Project Manager CV Example & Writing Guide

A project manager CV is one of the most important ingredients for securing a job in this highly competitive field. However, it must be written well; rather than focusing only on your skills or past experiences, it must emphasise your achievements and back them up with measurable results.

In this article, we will share some writing tips for a project manager CV, provide a few excellent examples, and give you a checklist to help you avoid the most common mistakes.

What Employers Look For in a Project Manager CV

In a project manager CV, employers look for: 

However, the most important part is focusing on achievements and results whenever possible; recruiters appreciate seeing concrete evidence of your value as an employee. 

Furthermore, key certifications, like PRINCE2, can significantly boost your chances. After all, they prove your expertise, and also show that you’re willing to go a step further to obtain the knowledge and skills you need to further your career.

Project Manager CV Examples

The following project manager CV examples will illustrate what this type of document should look like for three different career levels:

Let’s take a look:

Entry-Level/Junior Project Manager CV Example

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Mid-Level Project Manager CV Example

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Senior Project Manager CV Example

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How to Write a Project Manager CV: 8 Important Tips and Sections

To write a project manager CV, you should choose the right format, create a powerful personal statement, showcase key skills, include your detailed work experience, and add education and certifications. Don’t forget to also tailor it to the job description, match it with the cover letter, and include additional sections if necessary.

Now, let’s examine these tips in more detail:

#1. Choose the Right CV Format (ATS-Friendly)

The best project manager CV format is reverse chronological, as is the case with application documents for most professions. This format is the most common and easiest to follow because it lists your past professional and academic experiences starting from the most recent and relevant one.

Furthermore, the reverse chronological format is particularly ATS-friendly, so it increases your chances of passing the scan. 

Here are some other ways to optimise your CV for ATS scans:

#2. Write a Powerful Personal Statement

A powerful personal statement will capture the recruiter's attention and outline the most important facts about you in 4–5 lines. However, since the space is so limited, you need to make sure every word counts.

The best way to go about writing a personal statement is by relying on the following formula:

So, in practice, this formula might look like this:

#3. Showcase Key Project Management Skills

Project management skills should be listed as bullet points in the skills section, where recruiters can easily find and review them. Generally speaking, you should include 6–10 entries (though more are welcome), starting with hard skills before moving on to soft ones.

So, key hard skills to add to a project manager CV are:

On the other hand, these are some soft skills to include:

#4. Write Your Experience Section Like a Project Plan

The work experience section is one of the most important parts of a CV, so you need to pay special attention to the content and its organisation. It’s not enough to write where you worked and for how long; recruiters need to be convinced that your contributions were significant.

That’s why you should include bullet points with your achievements under each entry, detailing your actions and the result. Since they have to be short, make sure they’re impactful; use action verbs and numbers to support your claims.

Here’s what an effective work experience section should look like:

#5. Include Education & Certifications the Smart Way

The education section should go underneath work experience, unless you’re a recent graduate with more academic achievements than career-related ones. In that case, feel free to place this section first.

Education should include two of your most recent degrees, along with the name of the institution where you obtained them. 

Typically, the education section on a project manager CV looks like this:

As for certificates, it’s best to add them in a separate section, where they’ll stand out to the recruiters immediately. Here, you should mention the most relevant credentials you possess, such as PRINCE2, a standard for project managers in the UK.

Here’s how you can add certificates to your application:

#6. Tailor Your CV to the Job and Industry

A generic CV rarely brings success, as it doesn’t stand out or address the requirements mentioned in the job description. In other words, even if you possess the necessary skills and experience, they’re likely to go unnoticed if you don’t tailor your application.

This shouldn’t be too difficult: read the job description carefully and identify the keywords, such as particular skills, years of experience, and other requirements. Then, sprinkle these throughout your CV to make it more specific.

#7. Add Additional Sections to Boost Your CV

Once you’ve added the core sections mentioned above, you can include additional sections if you believe they may contribute to your application.

Here are some to consider:

#8. Match Your CV With the Cover Letter

There’s little space in your CV to elaborate on your skills and experiences, so your cover letter can be used to fill in some of the gaps. For example, you can give more details about your most significant achievements that you’ve only mentioned in the CV.

However, keep in mind that cover letters can’t be too long, either; most contain 4–5 paragraphs, which is just enough to fill one page. 

Simple Checklist to Help You Avoid Common Mistakes in a Project Manager CV

To help you avoid common mistakes in a project manager CV, we’ll share a simple checklist you can refer to when writing or proofreading the document:

Create a Job-Winning CV Within Minutes

If you need additional help creating your project manager application, use our CV builder for assistants. Simply enter your information in the required fields, select an appropriate CV template, and choose a design; your document will be ready for submission within 15 minutes.

Final Thoughts

With our guide, you should be able to write a compelling project manager CV and submit it to recruiters in no time. Remember to focus on your achievements and results, and mention your organisational and communication skills; these are crucial for a good project manager.

For more inspiration, consult our CV examples. We offer a wide range of options for various industries, ensuring you’ll find something that suits your needs as well.

Project Manager CV FAQ

#1. What’s the best format for a PM CV?

The best format for a PM CV is a reverse chronological format; this is the most widely used format because it presents information in a logical and easy-to-follow manner. We recommend sticking to it, as most employers expect to see it when reviewing candidates’ applications.

#2. What are the must-have skills for a project manager CV?

The must-have skills for a project manager CV are project planning, budget management, knowledge of project management methodologies, communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and adaptability.

#3. Do I need PRINCE2 to apply for UK project manager jobs?

You don’t need PRINCE2 to apply for UK project manager jobs, but this certificate can significantly improve your employability. Most employers consider it highly valuable, even in jobs that don’t explicitly require it.

#4. What tools should be listed in a project manager CV?

In a project manager CV, you should list tools like Asana, ClickUp, Trello, and similar software for scheduling, collaboration, tracking, and task delegation. These are usually programmes that project managers use in their daily operations, so you should be well-versed in them.

#5. How long should a project manager CV be?

A project manager CV should be 1–2 pages long, no more. In that sense, it’s not different from applications for other positions; they are all similar in terms of length and formatting.