Project managers lead the planning, documentation, execution, and close of a project that might span multiple functions, business units, and geographies. If you are a project manager or considering a career in project management, your resume should focus on the following facts:
- Your experience as a team leader and your ability to interact with people from other areas. Few projects are self-contained and even fewer are led and executed by one person. Your ability to lead cross-functional and cross-geographic teams is important.
- Your education and certifications. In addition to formal education (and many colleges offer a degree in project management), a certification from the Project Management Institute provides assurance that you are able to work with many different projects and employers. Your career may also benefit from certifications in techniques or programs such as lean manufacturing or agile management practices.
- Specific achievements as a project manager or lead. You should be able to produce numbers: for example, hours saved; costs reduced; revenue generated; and size of budgets controlled. Part of a project manager’s job is to forecast and track numbers. You should share the problems you were facing, and what it took to overcome them. If you have been a long-time project manager, you may forget current information when you move on to a new project, so begin now to record it.
- Technology you have handled. Most projects involve some form of technology, whether for documenting the project itself or for solving a business problem (for example, implementing Customer Relationship Management or Salesforce software). Your credentials in using or implementing software are important.
- Evidence of analytical and communication skills. Because you are solving business problems, you must be able to analyze the situation and the best solution, given the resources available. You may need to convince others that your analysis is correct and you will certainly need to communicate any positive or negative results along the way.
Project management is an excellent career, with opportunities in many industries. You want your resume to be focused enough to appeal to the companies where you are applying and broad enough to show your expertise to advantage. Contact Robin’s Resumes® today for a resume that will accomplish both those goals.