IT Project Manager Resume Example
Starting a career as an IT project manager gives you the chance to gain experience in coordinating project teams and monitoring IT budgets. For a successful IT project manager application, you'll want to submit a professional resume that showcases your relevant skills. In this article, we'll outline how to write a winning resume to boost your chances of success in your IT project manager applications.
After reading this article, you'll feel confident creating an IT project manager resume that effectively showcases your relevant skills and experience. The article will take you through the key steps of creating a resume that presents your key skills, qualities and career achievements in a format that employers favor. It will also help you tailor your resume according to your unique skills and experience level. Read on to access expert insights from Jobseeker that will help you create a winning IT project manager resume.
Main elements of an IT project manager resume
The key sections to include in an IT project manager resume are similar to those for any role or profession.
A functional or skills-based resume format might be best for applications where you have little or no relevant IT project manager experience. This layout prioritizes your skills and education sections above your work experience. Furthermore, a junior resume is more likely to focus on soft and transferable skills, as well as relevant training, internships and volunteer roles.
Work experience is typically the most important resume section for IT project manager applicants with some prior experience. As such, it's best to use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format. Use your work experience section to highlight your career achievements and show how you meet the job description. Offer evidence of the impact you had on successful outcomes for the company.
As a highly experienced candidate, you'll want your IT project manager resume to showcase your depth of relevant work experience, as well as other achievements. Use a reverse-chronological format and add additional sections to prove you're a strong candidate. Some elements to include in a senior resume for maximum impact might include awards, publications, conference presentations or professional memberships. By adding these sections, it's likely that your resume will be longer than a junior resume.
How you choose to present your resume is up to you. There are plenty of options for a professional resume layout and format, but every application should include the following:
Resume Header
The resume header is the place to add your name and contact details, along with your LinkedIn URL if you have a profile, so employers can find more information about your career journey and skills. You don't typically need to add a photo, or any other personal information to this section. Make your resume header clear, concise and as brief and compact as possible. Consider different layouts that spread the information horizontally across the page rather than using a different line for each piece of information.
Opt for a professional-looking email address based on your name. If your email address could be construed as unprofessional or inappropriate because it contains nicknames or unsuitable language, create a new, more professional email address for your job applications. Always check your contact details to make sure they're up-to-date before you send your resume.
Ella Robinson
ella.robinson@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
10 Downing Street, London, CA
linkedin․com/in/ella–robinson123
Resume Profile
Your resume personal profile is a short, concise paragraph to highlight two or three key skills and achievements in IT project manager roles. You may also see this section named as 'resume summary' or 'resume objective'. Resume summaries tend to focus on your career experience, while resume objectives cover your ambitions and plans for the future. However, make sure you keep your resume summary short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description.
Alternatively, use this summary to introduce your personal career ambitions and explain why IT project manager roles are a good fit for you at this stage of your career.
A good resume summary is short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description, with evidence to back it up. It will also help the reader to form their first impressions of you by providing an insight into your personality and unique qualities. The graphic below showcases some good examples of what to include in your IT project manager resume summary.
Good example:
Experienced IT Project Manager with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management. Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams to deliver complex IT projects on time and within budget. Skilled in project planning, risk management, stakeholder communication, and process improvement. Adept at leveraging technology to drive business solutions and enhance operational efficiency
Bad example:
Worked in IT with some experience in managing projects and teams. Have a degree related to technology. Led groups to finish projects on time and within budget. Familiar with planning, managing risks, talking to people involved, and improving processes. Used technology to help with business needs and make things run smoother
Conversely, an ineffective resume summary would include generic, unspecific information on your skills and experience, while failing to provide any useful information on what makes you a unique and interesting candidate. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your IT project manager resume summary.
Work History
In the next section, list your employment history focusing on the most relevant previous roles and achievements that showcase your IT project manager skills. Include any relevant jobs you've held in reverse-chronological order. Start with your current or most recent roles and work back through previous roles. For each job, list your title, the name of the company, its location and the dates you worked there.
For each job listed in this section, add some bullet points so the employer can understand the skills you developed, and your achievements. Focus on showcasing the impact you made on the organization, and show evidence of how you made a difference.
A good resume work experience section includes your most relevant previous jobs and highlights your key achievements in each role. To make the best possible impression on hiring managers, make sure each entry in your work experience section references skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you added value to each role with quantifiable evidence and outcomes. Review some strong examples of resume work experience sections in the graphic below.
Good example:
IT Project Manager, January 2022 - Present
TechNova Solutions, Lincoln
- Led a cross-functional team to deliver a $2M software project on time and 15% under budget, enhancing system performance
- Implemented Agile methodologies, reducing project cycle time by 30% and improving team productivity by 25%
- Successfully migrated 100+ legacy applications to a cloud platform, achieving 99.9% uptime and 20% cost savings annually
Bad example:
IT Project Manager, January 2022 - Present
TechNova Solutions, Lincoln
- Managed team projects to improve efficiency and deliver solutions
- Oversaw various IT initiatives to enhance operations
- Coordinated with departments to achieve project goals
In the graphic above, you'll see some examples of less effective resume work experience sections. Less effective resume work experience sections might take a more vague, descriptive approach to previous jobs. They focus on responsibilities and everyday duties rather than referencing career achievements and the value you've added for previous employers.
