project manager resume buzzwords

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.

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)

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.

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.

Share the love Share this content

• Opens in a new window WhatsApp
• Opens in a new window LinkedIn
• Opens in a new window Reddit
• Opens in a new window Facebook
• Opens in a new window X
• Opens in a new window Pinterest

You Might Also Like

Crafting a Winning Resume: A Guide for Freshers

Resumenerd guide: write a resume without effort.

Is Welding a Good Career?

Is Medical Coding a Dying Career?

How to Create A Professional Resume With NO Writing Experience

Is CareerBuilder Legit? Truth Behind the Leading Job Search Platform

Leave a reply cancel reply.

• Resume Template
• Cover Letters
• Interview Questions

Privacy Overview

Resume Worded   |  Proven Resume Examples

• Resume Examples
• Manager Resumes

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)..

Project managers are versatile, multi-talented professionals who play an essential role in the success of a business. Among other things, project managers oversee projects from start to finish, ensuring that the entire process runs smoothly while working closely with their team, communicating with clients, resolving conflicts, and staying within set budgets. Career prospects for project managers are expanding exponentially -- according to some estimates, by 2027, around 87.7 million workers will be employed in project management-related jobs. In some respects, there’s never been a better time to become a project manager. However, like many other fields, project management is quite competitive, and if you want to land a position as a project manager, you’ll need a strong resume and a diverse skill set to show potential employers that you’re the right fit for the job. So, what should a project manager resume look like in 2023? First, let’s take a look at some templates of successful resumes. Next, we’ll discuss some of the essential skills for project managers as well as tips for creating a knockout resume. Finally, we’ll cover some of the best action verbs to use in your resume bullet points.

Project Manager Resume Templates

Jump to a template:

• Project Manager
• Entry Level Project Manager
• Senior Project Manager
• Technical Project Manager
• Marketing Project Manager
• Construction Project Manager
• Agile Project Manager
• Engineering Project Manager
• Assistant Project Manager
• Healthcare Project Manager
• Junior Project Manager
• IT Project Manager
• Project Management Office (PMO) Director
• Process Manager
• Process Operator
• Software Project Manager

Jump to a resource:

• Keywords for Project Manager Resumes

Project Manager Resume Tips

• Action Verbs to Use
• Bullet Points on Project Manager Resumes
• Related Manager Resumes

Get advice on each section of your resume:

Template 1 of 23: Project Manager Resume Example

Project managers oversee the planning, executing, and monitoring of an organization’s projects and initiatives. Project managers can work in many different industries, and the job responsibilities may vary based on the industry. In any case, the project manager is responsible for overseeing each step of a project, ensuring timelines are being met, ensuring the project is staying within budget and collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure all expectations are met. To become a project manager, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as business intelligence, applied statistics, or business management. Hiring managers may look for candidates with additional project management certifications. In addition, hiring managers will be looking for someone with several years of experience in relevant roles, such as prior experience as a business analyst, operations associate, or project estimator. Ideal candidates for this role will have superb organizational skills and an understanding of budgets and business operations.

We're just getting the template ready for you, just a second left.

Tips to help you write your Project Manager resume in 2024

   obtain project management certifications.

Since no specific degree is required for a project management role, gaining project manager certifications can help you specialize your knowledge and stand out when applying for these roles. There are several certifications you can obtain, such as the PMP (project management professional) or CSM (certified scrum master) credentials.

   Apply to roles in industries you have experience in

Project managers are needed in a variety of industries, including education, construction, IT, healthcare, technology, and many more. Having experience in the industry you want to be a project manager for will help strengthen your resume. For example, if you have experience working in IT, applying for a project manager role at an IT company is wise.

Skills you can include on your Project Manager resume

Template 2 of 23: project manager resume example.

When applying for a project manager role, you need to demonstrate that you have the right skills for the job. Your work history and skills section should show evidence of your abilities in areas such as time management, planning, and communication. If you have experience with specific project management software or methodologies, make sure to mention those in your resume as well.

   Skills section and bullet points

Skills sections in resumes are most effective when they succinctly list the relevant skills for the job you’re applying for. This template shows only specific project management-related skills, and there are bullet points under the work experiences that exemplify some of the more abstract skills (e.g. strategic planning).

   Strong action verbs

The bullet points in this template begin with strong action verbs such as “developed”, “spearheaded”, and “managed”. We always suggest framing your past successes with verbs like these to emphasize the role you played in your accomplishments.

Template 3 of 23: Entry Level Project Manager Resume Example

As an entry level project manager, you're just beginning your journey in overseeing projects from start to finish. One of the key aspects of this role is understanding and adapting to the ever-evolving industry trends and company expectations. When crafting your resume, emphasize your project management skills in areas like planning, execution, and risk management. Also, stay updated with industry-specific certifications and showcase your ability to learn and grow in the role. Companies hiring entry-level project managers often look for those who can adapt quickly and bring fresh perspectives to the table. Therefore, it's crucial to highlight your innovative thinking, problem-solving skills, and willingness to collaborate with diverse project teams. Demonstrating these qualities on your resume will help you stand out as a potential candidate.

Tips to help you write your Entry Level Project Manager resume in 2024

   focus on relevant coursework and certifications.

As an entry-level applicant, you may have limited work experience. Make sure to highlight relevant coursework and certifications such as PMP, CAPM, or Agile methodologies that showcase your knowledge in project management principles and practices.

   Emphasize your team collaboration experience

Employers value candidates who can work effectively with others. Use your resume to showcase experiences where you successfully collaborated on class projects, internships, or volunteer work, highlighting your ability to communicate and contribute in a team setting.

Skills you can include on your Entry Level Project Manager resume

Template 4 of 23: entry level project manager resume example.

At first, it might seem intimidating to apply for project manager jobs with little to no prior experience in this line of work. But if you have a strong academic history and the skills to succeed as a project manager, you can break into this field. Use your resume to highlight projects you worked on in school, extracurricular activities, and any other experiences where you had to use skills such as problem solving and organization.

   Education and academic background

On an entry-level resume, leading with your educational history can put your strengths in the forefront - especially if you excelled in school. If you had a high GPA or academic honors, it’s great to mention those here, as well as any coursework or projects you did that could be relevant for project management.

   Volunteering and internships

Even if you don’t have an extensive work history, you’ve likely done internships, community service, and other projects that show who you are and where your strengths lie. Extracurricular activities can also tell recruiters that you’re driven, ambitious, and actively involved in your community.

Template 5 of 23: Senior Project Manager Resume Example

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.

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.

   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.

Skills you can include on your Senior Project Manager resume

Template 6 of 23: senior project manager resume example.

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.

   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.

   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.

Template 7 of 23: Technical Project Manager Resume Example

As a Technical Project Manager, you're the key person responsible for bridging the gap between technical teams and stakeholders, ensuring projects are completed efficiently and on time. The tech industry is always evolving, so staying up-to-date with the latest trends and methodologies is crucial. When writing your resume, make sure to emphasize your technical expertise and proven experience in managing complex projects. Additionally, showcase your ability to adapt and learn fast, as this is highly regarded in this role. In recent years, there's been a shift towards agile project management methodologies, which require Technical Project Managers to be more flexible and responsive. This means that when crafting your resume, it's essential to highlight any agile or Scrum experience you have, as well as your capability to work within a fast-paced environment.

Tips to help you write your Technical Project Manager resume in 2024

   emphasize technical skills and certifications.

As a Technical Project Manager, your technical skills and certifications are a huge selling point. Make sure to list all relevant skills, as well as any formal training or certifications you hold, such as PMP, Agile, or Scrum Master, to demonstrate your expertise in the field.

   Highlight successful project outcomes

Technical Project Managers are responsible for delivering projects on time and within budget. Make sure to include specific examples of your past project success, including quantifiable outcomes like time, budget, and scope management. This will show prospective employers your ability to drive results.

Skills you can include on your Technical Project Manager resume

Template 8 of 23: technical project manager resume example.

Technical project management jobs often require you to have a background in IT, engineering, or another tech-related field. If you’re pursuing one of these positions, you’ll want to use your resume to highlight your technical expertise as well as your project management experience. This resume template will show you how to do just that.

   Tailored to the specific position

This resume effectively showcases prior work history with examples of both project management and technical experience. A work history like this one clearly demonstrates that you have the right blend of skills to succeed in a technical project manager role.

   Detailed bullet points with measurable results

As much as possible, when talking about your accomplishments, you should mention the specific results that you achieved through your actions. This resume template is filled with quantifiable results (e.g. increased ROI and reduced onboarding time for new hires) that show the impact you had at your previous workplace.

Template 9 of 23: Marketing Project Manager Resume Example

A marketing project manager is someone who oversees a company’s marketing campaigns and initiatives. Marketing project managers are typically responsible for overseeing high-priority projects from start to end, such as the execution of a commercial. The marketing project manager is responsible for working with other senior-level marketing professionals to establish the vision for the marketing strategy. Then, they must execute this vision from beginning to end. To become a marketing project manager, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in marketing or business administration. Hiring managers will be looking for someone with several years of experience in marketing, sales, management, and/or public relations. It’s important that candidates for this role have experience executing large scale projects. Marketing project managers must have excellent organizational skills, great leadership abilities, and critical thinking skills.

Tips to help you write your Marketing Project Manager resume in 2024

   show your previous experience planning and executing projects.

Even if you don’t have project management specific experience, you probably have experiences that relate to the key responsibilities of being a project manager. If you have any experience planning events, coordinating or leading staff, or launching new products, you should note this on your resume.

   Demonstrate your experience developing marketing campaigns

The marketing project manager does not just oversee the granular aspects of a project, they also help develop the marketing campaigns themselves. So, it’s important to note your professional marketing experience, including any marketing campaigns you have successfully developed.

Skills you can include on your Marketing Project Manager resume

Template 10 of 23: marketing project manager resume example.

Marketing project managers collaborate closely with the marketing department of a business. If you’re seeking a job as a marketing project manager, use a resume similar to this template to highlight your skills and experience in fields such as marketing, journalism, or communication.

   Great action verbs in bullet points

Describing your accomplishments with strong verbs like “led”, “coached” and “designed” shows that you have taken an active role in your success - something any potential employer will be glad to see.

   Use of skills, education, and projects sections

In this resume template, the skills and education sections complement the work experience. Mentioning personal projects and achievements outside of work can also help you come across as a well-rounded individual.

Template 11 of 23: Construction Project Manager Resume Example

A construction project manager does more or less similar work as a construction manager. This professional ensures all the processes in a construction project run according to the project schedule. These include planning, implementation, controlling, monitoring, and closure. Think of a construction project manager as the overall head of a project. As a project's overall head, a construction project manager has a wide range of skills and knowledge. So, their resumes primarily focus on showing their in-depth understanding of the industry. It also highlights their top talents and the certifications they have received in their career.

Tips to help you write your Construction Project Manager resume in 2024

   highlight the recognitions you've received as a construction project manager.

There is no better way to tell the recruiter that you're a top professional in construction project management than listing the awards you've won in your career. If you've been a construction project manager for a long time, including any recognition you may have received will elevate your profile.

   Focus on your ability to manage construction projects remotely

Thanks to the recent COVID-19 incident, recruiters are on the lookout for construction project managers who have demonstrable ability to work and manage teams remotely. Show that you are conversant with video-conferencing platforms and other tools that support virtual communication.

Skills you can include on your Construction Project Manager resume

Template 12 of 23: construction project manager resume example.

Construction project managers are project managers that are specifically focused on the construction projects. This includes consulting with architects, managing stakeholders and deadlines, and overseeing day-to-day work at sites. Remember to focus on your construction or real estate experience when applying for construction project management jobs.

   Emphasize transferrable project management skills like leadership

Core project management soft skills include leadership, communication and teamwork. Recruiters want to see evidence of these skills on your resume, so highlight them in your bullet points.

   Strong action verbs highlight experiences

Use action verbs like "Supervised" and "Coordinated" to show your leadership and teamwork experiences. Every bullet point on your resume needs to start with an action verb to show recruiters your role in each accomplishment.

Template 13 of 23: Construction Project Manager Resume Example

Template 14 of 23: Agile Project Manager Resume Example

An Agile project manager leads differently. APMs use the Agile framework, created in the 90s, to create and manage teams. As an APM you will be less concerned with hierarchy and top-down leadership. Your leadership will be based on 4 main values; being team-focused over tools-focused, using working software over extensive documentation, collaborating with customers over impersonal contract negotiations, and being agile and flexible in the face of change. Outside of certification as a project manager, a recruiter will need to see Agile certification. So ensure all your Agile qualifications are clearly listed.

Tips to help you write your Agile Project Manager resume in 2024

   use people/team-centered language..

The Agile philosophy is deeply rooted in concentrating on the team and personalizing their experience to ensure success. So you will want your resume’s language to reflect Agile’s philosophy. So keep your experience focused on what the team has accomplished and how your work as a project manager has improved the way your team works.

   Use Agile keywords.

To help you get through recruiters’ ATS (Applicant Tracking System) filters, ensure your resume is filled with Agile keywords and language. This applicant uses Agile language including ‘Agile Scrum’, ‘Kanban principles’, ‘scrum master’, etc.

Skills you can include on your Agile Project Manager resume

Template 15 of 23: engineering project manager resume example.

An engineering project manager focuses on engineering projects. They ensure these projects are created and completed within budget, on time, and to a high standard. Your everyday tasks will include the management of schedules, material sourcing, cost management, and procurement of all necessary permits and documentation. While it is not absolutely necessary for you to have an educational history in engineering, it is generally expected that you will have at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering; especially the type of engineering you will be interacting with as a project manager. Take a look at this successful engineering project manager resume.


Tips to help you write your Engineering Project Manager resume in 2024

   have a balanced engineering and management skill set..

An engineering project manager needs to be knowledgeable about engineering as well as project management. Make sure your skill set reflects these two areas. So list both engineering and project management tools like this applicant has done.

   Use engineering language.

You want recruiters to feel confident that not only are you a good project manager but that you are a good engineering project manager. So include engineering language and terms to show recruiters that you are knowledgeable in the field.

Skills you can include on your Engineering Project Manager resume

Template 16 of 23: assistant project manager resume example.

As the name suggests, an assistant project manager is there to support a project manager in whatever way they can. You will not be the decision maker but you may be delegated tasks to manage. You will also most likely do a lot of the administrative and coordination tasks. In essence, you will do the project managers ‘grunt work’. To succeed in this role you must have very strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills. The ability to multitask will also be important for your success. Educationally, any degree or certification in project management would be highly beneficial. This applicant has three listed project management certifications.

Tips to help you write your Assistant Project Manager resume in 2024

   show off your experience with tools useful for project management..

Prove to project managers that you will be able to adequately support them by listing the tools you are experienced with that would make their lives and work easier. This applicant includes tools like Trello and Microsoft Project which are both great for making project management organized.

   Demonstrate your organizational skills and success.

An easy way to convince a project manager that you would be an asset as their assistant is to list the successes you have had organizing projects. E.g. this applicant mentioned that they ‘supported in developing a project schedule for 15 projects’. This shows employers your capacity and capability to handle projects and delegated tasks.

Skills you can include on your Assistant Project Manager resume

Template 17 of 23: healthcare project manager resume example.

A healthcare project manager will manage a variety of projects in the field. These projects could range from building and opening a new wing at a hospital, to hiring new nurses, to reducing patient waiting times by a certain percentage. Because of the variety of tasks, you need to be well versed in the healthcare industry and have a clear idea of the needs of both the healthcare providers and also the patients. While a degree in healthcare is not absolutely necessary, having certification in healthcare would be a huge plus for recruiters. This applicant has 2 healthcare-related certifications.

Tips to help you write your Healthcare Project Manager resume in 2024

   show growth in your healthcare project management promotions..

Show recruiters your dedication to the healthcare field by showing consistent growth and promotion in the field. Apart from dedication, it will also indicate to recruiters that you excel in every position you are put in and that you are an exemplary employee who employers wanted to reward with promotions.

   Ensure your skills section includes healthcare industry-standard skills.

There are certain systems and skills that are commonplace in healthcare. E.g. You need to know regulations on patient safety and also know how to handle medical records. The healthcare industry has a ton of regulations so an industry-specific skills list will help recruiters feel confident that you are knowledgeable on how one needs to operate in the industry.

