Project Lead Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a project lead provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving ensuring KPI achievement and coordinating cross-functional teams. A strong resume for project lead applications showcases your skills, experience and achievements and helps you stand out from other candidates. In this article, we'll showcase resume tips and examples that can help you create a professional project lead resume that catches the eye of hiring managers.
This comprehensive guide will give you all the tools you need to craft a project lead resume that positions you strongly against other candidates. You'll learn how to show employers you've got the relevant qualities, skills and experience for the job, all presented in a format that employers prefer to see. The article also includes tips for formatting your resume according to your experience and strengths. Read on to access expert insights from Jobseeker that will help you create a winning project lead resume.
Key sections for a project lead resume
Most resumes contain similar key sections, with a project lead resume being no different.
If you're applying for an entry-level project lead role and have limited relevant experience, consider using a skills-based, or functional resume format. The layout emphasizes your skills and education above your work experience. Focus the content of your resume on your soft and transferable skills, and any hard or technical skills you've learned from your studies or career to date. You can also mention any relevant internships, training courses or voluntary roles you've taken on.
When applying for mid-level project lead positions, it's typically best to opt for a reverse-chronological resume format. This is because work experience tends to be the most important resume section for this level. Rather than simply listing your responsibilities in each role, show the impact you made and offer evidence that demonstrates the skills and experience listed in the job description.
Senior job applications require a slightly different approach to mid-level or junior project lead roles. Use a reverse-chronological format focusing on your work experience, with a particular emphasis on the impact you've made. 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.
While the content and format of your resume may vary depending on your experience levels, it's important to always include the following sections:
Resume Header and Personal Information
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. Keep your header clear and concise, with only the most necessary information included. Opt for a stylish, professional design that creates a strong first impression.
Make sure your email address appears as professional as possible, and doesn't include anything like nicknames, inappropriate language or personal information. If it does, set up a new email account with an address based on your name or initials, and use that for your job applications. Always double-check your contact details are up-to-date before sending your resume.
Samantha Cruz
samantha.cruz@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
29 Acacia Road, Nutwood, CA
linkedin․com/in/samantha–cruz123
Resume Summary
The next section is the resume summary. The section might also be called 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. This is a brief introduction to you, your key skills and your career achievements and ambitions. While a resume summary focuses on your career achievements and experience, a resume objective typically focuses on your ambitions 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, you could use this section to reference your objectives and ambitions, and how this role would fit into your career journey.
A great resume summary should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for project lead roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description and provide evidence to support them. It should also introduce your personality and unique qualities to the reader, to help them start to form an opinion about you as a candidate. You can see some positive examples of a resume summary for project lead jobs below.
Good example:
Results-driven Project Lead with an MBA and extensive experience in project management. Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams, optimizing processes, and delivering projects on time and within budget. Adept at strategic planning, risk management, and stakeholder engagement to achieve organizational goals. Skilled in leveraging analytical and problem-solving abilities to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence
Bad example:
Project lead with some experience in managing projects and working with teams. Have worked on making things run smoothly and keeping projects on schedule and within budget. Involved in planning and managing risks while talking to people involved to meet goals. Use problem-solving skills to try and improve how things work
Conversely, a bad resume summary might be too generic, lacking focus on the specifics of the job description. It will also fail to provide any useful insights on what makes you a unique candidate. The visual above includes some examples of what not to do with your project lead resume summary
Work Experience
Next, list your relevant employment history and any key achievements that show you're suitable for a project lead position. List each relevant role in reverse-chronological order starting with your current or most recent role. Add your job title, the organization name, its location and the dates you worked there.
Add some bullet points under each job entry, explaining your achievements in the role, so the reader can see how you contributed towards success for the company. Provide evidence of your impact and make sure each point addresses a requirement listed in the job description.
An effective resume work experience section is one that constantly echoes the skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you used your skills to positive effect in each job. Each bullet point should be carefully crafted to showcase a particular skill or achievement relevant to project lead jobs, with evidence to show the value you added. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Good example:
Project Manager, January 2022 - Present
Innovatech Solutions, Stockton
- Successfully led a $5M software development project, achieving 20% under budget and ahead of schedule by 3 months
- Implemented Agile methodologies, reducing project cycle time by 25% and increasing team productivity by 30%
- Managed cross-functional teams for a global product launch, resulting in a 40% increase in market penetration within the first year
Bad example:
Project Manager, January 2022 - Present
Innovatech Solutions, Stockton
- Led a team to deliver projects on time and within budget
- Implemented strategies to enhance team efficiency and productivity
- Managed diverse teams for successful product launches in international markets
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.
Education
In your education section, include details of your most relevant project lead qualifications and educational achievements.