Educational Achievements
Under education, add details of any degrees or professional qualifications relevant to IT project manager roles.
Typically, working as an IT project manager requires a university or college degree, which you'll need to list on your resume. If you're working in this sector, it's usually a good idea to highlight your Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management degree or other relevant qualifications. Focus on qualifications that showcase your project management software or agile methodologies.
List every relevant qualification, including the name and level of the course, the name of the school, college or university, its location and your graduation date. Include bullet points to show any specialist modules you studied, awards or exceptional grades and achievements that can set you apart from other candidates. These will all contribute to creating a positive impression on employers.
If you took part in any volunteering or you were a leader or member of any university societies, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management, 2017 - 2020
Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Hard and Soft Skills
The skills section is one of the main ways to show employers you've got the skills required for IT project manager roles. Whether your skills include agile methodologies, leadership qualities or any other useful skills for the role, you'll want to list them here. Once more, review the job description and pick out any key IT project manager skills listed that match yours. Focus on these skills and any other key transferable skills that make you a strong candidate for the job.
How to include hard skills on your IT project manager resume
Hard skills are the key technical skills required for IT project manager positions. They include specific industry knowledge and abilities that you could learn on the job, or through a specialist qualification. Furthermore, these skills are essential for an IT project manager resume as they showcase your expertise in the field. It's best to aim for four or five key hard skills that match the job description. These can really showcase your suitability for the job.
For an effective resume hard skills section, focus on the technical skills that are most essential in the job description, and that match your specific expertise. Some examples of the best hard skills for an IT project manager resume are listed below.
- Project management software
- Agile methodologies
- Cloud computing
Listing soft skills on your IT project manager resume
Your soft skills are the core qualities and personal characteristics that make you a good employee. They tend to apply to multiple professions and jobs, though the soft skills you'll require may change as you move from junior to senior positions. Indeed, as the nature of work changes, soft skills are growing in importance, so make sure you include them in your resume. Aim to include approximately five soft skills that reflect the skills listed in the job description.
An effective IT project manager resume soft skills section should be targeted to include skills that reflect your personality and unique characteristics, while also matching the job description. The graphic below includes some examples of good resume soft skills.
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Leadership qualities
Licenses and Certifications
Your certifications section is the place to mention any relevant professional IT project manager certifications, licenses or qualifications. These could be professional accreditations and licenses, or certifications that improve your level of suitability for the position. Therefore, add any professional licenses or certifications, along with valid dates that show they're still valid.
Below you can find several examples of certifications for an IT project manager resume:
- PMP Certification, 2022
- PRINCE2 Practitioner, 2022
- Certified ScrumMaster, 2022
Jobseeker Tip:
Optional Resume Sections
There are several additional sections you could add to an IT project manager resume, to improve your chances of success. Take a look at the sections below and add any that help you show how and why you're right for the job.
Hobbies and Interests
Add any hobbies and interests that reinforce your credentials for the position. They also help to show a different side of your personality, and can help your resume create a more memorable impression on hiring managers. If you're short on real world work experience, hobbies and interests can be a useful way of providing more information about your qualities. If you're thinking about adding hobbies and interests, just make sure they add something unique to your application, and showcase your personality and interests in unique and interesting ways.
Volunteering
This section can be valuable for an IT project manager resume, if you've done any voluntary work that showcases your relevant skills. Add any voluntary roles, including your position, the name of the organization, the dates of your voluntary work and a brief explanation of your responsibilities and achievements.
References
References aren't a standard IT project manager resume section, but employers do sometimes ask for them. Check the job advert and only include them if requested. Only include referees that you've had prior approval from, and notify them to expect contact from the employer.
References are available upon request.
Best action words for your IT project manager resume
Action words can help illustrate to the hiring manager the difference you made in each of your previous jobs. Choose from the list of words below to make the best possible impression.
- Manage
- Coordinate
- Lead
- Implement
- Oversee
- Strategize
- Optimize
- Facilitate
- Negotiate
- Deliver
Jobseeker's clean, attractive resume formats can help your applications make a strong impression on employers. Check them out for help designing a winning resume, and see our cover letter templates to help win over recruiters and hiring managers.
Sample IT project manager resume
Now that you know everything that needs to go into your IT project manager resume, let's review an example resume that you can use as a guide when creating your own:
10 Downing Street, London, CA
•
ella.robinson@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/ella–robinson123
Experienced IT Project Manager with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management and a proven track record as a Senior IT Project Manager. Skilled in overseeing complex projects, managing cross-functional teams, and ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery of IT solutions. Expertise in project planning, risk management, stakeholder communication, and process improvement. Adept at leveraging industry best practices to drive project success and enhance organizational performance
Senior IT Project Manager
2020
-2022
TechWave Solutions (Wichita)
- Successfully led a $5M enterprise software upgrade, improving system efficiency by 30% and reducing downtime by 40%
- Managed cross-functional teams to deliver a cloud migration project 2 months ahead of schedule and 10% under budget
- Spearheaded cybersecurity initiative, resulting in a 50% decrease in security incidents and a 25% increase in compliance rates
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management
2017
-2020
University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa)
Project management software
Agile methodologies
Cloud computing
Communication skills
Problem-solving abilities
Leadership qualities
PMP Certification
PRINCE2 Practitioner
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Do's and don'ts of an IT project manager resume
Simple tips for creating a winning resume
- Use reverse-chronological order for your work and education, starting with your most recent employment and education.