Skills you can include on your Healthcare Project Manager resume

Template 18 of 23: junior project manager resume example.

Junior project managers are much like assistants and will assist project managers with their more mundane tasks or with whatever tasks they get assigned. They will generally focus on administrative, oversight, and management tasks. A bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or a similar field, would be highly beneficial. If you have any certification in project management be sure to highlight that as well.

Tips to help you write your Junior Project Manager resume in 2024

   include previous administration experience..

Because this is an entry-level position, you may not have a ton of project-management-specific experience. If however, you have administrative experience, be sure to include that in your resume. Junior project managers will help with a lot of administrative tasks, so any administrative experience will be relevant to this position.

   Use manager and leader keywords.

You will want to show project managers that they can delegate tasks to you that you will manage as effectively as they would. To do this, use leadership and managerial keywords to show them that you too possess those traits and that you can handle significant projects and tasks without much oversight.

Skills you can include on your Junior Project Manager resume

Template 19 of 23: it project manager resume example.

As the name dictates, an IT project manager must be experienced and qualified in IT. Recruiters will therefore be looking for an educational background in IT, IT-related certification, and IT-related previous experience. As a project manager, you will also need your resume to highlight your management and coordination skills. This applicant has the necessary educational background and a strong extensive IT-related experience history.

Tips to help you write your IT Project Manager resume in 2024

   use it-related keywords..

Show recruiters that you are well versed in the IT sector by using IT keywords. This applicant uses words like ‘Software Development Lifecycle’ and ‘virtualization’ to prove their competence as an IT project manager.

   Use metrics to impress.

Make your resume easier to digest by using metrics to show recruiters your workload capacity, the size of the teams you have managed, and the measurable success of your efforts.

Skills you can include on your IT Project Manager resume

Template 20 of 23: project management office (pmo) director resume example.

This is a high executive-level position. In this position, you may be leading the entire project management department or a whole project-based company. As an executive your responsibilities are broad and the people under you are many. You may find yourself developing strategy and planning projects, overseeing the execution of projects, speaking to clients or other stakeholders, etc. Recruiters will almost always expect at least a bachelor’s degree in project management or a related field, and at least 5 years of experience as a project manager. Take a look at this strong PMO director's resume.

Tips to help you write your Project Management Office (PMO) Director resume in 2024

   get certification to increase your credibility..

Stand out from the crowd by gaining one of the many project management certifications you can get. It shows dedication to the profession and also improves your credibility.

   Show your impact on the bottom line.

Show recruiters that you can efficiently lead the execution of successful projects by including metrics of success in your resume. Include figures that reflect how much money you saved clients or how much money you made for clients.

Skills you can include on your Project Management Office (PMO) Director resume

Template 21 of 23: process manager resume example.

As a Process Manager, your resume has to showcase your ability to optimize business operations. This role requires a mix of technical and management skills, and your resume should reflect your proficiency in these areas. You need to be aware of the current emphasis on digital transformation in businesses, as the drive towards efficiency and accuracy is pushing companies to automate processes. Hence, your familiarity with these technologies is a critical asset. As you draft your resume, remember that hiring managers want to understand your achievements. They're looking for specific examples of how you've improved processes and delivered measurable benefits. So, don’t shy away from including concrete figures and results in your achievements.

Tips to help you write your Process Manager resume in 2024

   demonstrate knowledge of process improvement methodologies.

When writing about your previous experience, you should detail your knowledge of methodologies like Six Sigma or Lean, as these are often used in process management. Show the impact you made using these methods with quantifiable results.

   Show expertise in relevant technologies

Since the role of a Process Manager now often involves digital transformation, it's essential to detail your proficiency in technologies like Robotic Process Automation (RPA) or AI-based systems on your resume. This could be in the form of the specific projects you’ve led or certifications you've earned.

Skills you can include on your Process Manager resume

Template 22 of 23: process operator resume example.

The role of a Process Operator often involves managing and maintaining the equipment that produces products in various industries. It's a job that requires both technical knowledge and operational efficiency. With the recent shift towards automation and remote work, many operators now need to be comfortable using and troubleshooting digital interfaces. Furthermore, the ability to adapt rapidly to new processes or technologies is becoming progressively valued. When creating your resume, it's important to go beyond simply listing past job duties. Instead, provide clear examples of how you've used your skills to increase efficiency, maintain safety protocols, or enhance product quality.

Tips to help you write your Process Operator resume in 2024

   showcasing technical skills.

As a Process Operator, you're expected to be well-versed with the equipment and technology used in your industry. It's crucial that your resume reflects your facility with these tools. Mention any specific machinery or software you've worked with, and don't forget to include any certifications or formal training.

   Emphasizing problem-solving abilities

Process Operators often have to troubleshoot on the fly and keep things running smoothly. You should include specific instances where you've used your problem-solving skills to prevent or manage issues, whether they were mechanical failures or process inefficiencies.

Skills you can include on your Process Operator resume

Template 23 of 23: software project manager resume example.

As a Software Project Manager, you're not just a tech enthusiast. You're the thread that holds the chaos in check, driving the rhythm of a shared heartbeat amongst coders, testers, designers, and stakeholders. It's a balancing act between understanding technical specifics and team management. Recent trends show an emphasis on Agile and Scrum methodologies, coupled with a stronger focus on 'ship fast, iterate faster' strategies. In crafting your resume, remember, it's not about being a master of everything, but a maestro in orchestrating the symphony of software creation. In recent years, there's been a surge in remote and distributed teams. Therefore, your resume should reflect not just your ability to manage projects, but also your proficiency in handling teams scattered across different time zones. Demonstrate your ability to handle the unique challenges that come with managing remote teams, and keep an eye out for the latest project management tools and platforms trending in the industry.

Tips to help you write your Software Project Manager resume in 2024

   demonstrate proficiency in project management methodologies.

Agile, Scrum, and Kanban methodologies have become a mainstay in the software development process. In your resume, discuss projects where you've successfully applied these methodologies. You should elucidate how you have adapted and applied them to drive project success.

   Exhibit capabilities in managing distributed teams

Show your potential employers that you can handle the challenges of managing remote teams. Elucidate instances where you've effectively navigated through issues of communication, time-zones and cultural obstacles to achieve project goals.

Skills you can include on your Software Project Manager resume

As a career coach and hiring manager who has worked with top companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, I have seen countless project manager resumes. In this article, I will share insider tips on what makes a project manager resume stand out and increase your chances of landing an interview. These tips are based on real feedback from hiring managers and successful job seekers in the field.

   Highlight your leadership experience

Employers want to see that you have experience leading projects and teams. Instead of simply listing your responsibilities, focus on the impact of your leadership:

• Led a team of 12 developers and designers to deliver a $500K project on time and under budget
• Managed stakeholder expectations and communicated project status to executive leadership

Quantify your achievements whenever possible to show the scope and impact of your leadership.

   Showcase your technical skills

While project managers are not expected to be technical experts, it's important to show that you have a solid understanding of the technologies and methodologies used in your projects. Some examples:

• Proficient in Agile methodologies including Scrum and Kanban
• Experience with project management tools such as JIRA, Trello, and Asana
• Familiarity with software development lifecycle and DevOps practices

Avoid simply listing buzzwords or acronyms without context. Instead, explain how you used these skills to deliver successful projects.

   Tailor your resume to the job description

One mistake I often see in project manager resumes is a generic list of skills and experiences that are not relevant to the specific job. Instead, take the time to customize your resume for each application. Here's an example of what not to do:

• Experienced project manager with 5+ years of experience
• Strong communication and leadership skills

Instead, focus on the specific requirements and priorities mentioned in the job description:

• 5+ years of experience managing software development projects in an Agile environment
• Proven track record of communicating with technical and non-technical stakeholders

   Highlight your certifications and training

Project management certifications such as PMP or Scrum Master can set you apart from other candidates and show your commitment to professional development. However, simply listing the acronyms is not enough. Provide context on how you applied the knowledge and skills gained from these certifications in your work:

PMP-certified project manager with experience applying PMBOK best practices to deliver complex IT projects. Completed Scrum Master training and successfully implemented Scrum methodology in Agile development teams.

   Show your ability to manage budgets and resources

Project managers are often responsible for managing budgets, resources, and vendor relationships. Highlight your experience in these areas with specific examples:

• Managed project budgets ranging from $100K to $1M, consistently delivering on time and within budget
• Negotiated contracts with vendors and managed relationships to ensure timely delivery of key project components
• Optimized resource allocation across multiple projects to maximize team productivity and minimize downtime

Use numbers and metrics to quantify your impact whenever possible.

   Emphasize your problem-solving skills

Projects rarely go according to plan, and employers want to see that you have the ability to adapt and solve problems under pressure. Instead of simply saying you have 'strong problem-solving skills', provide concrete examples:

• Identified and mitigated risks early in the project lifecycle, resulting in a 20% reduction in project delays
• Developed contingency plans and worked with the team to quickly resolve issues when faced with unexpected roadblocks

Showcase your ability to think critically, make tough decisions, and lead your team through challenges.

The best project managers have the ability to wear numerous hats. They are usually team players who are exceptionally organized, highly strategic, adaptable, and great at communicating with a variety of people. When you’re applying for a project management role, use your resume to show that you have the right skill set and personality for the job. With that in mind, here are some tips for creating a project manager resume that will help you stand out from the crowd.

   Be specific about your accomplishments.

On any resume, you should specify what you’ve accomplished in your previous work. However, when you’re applying to become a project manager, your accomplishments should include specific projects you’ve worked on at past jobs. While you want to keep your resume fairly succinct, don’t be afraid to go into a bit of detail about what projects you did, what your role was, how you ensured the project’s success, and what the end results were.

   Showcase relevant skills for project management.

If your resume has a skills section, use it to highlight several relevant skills for project management. Even better, for any skills that you list, include bullet points about achievements at your previous jobs where you used those skills. Showing hiring managers evidence of your problem solving abilities is always better than simply saying that you have a “solution mindset”. What skills should you emphasize? Project managers need soft skills like organization, planning, management, and coordination. However, soft skills are only part of the equation; many project managers also need to be versed in workspace tools, platforms, and software. Different companies will use different frameworks, but if you can show that you have experience with using some of these tools, you’ll have a definite leg up on the competition.

   Create an ATS-friendly resume.

Whenever you’re applying for a new job, it’s always good practice to optimize your resume for ATS software. Even if you don’t know for sure that the company filters incoming resumes, you should err on the side of caution and assume that they do. Getting past an automated resume filter may sound daunting at first -- but if you follow a few basic strategies, you can get your resume through ATS and in front of a live (human) recruiter. First, make sure that your document is easily readable and that it’s in a standard format such as Word or Google Docs. Keep your text free of images, diagrams, tables, and unusual fonts. Next, you’ll want to include relevant keywords from the job description, but be careful not to overdo it or make your language sound unnatural -- after all, the goal is to eventually get your resume read by a live person!

   Use strong, measurable achievements.

Our last word of advice is to include strong, measurable achievements in your resume -- talk about what you accomplished, not simply what you were responsible for at your old jobs. And, of course, make sure that your LinkedIn and other social media profiles are up-to-date to leave the best possible impression on the recruiter.

Writing Your Project Manager Resume: Section By Section

  header, 1. highlight your project management certification.

If you have a relevant certification like PMP, PRINCE2, or Scrum Master, make sure to include it after your name in your header. This instantly communicates your expertise and commitment to the field.

Here's an example of how to format your name and certification:

• John Smith, PMP
• Sarah Johnson, PRINCE2 Practitioner

Avoid simply listing 'Project Manager' as your title, as it doesn't add much value:

• John Smith, Project Manager
• Sarah Johnson, Project Manager

2. Include your location, phone, and email

Hiring managers want to quickly see if you're a local candidate or if you would need to relocate for the role. Including your city and state is sufficient - no need to list your full address.

You should also include your phone number and a professional email address. Make sure your email handle is straightforward and professional, like [email protected] .

• John Smith, PMP San Francisco, CA | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected]

Avoid using casual email handles that you created years ago:

3. Add your LinkedIn profile URL

In today's digital age, hiring managers often look up candidates on LinkedIn. Make it easy for them by including your LinkedIn profile URL in your header.

Ideally, your URL should be customized with your name rather than a string of random numbers. Here's how:

• John Smith, PMP San Francisco, CA | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] linkedin.com/in/johnsmith

Avoid using the default LinkedIn URL format:

• John Smith, PMP San Francisco, CA | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] linkedin.com/in/john-smith-37b6a8142

  Summary

A resume summary, also known as a professional summary or career summary, is an optional section that appears at the top of your resume. It provides a brief overview of your professional experience, skills, and achievements that are most relevant to the position you're applying for. While a summary is not required, it can be a valuable addition to your resume, especially if you have extensive experience or are making a career change.

When writing a summary for a project manager position, focus on highlighting your most impressive accomplishments, leadership skills, and industry expertise. Tailor your summary to the specific requirements of the job posting and the company's needs. Keep it concise and impactful, ideally no more than 3-4 sentences.

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

1. Showcase your project management expertise

Highlight your experience and skills that are directly relevant to project management. Mention the types of projects you've managed, the industries you've worked in, and any notable achievements.

For example, a good summary might look like this:

Experienced project manager with 5+ years of experience leading cross-functional teams in the software development industry. Proven track record of delivering complex projects on time and under budget, resulting in an average of 20% cost savings per project. Skilled in Agile methodologies and proficient in project management tools such as JIRA and Asana.

2. Quantify your achievements

Whenever possible, use numbers and metrics to quantify your accomplishments. This helps hiring managers understand the impact you've made in your previous roles.

Avoid vague statements like:

• Managed multiple projects successfully
• Improved team efficiency

Instead, provide specific details and figures:

• Led a team of 12 in delivering a $500K project 2 weeks ahead of schedule
• Implemented process improvements that increased team productivity by 30%

3. Tailor your summary to the job

Customize your summary to align with the requirements and preferences outlined in the job posting. Highlight the skills, experience, and achievements that are most relevant to the specific project manager position you're targeting.

For example, if the job emphasizes experience with a particular project management methodology, such as Scrum, make sure to mention your expertise in that area:

Certified Scrum Master with 7+ years of experience leading Agile software development projects. Skilled in facilitating sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives to ensure timely delivery of high-quality products. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement Scrum best practices, resulting in a 25% increase in team velocity.

  Experience

The work experience section is the most important part of your project manager resume. It's where you show hiring managers how you've applied your skills in the real world to deliver results. In this section, we'll walk through how to write an effective work experience section step-by-step, with examples of what to include and avoid.

1. Use reverse-chronological order

Start with your most recent or current role at the top, then work backwards. This puts your most relevant experience first. For each role, include:

• Company name and location
• Dates of employment (month and year)
• 3-5 bullet points detailing your accomplishments

Bad example:

Project coordinator, 2018-2019 Junior project manager, 2019-2020 Project manager, ACME Co, New York, 2020-present

Good example:

Project Manager , ACME Co, New York, NY, 2020 to present Junior Project Manager , XYZ Inc, Boston, MA, 2019 to 2020 Project Coordinator , 123 Agency, Chicago, IL, 2018 to 2019

Tip: Bold your job titles to make your career progression stand out at a glance. Try our Targeted Resume tool to see if you've included the right keywords and skills for each role.

2. Focus on achievements, not duties

Don't just list your day-to-day responsibilities. Hiring managers want to see the impact you made in each role. Ask yourself:

• Did you deliver projects on time and under budget?
• Did you improve any processes or implement new methodologies?
• Did you mentor or train other team members?

Quantify your accomplishments with metrics where possible. Bad example:

• Responsible for managing project timelines and budgets
• Coordinated project tasks and deliverables
• Communicated with stakeholders
• Managed 5+ projects simultaneously with budgets up to $500K
• Implemented Agile methodology which reduced average project time by 20%
• Mentored and trained 3 junior project managers

After drafting your bullets, run your resume through our free Score My Resume tool. It checks your resume on 30+ key criteria hiring managers look for and gives you instant, actionable feedback to improve.

