How to Build a Project Manager CV that Lands You Interviews (With Template and Examples)

Breaking into or advancing in project management is highly competitive. Whether you’re aiming for your first role as a project coordinator or stepping into a senior programme manager position, your project manager CV is your most powerful tool for landing interviews.

Here’s the reality: recruiters spend just 6–8 seconds scanning a CV before deciding whether to keep reading. If your CV doesn’t instantly demonstrate that you can lead teams, manage stakeholders, and deliver successful projects, it risks being overlooked.

A strong CV isn’t just a list of jobs you’ve held - it’s your career story, showing how you’ve managed projects from initiation to delivery and driven measurable results. Done right, it proves your ability to balance strategic planning, project execution, and stakeholder communication across industries and methodologies.

This guide will take you step by step through how to:

• Structure your project manager CV for maximum impact.

• Highlight both hard skills (budgeting, scheduling, Agile, Waterfall, project management tools like Microsoft Project) and soft skills (leadership, communication, adaptability).

• Tailor your CV for different project management roles and industries.

• Learn from real resume examples and templates.

• Avoid common pitfalls that stop project managers from getting interviews.

• Build a CV that supports long-term career development in project management.

By the end, you’ll have a recruiter-ready CV that not only gets noticed but also positions you for career advancement in one of the most in-demand fields in tech and business today.

 1. Understanding the Difference Between a CV and a Resume

One of the most common questions job seekers face is: what’s the difference between a CV and a resume? While both are used in job applications, they serve slightly different purposes - especially in project management roles.

What is a CV?

A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a comprehensive document that provides a detailed overview of your professional experience, education, certifications, and achievements. In the UK and Europe, CVs are the standard, typically running between 2–3 pages.

For project managers, a CV is the best way to showcase the breadth of your career, from infrastructure projects and software implementations to leadership roles and change management initiatives.

What is a Resume?

A resume is shorter - usually 1–2 pages - and commonly used in the US. It focuses only on the most relevant roles and achievements tailored to a specific job description. Resumes are concise and prioritise highlights over detail.

When Should Project Managers Use a CV vs a Resume?

CVs are best for applications in the UK, Europe, and for roles where detailed project histories and certifications matter.Resumes are more appropriate for applications in the US or with global firms that specifically request one.

📌 Pro tip: Unless the job posting specifies otherwise, project managers applying in the UK should submit a CV. For international roles, always double-check whether a CV or resume is expected.

2. Key Elements to Include in a Project Manager CV (The Perfect Layout)

Every strong project manager CV has the same foundation: it’s clear, easy to scan, and shows measurable impact. Recruiters want evidence you can plan, lead, and deliver successful projects that align with business goals.

Below, we’ve broken down two proven structures - one for aspiring project managers just entering the field and one for experienced project managers.

🟢 CV Layout for Aspiring Project Managers (or Entry-Level Project Coordinators)

If you’re just starting out, your CV should highlight potential, transferable skills, and relevant projects.

Sections to include:

• Contact Information: Name, email, phone, LinkedIn.

• Objective: A 2–3 line statement highlighting motivation to enter project management (e.g., “Business graduate with internship experience in operations, aspiring to apply Agile practices to support project delivery in tech.”).

• Education & Certifications: University degree plus entry-level certifications like PRINCE2 Foundation or Certified ScrumMaster (CSM).

• Projects: University, volunteering, or personal projects that show project planning and execution.

• Relevant Experience: Internships, part-time jobs, or roles where you’ve demonstrated organisation, teamwork, or leadership.

• Skills: Project management tools (e.g. Microsoft Project, Trello, Jira), stakeholder communication, time management.

• Additional: University societies, hackathons, or community leadership roles.

📌 Example: “Organised a university fundraising event with a £5k budget; coordinated 12 volunteers, delivered event on schedule, and exceeded fundraising goal by 15%.”

🔵 CV Layout for Experienced Project Managers

If you already have experience, your CV should focus on measurable achievements, leadership, and scope of responsibility.

Sections to include:

• Contact Information: Include LinkedIn and professional email.

• Professional Summary: Position yourself clearly (e.g., “Senior project manager specialising in Agile delivery, change management, and global infrastructure projects.”).