Typically, working as a project lead 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 Project Management degree or other relevant qualifications. Focus on qualifications that showcase your project management software or budget management expertise.
Enter the name and level of the qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study or graduation. If you have space, include some bullet points outlining any specialist areas of study, awards or high grades, so the employer can learn more about your unique skill set and knowledge.
If you organized or participated in any clubs or societies while at university, or you took part in any voluntary work, you could also mention these here.
Master of Business Administration (MBA), 2017 - 2020
University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD
Skills
In your skills section, list any skills you've acquired or developed that are relevant to project lead positions. Consider adding risk assessment techniques, leadership and motivation or any other necessary skills for the job. Again, refer to the project lead job description for an indication of the types of skills the employer is looking for, and make sure your skills section reflects these.
Listing hard skills on your project lead resume
Hard skills are specific skills related to the job you're applying for. They include particular abilities, technical skills and industry knowledge that relate directly to jobs as a project lead. Furthermore, an extensive list of hard skills helps to make a compelling case for your project lead job applications, as they show employers your understanding of the project lead role. If possible, add four or five hard skills that reflect the requirements of the job description. These will boost your chances of success in your applications.
If you want to make a strong impression with your hard skills list, focus on hard skills that align with your specific industry expertise, and that reflect the job description. For inspiration on the right type of hard skills for a project lead resume, see below.
- Project management software
- Budget management expertise
- Risk assessment techniques
Showcasing your best soft skills
In your soft skills list, include any personal characteristics that make you a good fit for a project lead job. Soft skills tend to be more universal than hard skills, but they're no less important. In fact, you can develop soft skills throughout your career, and they tend to be suitable for various roles and professions. You should generally look to include up to five soft or transferable skills that match the job description.
A strong soft skills section should play to your strengths, listing skills that reflect your personal qualities while also reflecting the skills listed in the job description. For some examples of good soft skills for a project lead resume, see below.
- Leadership and motivation
- Effective communication skills
- Problem-solving abilities
Certifications and Training
Your certifications section is the place to mention any relevant professional project lead certifications, licenses or qualifications. Add any official certifications or accreditations that increase your level of qualification and suitability for working as a project lead. Therefore, list any official licenses and certifications, along with their dates, so employers can assess whether you've got the necessary qualifications to work as a project lead.
Below you can find several examples of certifications for a project lead resume:
- PMP Certification, 2022
- PRINCE2 Practitioner, 2022
- ScrumMaster (CSM), 2022
Expert Tip:
Optional Information
To provide further information on your suitability for the role, you could add some optional sections to a project lead resume. Pick from the optional sections below to help show the employer you have the skills and experience for the job.
Personal Interests
Listing your hobbies and interests can reveal key qualities that some employers may value. Consider listing hobbies and interests to help your resume stand out, or to provide the employer with some insight into your personality and wider interests. They're perfect for candidates who might lack genuine work experience as a project lead. Just make sure any hobbies and interests you include in your resume add genuine insight into your personality, in ways other sections of the resume can't.
Voluntary Work
This section can be valuable for a project lead resume, if you've done any voluntary work that showcases your relevant skills. Add your volunteer job title or role, the name of the organization, its location and the dates you were involved.
References
It's not typical to include references in a project lead resume, but some employers might ask for them. Don't add references unless requested by the employer. Before adding any referees to your resume, ask them for their assistance and prepare them for contact by the employer.
References can be provided upon request.
Best words to use in a project lead resume
Action words can help illustrate to the hiring manager the difference you made in each of your previous jobs. The suggested action verbs below will help the reader to understand your key qualities and the impact you made on the organization.
- Coordinated
- Executed
- Facilitated
- Directed
- Implemented
- Managed
- Organized
- Supervised
- Strategized
- Optimized
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.
Example of a project lead resume
The project lead resume example below incorporates all the information from above into a full-designed resume template, so you can see how a final resume will look:
29 Acacia Road, Nutwood, CA
•
samantha.cruz@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/samantha–cruz123
Results-driven Project Lead with a Bachelor of Science in Project Management and extensive experience as a Project Manager. Proven track record in successfully leading cross-functional teams, managing project timelines, budgets, and deliverables. Adept at utilizing project management methodologies to drive efficiency and achieve strategic objectives. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills with a commitment to delivering high-quality results
Project Manager
2020
-2022
Zenith Solutions Inc (Honolulu)
- Successfully led a $5M project, delivering on time and under budget, increasing client satisfaction by 35%
- Implemented Agile methodologies, reducing project cycle time by 25% and improving team productivity by 40%
- Managed a cross-functional team of 50+, achieving a 98% project completion rate and exceeding stakeholder expectations
Bachelor of Science in Project Management
2017
-2020
University of Wyoming (Laramie, Wyoming)
Project management software
Budget management expertise
Risk assessment techniques
Leadership and motivation
Effective communication skills
Problem-solving abilities
PMP Certification
PRINCE2 Practitioner
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Tips for project lead resumes
Simple tips for creating a winning resume
- Order your work experience in a reverse-chronological timeline, starting with your most recent position.