3. Tailor your experience to the job

Hiring managers want to see experience that's relevant to their open role and company. Carefully review the job description and mirror the language it uses, where applicable. If a posting mentions specific project management tools, methodologies, or domains, call those out in your work experience.

Let's say a job description lists Jira, Trello and Scrum. You'd want to include examples like:

• Managed Scrum ceremonies including daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives
• Tracked and assigned tasks to team members using Jira and Trello

If it mentions healthcare experience, you could say:

Managed a $1.2M telehealth implementation project in collaboration with clinicians, IT, and operations teams

Tip: Include relevant certifications like PMP, CSM or ITIL in your title or a "Certifications" section to further show your expertise in specific project management areas.

  Education

Your education section is a key part of your project manager resume. It shows employers you have the knowledge and training to succeed in their role. It also provides context for your work experience. Here are some tips for writing a strong education section on your project manager resume.

1. Put your education section in the right location

Where you place your education section depends on your level of experience:

• If you are a recent graduate or have limited work experience, put your education section above your work experience. This highlights your relevant training first.
• If you have several years of project management experience, put your education below your work history. Your professional experience is more important to employers at this stage.

2. Only include relevant degrees and coursework

As a project manager, include your bachelor's degree and any advanced degrees. However, don't include your associate or high school diploma. For example:

• MBA, Stanford University, 2018
• B.S. Business Administration, NYU, 2014

If you are a recent graduate, consider listing relevant coursework too:

• Relevant coursework: Project Management, Operations Management, Leadership
• Irrelevant coursework
• Online certificates (put these in a separate section)
• High school diploma

3. Keep your education section concise

Experienced project managers should keep their education section brief. Employers are more interested in your work accomplishments than your degrees at this stage. For example:

M.S. Project Management, Columbia University B.A. Business Administration, University of Florida

However, recent graduates can go into more detail to highlight their qualifications:

B.S. in Industrial Engineering, UCLA, 2022 GPA: 3.8 Relevant Coursework: Project Management, Supply Chain Management, Statistical Quality Control Honors: Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa

4. Use consistent formatting

No matter how much detail you include, keep your formatting consistent. For example:

Master of Business Administration, Harvard University, 2019 Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Stanford University, 2014

MBA, Harvard University, 2019 BSE, Stanford University, 2014

Avoid inconsistent formatting like:

Master of Business Administration (MBA), Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 2019 B.S.E., Stanford University, 2014

Consistent punctuation, abbreviation, and order make your education section easier to scan.

Action Verbs For Project Manager Resumes

The best project manager resumes discuss specific accomplishments using strong action verbs. Strong verbs convey your role in your achievements; in any resume bullet point, we recommend pairing an action verb with the quantifiable result you achieved to show the impact of what you did. Project managers may have a diverse set of skills to draw upon, and there are a huge number of verbs you could choose to describe what you’re good at. We have an entire article devoted to action verbs to use in resumes -- in particular, project managers may want to pursue the ones in the accomplishment-driven, communication, management-related, leadership, and problem-solving sections.

• Facilitated
• Accelerated
• Spearheaded

For more related action verbs, visit Leadership Action Verbs .

For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs .

Action Verbs for Project Manager Resumes

Skills for project manager resumes.

To craft an outstanding project manager resume, you’ll want to show that you have the most crucial skills for the job. Recruiters will want to see that you are adept at managing, leading, planning, and strategizing -- use your skills section and bullet points within your work history to illustrate your abilities in these areas. In addition to highlighting essential project management skills , you should also re-read the job posting to look for specific skills that your potential employer is seeking. If they mention any skills, be sure to mention those (and include supporting examples) within your resume. Finally, many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) or other technology to sort through and analyze the high volume of resumes they receive. You can optimize your resume to get past the automated filtering process and give yourself a better chance of getting noticed. We’ll go into ATS in more detail below.

• Copy Protection
• Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
• Agile Methodologies
• Project Planning
• Integration
• Project Management
• Software Project Management
• Business Analysis
• Business Process Improvement
• Program Management
• Microsoft Project
• Agile Project Management
• Agile & Waterfall Methodologies
• Requirements Analysis
• Enterprise Software
• Change Management
• Vendor Management
• Project Coordination

How To Write Your Skills Section On a Project Manager Resumes

You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:

Skills Word Cloud For Project Manager Resumes

This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Project Manager job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.

How to use these skills?

Resume bullet points from project manager resumes.

You should use bullet points to describe your achievements in your Project Manager resume. Here are sample bullet points to help you get started:

Implemented a system upgrade for an American bank just 8 weeks before deadline; resulted in securing additional business worth $5 MM

Developed an Excel macro and standardized reporting templates, resulting in efficient data collection and a 35% reduction in turnaround time

Managed a 10-member cross-functional (engineering, product, sales, support) team and coordinated with five business partners towards the successful launch of an e-commerce website

Enforced Kanban principles as a scrum master that reduced cycle time by 25% and increased the team's throughput in less than 9 weeks.

Reduced new user acquisition costs by 20% through implementing social sharing features and streamlining user adoption; shortened development cycles by 25% and increased release date accuracy by 20%

For more sample bullet points and details on how to write effective bullet points, see our articles on resume bullet points , how to quantify your resume and resume accomplishments .

Other Manager Resumes

Architecture.

Project Administrator

Special Projects

• C-Level and Executive Resume Guide
• Program Manager Resume Guide

Project Manager Resume Guide

• Product Manager Resume Guide
• Operations Manager Resume Guide
• Social Media Manager Resume Guide
• Creative Director Resume Guide
• Product Owner Resume Guide
• IT Manager Resume Guide
• Office Manager Resume Guide
• Production Manager Resume Guide
• Project Coordinator Resume Guide
• Brand Manager Resume Guide
• Construction Manager Resume Guide
• Chief of Staff Resume Guide
• Vice President of Operations Resume Guide
• Chief Digital Officer Resume Guide
• Project Leader Resume Guide
• Technology Director Resume Guide
• Director of Information Technology Resume Guide
• Director of Operations Resume Guide
• Director of Engineering Resume Guide
• Project Manager Resume Example
• Entry Level Project Manager Resume Example
• Senior Project Manager Resume Example
• Technical Project Manager Resume Example
• Marketing Project Manager Resume Example
• Construction Project Manager Resume Example
• Agile Project Manager Resume Example
• Engineering Project Manager Resume Example
• Assistant Project Manager Resume Example
• Healthcare Project Manager Resume Example
• Junior Project Manager Resume Example
• IT Project Manager Resume Example
• Project Management Office (PMO) Director Resume Example
• Process Manager Resume Example
• Process Operator Resume Example
• Software Project Manager Resume Example
• Tips for Project Manager Resumes
• Skills and Keywords to Add
• Sample Bullet Points from Top Resumes
• All Resume Examples
• Project Manager CV Examples
• Project Manager Cover Letter
• Project Manager Interview Guide
• Explore Alternative and Similar Careers

Download this PDF template.

Creating an account is free and takes five seconds. you'll get access to the pdf version of this resume template., choose an option..

• Have an account? Sign in

E-mail Please enter a valid email address This email address hasn't been signed up yet, or it has already been signed up with Facebook or Google login.

Password Show Your password needs to be between 6 and 50 characters long, and must contain at least 1 letter and 1 number. It looks like your password is incorrect.

Remember me

Forgot your password?

Sign up to get access to Resume Worded's Career Coaching platform in less than 2 minutes

Name Please enter your name correctly

E-mail Remember to use a real email address that you have access to. You will need to confirm your email address before you get access to our features, so please enter it correctly. Please enter a valid email address, or another email address to sign up. We unfortunately can't accept that email domain right now. This email address has already been taken, or you've already signed up via Google or Facebook login. We currently are experiencing a very high server load so Email signup is currently disabled for the next 24 hours. Please sign up with Google or Facebook to continue! We apologize for the inconvenience!

Password Show Your password needs to be between 6 and 50 characters long, and must contain at least 1 letter and 1 number.

Receive resume templates, real resume samples, and updates monthly via email

By continuing, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Lost your password? Please enter the email address you used when you signed up. We'll send you a link to create a new password.

E-mail This email address either hasn't been signed up yet, or you signed up with Facebook or Google. This email address doesn't look valid.

Back to log-in

These professional templates are optimized to beat resume screeners (i.e. the Applicant Tracking System). You can download the templates in Word, Google Docs, or PDF. For free (limited time).

   access samples from top resumes, get inspired by real bullet points that helped candidates get into top companies.,    get a resume score., find out how effective your resume really is. you'll get access to our confidential resume review tool which will tell you how recruiters see your resume..

Writing an effective resume has never been easier .

Upgrade to resume worded pro to unlock your full resume review., get this resume template (+ 22 others), plus proven bullet points., for a small one-time fee, you'll get everything you need to write a winning resume in your industry., here's what you'll get:.

• 📄 Get the editable resume template in Google Docs + Word . Plus, you'll also get all 22 other templates .
• ✍️ Get sample bullet points that worked for others in your industry . Copy proven lines and tailor them to your resume.
• 🎯 Optimized to pass all resume screeners (i.e. ATS) . All templates have been professionally designed by recruiters and 100% readable by ATS.

Buy now. Instant delivery via email.

  instant access. one-time only., what's your email address.

I had a clear uptick in responses after using your template. I got many compliments on it from senior hiring staff, and my resume scored way higher when I ran it through ATS resume scanners because it was more readable. Thank you!

Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.

The Best Project Manager Resume Skills and Keywords [Updated for 2023]

If you’re not sure which keywords to add to your project manager resume, scroll down for a list of project management resume skills and keywords. I will also show you how to place these correctly in your resume so you’re showing these skills off, too.

The Project Management Institute predicted a higher demand for Project Management jobs than all other occupations between 2017-2027. This is because according to their Pulse of the Profession: The High Cost of Low Performance , only 56% of strategic initiatives meet their original goals and business intent.

So if you’re looking for a project management job in today’s world, the odds are in your favor. But how do you convince the recruiter that you’re the best fit?

The answer is simple. You should add keywords in your project manager resume that recruiters most commonly search for. You must also include the skills that are the most relevant to the job description.

If you’d like to see a resume cheat sheet in which I break down where you need to put your best keywords and how exactly to back them up with hard, tangible accomplishments, download my resume cheat sheet below:

The resume that is based on was used by a manager to double their initial offer — just by visually showing she brought results.

Top Project Management Keywords

I studied a few project manager job descriptions carefully. After that, I have put together a list of the best project manager resume skills and keywords. Feel free to use these in your resume.

Hard keywords like the ones above are those recruiters would search for, say using the LinkedIn search bar, to find someone like you. Soft keywords are strengths they’d look for when reading between the lines of your resume — can you work well in a team? Are you a good problem solver? Can you communicate well with executives? And so on.

Below, you’ll find a list of soft skills that you should speak to on your resume:

Project Management Keywords Related to Education

Project manager certifications make great keywords. You must mention them in the skills section if you have them. I’m sharing a few of them below:

• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Program Management Professional (PgMP)
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
• Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)
• PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)
• Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
• PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)
• Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)

How to Highlight Your Project Manager Skills in Your Resume

Only adding these project management skills to your resume is not enough. You must also do the following:

• Place them correctly.
• Weave them into your experience section.
• Back up your project manager resume skills with examples. In short, prove that you have them.

One place to add project management resume skills and keywords is towards the top of the resume. That is where the reader pays the most attention.

For example, look at the project manager resume skills below. Because these are in the first few lines, they will catch the reader’s attention in the first few seconds.

Moreover, ATS categorizes how well you know something based on where it falls under your professional experience. For example, a key skill that you used more recently will be weighed higher than one used several years ago. So, it’s critical to weave these keywords into your professional experience as well:

Project Management Keyword-Based Questions to Ask Yourself

To weave the project manager resume skills into your work experience, ask yourself the following questions. These will help uncover your wins. Your answers can be used to shape your professional experience section.

Quality Control:

• What weaknesses did service reporting have when you first joined?
• What issues did service delivery have when you first joined?
• Were there any obstacles in the smooth execution of business strategy?
• Did your team ever fail to meet KPIs? What action did you take to address the gap?
• Did you ever run into cost management issues?
• How did end-to-end project management help you achieve quality project outcomes?

Management:

• Was there any part of your workflow that felt disjointed?
• How many projects did you successfully oversee?
• Was non-conformity with the company’s policies and rules ever an issue while executing planned projects?
• What problems hindered the completion of the project?
• Were you ever challenged by having to manage multiple projects at the same time? How did you live up to that challenge?
• Did you struggle with setting priorities as to which project would need more resources? If yes, how did you find a solution for that? If no, what frameworks did you use to set the priorities straight?
• Was the progress of the project not being recorded properly?
• Can you recall a time where the unfair distribution of resources affected the project’s success? What strategies did you use to effectively utilize the resources available?
• Can you recall a time where the project faced a critical IT issue and it was hard to come up with a practical solution? What did you do?
• Did you ever have a hard time managing conflicts? Were you able to provide any solutions?
• Did you help resolve any communication gaps? How?
• Was the company having a tough time getting a client on-board for a project?
• Did you ever face resistance when you introduced improvement processes?

By following the simple steps outlined above, you will notice an increase in the response rate of your job applications.

Project Management Keyword Dos and Don’ts

Before you send in your resume, make sure there are no grammatical errors. Also, your skills should be correctly capitalized.

Moreover, don’t worry about being a complete master of a skill in order to include it in your resume. However, you should only add skills that you actually can use within your first month at your new job. Also, double-check your skills for outdated software.

Here are a few more resources you might find helpful:

• How to Create the Perfect Resume – A Complete Guide
• Want us to write your resume for you?  Explore our resume writing service here .
• Schedule a consultation with us here  to learn more about how we can help you with our one-on-one resume writing service.

For more tips on creating the best resumes, subscribe to our emails and get advice from expert resume writers, interview coaches, and networking wizards:

[] 1 Step 1 Email a valid email email Get me on the list keyboard_arrow_leftPrevious Nextkeyboard_arrow_right FormCraft – WordPress form builder

Related Posts

How to Talk About Company Descriptions on Resumes

Break all resume writing rules except these 3

More From Forbes

30 powerful resume keywords to beat ats in 2024.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Using the right resume keywords ensures you are able to shine a light on your skills and experience

More than 90% of employers use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to initially filter out or rank middle-skilled and highly-skilled candidates for job postings, according to a 2021 global study conducted by the Harvard Business Review.

This means that there is at least a 90% chance that your resume will not make it past the screening software.

Applicant tracking systems rely on keywords to assess candidate suitability—and these keywords are the ones that are located within your resume. The problem is, many candidates do not know how to make a resume effective because they fail to include the most appropriate keywords for their industry and role they are applying to. Consequently, they never (or hardly ever) make it past the screening stage to secure an interview.

While there are several factors that determine whether your resume makes it past the ATS or not (although a few are beyond your control), knowing what skills to put on your resume and which resume keywords to include, are a few of the most critical steps you can take to ensure your resume beats ATS.

Why Use Resume Keywords?

"A recruiter will never see that candidate’s application, even though it might fill all of the employer’s requirements," continued the HBR study. Therefore, being the perfect fit for a role is not good enough. You might tick every box and fulfil all the requirements listed on the job description, yet fall short of being shortlisted for the role, all because your resume did not effectively evidence the criteria and skills the employer is looking for.

Here is a simplified example of how an ATS works from a recruiter's point of view:

• You send your resume through a job portal.
• When the recruiter is sifting out 1,000 applications, they'll enter a skill such as "project management," "Power BI," or an education requirement such as "MBA," from the job description.
• This filters available resumes to 300 candidates.
• If your resume is optimized to include the keyword they are looking for, it will show up; if not, it will never be seen and you've just lost the potential to land a career-boosting opportunity to an AI-powered gatekeeper—ATS.

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024

Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024.

Matching keywords is an essential step to take before sending an application, or you could risk ... [+] being sifted out at the screening stage

Where To Find Keywords To Put On Your Resume

There are number of sources you can use to find keywords for your resume. The first and most obvious of them is the job advert itself. Taking a careful look at the job description, and the key requirements/person specification/ideal candidate section, carefully identify what are the core requirements that the employer is asking for.

