How to Build a Project Manager Resume
Project managers work in a variety of fields. Essentially their job is to manage a project's human resources and finances so that the project is completed within deadline and cost estimates. This is why showcasing to employers that you possess the capability to manage a team and see a project implemented will be most important. One of the first opportunities you have to sell your abilities is with your resume.
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Instructions
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Choose a resume format. Chronological resumes list your work experiences in chronological order from your current position back to your earliest relevant position. This type of resume is great if you have had prior project management experience. Functional resumes focus more on your skills than on job titles or dates, so this resume is great for someone making a career change into project management.
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Research the project management industry for keywords. Scan job descriptions for project managers on sites such as CareerBuilder.com, Monster.com or HotJobs.com and extract keywords featured in the project management job postings. For example, "deadline oriented" is a popular project manager keyword phrase; incorporate this term, as well as other relevant keywords, into your prior job descriptions to show employers that you meet the qualifications for the job.
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Match your career objective with the objective of the company you are targeting with your resume. Research the company's mission statement, which is usually found on its website, and reflect in your own words your shared mission through your resume objective.
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Write about your core competencies in your job descriptions, especially the ones that demonstrate your skills as a successful project manager or leader. Companies want to read about the skills and expertise you can potentially bring to them to help them achieve their goals. They want to know how experienced you are in motivating teams, managing customer expectations, managing company expectations, meeting deadlines and staying within budget constraints.
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Proofread. Reread your resume several times to ensure that you are not sending it to employers with mistakes on it. Project managers are detail-oriented professionals, and human resource managers will expect to read an error-free professional resume that reflects that attention to detail.
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Tips & Warnings
Sending out mass generic resumes is not as effective as taking the time to customize each resume. Research each company that you plan to approach for employment. Your resume should reflect that company's culture, values and mission. This research will also help you when you write your cover letter.
