • 3 Project Manager Resume Examples

The 8 Best Project Manager Resume Templates

Here's the step-by-step breakdown:

Project Manager Resume Overview: What To Know To Write A Resume That Wins More Job Offers

What do companies look for when they're hiring a Project Manager?

When hiring a project manager, companies typically look for candidates with a combination of technical and soft skills. On the technical side, project managers should have a solid understanding of project management methodologies, such as Agile or Waterfall, and possess the ability to use project management software effectively. They should also have a strong understanding of budgeting, scheduling, and risk management, as well as experience in managing projects from initiation to completion.

Soft skills are equally important in project management. Companies seek candidates who possess strong leadership and communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and who are able to come up with creative ways to overcome challenges.

A track record of success in Project Management is also highly valued. Employers want to see that candidates can deliver projects on time and within budget.

Your resume should show the company that your personality and your experience encompass all of these things.

Additionally, there are a few best practices you want to follow to write a job-winning Project Manager resume:

  • Tailor your resume to the job description: Match your skills and experience to the requirements listed in the job ad.
  • Highlight your leadership and collaboration skills: including your ability to manage teams and stakeholders, and your ability to work with cross-functional teams.
  • Use keywords: Include industry-specific keywords and terms related to account management to make your resume more searchable.
  • Showcase your communication skills: Emphasize your ability to effectively communicate with customers and colleagues.
  • Use specific metrics to quantify your accomplishments:  such as the size of the project, the number of team members you managed, the budget you were responsible for, and the timeframe in which you completed the project.
  • Include any relevant certifications or training  that you have received in project management, such as PMP or Agile.
  • Keep it concise: Limit your resume to one or two pages and use bullet points to make it easy to read.
  • Proofread your resume: Check for spelling and grammar errors, as well as consistency in formatting (I recommend Hemingway App ).

Let's dive deeper into each of these so you have the exact blueprint you need to see success.

The Best Project Manager Skills To Include On Your Resume

Keywords are one of the most important factors in your resume. They show employers that your skills align with the role and they also help format your resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

If you're not familiar with ATS systems, they are pieces of software used by employers to manage job applications. They scan resumes for keywords and qualifications and make it easier for employers to filter and search for candidates whose qualifications match the role.

If you want to win more interviews and job offers, you need to have a keyword-optimized resume. There are two ways to find the right keywords:

1. Leverage The 20 Best Project Manager Keywords

The first is to leverage our list of the best keywords and skills for a Project Manager's resume.

These keywords were selected from an analysis of real Project Manager job descriptions sourced from actual job boards. Here they are:

  • Project Management
  • Engineering
  • Development
  • Communication
  • Coordination
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Construction
  • Organization
  • Specifications
  • Team Member

2. Use ResyMatch.io To Find The Best Keywords That Are Specific To Your Resume And Target Role

The second method is the one I recommend because it's personalized to your specific resume and target job.

This process lets you find the exact keywords that your resume is missing when compared to the individual role you're applying for.

Project Manager Keywords

Here's how it works:

  • Open a copy of your updated resume
  • Open a copy of your target job description
  • Head over to ResyMatch.io (or use our shortcut below)
  • Copy and paste your resume on the left and then do the same for the job description on the right
  • Hit scan and review the results

ResyMatch is going to scan your resume and compare it to the target job description. It's going to show you the exact keywords and skills you're missing as well as share other feedback you can use to improve your resume.

project management resume key words

Copy/paste or upload your resume here:

Click here to paste text

Upload a PDF, Word Doc, or TXT File

Paste the job post's details here:

Scan to compare and score your resume vs the job's description.

Scanning...

Here's a video walking through this whole process:

Employers spend an average of six seconds reading your resume.

If you want to win more interviews and offers, you need to make that time count. That starts with hitting the reader with the exact information they're looking for right at the top of your resume.

Unfortunately, traditional resume advice like Summaries and Objectives don't accomplish that goal. If you want to win in today's market, you need a modern approach. I like to use something I can a “Highlight Reel,” here's how it works.

Highlight Reels: A Proven Way To Start Your Resume And Win More Jobs

The Highlight Reel is exactly what it sounds like.

It's a section at the top of your resume that allows you to pick and choose the best and most relevant experience to feature right at the top of your resume.

It's essentially a highlight reel of your career as it relates to this specific role! I like to think about it as the SportsCenter Top 10 of your resume.

The Highlight Reel resume summary consists of 4 parts:

  • A relevant section title that ties your experience to the role
  • An introductory bullet that summarizes your experience and high level value
  • A few supporting “Case Study” bullets that illustrate specific results, projects, and relevant experience
  • A closing “Extracurricular” bullet to round out your candidacy

For example, if we were writing a Highlight Reel for a Project Manager role, it might look like this:

Project Manager Summary Example #1

You can see how the first bullet includes the Project Manager job title, the years of experience this candidate has, and it wraps up with a value-driven pitch for how they've helped companies in the past.

The next two bullets are “Case Studies” of specific results they drove at their company. Finally, their last bullet focuses on a volunteering stretch project that led to some amazing results.

This candidate has provided all of the info any employer would want to see right at the very top of their resume! The best part is, they can customize this section for each and every role they apply for to maximize the relevance of their experience.

Here's one more example of a Project Manager Highlight Reel:

Project Manager Summary Example #2

While the content in this example is a bit more light, you can see all of the elements of a great Highlight Reel (especially the emphasis on measurable outcomes and results!).

If you want more details on writing a killer Highlight Reel, check out my full guide on Highlight Reels here.

Bullets make up the majority of the content in your resume. If you want to win, you need to know how to write bullets that are compelling and value-driven.

Unfortunately, way too many job seekers aren't good at this. They use fluffy, buzzword-fill language and they only talk about the actions that they took rather than the results and outcomes those actions created.

The Anatomy Of A Highly Effective Resume Bullet

If you apply this framework to each of the bullets on your resume, you're going to make them more compelling and your value is going to be crystal clear to the reader. For example, take a look at these resume bullets:

❌ Responsible for coordinating with vendors to ensure timely delivery of project components. 

✅ Coordinated with vendors to increase project component delivery rates to 98% over 12 months through teamwork and collaboration.

The second bullet makes the candidate's value  so much more clear, and it's a lot more fun to read! That's what we're going for here.

That said, it's one thing to look at the graphic above and try to apply the abstract concept of “35% hard skills” to your bullet. We wanted to make things easy, so we created a tool called ResyBullet.io that will actually give your resume bullet a score and show you how to improve it.

Using ResyBullet To Write Crazy Effective, Job-Winning Resume Bullets

ResyBullet takes our proprietary “resume bullet formula” and layers it into a tool that's super simple to use. Here's how it works:

  • Head over to ResyBullet.io
  • Copy a bullet from your project manager resume and paste it into the tool, then hit “Analyze”
  • ResyBullet will score your project manager resume bullet and show you exactly what you need to improve
  • You edit your bullet with the recommended changes and scan it again
  • Rinse and repeat until you get a score of 60+
  • Move on to the next bullet in your project manager resume

Let's take a look at how this works for the two resume bullet examples I shared above:

First, we had, “Responsible for coordinating with vendors to ensure timely delivery of project components.” 

ResyBullet gave that a score of 5/100.  While it is a good length, it's missing relevant skills, compelling language, and measurable outcomes:

Bad example of a Project Manager Resume Bullet Point

Now, let's take a look at our second bullet,  “Coordinated with vendors to increase project component delivery rates to 98% over 12 months through teamwork and collaboration.”