You might find it useful to undertake a keyword highlighting exercise by copying and pasting the entire job description and person specification into a Word document, and highlighting the technical and soft skills that stand out to you the most, which are relevant to what you already have to offer.

For example, take a look at this sample job description from Workable for a cost analyst role:

"We are looking for a cost analyst to help us audit our expenses and find ways to make our operations more cost-efficient. You’ll be the go-to person for cost analysis and you’ll get to prepare reports to help management make better decisions. To do this job well, we’d like you to be well-versed in data and financial analysis, and have strong attention to detail. Ultimately, your job will be an integral part of our efforts to ensure profitability and business success."

It then proceeds to list the following responsibilities for the cost analyst role:

• Gather and analyze financial data
• Determine standard costs and investigate variances with actual costs
• Prepare detailed reports, both periodically and ad-hoc
• Help management make important decisions based on costs and benefits (e.g. investments, market growth, pricing changes)
• Create and manage budgets, and monitor spending
• Conduct audits on financial processes and transactions
• Monitor changes in processes or methods to calculate effects on overall costs
• Estimate product costs for existing and new products
• Forecast and analyze costs of processes, labor and inventory
• Suggest cost-reducing or profitable solutions
• Conduct market research to support future business planning

And then the advert proceeds to list requirements and skills for the role (pay close attention to this):

• Proven experience as a cost analyst, cost specialist or similar role
• Experience in data, operational and financial analysis
• Knowledge of accounting processes and software
• Strong analytical skills
• A business acumen
• Great attention to detail
• Good communication aptitude
• Degree in Finance, Accounting or similar field
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred

With the above job advert, how many keywords can you easily identify?

Considering the above data, some of the likely resume keywords and skills used for the job posting above, which you would want to incorporate into your resume for a cost analyst role, include:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Good communication
• Attention to detail
• Cost analyst
• Accounting processes and software (and name a few)
• Financial analysis/Analyzing financial data

You can incorporate these keywords into your professional summary, skills highlights, and work experience and education sections.

ChatGPT can help you analyze a job description quickly and can even provide guidance on how to ... [+] tailor your resume for that specific role

How To Use ChatGPT To Find Resume Keywords

One time saving method you could employ to find keywords from the job advert and interspersed them throughout your resume, is to solicit the help of ChatGPT. ChatGPT is an AI-powered chatbot developed by OpenAI, that has millions of users around the world—with one of the fastest, unprecedented technology adoption rates in history.

It uses LLM (large language models) to engage with you as any other human being would, providing you with timely information and shortening the length of time it takes to accomplish administrative and content writing tasks. While it is not wise to use ChatGPT to draft an entire resume for you on its own, it certainly can be helpful at key junctures in the resume writing process, for example, when analyzing and inputting keywords.

To use ChatGPT to find the best keywords to include in your resume, follow the below steps:

• Provide ChatGPT with a copy or excerpt of a job description for the role you want to apply for, and then prompt: "I am tailoring my resume to apply for this role. Please select and suggest keywords and phrases from this job advert that I can put into my resume. Include any technical skills, software tools, certifications, industry terminology, and soft skills listed in the advert."
• Now that ChatGPT has provided you with a list you can then begin incorporating these words and phrases throughout your resume, ensuring you proofread with each edit so it reads naturally and doesn't give the appearance of meaningless keyword stuffing.

Powerful Keywords To Include In Your Resume

Now that you have this background understanding, here is a sample list of some of the most common and essential keywords you should consider adding to your resume, for three specific industries—information technology, healthcare, and sales. These are categorized for ease of navigation and will provide you with an idea of what to look out for, as relates to your industry:

Resume Keywords For The Information Technology (IT) Industry

• Programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, C++)
• Cloud computing
• Network administration
• Agile methodologies
• ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library)
• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Machine learning
• Data analytics
• IT project management

Resume Keywords For The Healthcare Industry

• Electronic Health Records (EHR)
• Clinical research
• Medical billing and coding
• Telemedicine
• Healthcare compliance
• Health informatics
• Medical imaging
• Healthcare quality improvement
• Health insurance
• Healthcare technology

Resume Keywords For The Sales Industry

• Business development
• Account management
• Client relationship management (CRM)
• Lead generation
• Prospecting
• Sales cycle
• Pipeline management
• Value proposition
• Sales forecasting
• Competitive analysis

Keywords include a range of technical skills, soft skills, and education requirements—and even your ... [+] years of experience

Using the right keywords can help you effectively sell yourself and shine as a star candidate to employers, ensuring your skills and experience do not go to waste or escape their notice. Through highlighting your expertise in this way (without keyword stuffing) you increase your chances of securing an interview.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Join The Conversation

One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts. 

Forbes Community Guidelines

Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.

In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's  Terms of Service.   We've summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil.

Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain:

• False or intentionally out-of-context or misleading information
• Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language or threats of any kind
• Attacks on the identity of other commenters or the article's author
• Content that otherwise violates our site's  terms.

User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in:

• Continuous attempts to re-post comments that have been previously moderated/rejected
• Racist, sexist, homophobic or other discriminatory comments
• Attempts or tactics that put the site security at risk
• Actions that otherwise violate our site's  terms.

So, how can you be a power user?

• Stay on topic and share your insights
• Feel free to be clear and thoughtful to get your point across
• ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ to show your point of view.
• Protect your community.
• Use the report tool to alert us when someone breaks the rules.

Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's  Terms of Service.

Get the Reddit app

A sub focused on asking and answering career questions about the Project Management profession. Feel free to post any project related job or job wanted post as well.

Project Management Resume

I'm attempting to switch careers to project management and haven't had any luck with the two resumes I had professionally done. I've applied for nearly 200+ proj mgmt + proj cord positions. Any help and feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! I read the wiki

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11qb64tmSMZW4h6_2A2hU9AqTH4m8az_S/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jsSdzUTRlfTYjneHH_MtKuUbSC9sy2VQ/view?usp=sharing

By continuing, you agree to our User Agreement and acknowledge that you understand the Privacy Policy .

Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app

You’ve set up two-factor authentication for this account.

Enter a 6-digit backup code

Create your username and password.

Reddit is anonymous, so your username is what you’ll go by here. Choose wisely—because once you get a name, you can’t change it.

Reset your password

Enter your email address or username and we’ll send you a link to reset your password

Check your inbox

An email with a link to reset your password was sent to the email address associated with your account

Choose a Reddit account to continue

7 Software Project Manager Resume Examples for 2024

In this article, you'll find resume examples for a software project manager. We will give strong advice on how to format and structure your resume. You will also learn how to highlight your skills, experiences, and key achievements. This article aims to help you create a resume that fits the industry standards and catches the eye of hiring managers.

• 26 Aug 2024 - 5 new sections, including 'Education section placement', added
• 26 Aug 2024 - 5 new resume templates, including Aspiring Software Project Manager with Diverse Experience, added
• 24 Aug 2024 - Article published

  Next update scheduled for 03 Sep 2024

Here's what we see in the best resumes for software project managers.

Show Impact With Metrics : The best resumes show impact by using numbers. Include metrics like reduced project costs by 20% , increased team efficiency by 30% , delivered projects 15% faster , and lowered error rates by 25% . These show clear results.

Include Relevant Skills From Job Descriptions : Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are Agile , Scrum , JIRA , risk management , and budgeting . But don't include all of them, choose the ones you have and are mentioned in the JD.

Highlighting Senior Vs. Junior Roles : Senior roles often include phrases like led cross-functional teams and managed stakeholder expectations . Junior roles focus on assisted with project planning and supported senior managers . Tailor your resume accordingly.

use this maybe to have a resume upload button widget 1: yellow Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. If your symptoms get worse or do not improve after 1 day, go to a lower altitude if you can. Try to go around 300 to 1,000 metres lower.

widget 2: red / but not serious Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. If your symptoms get worse or do not improve after 1 day, go to a lower altitude if you can. Try to go around 300 to 1,000 metres lower.

helpful blue / but not serious Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include.

Software Project Manager Resume Sample

Find out how good your resume is.

ummm here it is

Get your resume scored

Want to know how your software project manager resume measures up? Our resume scoring tool gives you a clear picture of where you stand. It checks your resume against key criteria that recruiters in the tech industry look for.

Upload your resume now for an unbiased assessment. You'll get instant feedback on how to make your resume stronger, helping you stand out in the competitive project management field.

Education section placement

As you organize your resume, place your education section near the top if you've recently completed a significant educational program. This is because such education can be very relevant for a role as a software project manager. For instance, if you've just received your master's degree in computer science or project management, or completed a specialized course in software development methodologies, highlight this upfront.

If you have been working for a while, your work experience should take precedence on your resume. Your education can then follow, especially if it includes relevant coursework or certifications in project management or software development. Keep in mind that the goal is to show you have the needed skills and knowledge. If you have certifications like PMP (Project Management Professional) or CSM (Certified ScrumMaster), make sure they are easy to find on your resume.

Showcasing certification

Include certifications like PMP, Scrum Master, or Agile. These certifications add value to your resume for a project manager role.

Place your certifications either under education or in a separate 'Certifications' section for better visibility.

Junior Software Project Manager Resume Sample

Ideal resume length.

For software project managers, you want a resume that is clear and to the point. If you have less than 10 years of experience, aim to present your skills and achievements on one page. This helps you focus on what is most relevant for the job. Highlight your latest projects and the specific outcomes you helped achieve. Include software tools you are skilled in and methodologies you have applied, such as Agile or Scrum.

More experienced professionals can consider a two-page resume to detail significant roles and contributions. Place your strongest achievements and key skills on the first page. Remember, busy hiring managers often review resumes quickly. Ensure you use a layout that is easy to read without reducing the font size or margins. It's not about how much you can fit in, but how effectively you communicate your fit for the role of software project manager.

Senior Software Project Manager Resume Sample

Highlighting technical skills.

Show your expertise with software tools like JIRA, Trello, or Asana. Mentioning specific tools sets you apart in the tech industry.

Do not forget to include any programming languages or frameworks you know. Even basic knowledge can be a plus in software project management.

Software Project Manager in Healthcare IT Resume Sample

Aspiring software project manager with diverse experience resume sample.

•   IT Operations Manager Resume Examples
•   Architectural Project Manager Resume Examples
•   Campaign Manager Resume Examples
•   Senior Project Manager Resume Examples
•   Accounting Manager Resume Examples
•   Purchasing Manager Resume Examples
•   Account Manager Resume Examples
•   Entry-Level Social Media Manager Resume Examples

Quick links

Software project manager, resume sample #1, resume sample #2, resume sample #3, junior software project manager, resume sample #4, senior software project manager, resume sample #5, software project manager in healthcare it, resume sample #6, aspiring software project manager with diverse experience, resume sample #7, additional resources, questions get in touch.

Top 16 Project Manager Resume Objective Examples

Updated July 14, 2023 13 min read

A resume objective is a brief statement that outlines your professional goals and experience as it relates to a specific job. It is typically the first section of your resume and should be tailored to the job you are applying for. When writing a resume objective for a project manager position, it’s important to highlight your ability to effectively lead teams, create efficient strategies, and meet deadlines. You should also include any relevant certifications or qualifications that make you an ideal candidate for the role. For example, “Highly organized and experienced Project Manager with 8+ years of experience in leading cross-functional teams and creating successful project plans. Experienced in IT infrastructure projects and proficient in Agile/Scrum methodology. Certified PMP with knowledge of Jira, Trello, Asana, and Microsoft Teams.” This example highlights key skills related to project management while demonstrating the writer's relevant experience and qualifications.

or download as PDF

Top 16 Project Manager Resume Objective Samples

• To leverage my extensive experience in project management to successfully manage and deliver projects on time and within budget.
• To utilize my expertise in project management to ensure successful completion of projects with quality results.
• To bring my strong organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills to the role of Project Manager.
• To apply my knowledge of project management principles and best practices to ensure successful outcomes for all stakeholders.
• To use my excellent communication skills to coordinate between teams, departments, external vendors, and stakeholders.
• Seeking a challenging position as a Project Manager in an organization where I can utilize my skills in planning, organizing, directing and controlling projects from inception to completion.
• To lead cross-functional teams towards successful completion of projects while meeting customer requirements.
• Looking for an opportunity to apply my strong leadership skills as a Project Manager in order to drive positive outcomes for the organization.
• Utilizing my expertise in project management methodologies such as Agile/Scrum, Waterfall, Lean Six Sigma etc., to ensure timely delivery of high quality products/services.
• To contribute effectively as a Project Manager by providing strategic direction and oversight throughout the life cycle of each project.
• Leveraging my experience in managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders across different geographies.
• To bring innovative ideas and solutions that will help improve processes and increase efficiency within the organization's project management framework.
• Applying my ability to identify potential risks early on and develop strategies for mitigating them before they become issues or problems during the course of a project's life cycle.
• Seeking an opportunity where I can use my knowledge of various software tools like MS Project, JIRA etc., for effective resource utilization & tracking progress against milestones & deliverables.
• Utilizing my technical expertise & interpersonal skills for leading multi-disciplinary teams towards achieving desired goals & objectives set forth by the client/customer/stakeholder(s).

How to Write a Project Manager Resume Objective

Writing a project manager resume objective is a critical step in the job search process. An effective resume objective will help to catch the eye of employers and demonstrate your skills and qualifications for the role. It should be concise, yet informative, and tailored to the specific project manager position you are applying for.

When creating a project manager resume objective, it’s important to include relevant industry keywords that demonstrate your understanding of the role and its requirements. You should also highlight any special qualifications or certifications that you possess that make you an ideal candidate for the job. Additionally, don’t forget to mention any past successes or achievements that demonstrate your ability to manage projects from start to finish.

Your resume objective should also provide an overview of your professional goals and career aspirations. For example, you might write something like “Seeking a challenging position as a project manager where I can apply my expertise in planning, budgeting, and coordinating complex projects while working with diverse teams.” This statement not only highlights your qualifications but also conveys why you are interested in the job and how you could benefit the organization if hired.

Finally, make sure your resume objective is succinct and well-written – no more than two sentences long at most – so employers can quickly scan it during their initial review of potential candidates. With an effective project manager resume objective, you can ensure that your application stands out from other applicants vying for the same position and increase your chances of getting an interview.

Related : What does a Project Manager do?

Key Skills to Highlight in Your Project Manager Resume Objective

In the highly competitive field of project management, your resume needs to stand out from the crowd. One way to do this is by effectively highlighting key skills in your resume objective. This section, often the first thing potential employers read, can set the tone for the rest of your resume. It's crucial to focus on specific skills that not only demonstrate your expertise and experience but also align with what the job description seeks. In this section, we will discuss some of these key skills that you should consider featuring in your project manager resume objective.

1. Scheduling

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing projects to ensure they are completed in a timely fashion and within budget. This often involves setting deadlines, assigning responsibilities, and monitoring the progress of the project. Therefore, having strong scheduling skills is crucial. It shows the ability to effectively manage time, resources, and tasks, ensuring that all elements of the project are moving forward simultaneously and efficiently. This skill demonstrates a potential employee's ability to handle multiple tasks at once, prioritize effectively, and deliver results on time.

2. Budgeting

A Project Manager is often responsible for overseeing and allocating resources for various projects. This includes managing the financial aspects of a project, such as creating and maintaining its budget. Therefore, having budgeting skills is critical as it demonstrates the ability to efficiently allocate resources, control costs, and ensure the project stays within its financial limits. This skill can contribute to meeting project objectives on time and within budget, ultimately leading to business profitability and success.

3. Risk assessment

A Project Manager is responsible for overseeing projects from conception to completion, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. Risk assessment is a crucial skill for this role as it involves identifying potential problems or threats that could impact the project's success. These risks could be related to finances, resources, timelines, or other factors. By including risk assessment in a resume objective, it shows potential employers that the candidate is capable of anticipating challenges and developing strategies to mitigate them, thereby increasing the likelihood of project success. This skill demonstrates proactive thinking, problem-solving abilities, and strategic planning - all of which are highly valued in a Project Manager.

4. Team coordination

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing projects to ensure they are completed in a timely fashion and within budget. This often involves coordinating the efforts of multiple team members or departments. Therefore, strong team coordination skills are crucial to effectively manage all aspects of a project, from resource allocation to task delegation and conflict resolution. Demonstrating this skill in a resume objective shows potential employers that you can lead teams to achieve project goals efficiently and effectively.