• Key Achievements: 3–4 bullet points showcasing results (e.g., budgets, timelines, stakeholder outcomes).

• Work Experience: Reverse-chronological, with quantified impact:

• “Delivered £2.5m digital transformation programme on time and 15% under budget.”

• “Led cross-functional team of 18 across Europe, achieving 97% project success rate.”

• Skills: Advanced project management tools (MS Project, Jira, Confluence), project management methodology (Agile, Waterfall, hybrid), risk management, stakeholder alignment.

• Certifications: PMP, PRINCE2 Practitioner, Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP).

• Additional: Mentoring junior managers, speaking at industry events, publications.

📌 Example: “Implemented change management framework for a £1.2m SaaS migration project, reducing user adoption issues by 30% and cutting project timelines by 12%.”

If you want to skip the formatting headaches, grab one of our free, ATS-friendly CV templates and customise it for your engineering role.

 3. Highlighting Project Management Skills and Achievements (With Examples)

Your project manager CV should prove impact, not just list responsibilities. Hiring managers want to see that you can plan, lead, and deliver projects that meet business objectives.

The best approach: pair your project management skills with measurable achievements. Instead of writing “Responsible for managing projects,” write:

✅ “Delivered a £1.5m IT infrastructure project three weeks ahead of schedule, reducing operational downtime by 25% and saving £80k in costs.”

Key Skills to Highlight in a Project Manager CV

Hard skills (technical/project-specific):

• Budgeting and financial management

• Project scheduling and resource allocation

• Risk assessment and mitigation

• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Jira, Trello, Asana)

• Knowledge of project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, hybrid)

Soft skills (leadership and interpersonal):

• Stakeholder communication

• Leadership and team management

• Problem-solving and adaptability

• Negotiation and conflict resolution

• Strategic planning

Examples of Quantified Achievements

Infrastructure Project Manager:

“Led delivery of a £3m infrastructure project, achieving project success 10% under budget and improving system resilience by 35%.”

Agile Project Manager / ScrumMaster:

“Facilitated Agile ceremonies for a cross-functional team of 10; reduced sprint cycle time by 20% and increased feature delivery rate by 18%.”

IT Project Manager:

“Managed SaaS implementation across 4 departments, improving adoption by 40% and reducing manual reporting by 25 hours per month.”

Change Management Project Manager:

“Designed and rolled out a change management plan for a 500-employee organisation; achieved 90% stakeholder alignment within 3 months.”

Junior Project Coordinator:

“Supported project execution for a £250k product launch; coordinated schedules, tracked milestones, and delivered project on time with zero scope creep.”

📌 Pro tip: Use the STARL method (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Learning) when writing bullets. It keeps your achievements concrete and shows both results and growth.

 4. How to Tailor Your CV for Different Project Management Roles

One of the biggest mistakes project managers make is sending the same CV to every job application. A generic CV might save time, but it rarely gets results. Employers want to see relevant experience, skills, and achievements that directly align with the job description.

Tailoring your project manager CV shows recruiters and hiring managers that you understand their needs and can deliver value in their specific context.

Why Tailoring Matters

• Passes ATS filters: Applicant Tracking Systems scan for role-specific keywords (e.g., “Agile delivery,” “risk management,” “strategic planning”).

• Shows relevance: Employers see the exact project management skills they’re asking for.

• Differentiates you: A tailored CV positions you as intentional—not just sending mass applications.

How to Customise Your CV

1. Mirror the job description → If a role emphasises stakeholder communication, ensure it’s visible in your skills and work experience.

2. Prioritise relevant projects → Highlight the projects most similar in scale, methodology, or industry.

3. Curate your skills section → Don’t list every tool you’ve used. Focus on what the role requires (e.g., Microsoft Project for scheduling, Jira for Agile teams).

4. Adjust your professional summary → Reframe your expertise for each role:
   

• Agile Project Manager: “Certified ScrumMaster with experience delivering SaaS products in Agile environments.”

• IT Project Manager: “Specialist in IT transformation projects with a focus on system migrations and security compliance.”

• Operations Project Manager: “Project manager experienced in resource planning, process optimisation, and cross-functional team leadership.”
  