ResyBullet gave that a 65 / 100. Much better! This bullet had more content focused on the specific criteria the hiring team is looking for. We can see that they increased the delivery rate to almost 100%, and we see what methods they implemented to generate those results:

Good example of a Project Manager Resume Bullet

Now all you have to do is run each of your bullets through ResyBullet, make the suggested updates, and your resume is going to be jam packed with eye-popping, value-driven content!

And if you want to learn more about the underlying strategies behind writing great resume bullets, check out this guide.

Even better: here's a video that walks you through the process of writing an awesome Highlight Reel:

5 Project Manager Resume Examples For 2023

Now let's take a look at all of these best practices in action. Here are three resume examples for different situations from people with different backgrounds:

Project Manager Resume Example #1: A Traditional Background

Project Manager Resume Example #1

Project Manager Resume Example #2: A Non-Traditional Background

For our second Project Manager Resume Example, we have a candidate who has a non-traditional background. In this case, they are coming from an Event Planner background and highlight their transferrable skills.  Here's an example of what their resume might look like when applying for Project Manager roles:

Project Manager Resume Example #2

Project Manager Resume Example #3: Senior Project Manager With an Advanced Degree & Certification

For our third Project Manager Resume Example, we have a candidate who has 10+ years of experience, a Master's Degree in Project Management and is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMI). This person is targeting a Senior Project Manager role. Here's an example of what their resume might look like:

Project Manager Resume Example #3

Project Manager Resume Example #4: IT Project Manager Resume

Our next example showcases a Project Manager with experience in the IT industry. Here's an example of what their resume might look like:

Project Manager Resume Example #4 - IT Project Manager

Project Manager Resume Example #5: Entry-Level Project Manager Resume

Our final example showcases an entry-level Project Manager. Here's an example of what their resume might look like:

Project Manager Resume Example #5 - Entry-Lever Project Manager

At this point, you know all of the basics you'll need to write a Project Manager resume that wins you more interviews and offers. The only thing left is to take all of that information and apply it to a template that's going to help you get results.

We made that easy with our ResyBuild tool . It has 8 proven templates that were created with the help of recruiters and hiring managers at the world's best companies. These templates also bake in thousands of data points we have from the job seekers in our audience who have used them to land job offers.

Just click any of the templates below to start building your resume using proven, recruiter-approved templates:

ResyBuild For Account Manager Resume Templates

Key Takeaways To Wrap Up Your Job-Winning Project Manager Resume

You made it! We packed a lot of information into this post so I wanted to distill the key points for you and lay out next steps so you know exactly where to from here.

Here are the 5 steps for writing a job-winning Project Manager resume:

  • Start with a proven resume template from ResyBuild.io
  • Use ResyMatch.io to find the right keywords and optimize your resume for each project manager role you apply to
  • Open your Project Manager resume with a Highlight Reel to immediately grab your target employer's attention
  • Use ResyBullet.io to craft compelling, value-driven bullets that pop off the page
  • Compare the draft of your Project Manager resume to the examples on this page to make sure you're on the right path
  • Use a tool like HemingwayApp to proofread your resume before you submit it

If you follow those steps, you're going to be well on your way to landing more Project Manager interviews and job offers.

Now that your resume is taken care of, check out my guide on how to write a job-winning Project Manager cover letter!

Laura Headshot

Laura Lorta

Laura is an Editor at Cultivated Culture. She transitioned from teaching into the world of content so she's no stranger to career pivots. She also has a bachelors in Entrepreneurship and a Masters in Curriculum & Instruction / Bilingual Education. She currently shares job search advice to help people like you land jobs they love without applying online.

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Use These Resume Keywords to Pass ATS (+ Keyword Examples)

  • Julia Mlcuchova , 
  • Updated May 9, 2024 11 min read

No matter how many resume writing guides you read, none of them ever fails to stress the importance of resume keywords. But why is that? 

Well, it's because they play a key role (wink wink) in making your resume ATS-friendly . Without them, your job application simply won't reach the recruiters’ eyes even if you're the perfect candidate for the job. But more on that later. 

The burning question is: How can you tell which resume keywords are the best for you? 

And that's exactly the question we'll be answering today! 

So, if you're currently in the process of crafting your resume, be sure to continue reading our article and learn: 

  • What are keywords on a resume;
  • How to know which resume keywords to use;
  • Where to place your resume keywords;
  • Which keywords are the most sought after;
  • And, conversely, which (key)words to avoid. 

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

 Why care about resume keywords

What are keywords on a resume, how to know what keywords to use in a resume, where to use keywords in your resume, the most in-demand resume keywords in 2024, what resume keywords to include based on your profession, what resume (key)words you should avoid, key takeaways: resume keywords.

However, we can't delve into resume keywords without spending a few words on the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and keyword scanners . 

ATS is an HR computer software specifically designed to streamline the recruitment process. It can help the hiring managers in several ways, but what's interesting for you is how it processes your resume:

  • Firstly, ATS scans your resume for relevant keywords (parsing).
  • Secondly, it awards your resume a percentage score based on how closely your keywords match those sought after by the employer. The more relevant keywords, the higher the score. 
  • And thirdly, it filters through the submitted resumes and ranks them based on the abovementioned percentage score. And the higher you rank, the more likely you are to get noticed by the recruiters. 

Besides the ATS, recruiters can also use standalone keyword scanners. But these function on more or less the same principles.

The bottom line is, in the world of job hunting, keywords are a pretty big deal . And you must get them just right!

Does your resume list the right keywords?

Find out how good your resume really is with our AI Resume Checker.

So, what exactly do keywords for resume look like? 

They can be specific terms or phrases describing requirements that directly relate to the job you're applying for. They typically include essential skills, qualifications, experiences, and competencies that employers are seeking in candidates for a particular role.

Let’s have a look at a specific example so you'd have a better idea of what we're talking about here.

Below, you'll find a mock job posting we've created with highlighted keywords . 

Judging by the sea of orange, you can see that pretty much anything can be made into resume keywords. 

But if we continue to work with our example, we can break the keywords down into several categories : 

  • Degrees (Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Bachelor's degree in Communications)
  • Job duties (developing, implementing, and managing digital marketing campaigns; develop and execute digital marketing strategies; conduct market research; etc.) 
  • Soft skills (Creative thinking, problem-solving abilities)
  • Computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite, Google Analytics, Adobe Creative Suite)
  • Industry-specific hard skills (SEO, conversion rate optimization [CRO], Google Ads, Facebook Ads Manager, LinkedIn Ads, HubSpot, Mailchimp)

And now that you've got a solid understanding of what resume keywords are and their importance, let's look at how you can find out what keywords to use in a resume you're currently working on. 

Here's how you can figure it out in 4 simple steps :

Firstly, review your job posting carefully and highlight any words or phrases that pop up (just like we did with our example). This step is by far the most indicative, since the job posting tells you what exactly are these particular employers looking for. 

But what if your job posting isn't particularly generous with the job requirements description? If that's the case, your next step should be to analyze job postings pertaining to the same/similar job position. Although precise requirements can differ from employer to employer, the basic skills needed to handle the job remain largely the same.

Another step worth exploring is to take advantage of tools such as Moz Keyword Explorer or the good old ChatGPT to identify relevant keywords related to your industry, role, and specific skills.

Although AI-powered tools can be daunting, navigating them is actually really simple and intuitive. Our AI Resume rewriter analyzes the content of your existing resume, as well as job postings for your desired job or industry. Besides suggesting new keywords, it can help you nail that professional tone and formatting. All you need to do is upload your resume and wait. That's it!