5. Agile methodology

A Project Manager with Agile methodology skill is highly sought after because it demonstrates the ability to manage complex projects in a flexible and collaborative manner. This skill is essential for a resume objective as it shows potential employers that the candidate can adapt to changes, work effectively with a team, and deliver results efficiently. Agile methodology also emphasizes customer satisfaction through continuous delivery of valuable software, which aligns with the goals of many businesses. Therefore, having this skill can make a candidate more attractive to employers.

6. Scrum framework

The Scrum framework is a widely used project management methodology, particularly in the field of software development. Having this skill indicates that the candidate is familiar with agile project management practices and can effectively manage and deliver projects on time. It also suggests that they are capable of leading and collaborating with cross-functional teams, prioritizing tasks, and adapting to changes quickly - all crucial aspects of successful project management. Including this skill in a resume objective can make the candidate stand out to employers looking for experienced Project Managers.

7. Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project is a project management software that helps in developing a plan, managing resources, analyzing workload, and tracking progress. A Project Manager with skills in Microsoft Project can effectively organize and manage complex projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. This skill demonstrates the ability to use essential tools for project planning and execution, which is crucial for success in this role. Including this skill in a resume objective shows potential employers that the candidate is capable of handling project management tasks efficiently using industry-standard tools.

8. Stakeholder management

A Project Manager is often responsible for communicating with various stakeholders including clients, team members, and upper management. The ability to effectively manage these relationships is crucial to ensure that all parties are aligned on project goals, updates, and changes. This skill demonstrates the ability of the candidate to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, negotiate when necessary, and maintain open lines of communication. Including stakeholder management in a resume objective can show potential employers that the candidate has the necessary skills to successfully lead projects and teams.

9. Conflict resolution

A Project Manager often oversees teams with diverse personalities and viewpoints. Therefore, having conflict resolution skills is essential to manage disagreements or conflicts that may arise within the team. This skill ensures that issues are resolved in a manner that maintains team harmony and productivity. Including this skill in a resume objective demonstrates the ability to maintain a positive work environment while ensuring project objectives are met efficiently.

10. Performance tracking

A project manager needs the skill of performance tracking to effectively monitor, measure, and analyze the progress and outcomes of a project. This skill is crucial for ensuring that all aspects of a project are on track and meeting set objectives and deadlines. Including this skill in a resume objective demonstrates an ability to maintain control over project progression, make necessary adjustments when needed, and ensure overall project success. It also shows potential employers that the candidate is results-driven and has a keen eye for detail.

In conclusion, the objective section of your Project Manager resume serves as a critical platform for showcasing your key skills. It's essential to carefully select and articulate these skills in a manner that aligns with the job requirements and demonstrates your ability to successfully manage projects. Remember, this section can significantly influence an employer's first impression of you, so ensure it accurately reflects your capabilities and potential as a Project Manager. Tailoring it to each specific role will further enhance its effectiveness, increasing your chances of securing an interview.

Related : Project Manager Consultant Skills: Definition and Examples

Common Mistakes When Writing a Project Manager Resume Objective

A project manager resume objective is an important part of a resume and can be the difference in getting an interview or not. Unfortunately, many project managers make some common mistakes when writing their resume objectives that can ultimately lead to them missing out on job opportunities.

One mistake that is commonly made by project managers is writing a generic objective statement. Generic statements like “seeking a position as a project manager” are not specific enough to demonstrate your skills and qualifications for the job and can be easily overlooked by recruiters. Instead, you should focus on creating an objective statement that is tailored specifically for the job you are applying for and emphasizes your unique qualifications for the role.

Another mistake many project managers make is over-selling themselves in their objective statement. It’s important to emphasize your strengths and accomplishments but it should be done in a professional manner without making exaggerated claims about yourself or your abilities. Furthermore, avoid using superlatives such as “the best” or “the most qualified” as they can come across as boastful.

Finally, another common mistake when writing a project manager resume objective is being too vague or generalizing your experience too much. Your objective should clearly outline what makes you stand out from other candidates and highlight any relevant experience or skills you have that are applicable to the role. This will give recruiters a better understanding of what value you could bring to their organization if hired.

Overall, writing an effective resume objective requires careful consideration of the job requirements and tailoring it to fit those needs while avoiding common mistakes such as being too generic, overselling yourself, or being overly vague about your experience. With careful thought and attention to detail, you can create an effective resume objective that will help get you noticed by potential employers.

Related : Project Manager Resume Examples

A right resume objective for a project manager should be tailored to the specific job, outlining skills and experience that make the applicant a good fit for the role; whereas a wrong resume objective simply states generic goals and aspirations without considering the job requirements.

Editorial staff

Brenna Goyette

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

Similar articles

• Top 16 Associate Project Manager Resume Objective Examples
• Top 16 Business Project Manager Resume Objective Examples
• Top 16 Commercial Project Manager Resume Objective Examples
• Top 16 Engineering Project Manager Resume Objective Examples
• Top 16 Financial Project Manager Resume Objective Examples
• Top 16 Infrastructure Project Manager Resume Objective Examples

195 Resume Power Words That Will Get You Hired (+ Examples)

3 key takeaways

• Power words in resumes can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed by hiring managers.
• Tailor your power words to your specific industry and job role for maximum effectiveness.
• Teal’s AI Resume Builder helps make every resume bullet point impactful with AI.

Power words are to resumes what headlines are to a newspaper—they highlight key details and orient the reader. Resume action words grab the attention of the hiring manager and applicant tracking systems—increasing your odds of standing out.

In this guide, you'll learn 195 resume power words, how to use them effectively, and the nuances of industry-specific power powers to help you craft a compelling resume that lands job interviews.

Struggling to land interviews? Write a more impactful resume with Teal's resume builder AI .

What are resume power words?

Resume power words are strong, descriptive words that highlight your skills, achievements, and qualifications. These words help you make an impact because they: 

• Grab attention: They draw the reader's eye to your key accomplishments.
• Convey confidence: You appear self-assured and capable by using assertive language.
• Showcase specificity: Power words are precise and help hiring managers skim your resume without missing important details.
• Improve ATS performance: Power words often align with keywords that applicant tracking systems are programmed to identify. This increases your chances of passing initial screenings. 

195 resume power words to supercharge your application

To make your resume stand out, use words that showcase your achievements. Here's a list of resume power words designed to help your application leave a lasting impression on hiring managers.

Resume action verbs

Strong action verbs communicate your exact responsibility in a job role. They help hiring managers assess your accomplishments in context. Here are 100 powerful verbs that can make each bullet point on your resume more compelling.

• Spearheaded
• Orchestrated

Communication

• Articulated

Problem-solving

• Troubleshot
• Streamlined
• Conceptualized

Achievement

• Outperformed
• Accelerated
• Investigated
• Benchmarked

Improvement

• Coordinated
• Administered
• Consolidated

Customer service

• Implemented

Project management

• Facilitated

Collaboration

Accomplishment, descriptive adjectives.

The right adjectives can paint a vivid picture of the candidate's personal qualities and strengths. These 50 descriptive words will help you make an impact.

• Collaborative
• Resourceful
• Enterprising
• Conscientious
• Accomplished
• Results-oriented
• Detail-oriented

Industry-specific buzzwords

Each industry has its own language, and using the right buzzwords can demonstrate your expertise and familiarity with the field. These 45 industry-specific terms can help you speak directly to hiring managers in your chosen field.

• Machine learning
• Cryptocurrency
• Risk management
• Quantitative analysis
• Content marketing
• Brand equity
• Conversion rate
• Customer acquisition
• Telemedicine
• Electronic health records (EHR)
• Patient-centered care
• Clinical trials
• Population health
• Differentiated instruction
• Blended learning
• Formative assessment
• Inquiry-based learning

Human resources

• Talent acquisition
• Employee engagement
• Diversity and inclusion
• Performance management
• Succession planning
• Due diligence
• Intellectual property
• Arbitration

Manufacturing

• Lean manufacturing
• Supply chain management
• Quality assurance
• Just-in-Time (JIT)

Environmental

• Sustainability
• Renewable energy
• Carbon footprint
• Circular economy
• Green technology

How to use power words effectively in your resume

Now, you can’t just replace regular words with their “powerful synonyms” and call it a day. You have to place them strategically to gently compel the reader or impress hiring managers. Here’s how:

Identifying key responsibilities in job postings can help you tailor your resume effectively, ensuring alignment between your skills and the specific demands of the job.

Using power words effectively requires strategy and balance. Here’s how to make the most of them in your resume.

Tailor power words to job descriptions

To maximize your chances of getting noticed, align power words closely with the specific job description:

1. Analyze the job posting: Identify key skills, qualifications, and responsibilities emphasized in the listing.

2. Highlight relevant keywords: Note industry-specific terms and power verbs used in the description. Tip: Teal's Matching Mode does this for you.

3. Match your experiences: Select power words that accurately describe your achievements and align with the job requirements.

4. Incorporate naturally: Weave these words into your resume, ensuring they fit contextually and don't appear forced.

5. Prioritize placement: Use the most impactful power words in prominent sections like your professional summary and recent job descriptions. If you're writing a cover letter, sprinkle power words throughout but don't stuff them in any one section.

Balance action words with concrete examples

While power words add impact, they must be supported by specific, quantifiable achievements:

• Start with a power word: Begin each bullet point with a strong action verb.
• Follow with a specific accomplishment: Provide context and details about what you achieved.
• Quantify results: Include numbers, percentages, or other measurable outcomes whenever possible.
• Show impact: Explain how your actions benefited the company or contributed to larger goals.

Power word example in a sentence

• Weak: Responsible for sales increase.
• Strong: Spearheaded sales initiative that boosted revenue by 35% in Q3, outperforming targets by 20%.

Avoid overuse and maintain authenticity

While power words are effective, overuse can diminish their impact and make your resume seem insincere:

• Use variety: Avoid repeating the same power words throughout your resume.
• Be truthful: Only use words that accurately reflect your experiences and abilities.
• Balance with simpler language: Mix power words with more straightforward language to maintain readability.
• Consider context: Ensure the power words you choose are appropriate for your industry and career level.
• Read aloud: Review your resume by reading it out loud to catch any awkward phrasing or overuse of power words.

Replacing weak words with power words

Not all words are created equal when it comes to your resume. By replacing weak, vague words with stronger alternatives, you can create a more impactful narrative. Here’s how to make those crucial swaps:

Common weak words to avoid

Frequently used weak words can dilute the impact of a resume by making your accomplishments seem vague or unimpressive. Here are some common weak words and why they are ineffective:

• Responsible for : Implies duty, not action
• Helped : Lacks specificity and doesn’t highlight your role
• Worked on : Vague and does not convey the impact of your initiative
• Assisted with : Implies a secondary role, not leadership
• Participated in : Does not show your direct contributions or the extent of your role
• Job duties included : Focuses on tasks rather than achievements
• Familiar with : Suggests a basic understanding and not proficiency
• Involved in : Does not clarify your specific role
• Handled : Too general; does not indicate outcomes
• Dealt with : Vague and non-specific

Power word alternatives

Replace weak words with powerful alternatives to make your resume more dynamic and impactful. Here’s a list of common weak words and their power word alternatives:

Examples of how to rewrite sentences using power words:

Weak: Responsible for managing team projects. Strong: Orchestrated cross-functional team projects, consistently delivering results 15% ahead of schedule. ‍ ‍ Weak: Helped with customer service issues. Strong: Resolved complex customer service issues, achieving a 98% satisfaction rate and reducing escalations by 30%. Weak: Worked on marketing campaigns. Strong: Developed and executed integrated marketing campaigns, driving a 25% increase in customer engagement.

Industry-specific power word examples

Tailoring your resume with industry-specific power words can draw the reader's attention to relevant achievements. These examples show how to align your language with the expectations and standards of various fields.

Technology and IT

In the world of technology and IT, precision and clarity are key. Here’s a selection of power words that can help you articulate your technical expertise and accomplishments.Power words

• Architected

Sample resume statements

• Architected scalable cloud infrastructure, reducing downtime by 99% and cutting operational costs by 30%.
• Debugged complex legacy code, improving system performance by 40% and eliminating critical security vulnerabilities.

Finance and accounting

Accuracy and attention to detail are crucial in finance and accounting. These power words will help you highlight your analytical skills and financial acumen:

Power words

• Diversified
• Strategized
• Forecasted quarterly revenue projections with 98% accuracy to aid expansion initiatives.
• Streamlined accounts payable processes, to reduce  processing time by 35% and eliminate $50,000 in annual late fees.

Marketing and sales

Success in marketing and sales depends on driving engagement and converting opportunities into results. These power words will help you showcase your ability to innovate, persuade, and achieve impressive outcomes:

• Transformed
• Revolutionized
• Launched an innovative social media campaign that led to increased brand engagement by 150% and drove 10,000 new qualified leads.
• Negotiated strategic partnerships with key industry players, resulting in a 40% boost in annual revenue and expanded market share.

Healthcare and medical

In the healthcare and medical sectors, your resume usually needs to reflect both your technical skills and your dedication to patient care. These power words emphasize your expertise in delivering quality healthcare and improving patient outcomes.

• Rehabilitated
• Collaborated
• Implemented new patient care protocols, reducing average hospital stay duration by two days and improving patient satisfaction scores by 25%.
• Researched and introduced cutting-edge treatment methods, resulting in a 40% increase in positive outcomes for chronic condition management.

Education and teaching

Educators are not just teachers—they are mentors and leaders shaping the future. Use these power words to highlight your contributions to student learning, curriculum development, and educational excellence.

• Differentiated
• Developed and implemented inquiry-based science curriculum, increasing student engagement by 45% and improving standardized test scores by 30%.
• Mentored struggling students through targeted intervention programs, resulting in an 80% improvement in academic performance over one semester.

How to add power words to different resume sections using AI

Strategically incorporating power words throughout your resume can make it seem more personalized and human. Here's how Teal helps:

Professional summary

The professional summary is your chance to make a strong first impression. Use power words to concisely convey your value proposition:

Example: "Dynamic marketing strategist with a proven track record of developing innovative campaigns that drive engagement and boost ROI. Skilled in leveraging data analytics to optimize performance and deliver measurable results across diverse industries."

You can add a professional summary by using Teal’s in-built summary generator. Follow these steps: 

• Import your existing resume into the Resume Builder

Import your LinkedIn profile or create a resume from scratch in minutes if you don't have one. Your summary will be more accurate if you provide more details about your career. 

• Update your work experiences and add achievements

Be sure to include multiple accomplishments related to your recent roles for the best results from the Resume Summary Generator.

• Generate your resume summary with AI

Save the AI-generated resume summaries to your Teal Resume Builder.

• Review and regenerate your summary

By clicking "Re-generate with AI", you can generate a new professional summary based on the existing settings. 

You can save multiple resume summaries so you can use different ones for different applications. 

Work experience

In your work experience section, use power words to highlight your achievements and responsibilities.

Teal's AI Assistant makes this easy, automatically adding power powers to the beginning of every bullet point.

• Before: Responsible for managing team and completing projects.
• After: Spearheaded a cross-functional team of 12, delivering complex projects 20% under budget and one week ahead of schedule.
• Before: Helped with customer service and solved problems.
• After: Resolved critical customer issues, achieving a 98% satisfaction rate and reducing churn by 15%.

Skills section

Enhance your skills section by using power words that align with industry-specific competencies:

• Proficient in data visualization and predictive modeling techniques
• Adept at agile project management methodologies
• Skilled in negotiating high-stakes contracts and partnerships

Achievements and accomplishments

Use power words to make your achievements and resume stand out:

• Pioneered company-wide sustainability initiative, reducing carbon footprint by 30% and generating $2M in cost savings.
• Orchestrated merger and acquisition strategy, resulting in 50% market share growth within 18 months.
• Revolutionized customer onboarding process, slashing time-to-value by 60% and boosting retention rates by 25%.

The impact of power words on applicant tracking systems (ATS)

In today’s job market, your resume must pass through ATS before reaching human eyes. Understanding how power words interact with these systems can give you a crucial edge in landing an interview.