- Reference your key qualifications and educational achievements, including grades if these help you stand out from other candidates.
- Use a well-structured resume layout that optimizes headings, structure, margins, fonts and line spacing to make your document as accessible as possible to the reader.
- Proofread your resume before sending it, to avoid any unnecessary mistakes that may harm your chances.
- Quantify your successes by providing figures and other evidence that shows how your skills have made a difference to your employer.
Avoid these common mistakes on your resume
- Don't use overly decorative formatting and layouts that can detract from the content and make your project lead resume harder for scanning by applicant tracking systems (ATS).
- Don't fill up your project lead resume with unnecessary information that contributes nothing to your chances of success.
- Don't list personal details such as your age, gender or a photo, unless these are necessary for the role. They can lead to hiring bias.
- Don't exaggerate, lie or hide details about yourself as these can all undermine your chances of success with project lead applications.
- Don't use out-of-date contact information. Always make sure your email address and phone number are correct before sending your resume.
How to make your resume ATS compliant
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is just one of the tools employers and recruiters can use to streamline their hiring practices. This typically includes screening candidates by scanning and ranking their resumes based on their likely suitability for any vacancy. When drafting your project lead resume, there are a few guidelines to follow to give you the best chance of passing the ATS screening stage and progressing with your application.
Follow these simple rules when writing your resume, to make sure it's ATS compliant:
- Choose a resume structure that matches the traditional, reverse-chronological layout or alternatively, the functional resume structure. This should make your resume more readable for ATS applications.
- 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.
- Include clear headings in each section that match the traditional resume structure and format. This will make it easier for the ATS software to scan your resume.
- Adopt a resume design that uses clear, professional design principles and leaves white space for your content to breathe. Use the most readable fonts and incorporate subtle design elements to enhance the readability of your document.
- Use simple, concise language to keep your resume to a maximum of one to two pages in length. This will make it easier for ATS software to read.
For tips and ideas to help you draft a professional resume to get noticed by employers, read our expert career articles and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions for a project lead resume
As well as writing a professional project lead resume, you'll need a cover letter to introduce yourself and emphasize your credentials.
Check the job description to see whether a full, formal cover letter is necessary. In some situations, it might be more suitable to simply send a brief email to introduce yourself and accompany your resume.
A traditional cover letter should follow formal letter-writing conventions and structure, including a header, the recipient's address and professional greetings and sign-offs. For the main body of the letter, open with a short paragraph introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying for the project lead role. Follow that with an explanation of your skills and experience and how they're relevant to the position. Close by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and leaving a call to action that encourages the employer to open a dialogue with you.
Jobseeker's HR-approved cover letter templates can help you produce a cover letter that really catches the eye of employers.
If you have no experience, it's still possible to write a professional project lead resume that makes a positive impression on hiring managers. Opt for a skill-based resume format instead of a traditional layout. This places your skills and education in a more prominent position on your resume. Optional sections at the end of your resume can play a stronger role if you're lacking relevant work experience. Use certifications and training, hobbies and interests, volunteer roles and internships to show you've got the necessary skills for the job.
If you want to create a strong first impression in your project lead application, a resume headline can help. Resume headlines are also a powerful way of increasing your resume's chances of passing the ATS stage. They reference the job title and some of the keywords that match the job description. Write a short, snappy heading for your resume including the job title and a reference to your experience, your track record or one or two of your key skills.
See below for an example of a well-constructed resume headline:
- Junior Project Lead Specialist
- Innovative Project Leadership Expert
- Senior Project Management Professional
The most suitable resume format for you depends on two crucial factors. Firstly, whether you have a body of relevant work experience. Secondly, the type of job and its seniority level. For applicants without much relevant work experience, a functional resume format tends to be best. This places the emphasis on your key skills and relevant qualifications. If, however, you have relevant work experience in the industry, it's typically best to use a reverse chronological resume format. This highlights your achievements in work, which is probably the most important factor for hiring managers to consider.
Key takeaways for your project lead resume
If you want to catch the eye of employers and recruiters, you need a professional resume that showcases your best skills and career achievements. Select a resume format that suits your experience levels and the job you're applying for, and make sure you tailor your resume for each application.
Use Jobseeker's resume templates, other tools and resources to create an application that impresses employers. Sign up today to access a wealth of valuable resume and cover letter resources. To make the best possible impression with your applications, write a cover letter with the help of Jobseeker. You can also find plenty of expert-designed cover letter examples for inspiration.
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/
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