Following these steps should provide you with plenty of potential resume keywords to choose from. But don't forget, the most reliable source of relevant keywords is always the specific job posting you're applying for .

To ensure that your resume is easy to read for both the ATS and the hiring manager’s eyes, your keywords should be weaved naturally throughout the whole document . 

Yes, we know, it's really tempting to make a “Keywords section,” stuff it with all the necessary words and phrases and be done with it. But, unfortunately, that's simply not good enough. 

Remember how we divided the keywords from our example into different categories based on what types of skills/experience/requirements they represented? Well, all that effort will come in handy now! 

Organizing your resume keywords in such a way gives you a good idea of where to later place them on your resume.

Keywords for resume summary

Since your resume summary ’s main purpose is to hook recruiters by presenting your most impressive qualifications, it's a great place to start sneaking in those keywords!

Generally speaking, there isn't any rule as to which keywords should be featured in this section, but we do have two humble recommendations:

  • The title of the position you're looking to fill. 
  • How many years of experience you have.  

What these two? Well, that's because it's pretty difficult to fit them elsewhere. 

Based on our example, we could start our resume summary with: “Detailed-oriented Digital Marketing Specialist with more than 4 years of experience.”

And voilà — two resume keywords with one stone!

Keywords for education section

Similarly, your education section is also quite straightforward when it comes to keywords. Here, you can simply include keywords in the form of degrees if the job posting calls for any.  

But pay close attention to the wording! 

For example : Our made-up posting uses the phrase “Bachelor's degree in Marketing.” Therefore, in your education section, you should write “Bachelor's degree in Marketing,” not “B.A. in Marketing” !

Keywords for resume skills

And, in your skills section , you should mention your skills. Yes, mind-blowing, we know! 

If there's a place anywhere on your resume where it's okay to dump as many keywords as possible, this is it. Just make sure to further divide your skills section into sub-categories (like language skills, computer skills, interpersonal skills, …) for the sake of readability. 

And, if any of your skills are known in the industry by their acronyms, be sure to include this version of the keyword as well. 

For example: Don't just write “ conversion rate optimization,” or “CRO.” Instead, use both versions like so — “conversion rate optimization (CRO).”

Keywords for work experience section

Finally, we get to the most extensive part of your resume — your work experience section . And here, all gloves are off! You can incorporate a wide variety of keywords describing your skills, your industry knowledge, or job duties. 

Also, don't be afraid of repetitions! In fact, the most important keywords should appear 2-3 times throughout your resume. 

And, one last golden nugget of information for you! If you want to avoid unnecessary words on your resume and come across as more proactive, turn your job duty nouns into action verbs . 

For example like this:

Action verbs on resume example

  • Developed, implemented, and managed over 20 comprehensive digital marketing campaigns across multiple channels, including social media, email, and display advertising.
  • Development and executed digital marketing strategies resulting in a 30% increase in online traffic, a 25% boost in lead generation, and a 40% enhancement in brand visibility and engagement.
  • Conducted in-depth market research and competitor analysis, analyzing data from over 100 sources to identify trends, opportunities, and customer preferences.

As we've already mentioned, each and every job posting is unique and so are the keywords they contain. 

But, there are several keywords that seem to be particularly popular with the employers at the moment. Have a look, why not? Maybe some of them will be suited for your resume as well. 

Top 10 resume keywords for hard skills

  • Data analysis
  • Project management
  • Cloud computing
  • Cybersecurity
  • UX/UI design
  • Software development
  • Statistical analysis
  • Machine learning

Top 10 resume keywords for soft skills

  • Communication skills
  • Adaptability
  • Problem-solving
  • Time management
  • Collaboration
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Critical thinking
  • Analytical skills

Now, let’s zoom in on three professions in particular and look at which keywords are the most widely expected to appear on your resume.

And what a better way to show you how it works in practice than adding some stunning resumes to the mix! 

FYI, if any of these happen to catch your eye, feel free to use them as your first draft. Just click on the red button and write away!

#1 Project manager resume keywords

Project management is about making sure projects get done well and on time. It involves planning, organizing, and leading a team to reach goals within a set budget and schedule. Additionally, project managers help teams work together smoothly and solve any problems that might arise along the way.

Some of the most relevant keywords for you are: 

  • Project Management
  • Agile Methodology
  • Waterfall Methodology
  • Budget Management
  • Risk Management
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Team Leadership
  • Project Planning
  • Schedule Management
  • Cross-functional Collaboration
  • Resource Allocation
  • Communication Skills
  • Milestone Tracking

Project manager resume keywords example

This resume sample was contributed by a real person who got hired with Kickresume’s help.

#2 Data analyst resume keywords

Data analysts sift through heaps of data to uncover important patterns and trends. By doing this, they help businesses and organizations make better decisions based on facts and figures. In a nutshell, they're vital parts of any company.

So, if you're looking to make a career as a data analysts, don't miss out on these neat resume keywords : 

  • Data visualization
  • Data mining
  • Quantitative analysis
  • Data interpretation
  • SQL (Structured Query Language)
  • Python/R programming
  • Statistical modeling
  • Excel/Spreadsheet proficiency
  • Data cleansing
  • Business intelligence (BI)
  • Dashboard creation
  • Predictive modeling

Data analyst resume keywords example

#3 sales resume keywords.

Sales is all about building relationships and helping people find what they need. And so, sales professionals need to listen to customers, understand their needs, and offer solutions that make them happy. After all, it's about connecting with people and making sure everyone leaves with a smile on their face.

On your sales professional resume, don't forget to include these resume keywords:  

  • Customer relationship management (CRM)
  • Business development
  • Client acquisition
  • Account management
  • Lead generation
  • Negotiation
  • Closing deals
  • Cold calling
  • Prospecting
  • Relationship building
  • Client retention
  • Sales strategy
  • Revenue growth
  • Pipeline management

Sales resume keywords example

So far, we've talked (quite extensively) about all the keywords that shouldn't be missing from your resume. But what about the words that should be avoided at all costs? 

Yep, there are such things as resume taboos , and we're going to explore them right now! 

  • Overused buzzwords. First of all, forget about hackneyed language like "innovative," "motivated," or "dynamic." These words have been used so much that they've lost all meaning. Instead, demonstrate these qualities through specific achievements and experiences.
  • Passive language. Remember action verbs? Now, meet their less pretty cousins. Verbs like "assisted," "helped," or "participated in" can make you sound like that one person in a group project that only came for the presentation. 
  • Irrelevant skills. A simple rule of the thumb — if it doesn't add value to your resume, it shouldn't even be on it! 
  • Unnecessary filler words. Finally, go through your resume one more time and be merciless. Every little piece of fluff like "very," "really," "extremely," "basically," or “pretty” must go! 

And there you have it, our short list of shame. Always proofread your resumes to remove these lapses of judgment and use more relevant resume keywords instead.

To sum it all up, resume keywords are essential for making your resume ATS-compliant. 

Resume keywords are specific terms or phrases that describe requirements related to the job you're applying for.

You can find them as : qualifications, soft skills, hard skills, degrees, certificates, years of work experience, job duties, and competencies.