How ATS process power words

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) play a crucial role in the initial screening of resumes. Here’s how they interact with power words:

• Keyword matching: ATS scan resumes for specific keywords related to the job description.
• Relevance scoring: Resumes are ranked based on the presence and frequency of relevant terms.
• Contextual analysis: Advanced ATS can understand the context in which words are used, not just their presence.
• Skill identification: Power words often signal specific skills or experiences that match job requirements.

Strategies for ATS-friendly power word usage

To ensure your resume is both ATS-friendly and impactful:

• Incorporate relevant keywords: Use keywords from the job description naturally throughout your resume.
• Balance power words and keywords: Mix industry-standard terms with relevant power words.
• Avoid overstuffing: Don’t overuse keywords or power words to the point of reducing readability.
• Use standard formatting: Stick to simple, ATS-compatible formatting to ensure all keywords and power words are recognized.

Measuring the effectiveness of your power words

Crafting the perfect resume requires continuous refinement. A/B testing and gathering feedback are essential for measuring the impact of your power words and ensuring your resume resonates with employers.

A/B testing your resume

A/B testing your resume can help determine the effectiveness of different power word usage:

• Create variants: Develop two versions of your resume, each using different sets of power words.
• Submit both versions: Apply to similar jobs with both resume versions.
• Track responses: Monitor the response rate from employers for each version.
• Analyze results: Determine which version received more positive feedback or job interview invitations.

Gathering feedback

Professional feedback is crucial for refining your resume:

• Ask for reviews: Request input from career coaches, mentors, or peers.
• Use online services: Utilize professional resume review services for expert advice.
• Interpret feedback: Analyze the feedback received to understand how your power word usage can be improved.

Power up your career with resume power words

To create a distinct resume, use words that pack a punch and highlight your achievements with precision. Power words tailored to the job and industry can elevate your resume’s impact. But remember, balance is crucial—combine these words with metrics and case studies to avoid sounding superficial.

Start by refining your resume and adding or improving power words where needed. Teal’s AI-powered Resume Builder can streamline this process, helping you craft a resume that grabs attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many power words should you include in your resume.

Balance is crucial when incorporating power words into your resume. Aim for one to two power words per bullet point to maintain a strong yet natural tone. This ensures your resume is impactful without appearing exaggerated.

Can using too many power words hurt your chances of getting hired?

Yes, overusing power words can hurt your chances by making your resume seem insincere or cliché. It’s important to use power words genuinely to reflect your true experiences and achievements. Mixing power words with straightforward language helps maintain a natural flow.

Are there any power words you should avoid in your resume?

Avoid overused or cliché power words like "committed dynamic," "synergy," "hardworking," and "go-getter." These terms can make your resume seem generic and unimpressive. Instead, choose more industry-specific and impactful alternatives that accurately describe your skills and achievements.

How can you use power words if you're just starting your career?

If you're starting your career, focus on highlighting transferable skills gained from internships, volunteer work, or academic projects. Use power words to emphasize your enthusiasm and potential for growth. For example, instead of "participated in a marketing project," say "spearheaded a marketing project that increased social media engagement by 20%."

Related Articles

How to Make an InDesign Resume [+ Templates]

How (and What) to Name Your Resume File

ZipJob Reviews: Ratings & User Feedback

JobHero Reviews: Ratings & User Feedback

We help you find the career dream.

40 product manager resume keywords recruiters look for

Writing a killer product manager resume is challenging. Should you really include that work experience from five years ago? And does this bullet point capture what you achieved as neatly as it could?

Get expert feedback on your resume with an ex-FAANG product manager

A good way to make sure your PM resume gets selected by companies like Google, Facebook, or Amazon is to focus on the skills they want their product managers to have. And to use keywords which signal that you possess these competencies (e.g. Analysis skills => "Analyzed large datasets to ...").

That approach will both force you to use relevant keywords in your resume and help you write a balanced list of bullet points covering the full spectrum of PM skills. As mentioned in our PM resume and PM cover letter guides, recruiters essentially look for the following attributes in your application:

Technical skills

• Strategy: Building products starts with identifying and prioritising business opportunities. Good PMs therefore need strategy skills to make product decisions.
• UX / UI design: Once an opportunity has been validated the next step is to turn it into a user experience (UX) and a user interface (UI). Good PMs aren't necessarily former designers but they need to be able to contribute to that design phase.
• Coding: Once the product is designed, the engineering team will start building it. Good PMs aren't necessarily former developers but they are technical enough to discuss how the product will be built with engineers. 
• Digital marketing: The product is ready, it’s now time to launch it. Good PMs aren't necessarily former marketers but are familiar with a range of digital marketing practices and channels.
• Data analytics: Once a product has been launched, PMs are in charge of assessing whether it's a success or not. They therefore need to be comfortable setting success metrics, analysing data and writing reports for the other project stakeholders.

Soft skills

• Leadership: Shipping products requires a broad range of skills and teammates (e.g. designers, engineers, marketers, etc.). Good PMs are comfortable leading groups of people over which they don't have direct authority.
• Communication: Product managers spend a good part of their day in meetings and writing emails / instant messages. Good PMs are strong communicators both verbally and in writing.
• Organization: Finally, PMs are usually somewhat involved in making sure the project they work on is delivered on time. Good organizational skills are therefore critical.

Do you need to improve on key product manager skills?

Our PM coaches can help you develop your skills, tackle problems at work, help you get promoted, and turbo-charge your career. Click here to book a 1-to-1 product management coaching session.

Your resume should highlight that you possess the skills we listed above. And here is a list of keywords that will easily enable you to achieve this:

• Developed a product vision and strategy
• Created product personas
• Built a product roadmap
• Conducted a strategic review
• Recommended strategic initiatives
• Designed initial wireframes
• Gathered UX feedback from users
• Researched competitors' UX
• Provided feedback to design team
• Contributed to the development of a design system
• Wrote detailed user stories for engineering team
• Made initial tech difficulty assessments for features
• Negotiated timelines with Lead Engineer / CTO
• Helped make engineering trade-off decisions
• Built front-end / back-end features for app XYZ
• Created value props with marketing team
• Provided feedback on copywriting
• Coordinated launch with marketing team
• Tested five acquisition channels
• Scaled a channel to X number of users
• Set key success metrics
• Measured metrics' improvement
• Performed analysis on large datasets
• Generated actionable insights
• Summarized data findings
• Lead a team
• Aligned stakeholders
• Managed a project
• Took an initiative
• Set a vision
• Communicated next steps
• Summarized a complex situation
• Ran product meetings / reviews
• Presented in front of a large audience
• Wrote product requirement documents
• Delivered a project
• Ran two-week agile sprints
• Organized an event
• Improved shipping cadence
• Optimized a process

You will probably have noticed that all the key phrases above start with an action verb. Using that format consistently for all your bullet points will make it easy for your resume screener to quickly identify that you have the right PM skills. And if you make your resume screener's life easy they are definitely more likely to give you an interview!

To see these different keywords in action, you can download our sample resume as well as our checklist.

PM resume example - download free.

PM resume checklist - download free .

Increase your interview chances in one hour

The example resume and checklist in the form above will be really helpful, but if you really want to increase your chances of being in that small minority of applicants who are called for an interview, consider using our resume review service. Get immediate feedback on what to focus on, how to polish your bullet points, etc.

Related articles:

How to Make Your Resume Stand Out and Get a Dream Job

In today's job market, your resume is your ticket to landing that dream job.

But here's the thing: hiring managers often spend just a few seconds scanning each resume.

So, how do you make sure yours catches their eye?

Don't worry, we've got you covered. We've put together a list of game-changing tips that'll help your resume rise above the rest.

Whether you're a fresh graduate or a seasoned pro, these tricks will give your resume the edge it needs.

Ready to turn those job applications into interview invitations? Let's dive in!

Did you know that most hiring managers spend just 30 seconds scanning a resume before deciding whether to consider it further?

Well, with the right tricks up your sleeve , you can make your resume pop and grab the hiring manager’s attention from the get-go.

So, here are nine tips designed to make those crucial 30 seconds count, ensuring your resume stands out from the crowd!

#1. Understand What the Hiring Managers Are Looking For

To make your resume stand out, you need to get inside the hiring manager's head. What are they really looking for?

It's not just about matching a list of qualifications. They want someone who can solve their problems and add value to their team.

So, start by carefully reading the job description. Look for phrases that highlight the company's needs and priorities, and use them as keywords throughout your resume . Pay attention to the skills they emphasize and the challenges they mention.

Are they looking for a team player? A problem solver? An innovator?

Understanding your potential employer’s needs will help you shape your resume to show you're not just qualified, but you're the solution they've been searching for. 

#2. Tailor Your Resume to the Job Ad

Applying to every job opening with the same resume is a big no-no.

To stand out, you need to customize your resume for each position you apply to. This doesn't mean rewriting your entire work history, but rather highlighting relevant experience and using the right word choice to match the job description.

To tailor your resume, use the information found in the job posting. This shows that you've paid attention to what they're looking for, but it also helps your resume pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS) that many companies use to filter candidates.

For example, if the job ad emphasizes "project management" skills, make sure those words appear in your resume and are backed up by relevant experiences.

Remember, tailoring isn't about changing who you are or exaggerating your skills; it's about highlighting the parts of your experience that best match what this specific employer is seeking.

#3. Focus on Achievements Over Responsibilities

One of the most effective ways to make your resume stand out is to shift from listing job responsibilities to showcasing your achievements .

In most cases, hiring managers know exactly what your responsibilities were in your previous role. So, instead of simply stating what you were supposed to do in a role, highlight what you actually accomplished. 

Just compare the following two examples:

• Responsible for managing social media accounts.
• In charge of managing a team of five.
• Tasked with handling customer inquiries.
• Assigned to oversee budget reports.

This candidate has succeeded in showing the hiring manager they were doing the bare minimum in their previous role, but it’s unlikely this will help their resume stand out.

Do you want to do it right?

Use specific examples and, whenever possible, quantify your achievements with numbers. You should also use action verbs and specific metrics where possible.

Check out the following example:

• Increased Instagram followers by 50% in 6 months, resulting in a 25% boost in website traffic.

And even if you don't have exact numbers, you can still focus on results!

• Streamlined the onboarding process, reducing new hire orientation time by approximately one full day.

#4. Keep It Short and Concise

In the fast-paced professional environment, hiring managers don't have time to read lengthy resumes. The key to getting and keeping their attention is making your resume easy to scan while still including all the important information.

So, how long should your resume be ?

Aim for a one-page resume if you're early in your career and writing a resume for your first job , and only go for two pages if you’re an experienced professional with more than ten years of relevant work history. 

Focus on using clear, concise language and avoid jargon or overly complex words unless they're industry-standard terms.

• Responsible for organizing company events, which involved planning event details, coordinating with vendors, managing the budget, overseeing the event setup and execution, and ensuring that all participants had a positive experience.

To keep it short, cut out any fluff or redundant information. Additionally, try to use bullet points instead of dense paragraphs to make your content more readable.

• Successfully organized and executed company events.
• Planned event details and coordinated with vendors.
• Managed budget and oversaw event setup and execution.
• Ensured positive participant experiences.

Take a look at these free one-page resume templates here!

#5. Use a Professional Template

The visual appeal of your resume matters more than you might think.

A clean, professional-looking resume layout can make a strong first impression and help your application stand out from the stack.

Choose a template that's appropriate for your industry; creative fields might allow for more design elements, while traditional industries often prefer a more conservative look.

Whichever style you choose, make sure it's easy to read and well organized. Additionally:

• Use consistent formatting throughout, including font sizes and styles for headings and body text. 
• Incorporate white space to prevent your resume from looking cluttered.

Novoresume offers a variety of templates for different industries and professional levels. They're created in collaboration with hiring managers, so they can make your resume stand out twice as effectively as other resume templates.

Here’s how our templates compare to a basic word processor template:

#6. Don’t Forget to Proofread

A single typo or grammatical error can be the difference between landing an interview and having your resume tossed aside. That's why proofreading is crucial.

Read your resume out loud to catch awkward phrasing or missing words. Then, read it backward, starting from the bottom. This trick helps you focus on individual words rather than getting caught up in the content.

Additionally, you can ask a friend or family member to look it over too; fresh eyes can spot mistakes you might have missed.

Pay special attention to names, dates, and contact information . A mistake could cost you the opportunity to hear back from an employer.

Typos or grammar mistakes are not the only ones. Take a look at these 10+ bad resume examples to avoid making common pitfalls!

#7. Hire an Expert to Check It

Sometimes, it pays to bring in a professional.

If you're struggling to make your resume stand out or you're applying for a particularly important position, consider hiring a resume expert or career coach .

These professionals have insider knowledge of what hiring managers are looking for . They can help you highlight your strengths, downplay any weaknesses, and ensure your resume is optimized for both human readers and applicant tracking systems.

A professional can also provide objective feedback on your resume's content and design.

While this option does involve an upfront cost, think of it as an investment in your career. A polished, professional resume could lead to better job opportunities and potentially higher salary offers, making the investment well worth it in the long run.

#8. Send It Along With a Cover Letter

While your resume provides a snapshot of your skills and experience, a cover letter allows you to tell your story . Because of that, always send a cover letter with your resume unless the job posting specifically says not to.

Think of it as your chance to show personality, express enthusiasm, and address any potential concerns, like gaps in employment , that your resume might raise. Use your cover letter to highlight a few key achievements from your resume and explain how they relate to the job you're applying for.

Remember to tailor each cover letter to the specific job and company; generic cover letters are easy to spot and often get ignored. A well-crafted cover letter can set you apart from other candidates and make a hiring manager excited to read your resume.

#9. Update it Regularly

It's important to update your resume every few months, even if you're not actively job hunting.

Add new skills you've learned, projects you've completed, or achievements you've earned. This way, when an opportunity arises, you won't be scrambling to remember what you've done in the past year.

Regular updates also help you track your professional growth and identify areas where you might need to develop new skills. If you're in a fast-moving industry, keeping your resume current ensures you're always ready to seize new opportunities.

Plus, reviewing your resume regularly can be a great motivation to seek out new challenges and continue growing in your career. 

Learn about these 99+ resume statistics you should know if you want to land your dream job in 2024.

7 Essential Sections You Need (and Tips on How to Write Them)

A well-structured resume can grab a hiring manager's attention within seconds, potentially securing you an interview.

On the flip side, a poorly organized one might cost you the opportunity, no matter how qualified you are.

The key lies in knowing which sections to include and how to make them shine.

To help you with that, we've prepared a list of the essential sections you need in your resume:

#1. Contact Information

Your contact information is, in a nutshell, how employers can reach you if they’re interested.

Seems simple, right? But you'd be surprised at how many people get this section wrong.

To do it right, start with your full name in a slightly larger font to make it stand out. Include your phone number and a professional email address (stay away from nicknames). Add your location, but just city and state are enough; – no need for a full address.

If relevant to your field, include links to your LinkedIn profile or professional website. For creative professionals, consider adding your portfolio link.

And don't forget to double-check everything – a typo here could cost you an interview.

Name: John Doe

Phone: (555) 123-4567

Email: [email protected]

Location: Springfield, IL

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johndoe

#2. Resume Header

Another key to grabbing the hiring manager’s attention is having an impactful resume header . That can be a resume summary or a resume objective, depending on your level of experience. 

Here’s what each involves:  

• A resume summary is a brief overview of your professional background, key skills, and significant achievements. A good summary should include
• A resume objective , on the other hand, is a statement of your career goals and how you aim to contribute to the role you are applying for. It should contain

Here’s an example of a well-written summary:

• A results-driven marketing professional with over 8 years of experience in developing and executing strategic marketing campaigns. Proven ability to increase brand awareness and drive sales growth through innovative marketing techniques and data-driven decision-making. Skilled in digital marketing, content creation, and market analysis. Known for exceptional communication skills and the ability to lead cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives.

And here is what a good objective looks like:

• Recent graduate with a degree in Data Science seeking a challenging role as a Data Analyst at XYZ Corp. Eager to apply strong analytical skills and proficiency in Python, SQL, and data visualization tools to support data-driven decision-making processes. Committed to leveraging my background in statistics and data modeling to contribute to the company’s success in a dynamic and collaborative environment.

