You’ve got a million things to do already. You’re constantly following projects through and are now tasked with finding your next job.
It can feel dismal staring down a blank page. Should you use ChatGPT to write a resume? And what about writing your program manager cover letter?
Here, we’ll dive into creating an effective AI resume, where we’ve compiled some of the best program manager example resumes that have helped candidates get jobs at great companies like Stripe and Facebook.
Numbers make an impact
- The power of numbers on a resume is not only that they make it concise but also demonstrate your impact in past roles in a profound way. That’s one great way to get noticed.
- To make this magic work in your favor, throw in realistic numbers in every one out of two bullet points.
- Most importantly, stay grounded and don’t get carried away by the excitement. Recruiters can smell a lie from far and you don’t want to get on their book of don’ts.
Using a resume summary
- To reach this level, a ton of projects and people must have passed through your hands. You would want to show all those impressive achievements, but a short resume may not have that kind of space.
- How about capping it all in a resume summary? Yes, that statement can be the icing on your senior program manager resume to make a solid impression on your would-be employers.
- Believe you not, recruiter will be scrambling to their phones before anyone else gets to you first. And that’s how you turn yourself into employers’ prize.
Why this resume works
- “I’ve finally found you!” You want recruiters to utter these words by the time they’re done reading your principal program manager resume. Did you know that utilizing the reverse chronological format can bring that dream to fruition?
- So, when it’s time to highlight your job experiences, start with your most recent and perhaps most relevant role (cue principal program manager) and go back in time to your early days (cue lead program manager and project manager)—nothing showcases your positive career trajectory and go-getter mindset better than this format.
Why this resume works
- Whether you bag that open Microsoft program manager position boils down to one thing—your capability to make a strong case for why you’re a worthy hire. If you want our two cents, a resume that makes a big deal out of your wins in a similar position could do the trick.
- For example, you could talk about how you managed the deployment of Microsoft Project to streamline resource allocation and contributed to savings of $200,332 in project costs over six months as the program manager at Microsoft. Such specifics in your Microsoft program manager resume, provided they aren’t blown out of proportion, will propel your candidacy leaps and bounds ahead of the competition.
Why this resume works
- Want to craft a non profit program manager resume that works like a well-oiled machine? Get off on the right foot! But then, how exactly can you do that? It’s no sweat—ensure your piece is in mint condition before you hit that “submit” button.
- Adding spell-checkers (read Grammarly, ProWritingAid, QuillBot, etc) to your proofreading arsenal is one way to ensure any grammar mistakes like typos, punctuation errors, and awkward phrases in your sales pitch don’t fly under the radar and make a negative impression.
Why this resume works
- Everyone knows you’re the best cloud migration pro in town, save for the recruiter. How do you let them in on that well-known fact? We suggest showcasing industry-relevant tertiary education in your resume.
- Yes, that degree in Information Technology holds so much power in your cloud migration program manager resume that it can tip the scales in your favor in a heartbeat. How come? It shows you have at the very least, met the minimum requirements for the role. That aside, it says you’re committed to following a career path that aligns with your professional goals and have a credible knowledge base. Got a relevant certification or two you can stash in the sidebar, just below the skills section? The better.
Why this resume works
- Every component of your training program manager resume could say you’re an ideal fit. However, if your contact section is far from perfect, you might as well say goodbye to your dreams of landing that job.
- We know it’s so easy to make mistakes as you race against the clock to add your contact information to your resume and send it in. Our advice? Double-check that part to ensure you include nothing short of your working phone number and professional email address (no [email protected], please).
Why this resume works
- You’re not on the hiring manager’s list of favorites yet, so don’t assume they have all the time to review your quality program manager resume. If you really want to make a splash and get in their good graces, stick to a single page.
- To ensure your sales pitch doesn’t spill over to a second page, we’re all for a one-column layout with only the must-have sections (cue the header, work history, skills, and education). As for the general font size, 12 will keep things readable. But that’s no excuse for blandness—how about a larger font for the job titles and a bit of color on section subheadings?
Leveraging work history
- Does your work history come with a stint at a big company? While that’s not a guarantee to get liked by other equally big brands, it’s worth adding it in.