To find out what keywords to use on your resume, follow these 4 simple steps : 

  • Start by reviewing the job posting you're responding to. Highlight any words or phrases that pop up. 
  • Research similar job postings. Secondly, you can find inspiration by analyzing job postings pertaining to the same/similar job position. Because the basic skills needed to handle the job remain largely the same across all companies. 
  • Consider using online keyword research tools. Or, you can employ the help of keyword research tools freely available online.  
  • Lastly, check your resume keywords with AI Resume Rewriter . Besides suggesting new keywords, our Resume Rewriter can help you adjust the language of your resume to reflect your professionalism and  attention to detail.
Julia has recently joined Kickresume as a career writer. From helping people with their English to get admitted to the uni of their dreams to advising them on how to succeed in the job market. It would seem that her career is on a steadfast trajectory. Julia holds a degree in Anglophone studies from Metropolitan University in Prague, where she also resides. Apart from creative writing and languages, she takes a keen interest in literature and theatre.

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  • How to Make an ATS-Friendly...

How to Make an ATS-Friendly Resume - Tips for ATS 2024

15 min read · Updated on May 21, 2024

Ken Chase

Here's everything you need to know about applicant tracking systems

We've all been there: you find the perfect job opportunity, customize your resume and cover letter , submit your application to a job listing online, and then pray it will pass the infamous six-second resume review test. Unfortunately, more often than not, your job application is lost in the applicant tracking system - and you're left wondering why the employer or hiring manager wasn't that into you.

What many job seekers don't realize is that 75% of job applications don't get seen by human eyes. Before your resume reaches the hands of a live person, it must often pass muster with what's known as an applicant tracking system.

Below is everything you need to know about applicant tracking systems - and what best practices you can use to optimize your resume to ensure it gets selected.

What is an applicant tracking system?

An applicant tracking system - or ATS, for short - is a type of resume scanning software used by recruiters and employers during the hiring process to collect, sort, scan, and rank the job applications they receive for their open positions.

project management resume key words

Why do companies use ATS?

There are some very good reasons why today's companies are so heavily reliant on ATS to narrow their job candidate search. The modern hiring process is more complex than ever before - and not just because there are so many more workers applying for a position. The reality is that most companies lack the resources and time needed to search through every resume submission they receive. By using automated systems, they can free up those resources to focus on their core company mission.

But there are also legal compliance issues that need to be considered. Employment law - and especially laws prohibiting various kinds of discrimination in hiring - need to be followed with care. Many employers understand that one of the best ways to reduce potential bias in the initial stages of any hiring process is to allow unbiased machines to handle some of the work.

The bottom line is that ATS resume scanners provide companies with an automated way to narrow any list of candidates to only those who meet the position's posted qualifications. And it does that in a way that avoids potential discrimination by ignoring characteristics like race, gender, and age. As a result, companies enjoy savings in both time and cost, while optimizing their compliance with existing employment laws.

How do applicant tracking systems work?

The ATS parses a resume's content into categories and then scans it for specific and relevant keywords to determine if the job application should be passed along to the recruiter. Its job is to essentially weed out unqualified applicants, so the recruiter can devote his or her time to evaluating the candidates who are more likely to be a match for the position. In other words, the ATS is apt to put the least-qualified candidates to the bottom of the pile, rather than identify the applicants who are the best fit.

Unfortunately, that means if a resume template is not written and formatted with the applicant tracking system in mind, a qualified candidate can be easily passed over.

How to write an ATS resume

To determine what makes an ATS-friendly resume, TopResume analyzed 1,000 resumes from professionals across the US with at least eight years of experience, to identify the most common resume mistakes that will cause an applicant tracking system to toss an application. The infographic below highlights some of the costliest mistakes that make a resume incompatible with an ATS scan.

TopResume Infographic How to Write an ATS Resume

If you want to make sure your resume is compliant with an ATS, follow the tips below to write and use an ATS-optimized resume.

Select the right file type for your resume

Contrary to popular belief, a PDF is not the most ATS-friendly file type. While PDF files are the best at preserving the design and format of your resume template, it's not compatible with all ATS software. If you're asked to upload your resume to an applicant tracking system and “PDF” is listed among the file formats you can use, feel free to send a PDF version of your resume. However, if the system does not specify which file types are compatible, play it safe and stick to a Word document in .doc or .docx. Plain-text files are also incredibly ATS-friendly for resumes, but they limit your formatting options and can look unprofessional. 

Since the best resume templates are written with two audiences in mind - the ATS pre-screening your application and the live human in HR who will review your resume content - we recommend using a Word document instead of a plain-text file for your resume file type. This will provide more creative freedom to write an ATS resume that will appeal to a recruiter or hiring manager.

Related: How to Avoid the Top 10 Resume Mistakes That Make Recruiters Cringe

Don't put important details in the header or footer

Not all applicant tracking systems are able to properly read and parse information stored in the header and footer sections of a Word document. In fact, our study confirmed the ATS was unable to identify a portion of the job seeker's contact information 25% of the time. Avoid this same fate by placing important contact details (such as your name, phone number, and email address) outside the header or footer of your resume. 

Optimize your resume with keywords

One of the best ways to ensure your resume is compatible with an ATS is to optimize your resume with the right keywords (also known as keyword optimization). Unlike a “buzzword,” which is typically considered to be a fluffy term such as “proactive” or “self-starter,” keywords represent the soft skills and hard skills you possess and the expertise you've acquired over the years that qualify you for your target job.

If you're unsure which resume keywords should be used, start by collecting three to five job descriptions that represent the type of position you're pursuing. Then, copy and paste the job description into a free word and phrase frequency tool like Online-Utility.org's Text Analyzer , to identify the terms that are regularly used throughout your desired positions. If you possess these skills or qualifications from the job posting, incorporate these terms into your resume.

You should also pay careful attention to the job posting and any description of the position contained in that post. Identify any listed skill requirements, as well as desired experience and educational qualifications. These are likely to be included in any ATS resume scan too, so you'll want to ensure that these keywords can be found within your resume.

When it comes to creating an ATS-optimized resume, you need to think about the frequency, as well as the placement of these relevant keywords throughout your resume. Some applicant tracking systems will determine the strength of your skills based on the number of times a term shows up in your resume (aim to add the term two to three times throughout your resume), whereas others assign an estimated amount of experience for a particular skill based on its placement within the resume. To make your resume truly compatible with any ATS, you'll want to optimize it with both systems in mind.

First, create a “Core Competencies” or “Areas of Expertise” section below your resume professional summary that lists your strongest hard skills and soft skills. If there's a common abbreviation for one of your proficiencies, such as “SEO” (for search engine optimization), include both versions in your resume. Then, pepper these same terms into your “ Work Experience ” or “ Education ” sections, where appropriate, to demonstrate when you leveraged that skill.

Related: Why Soft and Hard Skills Are So Important for Your Resume

Some applicant tracking systems will associate the length of experience for a skill, based on how long you held the job where that skill was leveraged. For instance, if you worked at your past job for five years and you mention that you handled SEO for the company, the ATS will assume you have five years' worth of SEO experience from that job. If a skill is listed on its own - such as within the professional summary or a core competencies section - then the ATS scan will assign a few months' experience for that skill. This is why it's incredibly important to reiterate your skills throughout your entire resume, rather than just in a skill section at the top.

Include a resume headline

Make sure that your resume also includes a headline . This one-line heading should be located right after your contact information and before your summary statement. Companies that use an ATS to screen resumes will typically include the job title in their ATS assessment criteria. To create an ATS-friendly headline, simply:

Identify the job title you're applying for. It should be in the job posting or job description. For example, let's say that you're applying for a position as a Marketing Director. Those two words are keywords that need to be included in your headline.