- Tailor your resume to the job you're applying for by consulting the job description and using keywords throughout your document.
- Aim for a brief, concise IT project manager resume. One page is ideal for junior roles, while two pages are more suitable for senior positions.
- Use action words that show how you've made an impact in different IT project manager jobs (e.g. coordinate, strategize, negotiate).
- Quantify your accomplishments by providing evidence that shows the impact you've made in your career.
Keep away from these common resume mistakes
- Don't use jargon or acronyms that can make your IT project manager resume more difficult to read.
- Don't include hobbies unless you're light on work experience and they help you prove a skill required for the job.
- Don't crowd your IT project manager resume with too many unnecessary details. Focus on only the most critical skills and achievements.
- Don't use passive language because it's less engaging for the reader. Change phrases like 'the target was exceeded' to 'I helped the team exceed the target'.
- Don't lie or exaggerate the details of your IT project manager career or education, as this can backfire later in the recruitment process.
How to make your resume ATS compliant
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are increasingly taking responsibility for the management and processing of job applications, helping hiring practices to become more efficient. This can include screening resumes by scanning and ranking each application according to how closely it matches the job description. When you're writing your IT project manager resume, there are several things you can do to make sure your resume stands the best chance of passing the ATS stage.
Create an ATS-optimized resume by following these quick tips:
- Use a traditional resume layout, such as a reverse-chronological or functional format. This will mean your resume includes all the necessary sections, in the expected order.
- Add keywords throughout your resume that help ATS software match your application to the job description. A higher match means your application is more likely to proceed to be reviewed by human eyes.
- Using clear, simple headings makes it easier for an ATS application to scan your resume, as it can easily identify what's in each section of your document.
- Utilize a clean, clear resume design that helps make your content more readable. Use simple fonts and subtle color accents and design elements that don't detract from the written content.
- Use concise language to keep the length of your resume to between one and two pages. This will make it easier to scan for ATS applications.
If you need help creating a professional resume, take a look at our expert career articles and variety of resume examples created by careers experts.
FAQs for an IT project manager resume
Now that you know how to write a professional IT project manager resume, you might also want to learn how to write an accompanying cover letter that makes a similar impact.
Before you write your cover letter, think about whether you need a formal, professional letter or if a brief, less formal email might be more suitable.
If you decide you want to write a traditional cover letter, follow the standard letter-writing conventions around layout and structure. In the main body of the letter, write an opening paragraph to introduce yourself and explain why you're applying for the IT project manager role. Your second paragraph is typically where you highlight your key relevant skills and achievements. Finally, close by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and leave a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to make contact with you.
Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates were created by experts to help you make a strong impression with your applications. Follow the simple steps to create a winning cover letter today.
Even if you have no work experience, following a few simple tips for your IT project manager resume can ensure you make a strong impression on employers. Use a functional resume format instead of the standard reverse-chronological structure. This emphasizes your skills and education over your work experience. Make the most of additional sections such as hobbies and interests, volunteer work, certifications and internships. These can help you showcase skills that you've developed outside traditional work settings.
A resume headline can catch the attention of the reader and give them a strong first impression about your suitability for IT project manager jobs. Resume headlines can also help you pass the ATS stage of the selection process, by highlighting the job title and one or two key details. Write a few words to set the tone for your resume, including the job title, your experience or track record and one or two key skills that make you stand out.
You can use this example resume headline as a template for creating your own:
- Aspiring IT Project Manager
- Expert IT Project Management Specialist
- Senior IT Project Management Professional
The resume format that gives you the best chances of success depends on your experience levels, as well as the type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. For entry-level roles, or situations where you're changing to a new career, a functional resume is often the best option. This places your skills and education above your work experience. On the other hand, if you're experienced in your industry or applying for senior positions, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format is usually best. This places most emphasis on your work experience.
Key takeaways for your IT project manager resume
The best resumes focus on your skills and the value you've added to previous roles, rather than focusing on your duties and responsibilities. Choose the most suitable resume format for your experience levels, and focus on tailoring your resume based on the requirements listed in the job description.
Using the professional resume templates and resources of Jobseeker can help you create a great-looking resume that stands out from other applicants. Sign up today and follow the simple steps to get started. Jobseeker's expert-designed cover letter generator can help your applications make a strong first impression on hiring managers. Find detailed cover letter examples to complement your resume and get your application noticed.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
Impress potential employers with your resume
Follow step-by-step professional guidance to create a polished resume in minutes.