#3. Professional Experience

This is usually the meat of your resume, where you showcase your career journey and professional achievements.

But before you can impress the hiring manager with what you’ve done, you should make sure the section looks good , too. 

Here’s how:

• List your roles in reverse chronological order , starting with your current or most recent position.
• For each role, include the company name, your job title, and dates of employment.
• Highlight key responsibilities and achievements for each role.

Now, here's where you can really shine: use bullet points to highlight your key responsibilities and, more importantly, your achievements.

Additionally, tailor this section to the job you're applying for: list only relevant work experience , emphasizing experiences and achievements most relevant to the new role. Finally, don’t forget to quantify your achievements, whenever you can. 

For example: 

Professional Experience

ABC Corporation, New York, NY Senior Marketing Manager 01/2018 – Present

• Led a team of 10 marketing professionals to execute comprehensive marketing strategies.
• Developed and launched a social media campaign that increased brand awareness by 30%.
• Managed a $500,000 marketing budget, optimizing spend to achieve a 20% increase in ROI.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to create and implement new product launches.

XYZ Inc., Los Angeles, CA Marketing Specialist 06/2014 – 12/2017

• Assisted in the development and execution of digital marketing campaigns.
• Conducted market research and analysis to identify new market opportunities.
• Increased website traffic by 25% through SEO and content marketing strategies.
• Created and managed email marketing campaigns, resulting in a 15% increase in open rates.

#4. Education 

When listing your education , start with your highest degree and work backward.

Include the name of the institution, your degree, and your graduation date.

If you're a recent graduate and have no work experience , you might want to add relevant coursework , academic achievements, or your GPA (if it's impressive). 

However, if you’re further along in your career, keep this section brief; your work experience will likely carry more weight.

In case you have multiple degrees, prioritize accordingly and only add the ones that are most relevant to the position you're applying for.

Don't forget to mention any ongoing education or professional development courses if they're relevant to the job. 

And remember, education isn't just about formal degrees; significant workshops or training programs can be included here too.

Your skills section is your chance to show off your professional toolbox. And hard skills alone aren’t enough - employers are looking for soft skills that are relevant to the job too.

For hard skills, list computer skills , software, tools, or specific techniques you're proficient in. But don't just put "Microsoft Office" – be specific about which programs you excel in.

For soft skills, focus on abilities like organizational skills , communication skills , or problem-solving skills , but be prepared to back these up with examples from your experience.

If you're in a technical field, consider creating a skills matrix that shows your proficiency level in each skill.

Remember to keep it honest; you should be prepared to demonstrate any skill you list here.

This is how a well-written skills section should look like:

Don’t forget to check out our article with 101 essential skills to put on a resume !

#6. Certifications and Training

This section can really set you apart, especially in fields where specific certifications are valued.

List any relevant certifications , licenses, or specialized training you've completed. Include the name of the certification, the issuing organization, and the date obtained (or "In Progress" if you're currently working on it).

If you have many, prioritize the most recent and relevant ones. And if you have certifications that require renewal, make sure to include the expiration date.

This section can be particularly impactful if you're changing careers or if your formal education doesn't directly align with the job you're applying for.

#7. Optional Sections

Depending on your field and experience, you might want to include supplemental sections to strengthen your resume .

These could include:

• Volunteer work. This is especially relevant if you have limited work experience or if it relates to your target job.
• Publications. Listing your papers, books or important essays is great for academic or writing-intensive roles.
• Awards and honors. It's always good to showcase the recognition you've received in your field.
• Hobbies and interests. Mention activities that showcase your personality, skills, or interests that might be relevant to the job.
• Professional affiliations. Mention memberships in industry organizations or associations.
• Projects. It is particularly useful for tech roles or recent graduates.
• Languages. Include any languages you are proficient in, especially if they are relevant to the job you're applying for.

These extras can help paint a fuller picture of who you are as a professional and what you bring to the table.

Just remember to keep your resume concise – only add these if they truly add value to your application.

Does your resume keep getting rejected ? Learn how to fix it with our dedicated article.

16 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even if you put the work in, it's easy to fall into common resume pitfalls that could cost you the job.

These mistakes might seem small, but they can make a big difference in how hiring managers perceive your application.

Let's take a look at some of the most common resume mistakes to steer clear of:

• Using a generic, one-size-fits-all resume for every application.
• Using cliché phrases like "team player" or "hard worker" without backing them up.
• Neglecting to proofread, resulting in typos and grammatical errors.
• Making your resume too long or too short.
• Using an unprofessional email address.
• Including a photo (unless it's standard in your industry or country).
• Lying or exaggerating about your skills or experience.
• Forgetting to include keywords from the job description.
• Using an outdated or overly complicated format.
• Leaving unexplained gaps in your work history.
• Including salary information or not knowing how to list references on your resume .
• Overusing buzzwords or industry jargon.
• Using an unprofessional font or inconsistent formatting.
• Including personal information like age, marital status, or religious affiliations (unless relevant to the job).
• Forgetting to update contact information.
• Using passive language instead of active verbs.

Are you a beginner? Read our dedicated article and learn how to start a resume in 10 easy steps !

Key Takeaways

Before we wrap up, let's recap the most important points to remember when crafting your standout resume.

These are the key takeaways you should always keep in mind:

• Tailor your resume for each job application, using keywords from the job description.
• Focus on achievements rather than just listing job responsibilities.
• Keep your resume concise and easy to scan (1-2 pages maximum).
• Include essential sections: contact information, a strong header, education, professional experience, and skills.
• Update your resume regularly, even when not actively job hunting.
• Avoid common mistakes like using clichés, including irrelevant information, or using an unprofessional email address.

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

• Skip to content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Project Manager Resume Buzzwords

June 22, 2024 by samir

There are internet-based resume services where experts prepare your resume taking into consideration the job you are targeting. However, some people are quite indecisive about hiring some different organism to write their resume over the Internet Project Manager Resume Buzzwords

With the growing  competition and reduction in the amount of decent jobs, more people are moving to professionals to intensify their CVs and increase their chances of employment with reputed employers.

It’s kinda inconvenient that some people are not competent of writing our resumes well enough. But this is not that simple a task where you just list your credentials haphazardly for the employer to seek your information. You need to exploit your strength and concentrate on the details.

Resumes are much more than just a simple table of your previous jobs . You need to find out ways to alter your experience to the demands of the new job and put it in such a way that your strengths are displayed at the top. All of this requires reliable skills and that’s the reason why there are professionals to do this job.

And you can find a person  like that on some accredited online resume services. So if you are really interested in finding  job, then you should seek the services of such online firms. Here are several helpful tips to weed out online resume services :

Before you start your research for such resume writing services, you have to consider how good they really are and you can know that by looking at previous success stories where resumes written by experts at this service have landed someone a real good job. You can also look at some of the samples of different kinds of resumes for different kinds of careers. If you see observable difference between them and if they happen to be credible, then you’ve gone to the right place. But if not, then you have to keep looking  Project Manager Resume Buzzwords

Unique needs ask for unique services. You cannot write a single resume for multiple kinds of jobs. If your field is very uncommon or you have a very high-profile resume then you need to search for a resume writing service that has people experimented in composing with such variety of resumes. For example, army personnel have specific needs and requirements. Even executives at senior positions have certain appendages with their resumes. Senior Executive Service resumes have the required responsibility of including questions about knowledge, skills and abilities. And more importantly, these resumes should at least create some promises like increasing your chances of getting called for an interview. Good companies can also assure you that if you can’t get a job even after a certain period of time, they will rewrite you resume for free.

Staying in touch is also really vital in many relationships. The service is online and so you can interact with them via emails. But if a toll-free number is given to you then you could directly contact your writer and have a direct conversation. In a word, today’s online resume services can really stand out from amongst the rest.

I have gone for the whole internet looking for a decent resume service and I found a good one that can help you. If you’re considering to get any of these services, I highly suggest you to check out an amazing website that has helped me get a lot of jobs with my resume. For more information, click here Project Manager Resume Buzzwords

project management resume buzzwords

The IIL Blog

Thought Leadership in Project Management and Professional Development

125 Project Management Buzzwords

By Dr. Michael Shick, MSPM, PMP, CSM October 18, 2023

Whether you have decades of project management experience or are trying to change career fields, without fluency in industry-specific terms, executives and peers are likely to either overlook your expertise or not draw the connection to your knowledge and professional experience unless they come from a similar background and are part of similar professional  project management organizations .

So, picture this: you are transitioning from your current position into a project management career. In my instance, it was when I was retiring from the military . The industry didn’t matter; it was about translating my work experience into specific project management industry-recognized terms and managing projects.

Whether you are just starting out, developing your project manager resume, or a seasoned professional, mastering the  Project Management Buzzwords  is non-negotiable.

What are the Essential Project Management Buzzwords?

As the project management professional landscape continues to grow, terminology can help you bridge the gap between your past experiences and future roles. It’s not just about showcasing the work you have done; it is about framing it in a language that the industry understands. That’s where our comprehensive list of  Project Management Buzzwords comes into play. Whether you’re tailoring your resume with project management skills , preparing for an interview, seeking to  earn a certification , or simply seeking clarity in meetings, this list of top project management buzzwords should prove to be an invaluable tool.

Acceptance criteria

A set of specific conditions or standards agreed upon between the customer/client and the project team that must be met for a deliverable or project, resulting in the deliverable or project being considered complete or accepted.

An activity is the actual, specific task that must be performed in a project, i.e., the tactical level of work.

Agile Manifesto

The fundamental document that outlines the values and principles of Agile project management.

Agile team 

A cross-functional group of individuals (e.g., Product Owner, Scrum Master, Development team members) who work collaboratively to deliver value in an Agile project.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

A capability of machines that aim to mimic human cognitive functions, such as learning and/or problem-solving.

A list of tasks, features, or requirements to be addressed by an agile project manager or team and is often associated with Agile methodologies.

An original plan for measuring performance and tracking changes.

Benchmarking

Identifying a project performance indicator or practice, then assessing it against industry standards or best practices.

Bottom-up Estimating

A project estimation technique that leverages tactical-level team members/subject matter experts (SMEs) to break down tasks into smaller components to create a more accurate estimate.

Burndown Chart

A tool in Agile project management that tracks the work completed and the work remaining to help teams manage progress.

Business Analysis

A process in which an individual identifies business needs, defines solutions and facilitates change to meet organizational goals.

Business case

An organization will develop a document to justify the investment in a project (i.e., identify items such as benefits and costs).

Capacity Planning

To identify the number of resources (e.g., hours, personnel needed, and/or tasks) to ensure that a project can be completed on time and within budget.

Change Control

A formal process of documenting, reviewing, approving, and managing a change to a project’s scope, schedule, budget, or quality parameters.

Change Management

The approach to plan and implement strategies that guide individuals and organizations through a change (e.g., process, policy, practices, perceptions, etc.) effectively and efficiently.

Change Order

A formal request to modify an agreed-upon project scope, schedule, budget, or quality specification. This is generally initiated by the customer/client or stakeholders.

Change Request

A formal request to change a project’s scope, schedule, resources, or quality specification – is typically submitted for review and formal approval.

Communication Plan

A documented approach to managing project management keywords and delivering project-related information to various internal and external stakeholders.

Conflict Resolution

Addressing and resolving disagreements.  

Constraints

A limitation or restriction that impacts a project.

Continuous Improvement

The ongoing effort to improve a project process, product, or service to achieve better results. Also known as continuous process improvement.

Cost Estimation

The process of estimating project costs is done by leveraging historical data, expert judgment, or quantitative models.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

A method is used to assess a project’s potential benefits compared to its costs to determine if the project is worth doing.

Critical Path Method (CPM)

The critical path method determines the longest sequence of dependent tasks in a project, thereby determining the project’s overall duration from start to completion.

Critical Success Factor

This project management term is an essential element or condition that is vital to project success.

Cross-Functional Team

A group of members with diverse skills and expertise (e.g., engineering, IT, human resources, etc.), often from different departments or areas of specialization.

Daily Standup

A brief, daily meeting in Agile project management where team members discuss their work progress and impediments. It is often synonymous with Daily Huddle and Standup.

Decision Matrix

A structured table to evaluate and prioritize options and factors based on predefined criteria to aid decision-making.

Deliverable

A tangible or intangible product, service, or result is produced in a project.

A relationship between project tasks or activities where the completion of one job depends on the other.

Dependency Mapping

Identifying and documenting the relationships and dependencies between project tasks or activities.

Earned Value Management (EVM)

A systematic approach to project performance measurement assessing schedule and cost performance.

Feasibility Study

An analysis of a project’s viability. The consideration is toward a potential project’s technical, economic, legal, operational, and scheduling factors.

Feature Creep

The unauthorized or uncontrolled addition of new features or requirements to a project often leads to scope changes.

Fishbone Diagram

A visual tool used in root causes analysis to identify a problem or issue; also known as an Ishikawa Diagram and Cause-and-Effect Diagram.

A visual representation of a process or workflow is often used for process analysis and improvement.

Gantt Chart

A horizontal bar chart that displays tasks or activities along a timeline, showing all work packages and/or activities and their dependencies from the start to the end of a project.

A document that tracks and manages project problems, including their status and resolution.

In Agile project management, a timeboxed development cycle typically lasts two to four weeks.

A Japanese term that suggests incremental changes and employee involvement for continuous improvement of a process, product, or service.

Kanban board

A visual tool used in Agile project management to monitor and manage project work.

Key Performance Indicator (KPI)

Key Performance Indicators are quantifiable metrics used to assess employee, project, and organizational performance.

Lean Six Sigma

Combining Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to eliminate defects and waste.  

Lessons Learned

Leveraging the experience and knowledge gained from past projects to inform and improve future project outcomes.

A specific point or event in a project is used to track progress and mark achievements.

A visual representation of interdependent ideas or information is often used for brainstorming or organizing thoughts.

MoSCoW method

A prioritization technique is used to categorize project requirements as “Must-haves,” “Should-haves,” “Could-haves,” or “Won’t-haves.”

Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

A version of a product with minimal features to satisfy customer’s requirements/specifications and gather feedback.

Organizational culture

The shared values, beliefs, and norms shape how individuals and teams operate within a firm.

Pareto chart

A bar chart that displays data in descending order to identify and prioritize the most significant factors or issues. See Pareto Principle.

Pareto Principle

The idea is that a significant majority of effects or consequences (80%) come from a small number of causes (20%). It is also known as the 80-20 rule.

Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) Analysis

A project management methodology calculation is used to schedule, organize, and coordinate tasks within a project by identifying the optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic time to complete an activity.

A project is something that has a definite start and end (i.e., it is finite). It is unique, complex, and interconnected, all to produce a desired outcome. Projects are generally a mechanism for change and may leverage innovation.

Project Management

A discipline that supports the effective management of projects through the project life cycle. This is done by performing work during initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing with a keen focus on meeting customer/client outcomes, and managing the schedule, cost, scope and quality the requirements/specifications.

Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)

A comprehensive guide by the Project Management Institute (PMI) that establishes the standard for project management processes and practices.

Project Management Information System (PMIS)

Provides tools and processes for project management and information sharing on projects.

Project Management Office (PMO)

An organization’s centralized office or department that oversees and supports all organizational project management efforts.

Procurement

Product Backlog

A prioritized list of features, enhancements, and fixes for a product that needs to be accomplished and is often used in Agile product development.

Product Owner

An Agile team member who is responsible for representing the customer/client’s interests and prioritizing features in software development.

Program Manager

A project management term for an individual that oversees and coordinates multiple related projects, ensuring they align with organizational goals and deliver the desired outcomes effectively and efficiently.

Project Charter

A formal document that authorizes a project’s existence and gives the project manager the authority to use organizational resources.

Project Closure

The formal process of closing a project, completing any remaining deliverables, and obtaining stakeholder acceptance.

Project Closure Report

A document summarizing the project’s overall performance, outcomes, and lessons learned.

Project Governance

The framework and guidelines for decision-making, responsibility, and accountability within a project.

Project Initiation

The formal process of defining a new project, including its objectives, scope, purpose, quality, and feasibility.

Project Kickoff

A meeting that is held at the beginning of a project to communicate project goals, objectives, roles, and expectations to the team.