Identify other key requirements that you may be able to highlight in your headline. It could be something as simple as a requirement that candidates have at least five years of experience in managing marketing teams. Take note of that job qualification since you may want to incorporate it into your headline too.

Create a headline that includes the job title and some descriptive language that helps to immediately identify you as a qualified candidate. If you use our example keywords, your headline might look something like this:

Dynamic Marketing Director with over 5 years of experience in client success

Avoid images, charts, and other graphics

While these may look nice to the human eye, resumes with embedded images become a garbled mess after they pass through the applicant tracking system. For instance, if you insert an image or chart to showcase your key skills, the ATS resume scanner will be unable to read it. If you use a cool graphic to brand your name on your resume, this piece of information will be lost on the applicant tracking system.

Stick to simple bullet points

When used appropriately, bullet points are a great method for highlighting accomplishments and qualifications on a resume. However, if you choose an elaborate symbol for your bullets, your important selling points could get scrambled. Avoid using intricate characters when creating a bulleted list on your ATS-compliant resume. Stick to the simplest options, such as a solid circle, open circle, or square, to ensure your bullet points enhance your resume, rather than make it incompatible with an ATS.

Use a clean resume design with a clear hierarchy

When it comes to your ATS-friendly resume design, less is more. Not only do complex resume designs or unusual formats confuse most applicant tracking systems, but they also annoy recruiters who are accustomed to quickly scanning a resume for specific information that they expect to find in specific areas within the document.

Click on the following link for more tips on how to write a resume that will beat the ATS .

How to create an ATS-friendly resume format

If you want your resume to perform well in an ATS scan , stick to a standard resume format such as a reverse chronological or  hybrid resume . These resume formats use a professional summary section at the top of the document to outline your key skills and qualifications and combine it with a chronological “Work History” section that explains how you've leveraged these qualities to produce results for your employers.

Most applicant tracking systems do a better job at reading and interpreting a reverse chronological or hybrid format, because they rely on chronological data to parse your resume.

As a result, it's in your best interest to avoid a functional resume format at all costs - where the focus is placed on your abilities, rather than a chronological work history.

Make sure your resume sections are easily identifiable

You'll notice that we've mentioned different resume sections throughout this post. There's a good reason for that, of course. Resumes are not like typical prose documents. If your resume is just one long story with different kinds of information spread across one or two pages like an essay, it won't perform well. And, even if it did, no human hiring manager would bother to read it.

To ensure that key details can be found by both the ATS and a hiring manager, separate that information into distinct sections. This helps to provide structure to your ATS resume and makes it easier for machines and humans to quickly scan for the information they want to see. Are you wondering why we said “scan” instead of “ read?”  It's simple: even hiring managers don't bother to read your resume from the first word to the last. Instead, they scan it until they see what they're looking for - and then read that part.

Below is a simple structure that you can use to ensure that your resume satisfies the needs of both the ATS and any hiring manager who sees it:

Contact information : This section goes right at the top of your resume, but not in the header. Remember, ATS systems are not adept at reading information in that area of your resume. Include vital details like your name, location, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn URL. This section doesn't need a label.

Resume headline : We covered the resume headline earlier in the post, so you can find some tips on how to create this attention-grabbing section there. Like the contact section, this requires no label.

Summary statement : This section should be a three to five-sentence elevator pitch designed to capture any hiring manager's attention. You can include keywords in this paragraph that highlight your most vital skills, experiences, and measurable achievements that showcase your potential value to the employer. 

Core competencies: This is where you list the skills that show you're qualified for the position. Depending on the job you're seeking, your skill section may be weighted toward either soft or hard skills - but you should try to include some mix of both. You can label this section “Skills” or “Core Competencies” to ensure that both humans and machines can readily identify its content and importance.

Professional history : Otherwise known as work experience, this labeled section should include your relevant work history dating back 10-15 years. Make sure that you start by listing your most recent position and then list the others in reverse order. For each position you've held, include the company name, job title, dates of employment, and several bullet point examples that demonstrate your achievements in each role.

Education : This section also needs to be labeled and should include the name of the college you attended, the years of attendance, your course of study and degree, and any relevant coursework that you need to show to demonstrate your qualifications. You can also include listings for certifications, continuing education, and other relevant training.

How to run an ATS resume test for compliance

There are two easy ways to determine if your resume is compatible with an applicant tracking system during the job search.

Convert your resume to a plain-text file

Copy the entire content from your ATS-friendly resume, paste it into a plain-text document, and review the results. If the plain-text version is missing details from your original resume, has characters saved incorrectly, or looks disorganized (i.e., the heading for your “Education” section appears in the middle of your work experience), then assume your resume will require editing before it's ATS compliant.

Request a free ATS scan for your resume

Here at TopResume, we offer career advice and a free ATS resume scan as part of our free resume review. When you request a free resume review from TopResume, you'll receive feedback on your resume's content, as well as its ATS compatibility.

The first half of the review offers an objective look at what your resume is doing well and where it's falling short, from both an information and design perspective. The second half of the free resume review shows you exactly what information an ATS will pull from your resume, what information it will be unable to identify and retrieve (such as your name, contact information, most recent job title, and most recent employer), and what top skills and keywords your resume currently ranks for.

If the ATS is unable to identify this important information or thinks you're a fit for a job when you're not, then your ATS resume will need to be further optimized before it passes the ATS compatibility test. Fortunately, our experienced team of resume experts has the expertise you need to help with that optimization and ensure that your resume has what it takes to perform well in an ATS scan.

Click on the following link to watch our latest #OfficeHours video on how to write an ATS resume to beat the bots .

Don't let the ATS stop you from landing your dream job. Get an ATS-proof resume today . This article was originally written by Amanda Augustine and has been updated by Ken Chase. 

Recommended reading:

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  • Using Project Execution Management

When are resume attachments included in a search for resource qualifications?

If a resource resume is a File attachment type, then the resume text is indexed during the Maintain Project Resource Qualification Index process. Indexed keywords are included in the Resource Qualification score calculation for a project resource request.

A resume attachment is included in the search index in the following circumstances:

The resume has a File attachment type.

You attach the resume to the resource profile before the index process runs.

The process indexes only the most recent version of a resume with a File attachment type.

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  • Project Manager Resume Guide & Examples

Senior Project Manager Resume Examples: Proven To Get You Hired In 2024

Hiring Manager for Senior Project Manager Roles

Jump to a template:

  • Senior Project Manager
  • IT Project Manager
  • Construction Project Manager
  • Technical Project Manager
  • Digital Project Manager

Get advice on each section of your resume:

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  • Senior Project Manager Resume Tips

Senior Project Manager Resume Template

Download in google doc, word or pdf for free. designed to pass resume screening software in 2022., senior project manager resume sample.

As a Senior Project Manager, you're the orchestra conductor of your organization. You're the bridge between various teams, clients, stakeholders, and upper management, making sure everything and everyone moves in harmony. You're the one who pulls together all the disparate threads into a cohesive, successful project. Because of the central role you hold, you should focus on showcasing multidimensional skills on your resume, from technical knowledge to team leadership. Moreover, due to the recent remote work trend, companies are seeking project managers who can effectively spearhead virtual teams. So, an understanding of online collaboration tools and strategies is now crucial.

Resume screenshot of a Senior Project Manager emphasizing leadership and industry expertise.

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Recruiter Insight: Why this resume works in 2022

Tips to help you write your senior project manager resume in 2024,    highlight leadership skills.

In your resume, emphasize your ability in leading teams, resolving conflicts, and fostering collaboration. These are indicators of a strong Senior Project Manager who can keep everyone aligned with the project goals. Also, provide examples of your leadership skills in action, especially in highly complex projects.