- You see, if you were worth a consideration by another big name then chances are you’ve proven your professionalism at the highest level.
- Tested and proven is the keyword here and you want potential employers seeing you as a valuable addition to their team.
Focus on the job description
- Before your application lands on the desk of the real recruiter, it has to make to it through the Application Tracking System (ATS). That’s something you can’t wish away.
- To outsmart the ATS, tailor your resume to the job description. How? You ask.
- By letting your skills mirror the keywords used on the job ad, you’re going to get a quick pass through the system. That’s what you want: getting your resume in front of the hiring manager.
State your suitability
- It’s one thing to say that you can do something and a different ball game to show that you can actually do it. That’s one dilemma a lot of job applicants are caught in.
- Separate yourself from them by hitting the right chords with a blend of action-packed words, skills at work, and achievements.
- Employers are keen on someone who can get the job done in the best way and showing you’re that kind of a candidate from the onset will tip the odds in your favor.
Emphasize your education
- Finding a good balance between your education and work experience is like finding the last piece of the puzzle to becoming the favorite candidate among recruiters.
- Emphasizing your education on your aerospace program manager resume is a sure way to unlock the door to a bright and long career. So, yes, give your classroom knowledge the highlight it deserves.
- For instance, a bachelor’s degree in aerospace from MIT would give you a soft landing with most recruiters.
Amplify your impact
- They say actions speak louder than words. And we tell you that’s true and your technical program manager resume should stick to that. Or else, your competition takes the crown.
- To reach this level of your career, you’ve held similar roles. Did you leave a track record of a performer? Good, because that’s music to the ears of recruiters.
- Pair your relevant skills with the impact you made, and you’re on your way to win the race to the job hands down.
Display data savviness
- Your acquisition program manager resume won’t make it beyond the first round of screening if it doesn’t bring your data savviness to the forefront.
- And don’t take this the wrong way: it’s imperative to showcase your ability to generate data and use it to make decisions that positively impact business.
- Take our advice: load your piece with scenarios of you processing info, digesting it to make sense, and deploying it to save time, money, and increase profit margins.
Cultivate credibility
- You may know your craft, but hiring managers want proof that you can do it better than the next guy. If you blend in with the average Joes and Janes; then you’re not competitive enough for this role.
- Want a little secret of how to set yourself apart from the sameness? Add certifications.
- Are you a certified Project Management Professional or Agile-Certified Practitioner? Don’t sleep on these: let them be the testimonies for your professionalism.
Related resume guides
Write Your Program Manager Resume
Entering a new career or changing jobs can be overwhelming, so be sure to provide prospective employers with a well-written resume that highlights your work experience and why you would be a good hire. Also, you should properly format your program manager resume to make it logical and readable by anyone. With the right format, you can be confident your resume won’t be discarded immediately by an ATS.
- How to Format Your Program Manager Resume
- Writing Your Program Manager Resume
- Secure Your Dream Job
Reverse-chronological format, functional format, and combination/hybrid format
These three formats are the most popular ones you can use when writing your program manager resume in 2024.
- Reverse-chronological format – The reverse-chronological format places a clear emphasis on your most recent work experience, making it easier for potential employers to determine if you’re a good fit for the position.
- Functional format – The functional format prominently displays the skills you have earned over the years that would help you qualify for a career as a program manager. If you have any notable gaps in your work history, you could consider this format.
- Combination/hybrid format – The combination/hybrid format combines the functional format with the reverse-chronological format by focusing on skills and employment history.
Even though you can make a resume with any of these formats, the reverse-chronological format is the best choice. Many recruiters within the program manager industry prefer the reverse-chronological format. Since your most recent work history is displayed first in bullet points, employers find the information easy to scan and digest.
Contact and header details
Your resume’s header and contact information should be placed towards the very top of the document. Make sure that your name has the largest font size of any other words on the page. The job position you’re applying for should be placed directly under your name in a somewhat smaller font. As for contact information, make sure to include:
- Name
- Social media links as an option
- Location (City is sufficient)
- Phone number
This bold font and classic color exude professionalism and class; Notice the size of the name in comparison to the job title beneath.
