Your program manager resume should demonstrate your ability to plan, execute, and deliver complex and interrelated projects. It must highlight your methodologies, tools, and certifications, as well as your relevant program management, technical, and soft skills.
Learn our tips and tricks for writing a resume that displays your skills and experience as a program manager so you can showcase your value and expertise to potential employers.
When writing a resume as a program manager, it’s important to include the following sections:
Remember to tailor your resume to the specific job you’re applying for, and use a template that is easy to read and visually appealing.
This one is fairly straightforward — give your full name, phone number, email address, location, and a link to your online professional profile. Ensure your contact information is current so that potential employers can contact you for an interview.
Your Name
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
City, State Abbreviation Zip Code
A resume profile is a short section at the top of your resume that summarizes your main qualifications and goals as a project manager. It should capture the attention of the recruiter or employer and convince them to read the rest of your resume. A resume profile can be either a summary or an objective, depending on your level of experience and career aspirations.
It should include the following elements:
Here is an example of a resume summary for a program manager:
A results-driven Program Manager with significant experience in top consulting firms like McKinsey & Company and Accenture. Holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, a Master of Science in Project Management from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from UC Berkeley. Proven track record in strategic planning, budgeting, stakeholder management, and leading efficient projects; boosted program efficiency by 25% and reduced project costs by up to 15%, validating adeptness at financial tracking. Holds key certifications such as PMP, CSM, and PgMP that underscore strong project and program management skills.
Using key skills in your program manager resume is important because it helps you stand out from other candidates and demonstrates to potential employers what you’re bringing to the table. A program manager is expected to possess a blend of technical proficiency, analytical skills, be an effective communicator, and show strong team leadership. By highlighting these skills in your resume, you can show potential employers that you have the qualifications they are looking for and that you are a good fit for the job.
It also helps your resume clear the bar of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) which screen and filter resumes based on specific keywords and skills.
Hard Skills | Soft Skills |
---|---|
Data analysis | Communication |
Financial acumen | Conflict resolution |
Resource allocation | Decision making |
Risk management | Leadership |
Stakeholder Management | Motivation |
When crafting your program manager resume, incorporating strong action verbs is essential to highlight your accomplishments and demonstrate your impact
To use action verbs effectively in your resume, you should:
Here are ten common action verbs that are effective in the program management industry:
Action Verbs | |
---|---|
Collaborated | Communicated |
Coordinated | Developed |
Evaluated | Implemented |
Led | Managed |
Negotiated | Optimized |
The professional experience section of a program manager resume is where you showcase your previous work experience, the skills you have gained from it, and the impact you had in that position. This section should include the name of the company, your job title, the dates of your employment, and a brief description of your responsibilities and accomplishments. It’s important to tailor your professional experience section to the specific job you are applying for and highlight the skills that are most relevant to that position.
Professional Experience
Senior Program Manager, McKinsey & Company, Boston, Massachusetts
January 2021 – Present
Project Manager, Accenture, San Francisco, California
June 2018 – December 2020
Incorporating specific numbers, percentages, and measurable outcomes into your resume can help prospective employers get a clear understanding of the impact of your contributions. By providing measurable results, you not only validate your achievements but also offer concrete evidence of your talent and skill set.
Tailoring your resume to the job listing is a great way to show the employer that you are a good fit for the role. To ensure that your resume matches the wants and expectations of the hiring manager, you should read the job description carefully and identify the main skills, qualifications, and responsibilities the employer is looking for. Use the same keywords and phrases that the employer used in the job description throughout your resume. For example, if the job description mentions “agile methodologies,” use the same term in your resume instead of “scrum” or “kanban.”
Review your resume and highlight the most relevant experiences and achievements that match the job requirements. Adjust your resume summary or objective to reflect your main selling points for the specific role. Mention how you can contribute to the employer’s goals and what makes you stand out from other candidates.
Making up for a lack of experience on your program manager resume can be challenging but not impossible. There are some strategies you can use to showcase your skills and potential, even if you don’t have much relevant work history. Here are some tips for things to include on your resume or to pursue to beef it up:
The education and certifications you should include on your program manager resume depend on your level of experience, the requirements of the job, and the relevance of your education and certifications to the program management field. If you have a bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field, such as business, management, engineering, or computer science, you should list it on your resume under the education section. You should include the name of the institution, the degree, and the year of graduation within the last 10 years. If you have a high GPA, you can also mention it.
If you have a degree in an unrelated field, you can still list it on your resume, but you may want to emphasize your relevant coursework, projects, or extracurricular activities.
If you have any professional certifications that demonstrate your program management skills and knowledge, you should list them on your resume under the certifications section. You should include the name of the certification, the issuing organization, and the year of completion. If the certification is still valid, you can also mention the expiration date.
You should only include certifications that are relevant to the program management field or the specific job you are applying for. You should also make sure that your certifications are up to date and recognized by the industry.
Master of Science in Project Management, Graduated December 2023
Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
Master of Business Administration, Graduated May 2020
Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Graduated June 2018
University of California, Berkeley
Certification
Your Name
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
City, State Abbreviation zip code
A results-driven Program Manager with significant experience in top consulting firms like McKinsey & Company and Accenture. Holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, a Master of Science in Project Management from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from UC Berkeley. Proven track record in strategic planning, budgeting, stakeholder management, and leading efficient projects; boosted program efficiency by 25% and reduced project costs by up to 15%, validating adeptness at financial tracking. Holds key certifications such as PMP, CSM, and PgMP that underscore strong project and program management skills.
Senior Program Manager, McKinsey & Company, Boston, Massachusetts
January 2021 – Present
Project Manager, Accenture, San Francisco, California
June 2018 – December 2020
Master of Science in Project Management, Graduated December 2023
Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
Master of Business Administration, Graduated May 2020
Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Graduated June 2018
University of California, Berkeley
ResumeTemplates offers free, HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.