Highlight Leadership Skills - Senior Project Manager Resume

   Showcase Technical and Industry Knowledge

As a Senior Project Manager, you should demonstrate deep knowledge of project management methodologies and tools. Illustrate your expertise in industry-related software and highlight any project management certifications you hold. Also, relate your knowledge of the industry, trends, and regulations, which shows that you understand the business context of projects.

Showcase Technical and Industry Knowledge - Senior Project Manager Resume

As a senior project manager, you won’t only be managing projects; you’ll likely also be managing other members of your team. To get this kind of job, you’ll need to show that you have leadership capabilities along with the experience and expertise of a senior-level professional. Your work history should highlight any management or leadership roles you’ve held in the past, in addition to any previous achievements managing projects.

Senior project manager resume showing work experience, promotions, and accomplishments

   Emphasis on work experience

If you’ve been working in project management for many years, you’ll have a lot of work history to show for it. Leading with this section places the emphasis on your experience and all that you’ve learned from it.

Emphasis on work experience - Senior Project Manager Resume

   Promotions at previous jobs

Being promoted shows that you achieved a high level of excellence and that you’ve been regarded as a top performer with past employers. This resume includes an example of a promotion, which demonstrates leadership and professional growth.

Promotions at previous jobs - Senior Project Manager Resume

IT Project Manager Resume Sample

Construction project manager resume sample, technical project manager resume sample, digital project manager resume sample.

As a hiring manager who has recruited senior project managers for companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, I've reviewed hundreds of resumes. The following tips will help your resume stand out and demonstrate your ability to lead complex projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and deliver results. Incorporate these tips along with the resume examples provided to create a compelling resume that showcases your skills and experience.

   Highlight your leadership experience

Emphasize your experience leading projects and teams, and the impact you had:

  • Led a team of 12 engineers and designers to deliver a $5M project on time and under budget
  • Managed a portfolio of 8 projects with a total budget of $20M, ensuring all projects were delivered on schedule

Quantify your leadership experience to show the scope of your responsibilities:

  • Led projects and managed teams

Instead, provide specific details:

  • Led 15+ projects over 5 years, managing teams of up to 20 people and budgets up to $10M

Bullet Point Samples for Senior Project Manager

   Showcase your technical expertise

As a senior project manager, you likely have expertise in specific domains or technologies. Highlight this on your resume:

  • Expertise in agile methodologies, having led 10+ projects using Scrum and Kanban
  • Deep knowledge of cloud computing, having managed migration of 5 applications to AWS

Avoid generic statements like:

  • Familiar with project management methodologies
  • Knowledge of various technologies

   Demonstrate your ability to collaborate

Senior project managers work with stakeholders across the organization. Show how you collaborate:

  • Partnered with cross-functional teams including engineering, product, sales and marketing to align on project goals and deliverables
  • Worked closely with senior leadership to define project strategies and secure resources

Don't just say you have "strong collaboration skills." Show it with examples.

   Quantify your impact

Use metrics to show the impact of your projects:

  • Delivered project $1M under budget by optimizing resource allocation
  • Increased customer satisfaction scores by 25% by implementing new processes
  • Reduced time to market by 30% through streamlining development workflows
Managed a $5M cloud migration project for a Fortune 500 client, leading a team of 15 engineers. Delivered the project 2 weeks ahead of schedule and 10% under budget. Post-migration, improved system performance by 50% and reduced operating costs by $500k annually.

   Highlight your certifications

Include relevant certifications to demonstrate your expertise:

  • PMP (Project Management Professional)
  • CSM (Certified Scrum Master)
  • ITIL Foundation Certification

List your certifications in a dedicated section to make them easy to find. Avoid listing irrelevant or outdated certifications.

   Tailor your resume to the job

Customize your resume for each job you apply to. Mirror the language in the job description:

If the job description says:

  • "Experience with Waterfall and Agile methodologies"

Your resume should say:

  • "5+ years of experience managing projects using both Waterfall and Agile methodologies"

Don't send a generic resume. Take the time to tailor it to the specific role and company.

Writing Your Senior Project Manager Resume: Section By Section

  summary.

A resume summary, also known as a professional summary or summary statement, is an optional section that highlights your most relevant qualifications for the role you're targeting. While not required, it can be beneficial for senior-level professionals like Senior Project Managers to provide additional context and showcase their expertise. However, avoid using an objective statement, as it is outdated and focuses on your goals rather than how you can contribute to the company.

When crafting your Senior Project Manager resume summary, focus on your key strengths, accomplishments, and experience that align with the job requirements. Keep it concise, typically around 3-4 sentences or bullet points, and tailor it to the specific role and industry. Remember, your summary should complement the rest of your resume, not repeat information verbatim.

How to write a resume summary if you are applying for a Senior Project Manager resume

To learn how to write an effective resume summary for your Senior Project Manager resume, or figure out if you need one, please read Senior Project Manager Resume Summary Examples , or Senior Project Manager Resume Objective Examples .

1. Highlight your project management expertise

As a Senior Project Manager, your summary should emphasize your experience and skills in managing complex projects. Showcase your ability to lead cross-functional teams, deliver projects on time and within budget, and achieve business objectives. Consider including the following:

  • Years of experience in project management
  • Types of projects you've managed (e.g., software development, construction, marketing campaigns)
  • Methodologies you're proficient in (e.g., Agile, Scrum, Waterfall)
  • Key accomplishments or results achieved

Here's an example of what to include:

Accomplished Senior Project Manager with 10+ years of experience leading complex software development projects. Proven track record of delivering high-quality solutions on time and within budget using Agile methodologies. Skilled in managing cross-functional teams, mitigating risks, and driving continuous improvement.

Avoid generic or vague statements like:

  • Experienced project manager
  • Managed various projects
  • Strong leadership skills

2. Quantify your impact with metrics

To make your Senior Project Manager resume summary more impactful, include specific metrics and data points that demonstrate your success. Quantifying your achievements helps hiring managers understand the scope and significance of your contributions. Consider including:

  • Number of projects managed simultaneously
  • Size of teams managed
  • Budget sizes managed
  • Percentage of projects delivered on time and within budget
  • Cost savings or revenue generated through project initiatives

Here's an example of incorporating metrics effectively:

Results-driven Senior Project Manager with a proven track record of successfully delivering 20+ projects valued at over $10M. Consistently achieved 95% on-time delivery rate while managing teams of up to 50 members. Implemented process improvements that reduced project costs by 15% and increased customer satisfaction scores by 20%.

Avoid using vague or unsubstantiated claims like:

  • Managed multiple projects
  • Delivered projects on time
  • Achieved significant cost savings

  Experience

Your work experience section is the heart of your resume. It's where you prove to employers that you have the skills and experience to excel in the senior project manager role.

In this section, we'll cover what to focus on in your work experience section, and how to make your achievements and career progression stand out to hiring managers.

1. Highlight your project management achievements

Don't just list your day-to-day responsibilities as a project manager. Employers want to see the impact you've made. Highlight specific projects you've led and the results you achieved, using metrics wherever possible.

Compare these two examples:

  • Managed software development projects
  • Coordinated project tasks and timelines

Instead, quantify your achievements like this:

  • Led a team of 12 to deliver a $1.5M software project on time and 8% under budget
  • Improved project delivery rate by 20% through implementing agile methodologies

2. Showcase your progression into senior roles

Hiring managers want to see that you've progressively taken on more responsibility and advanced in your project management career. Make this easy for them to see in your work experience section.