Position your contact information at the top with a more standard and traditional font style. Fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, and Cambria are favorites among recruiters and managers. If you want to use some color in your resume, consider doing so modestly for your job title and name, with the font size around 20-24 points. Any headers should be closer to 14-18 points. The information placed below headers should have a font size of 10-12 points.
ATS and resume readability
An applicant tracking system is practically essential for larger companies that receive dozens or hundreds of applications every week. Most employers sort through resumes with the use of ATS software. When a company uses ATS software, they typically place resumes through the software at the very beginning of the process. A recruiting team will then review the resumes that aren’t filtered before being looked at by the head recruiter. Lessen the chances of your program manager resume being filtered by the ATS;
Some tips and guidelines for you to consider include:
- Times New Roman, Arial, Garamond, Cambria, and Calibri are ATS-preferred fonts.
- Font sizes – While your name should have a font size of 20-24, the font size for headers should be reduced. Any bullet points or similar text should be 10-12 points.
- Margins – Margins should be half an inch or one inch on all sides.
- Header names – You want the headers on your resume to guide the ATS software, which is why you should consider using all caps and bold font.
- Logical order – The reverse-chronological format mentioned previously is easy to scan by an ATS system. Start with your most recent work experience before going backward.
- Skills – Make sure that your skills aren’t overly broad. The skills you place on your resume should be specific to the program manager position.
- One page – Your entire resume should only consist of a single page.
Using our AI resume builder, you can be confident that your program manager resume has been formatted for success.
Writing Your Program Manager Resume
When you first begin writing your program manager resume, you might find the task daunting because it is important to land the interview. However, you can avoid these frustrations by taking the process step by step and using our free resume builder.
- Should you write a resume objective or summary?
- How to include work experiencef
- Most popular program manager skills to list
- Education and specialty certificates
- When is it best to include projects, interests, and hobbies?
- Fine-tune your resume to each job
- Proofread, proofread, proofread
Should you write a resume objective or summary?
Although they aren’t always needed, you can use a resume objective or summary to provide recruiters with a better understanding of who you are before they read the rest of your resume.
- Resume objective – Resumes objectives are two to three sentences that tell recruiters why you’re interested in the position and how you qualify for it. If the job is entry-level, or if you’re changing careers, an objective may enhance your program manager resume. In any other situation, you should avoid using one.
- Resume summary – This statement consists of two to three sentences that display your skills and show how your expertise has been used to produce results in previous jobs. If you’ve already had a lengthy, 10+ year career and are applying for a more senior position, a resume summary can benefit you. If you don’t have much work experience, leave a summary out altogether.
Highlight your extensive work experience with a customized summary like this one.
The following are examples of poorly written objectives and summaries for a program manager position.
Summary: Program manager with lots of experience developing programs of different shapes and sizes.
Objective: Would like to advance in my career by helping companies grow as a program manager.
You can readily see that these statements aren’t well-written because their information is vague and ultimately pointless. If a recruiter looks at the summary or objective before anything else, they might believe that there isn’t any substance to the rest of your resume.
The following are examples of well-written objectives and summaries for a program manager position.
Summary: Program manager with over 10 years of experience developing and optimizing programs via scalable processes. Throughout my career, I’ve overseen budgets of more than $30 million and have been a team member on projects that have earned over $100 million in revenue.
Objective: Aiming to secure a position as a program manager with Google. As a recent graduate with two years of intern experience in this industry, I’ve developed excellent organizational, leadership, and communication skills that translate perfectly to boosting service efficiency and delivery regarding company performance.
These statements are detailed while also providing employers with metrics to measure the value you offer as an employee.
How to include work experience
While you must highlight your past work experience, you should only include two to four work experiences. If you’ve had seven jobs since you were 18, you don’t need to include the first three or four. If you already have extensive experience as a program manager, only include the jobs that are relevant to the specific position to which you’re applying.
Writing your bullet points
You should write your work experience bullet points to make this information easy to scan. Use active instead of passive voice to display a strong and clear tone. Avoid personal pronouns as much as possible. As for punctuation, it’s possible to place periods at the end of your bullet points or leave them out completely. However, consistency is key. Because you’re writing about previous work experience, always write in the past tense.