Project Life Cycle

A project management life cycle goes through a series of phases or stages, from initiating to planning, executing, and closing.

Project Plan

A formal document that outlines the scope, objectives, timelines, resources, approach to execution, etc., of a project. May also be called a project management plan.

Project Portfolio Management (PPM)

Centralized management of projects or programs to achieve strategic goals and objectives.

Project Schedule

Project schedules present a timeline that outlines the order and duration of project work packages and activities.

Project Sponsor

An individual or group with the authority to provide oversight, support, and resources for a project and advocate for its success.

Project Team

The individuals who are working together to achieve the project’s objectives.

Quality Assurance

Ensuring that project deliverables and processes meet the customer/client-specified quality standards.

Quality Control

The process of verifying that project deliverables meet the specified quality requirements.

Quality Management

The systematic activities and processes used to manage, maintain, and improve project quality.

RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consult, Inform) Matrix

A matrix that defines what individual or position is responsible and/or accountable for a specific task or activity, and what position or individual should be consulted or informed on the task or activity in a project.

RAID (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies) Log 

A document that tracks and manages project risks, assumptions, issues, and dependencies.

Resource Allocation

Assigning and distributing resources to project individuals, work packages, and activities.

Resource Allocation Matrix (RAM)

A tool that articulates the management and optimizes the allocation of resources across project tasks (e.g., availability, skills, etc.).

Resource Leveling

The process of optimizing resource allocation to balance workloads and avoid overloading team members on a particular work package or activity.

Resource Management

The planning and managing of human, financial, and material resources for a project.

Resource Planning

Identifying and allocating the resources required to complete project activities.

Request for Proposal (RFP)

A formal solicitation of proposals from potential vendors or suppliers to support a project.

Request for Quotation (RFQ)

An official solicitation for a price quote on a specific product or service from potential vendors or suppliers for a project.

Risk Assessment

An evaluation of potential risks to a project, including their probability and impact.

Risk Management

The process of identifying, assessing, prioritizing, and mitigating project risks to increase the likelihood of project success through all phases of a project life cycle.

Risk Matrix

A visual tool that helps assess and prioritize risks based on their likelihood and impact.

Risk Mitigation

The process of implementing actions or strategies to reduce or eliminate the impact of an identified risk.

Risk Register

A document that captures information about identified risks, including their impact, probability, and mitigation plans.

Risk Response Plan

The planned actions and strategies to address identified project risks.

Return on Investment (ROI)

A financial metric that is used to evaluate the financial return generated by an investment (i.e., a project).

Root Cause Analysis

The process of identifying and addressing underlying causes of a problem or issue in a project.

Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

A framework for scaling Agile principles and methods for larger organizations and projects to meet the needs of the customer/client.

The defined boundaries and objectives of a project (i.e., what is and is not included).

Scope Creep

An uncontrolled or unauthorized expansion of the project’s scope, leading to potential delays in the project schedule and increased costs.

A popular Agile framework that emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and iterative progress in project development.

A disciplined, data-driven (i.e., quantitative) approach for eliminating defects and improving process quality.

• Scrum Master

A leader, mentor, and coach who guides development teams in implementing Agile principles and practices to deliver value.

The amount of time that a task or activity can be delayed without impacting the project’s critical path.

SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) Goals

Aids in guiding project planning and execution to ensure success.

Statement of Work (SOW)

A customer/client-generated document that defines the scope, objectives, deliverables, and timelines for a project or contract with the work to be performed.

In Agile project management, a timeboxed development cycle typically lasts two to four weeks. This is when work is performed to meet customer/client requirements.

Sprint Backlog

A prioritized list of tasks or user stories to be completed during a sprint.

Sprint Planning

A meeting that is held at the beginning of a sprint to define the sprint goal and plan the work to be completed.  NOTE:  The development team typically selects the work to accomplish during the sprint.

Sprint Review

A meeting that is held at the end of a sprint to review and demonstrate completed work to stakeholders.

A project management process that divides a project into stages and gates, each with specific deliverables and approval points. Also known as Phase Gate.

• Stakeholder

An individual, group, or organization with an interest or influence in a project or its outcomes. A Stakeholder can be internal or external to the project and organization.

Stakeholder Analysis

Identifying, assessing, and prioritizing stakeholders based on their interests, influence, and impact on the project.

Stakeholder Engagement

The process of involving stakeholders, understanding their needs, and addressing their concerns throughout the project.

Story Points

Relative units of measure are used in Agile project management to estimate the effort or complexity of a task or user story.

SWOT Analysis

An analysis of a project’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats to inform strategic planning.

Allocating a fixed, predefined time period to a development activity or task is often used in Agile project management.

Time Management

The effective management of the schedule throughout the project life cycle (i.e., initiation, lanning, execution, and closing). It is also associated with the PMI knowledge area, Project Time Management, which provides a methodology, and recommends processes and procedure for managing the inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs of associated project management tools.

Top-Down Estimating

A project estimation technique that uses expert judgment and historical data to provide a high-level estimate. Typically accomplished without tactical-level employee involvement.

Triple Constraint

The interdependence of a project’s scope, time, and cost, with quality in the center; often depicted as a triangle to illustrate trade-offs. It is also known as the Iron Triangle.

In Agile project management, a narrative that describes a specific feature or requirement from the end user’s perspective.

Value Stream Mapping

A visual tool used to analyze and optimize the steps and flow of material and information in a workflow process.

In Agile project management, a measure of a team’s productivity based on completed work in a sprint (i.e., the amount of work a team can perform within a predetermined amount of time).

A traditional project management approach that follows a sequential, linear process from initiation through project closure.

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

A hierarchical decomposition of all the work to be performed by the project team (i.e., the total scope of work).

Work in Progress (WIP)

Work package activities that are actively being worked on and need to be completed.

Work Package

A defined portion of work to be performed can be assigned to a team or individual for execution (e.g., purchasing and installing a garage door).

Work Stream

A group of related tasks or activities within a project, often aligned with specific goals or outcomes.

What Is Project Management Buzzwords?

The  Project Management Buzzwords  identified in this article are industry-specific terms that define concepts and serve as shorthand for how project managers and managers convey ideas, tools, or methods. In short, it’s the vernacular glue that holds project management together.

How Can Project Management Buzzwords Benefit You?

Understanding the essential buzzwords and phrases allows you to “talk the talk,” which offers credibility. Additionally, it provides a baseline understanding in which project teams and stakeholders can communicate. Without a knowledge of the foundational industry language, a project manager will likely find that they are at a distinct disadvantage.

This article lists over 120 essential project management terms, which are necessary for a senior project manager to understand and use to convey complex ideas. Whether you are a newcomer or an experienced professional, you must be able to leverage this vocabulary to navigate the field both effectively and efficiently. While these terms ensure clear communication across teams, genuine expertise goes beyond language; it requires applying these concepts in practical scenarios to enable project progress.

Dr. Michael Shick, MSPM, PMP, CSM

Dr. Michael J. Shick, MSPM, PMP, CSM , founder of  ROSEMET , is a combat-wounded warrior and retired senior military officer turned esteemed academic and project management expert. Holding a doctorate from Creighton University and serving as an  Assistant Professor at Western Carolina University , Dr. Shick’s dedication goes beyond credentials, as he commits to empowering individuals and organizations toward project excellence. With an extensive military, academic, and project leadership background, he epitomizes resilience, expertise, and a steadfast devotion to fostering growth and success in others.

Disclaimer: The ideas, views, and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of International Institute for Learning or any entities they represent.

Course Search

Live Virtual Classes

On-Demand Learning

In-Person Classes

Certifications

Online Conferences

Leadership and Innovation

Agile and Scrum

International Project Management Day

Client Solutions

Organizational Learning Solutions

Consulting and Coaching

Tools and Assessments

Center for Grateful Leadership

Global Client Partner Program

IIL Media Solutions

IIL Printing

White Papers

Thought Leadership Newsletter

Worldwide Locations

Awards and Scholarships

Professional Affiliations

Frequently Asked Questions

International Institute for Learning

485 Madison Avenue, 13th Floor New York, NY 10022-5803 +1 (212) 758-0177 +1 (800) 325-1533

Questions and Inquiries: [email protected]

Tech Support: [email protected]

Virtual Learning Support: +1 (212) 515-5100

Administration/Production: +1-(212) 515-5074

• Project Management Scholarships and Awards
• In Person Program Management Courses
• How Effective Project Management Can Enhance...

© 2024 International Institute for Learning. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Acknowledgments

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 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
• 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).

External Image Sources/Attributes: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/robot-model-manufacturing-4363354/, https://www.pexels.com/photo/codes-on-a-screen-1936299/, https://pixabay.com/illustrations/job-search-hr-cv-opportunity-3681036/, https://pixabay.com/photos/cv-flowchart-whiteboard-white-2578872/, https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-gathering-inside-room-1345085/, https://business.linkedin.com/talent-solutions/recruiter

Privacy Overview

Get Change Management Tips & Resources

Enjoy OCM tips, free resources, and change management news delivered to you each month.

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

Project Management Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords

Whether you’re applying for a job as a project manager, scrum master, or project coordinator, you can use the project management resume examples below to build a resume that gets results.

Jobscan users have been hired by:

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. A project management resume should emphasize those abilities.

Suppose you’re interested in a career as a project management professional . In that case, you can create an eye-catching resume by explaining your relevant skills and accomplishments . ‌Of course, like any other industry, you should tailor your resume to the specific position for which you’re applying .

The most effective way to tailor your resume is to use an online tool like Jobscan’s resume scanner . It compares your resume to the job description and tell you which keywords are the most important. The scanner also provides you with a resume score – the higher the score the better your chances of getting a job interview.

With that in mind, below are the seven most common types of project management positions, with sample resumes that work.

Project manager resume example

Project managers are responsible for guaranteeing the successful completion of projects and initiatives in a wide variety of fields. During the course of everyday activities, a project manager will help generate the project, organize its execution, and oversee employee productivity. A product manager resume should highlight skills like time management, interpersonal communication, bookkeeping, and industry-specific knowledge.

IT project manager resume example

An IT project manager specifically handles projects related to information technology. Typical IT project manager duties include identifying potential new projects, coordinating production releases, presenting on the project’s progress, and assigning tasks to the appropriate employees. Resumes for these positions should focus on experience in IT, relevant technology skills, and managerial ability.

Project coordinator resume example

A project coordinator reports to a project manager and helps with the administration of the project. They may handle tasks like evaluating proposals for problems, supervising employees, handling paperwork regarding the project, and managing correspondence and deadlines. A project coordinator resume may focus on administrative skills, interpersonal abilities, and industry experience.

Scrum master resume example

A scrum master is a type of project manager who uses Agile techniques to quickly and effectively achieve their goals. Agile is an approach that focuses on an iterative process to attain important goals. Scrum masters focus on guiding short, two-week work periods with frequent check-ins among the team and determining immediate goals. A scrum master resume will focus on previous experience in Agile workspaces and previous successful projects.

Construction project manager resume example

Also called commercial construction project managers, people in these positions are responsible for building and completing construction projects. Elements that they oversee include acquiring permits, communicating with the client, following local and federal building codes, and staying within budget. A construction project manager’s resume will consist of experience in the construction industry and certifications and education on the specific type of structure.

Senior project manager resume example

Senior project managers are responsible for their projects throughout the process, from planning to hiring, budgeting, and completion. A senior project manager will oversee a management team, set deadlines, facilitate communication, source suppliers, and provide high-level feedback. Seniors project management resumes highlight previous project management experience and successes, along with general managerial skills and industry knowledge.

Agile project manager resume example

Agile project managers use Agile philosophies to guide projects, much like scrum masters. While a scrum master focuses on an individual team, an Agile project manager is responsible for the larger project and coordination between smaller groups. Agile project managers manage multiple concurrent problems that are all running through the Agile iterative process simultaneously. Their resumes should list experience and success as a scrum master, along with interpersonal and time management skills.

Hiring managers don’t have time to read every resume individually. Instead, they use tools that scan your resume for resume skills their company needs, like “negotiation” or “budget management.” Including more project management resume keywords in your application, like the ones listed below, can help you get spotted by the people behind the process:

Top project manager keywords

• Verbal communication
• Time management
• Team management
• Organization
• Negotiation
• Research skills
• Technical writing
• Budget management
• Conflict management
• Reporting skills
• Policy knowledge
• Problem-solving
• Adaptability
• Interpersonal skills
• Active listening
• Stress tolerance
• Project management software
• Prioritization
• Critical thinking
• Detail-oriented

Free resume builder by Jobscan

Use Jobscan's resume builder to build and download an ATS-friendly resume for free - really.

Having the skills to keep a project on track makes you a valuable addition to many companies. If you can guide a major project and keep everyone organized, you’ll be well-compensated for your work. Here are the median salaries for five popular project management roles in the U.S.:

Salary expectations for popular project management roles

There are two ways to get into project management:

• Some people enter the field after getting experience as a general manager in the industry for which they want to manage projects. They demonstrate their management skills and industry knowledge and get promoted into a project manager role.
• The other path is to get a bachelor’s or master’s degree in project management. These degrees offer dedicated classes on the details of managing large tasks. A project management degree may focus on projects in specific industries, or it may focus on the subject in general.

‌ Whether or not you have a degree in project management, you will likely need a bachelor’s degree to enter the field. You can also refine your knowledge by getting certifications and continuing education credits in project management.

For example, the Project Management Institute offers the Project Management Professional credential you can add to your resume. Suppose you want to enter the field—but you don’t yet have experience. In that case, this is a more accessible alternative to getting a new degree.

Project Management Resume Keywords in 2023 (With Expert Tips)

• POSTED ON August 26, 2023
• by Marcjean Yutuc

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.

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
• Written communication
• Public speaking
• “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
• Decision making
• “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.

• “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.”

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.

• 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.

• 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.”

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)

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

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

Browse all categories, related posts, your print on demand success guide for 2024, how to start freelancing with zero experience, top 10 lead magnet ideas that convert, 20+ best business online courses with certificates [2023], what are the four major goals of psychology.

Be the first to get the newest articles!

Get free articles weekly and put your skills on turbo mode. Subscribe with your email today.

Look out for useful articles and resources delivered straight to your inbox.

Looking for a solution to discover, change, or advance your career?

Get all access pass for only $15/month and unlock 4,000+ online video courses today..

SKILLSUCCESS.com 2024 All rights reserved

Online courses.

Software Tutorials

Personal Development

Career Development

Become an Instructor

Support FAQs

Create An Account

All Access Pass

Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

SKILLSUCCESS.com 2022 All rights reserved

Join our newsletter and get your first course free!

Congratulations! You get one free course of your choice. Please check your email now for the redemption code.

Subscribe For Success!

Get fresh content every week to upgrade your skills today!

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.

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)

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.

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.

Share the love Share this content

• Opens in a new window WhatsApp
• Opens in a new window LinkedIn
• Opens in a new window Reddit
• Opens in a new window Facebook
• Opens in a new window X
• Opens in a new window Pinterest

You Might Also Like

Checklist: Job Applications for Employment [Step-by-Step Guide]

Pascal Developer Resume Samples

Update Resume 2021: How Do I Update My Resume?

How to Create A Professional Resume With NO Writing Experience

What’s The Main Difference Between a CV vs Resume

LinkedIn Job Search Tutorial – How To Use LinkedIn To Find A Job

Leave a reply cancel reply.

• Resume Template
• Cover Letters
• Interview Questions

Learn what project management is, explore which project management keywords to include on your resume and how to add them effectively and review an example.

Whether you’re tailoring your resume with project management skills , preparing for an interview, seeking to earn a certification, or simply seeking clarity in meetings, this list of top project management buzzwords should prove to be an invaluable tool.

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.

Look to the Resume Checklist below to investigate how Project Management, Technical, and MS Office match up to employer job descriptions. Collaboration, Customer Service, and Scheduling represent a very decent share of skills found on resumes for Project Manager with 26.22% of the total.

Whether you’re applying for a job as a project manager, scrum master, or project coordinator, you can use the project management resume examples below to build a resume that gets results.

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.

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.

Here are some common project management buzzwords that you can use in your job search in 2023/2024: Agile. Analytical. Assertive. Assessing outcomes. Assessing progress. Attention to detail....