Start with your most recent and senior positions first. If you've earned promotions or advanced from project coordinator to project manager to senior project manager, make this clear.

Acme Inc. Senior IT Project Manager , 2019-Present IT Project Manager , 2016-2019 Associate Project Manager , 2014-2016

If you're applying for a senior-level role, you can keep descriptions of earlier junior-level roles concise. Focus more space on detailing your recent senior-level contributions.

3. Highlight experience with relevant tools and methodologies

Modern project management relies heavily on specialized tools and methodologies. Showcase your expertise with the ones most relevant to your industry and the job you're targeting.

Some examples for senior IT project managers:

  • Jira, Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project
  • Agile, Scrum, Kanban, Waterfall
  • PRINCE2, PMP, CAPM certifications

Mention the tools and frameworks in the context of how you've used them to lead successful projects:

  • Implemented Scrum methodology to improve dev team velocity by 25%
  • Used Jira to create burndown charts for executive stakeholder reports

4. Tailor your experience to the job description

While it's great to have a master version of your resume that includes all your project management experience, always tailor it to the specific job you're applying for.

Look at the job description and identify the key skills and qualifications the employer is looking for. Then, mirror this language and highlight the most relevant parts of your experience.

For example, if an employer seems to care a lot about Agile, you could change this bullet:

  • Managed a team of software developers to deliver projects on tight timelines

To something like this:

  • Led an Agile development team to deliver multiple software projects ahead of schedule

The second example is more likely to catch the recruiter's attention because it specifically calls out Agile.

  Education

Your education section is a key part of your senior project manager resume. It shows hiring managers that you have the right knowledge for the job. In this section, we'll cover what you need to include and how to highlight your education to impress employers.

How To Write An Education Section - Senior Project Manager Roles

1. Put your education at the top if you're a recent grad

If you graduated from college in the last 1-2 years, put your education section above your work experience. This is because your degree is your strongest qualification at this point in your career.

Include your:

  • Degree name
  • University name
  • Graduation year
  • Relevant coursework, projects, or GPA if above 3.5
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration University of Southern California, 2022 Relevant Coursework: Project Management, Operations Management, Lean Six Sigma, Agile Methodologies Senior Capstone Project: Led a team of 5 to develop a new inventory management system for a local manufacturing company, resulting in a 20% reduction in inventory costs.

2. Keep your education section short if you're experienced

If you have several years of work experience, your education becomes less important. Hiring managers will be more interested in your professional accomplishments. So keep your education section short and to the point.

Bad example:

  • Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, Stanford University, 1995-1999
  • Relevant Coursework: Intro to Engineering, Calculus I-III, Physics I-II, Chemistry, Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Statics and Dynamics, Engineering Economics, Operations Research, Statistical Quality Control
  • Dean's List: Fall 1996, Spring 1997, Fall 1997, Spring 1998

Good example:

BS, Industrial Engineering, Stanford University

3. Include certifications to show specialized PM skills

Certifications show that you have specific project management skills. They're a great way to stand out from other candidates. Some top PM certifications to include are:

  • CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management)
  • Six Sigma (Yellow Belt, Green Belt, Black Belt)
  • ITIL (IT Infrastructure Library)

You can list certifications in your education section or in a separate "Certifications" section. For example:

Education MBA, New York University BS, Computer Science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Certifications Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Scrum Alliance

  Skills

The skills section of your resume is one of the most important parts, especially for senior project manager roles. Hiring managers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) quickly scan this section to assess if you have the right skills for the job. It's crucial to highlight both your technical skills and project management expertise.

In this section, we'll cover what to include and what to avoid in your skills section, with examples of good and bad skills sections from real resumes.

How To Write Your Skills Section - Senior Project Manager Roles

1. Tailor your skills to the job description

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to automatically filter out candidates who don't have the skills they're looking for. To ensure your resume gets past these systems and in front of a human recruiter, make sure to include relevant skills from the job description.

Here's an example of a skills section that doesn't match the job description well:

Microsoft Office Leadership Communication Teamwork

Instead, pull out the key skills mentioned in the job description and feature those prominently:

Agile methodologies Jira Scrum Budgeting Risk management

2. Categorize your skills by type

As a senior project manager, you likely have a wide variety of skills, from industry-specific technical skills to project management methodologies to leadership abilities. To make it easy for hiring managers to quickly grasp your skill set, consider grouping your skills into categories.

For example:

Project Management : Agile, Scrum, Kanban, Waterfall, Jira, Trello Technical : Python, SQL, Tableau, Data Analysis Industry Knowledge : Fintech, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency Leadership : Team Management, Mentoring, Stakeholder Management

Grouping related skills together paints a clearer picture of your abilities compared to just listing out individual skills haphazardly.

3. Specify your proficiency level for technical skills

For technical skills like programming languages or software, it's helpful to specify your level of proficiency. This gives recruiters a more concrete sense of your capabilities.

Here's an example of how you can format this:

Python (Advanced) JavaScript (Intermediate) Tableau (Beginner)

However, avoid this format for non-technical skills:

Leadership (Expert) Communication (Advanced)

Soft skills are harder to quantify, so specifying a proficiency level can come across as arrogant or meaningless. Let your work experience speak to your leadership and communication abilities instead.

4. Trim outdated or irrelevant skills

As you progress in your career, some skills may become less relevant or even obsolete. While it might be tempting to keep these on your resume to show the breadth of your experience, they usually just distract from your core qualifications.

For example, a skills section like this could use some trimming:

Waterfall Agile MS Project Lotus Notes Windows 95

Instead, focus on featuring up-to-date, relevant skills:

Agile methodologies Jira Asana Trello Microsoft Office 365

By cutting outdated skills, you keep the focus on your most marketable and current qualifications.

Skills For Senior Project Manager Resumes

Here are examples of popular skills from Senior Project Manager job descriptions that you can include on your resume.

  • Enterprise Software
  • Project Planning
  • Business Analysis
  • Software Project Management
  • Business Process Improvement
  • Program Management
  • Agile Project Management
  • Copy Protection
  • Agile & Waterfall Methodologies

Skills Word Cloud For Senior Project Manager Resumes

This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Senior Project Manager job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more likely you should include it in your resume.

Top Senior Project Manager Skills and Keywords to Include On Your Resume

How to use these skills?

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Senior Project Manager Resumes

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Sr Facilities Project Manager - Healthcare Experience

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  • Posted Date: 7/22/2024
  • Requisition ID: 169175
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  • Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 149,500
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  • Referral Bonus Available?: Yes
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IMAGES

  1. Project Manager Resume Sample

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  2. Project Management Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords

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  3. Project Manager Resume & Full Guide

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  4. Project Manager Resume & Full Guide

    project management resume key words

  5. 28 Project Manager Resume Examples for the Job in 2024

    project management resume key words

  6. Project Management Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords

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VIDEO

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  5. 5 SKILLS you need as a Project Manager

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COMMENTS

  1. 33 Project Management Buzzwords To Include in Your Resume

    Project management buzzwords are words you include in your resume to bring attention to a specific standard or expectation. Buzzwords are general phrases that communicate a common idea to the reader. When you mention a buzzword, you indicate that you're aware of the terminology, but you're also setting up a theme that you can expand upon with ...

  2. Project Management Keywords for Your Resume (With Example)

    Technical skills that can add value to your resume include: Data analysis. Data design and modeling. Project phase design. Product development and testing. IT system management and implementation. Process development and improvement. Program risk assessment and mitigation. Scrum.