A few examples of poor bullet points include:
- Managed various programs
- Led development of different processes
- Improved process efficiency
These bullet points don’t tell the recruiter anything of value. They won’t understand how hiring you can benefit their bottom line.
A few examples of good bullet points include:
- Increased the lifetime value of customers from $350 to $885
- Developed project forecasts and was able to improve upon these forecasts by 10% in final results
- Implemented widespread policy changes, which reduced manual work by more than 1,000 hours each month
These bullet points are useful to recruiters because they offer quantifiable data that provides a clearer understanding of the value you could bring to their company.
Quantify your impact with metrics
Metrics are practically essential if you want your resume to garner recruiters’ interest effectively. Anyone who’s worked as a program manager or in similar positions should quantify how much impact they had in previous roles.
Try to include at least one metric for every two bullet points. Some examples of how to incorporate metrics into your work experience bullet points include:
- Efficiency improvements – Refined product development process to improve efficiency by 20%
- Ticket volume – Solved issues with ticket volume and response rate, which improved weekly ticket volume by 40%
- Generated revenue – Developed customer satisfaction program that eventually generated more than $12 million in total revenue
Most popular program manager skills to list
The skills written on your program manager resume will play a key part in whether or not you land the job to which you’re applying. When writing these skills on your resume, keep in mind that they can be categorized into hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are essential and specific to the position for which you’re applying. On the other hand, soft skills are considered universal, meaning that you could potentially include them on any resume.
To identify which skills you should include in your resume, look through the program manager job description for keywords and phrases that align with your skills. Your resume should consist of five to eight skills.
Examples of hard skills for program managers to include:
- Agile Certified Practitioner
- Root Cause Corrective Analysis
- Story Mapping
- Microsoft Excel
Some soft skills that you might place on a program manager resume include:
- Organization
- Task Management
- Problem-solving
- Public Speaking
A possible list of combined soft and hard skills might look like this, though we prefer to show hard skills first.
Education and specialty certificates
Another important section of your program manager resume is the education you’ve received and any specialty certificates you’ve been awarded over the years. If you want to qualify for a position as a program manager, you will likely need to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science, business administration, or communications.
A master’s degree in business administration or project management could assist you in earning a job as a program manager for a larger company. Helpful certifications include the PMP, CISM, CAPM, CISM, and CISSP, to name a few. As for work experience, you should have at least four to five years of experience in human resources or program management before applying.
Grab the employer’s attention with your certs!
When is it best to include projects, interests, and hobbies?
Most resumes shouldn’t incorporate information about interests, hobbies, and projects. However, you could benefit from adding these sections depending on the field and your experience level. Projects and interests are great if you’re a recent college graduate or someone applying for an entry-level position; projects and interests are great. They can help alleviate the white space issue with not having work experience. A couple of examples of interests/hobbies you could add to your program manager resume include:
- Cooking French cuisine
- Learning new programming languages
While programming languages sounds more relevant, cooking French cuisine could be suitable, too, if you’re able to explain how mastering international recipes and delicacies is similar to program management.
Maybe you’ve volunteered your time to assist the university health clinic with projects. If so, that might look something like this:
Fine-tune your resume to each job
It’s highly recommended that you tailor your resume for every job to which you apply. A busy recruiter will likely skim it with a yawn if you send a generalized resume that can apply to any old program manager job. To make your program manager resume shine, customize and tweak the skills, experience bullet points, and objective/summary sections.
Proofread, proofread, proofread
Proofreading can be done in several ways. For one, you should carefully read through your resume several times to search for grammatical or punctuation errors. This is the simplest part of the entire resume and is often overlooked. It’s also possible you didn’t add enough information to certain sections.
Have others look at your program manager resume, allowing you a valuable outside perspective. Take advantage of our free resume checker as well to ensure there aren’t any additional issues that you’ve missed.
Secure Your Dream Job
Formatting and writing a successful resume takes time and patience. However, this guide should give you the tools and information you need to make sure your resume is well-written and properly formatted. Your resume should pass through the ATS without issue by highlighting your most relevant work experience and listing the hard and soft skills you possess. Congratulations on completing your program manager resume and equipping yourself for the next exciting step in your career!