  3. Project Management Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords

    Project management resume samples. Project management is the art of keeping a team coordinated and on-task in pursuit of a specific goal. Project managers need a unique skill set, including both managerial experience and hands-on industry knowledge. Time management and interpersonal skills are essential to this field, too.

  4. Project Manager Must-Have Resume Skills and Keywords

    Vendor Management. MS Office. Analysis. Collaboration. Compliance. Customer Service. Documentation. Job seeker resumes showcase a broad range of skills and qualifications in their descriptions of Project Manager positions. The top three keywords represent 44.9% of the total set of top resume listed keywords.

  5. Project Manager Resume Keywords and Skills (Hard Skills)

    Resume Worded - Sydney, Australia June 2013 - July 2017. Project Manager. Facilitated Agile project management, leading to a 20% increase in team productivity and a 10% decrease in project delivery timelines. Implemented Microsoft Project in the management of timelines and schedules, reducing project slippage by 15%.

  6. The Best Project Manager Resume Keywords & Buzzwords

    Everything You Need to Know: Project Manager Resume Buzzwords, Keywords & Skills. This free guide is designed for Project Managers, Senior Project Managers, Program Management Leads, HR Staff, Hiring Managers, Change Management Project Leads, Recruiters, and other Project Management Practitioners.

  7. Project Manager Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords

    Project manager resume sample. Project managers are efficient and organized with excellent communication and leadership skills. They enjoy planning all sorts of activities, have no problem making decisions on their own, and thrive under pressure. If these skills define you, they will help you thrive at any stage of your project management ...

  8. 21 Must-Have Keywords For a Project Manager's Resume

    9 Must-Have project management resume keywords. Project Management Skills: Showcase specific skills like budgeting, risk management, and stakeholder communication to exhibit your expertise in handling successful projects.; Leadership: Employers seek candidates with the ability to lead and motivate teams effectively.Highlight your leadership prowess to demonstrate your potential as a project ...

  9. Project Management Resume Keywords in 2023 (With Expert Tips)

    Project manager resume keywords are specific terms or phrases relevant to the project management field that are incorporated into resumes to highlight a candidate's skills and qualifications. These keywords are essential because many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes for relevant keywords.

  10. 12 Project Manager Resume Examples & Writing Guide

    1. Start with a powerful resume summary. A resume summary is a 3-5 sentence summary of your most relevant skills and qualifications. Here's an example of an effective project management resume summary that highlights the candidate's relevant experience, credentials, and skills:

  11. Project Manager Resume [2024]

    Write an Impactful Project Manager Resume Summary #4. Make Your Project Manager Work Experience Stand Out #5. List Your Education Right #6. List Your Project Manager Skills 50 Project Manager Skills to Put on Your Resume #7. Include Your Project Management Certificates #8. Make Use of Relevant Additional Sections #9.

  12. Project Management Skills: Examples for Your Resume

    Create a skills section: Dedicate a resume skills section near the top of your resume and include your project management skills. This section should be easily noticeable and can include bullet points or a concise list of your key skills. Use keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords related to project management throughout your resume. Including ...

  13. Project Management Resume Keywords and Skills (Hard Skills)

    Go through the Project Management posting you're applying to, and identify hard skills the company is looking for. For example, skills like Project Planning, Project Management and Leadership are possible skills. These are skills you should try to include on your resume. Expand. 2.

  14. 23 Project Manager Resume Examples for 2024

    23 Project Manager Resume Examples - Here's What Works In 2024. Your resume can make or break your search for a project manager position. We've got five resume templates here with the key qualities that project manager recruiters are looking for in 2023 (Google Docs and PDFs attached). See Project Manager Resume Examples.

  15. 40+ Project Manager Resume Keywords [Practical Examples]

    The ATS looks for terms relevant to project management skills, methodologies, and tools. For example, a project manager resume should include keywords like "Agile," "risk management," and "stakeholder communication" to align with the job requirements.

  16. Project Manager Resume Examples For 2024 (20+ Skills & Templates)

    Project Manager Resume Example #3: Senior Project Manager With an Advanced Degree & Certification. For our third Project Manager Resume Example, we have a candidate who has 10+ years of experience, a Master's Degree in Project Management and is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMI).

  17. What Project Manager Resume Keywords Should I Include?

    The following are other examples of project manager resume keywords to highlight on your resume: Risk management. Problem solving. Project management methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, etc) Project planning. Time management skills. Scheduling. Change management. Organizational skills.

  18. Project Management Must-Have Resume Skills and Keywords

    The top three keywords employers use in Project Management job descriptions are Project Management appearing in 31.75% of postings, Technical 12.86%, and Auto Delivery appearing in 9.08%. 53.69% of Project Management job postings have at least one of these terms indicating the value employers place commonly place on these experiences when hiring candidates.

  19. Use These Resume Keywords to Pass ATS (+ Keyword Examples)

    #1 Project manager resume keywords. Project management is about making sure projects get done well and on time. It involves planning, organizing, and leading a team to reach goals within a set budget and schedule. Additionally, project managers help teams work together smoothly and solve any problems that might arise along the way.

  20. IT Project Manager Must-Have Resume Skills and Keywords

    Our Resume Keyword Checklist is based upon an analysis of the most commonly found terms within both job descriptions and resumes for IT Project Manager roles. Our algorithm helps isolate phrases and patterns to identify the most frequently recurring and reused keywords from each data source, while correcting for uncommon and outlier results.

  21. What Project 2025 is and the biggest changes it proposes

    Cut the Education Department: Project 2025 would make extensive changes to public schooling, cutting longtime low-income and early education federal programs like Head Start, for example, and even ...

  22. Resume Skills for Manager Project Management (+ Templates)

    The most common skills and keywords we found on Manager Project Management resumes and job postings were Program Management, Business Process Improvement, Change Management, Project Delivery, Project Management, Business Analysis, Project Management Office (PMO) and Project Planning. Skills like Software Project Management, Risk Management ...

  23. 27 Great Resume Summary Examples to Get Hired

    17. Event Manager resume summary example "Resilient and creative Event Manager with 6 years of corporate experience. Detail-oriented perfectionist with experience in project management, team leadership, and customer relations. Successfully organized and executed more than 40 major business conferences, hosting thousands of guests.

  24. How to Make an ATS-Friendly Resume

    Here's everything you need to know about applicant tracking systems . We've all been there: you find the perfect job opportunity, customize your resume and cover letter, submit your application to a job listing online, and then pray it will pass the infamous six-second resume review test.Unfortunately, more often than not, your job application is lost in the applicant tracking system - and you ...

  25. When are resume attachments included in a search for resource

    If a resource resume is a File attachment type, then the resume text is indexed during the Maintain Project Resource Qualification Index process. Indexed keywords are included in the Resource Qualification score calculation for a project resource request. A resume attachment is included in the search index in the following circumstances:

  26. Senior Project Manager Resume Examples for 2024

    Project Manager. Led a team of 15 in the successful implementation of 60+ projects, cumulatively worth over $70 million. Pioneered a training program that enhanced team skills and led to a 35% increase in productivity. Managed budgeting and resource allocation, resulting in savings of $2 million annually.

  27. Sr Facilities Project Manager

    Ideal candidate will have priorexperience delivering multiple projects in a Healthcare setting as a Construction Project Manager. SUMMARY The primary purpose of the Senior Facilities Project Manager position is to represent Facilities Planning, Design and Construction while providing project management expertise in management of one or more assigned projects.