Role-Specific Tailoring Examples

Agile Project Manager:

Bad: “Managed team projects and delivered outcomes.”
Good: “Facilitated Agile delivery for a £1.2m product rollout, increasing feature velocity by 22% and improving stakeholder satisfaction.”

IT Project Manager:

Bad: “Worked on software projects for the IT department.”
Good: “Delivered a SaaS migration for 500+ users, cutting operational costs by £120k annually and reducing downtime by 30%.”

Operations Project Manager:

Bad: “Coordinated operations projects for the business.”
Good: “Implemented strategic planning process for resource allocation, reducing bottlenecks and improving delivery timelines by 15%.”

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

❌ Using the same CV for every role.
❌ Stuffing in irrelevant experience just to fill space.
❌ Overlooking role-specific keywords from the job description.

📌 Pro tip: Before applying, compare your CV against the job description. Make sure your resume summary, skills, and achievements reflect exactly what the employer is looking for.

Need extra help? Get personalised CV & LinkedIn feedback from the TechTalk community.

5. Project Manager CV Examples for Tech Roles

Here’s a sample project manager CV that pulls everything together - structure, keywords, measurable impact, and personal branding.

📌 Want to create your own recruiter-ready version? Download our free Software CV Templates

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a CV

Even the most qualified project managers lose out on interviews because of avoidable CV mistakes. Many of these come down to weak presentation rather than lack of experience.

Here are the most common pitfalls - and how to fix them.

❌ Listing Responsibilities Instead of Achievements

Too many CVs read like a job description. Saying “Responsible for managing projects” doesn’t prove you delivered results.

✅ Fix: Highlight achievements with measurable outcomes.

Bad: “Managed a digital transformation project.”

Good: “Delivered a £2.5m digital transformation programme three weeks ahead of schedule, achieving 95% stakeholder approval.”

❌ Using a Generic CV for Every Role

One-size-fits-all CVs rarely pass ATS filters. A generic CV shows no effort to align with the employer’s needs.

✅ Fix: Tailor each application to the job description. Adjust your resume summary, skills, and key achievements to match the role (Agile, IT, infrastructure, operations).

❌ Overloading with Tools and Buzzwords

Listing every tool or methodology you’ve ever touched makes it look like you lack depth. Recruiters want focus, not noise.

✅ Fix: Curate your skills. Match them to outcomes in your work experience.

Bad: “Skilled in Jira, Trello, Asana, Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Confluence.”

Good: “Introduced Microsoft Project for scheduling, reducing missed deadlines by 18% across 12 concurrent projects.”

❌ Weak Structure and Formatting

A cluttered CV kills readability. Hiring managers skim CVs in seconds—if your layout is messy, they’ll move on.

✅ Fix: Use a clean, professional CV template.

• Entry-level project managers: 1 page is enough.

• Experienced project managers: 2 pages maximum.

• Keep fonts consistent, dates aligned, and bullet points sharp.

📌 Pro tip: Always proofread. Even a single typo can undermine your credibility as someone who should be detail-oriented and organised.

7. Networking and Career Development for Project Managers

A well-crafted CV gets you noticed. But in project management, networking and career development often open the doors to the best opportunities. Many jobs aren’t even advertised - they’re filled through referrals, professional connections, or industry communities.

Why Networking Matters

• Hidden job market: Studies suggest up to 70% of jobs are secured through networking rather than job boards.

• Stronger applications: A referral from someone inside a company increases your chances of getting an interview.

• Industry insights: Networking keeps you updated on emerging project management tools, methodologies, and career trends.

Effective Networking Strategies for Project Managers

• Leverage LinkedIn: Share updates about your projects, comment on industry discussions, and connect with other project managers, recruiters, and hiring managers.

• Join professional communities: Platforms like TechTalk provide access to peer feedback, mentoring, and exclusive job opportunities.

• Attend industry events: Look for PMI (Project Management Institute) conferences, PRINCE2 workshops, or Agile meetups to expand your professional circle.

• Offer value: Networking isn’t just about asking for opportunities. Share your own insights, introduce others, or highlight useful resources.

👉 Related: Learn how to network effectively by understanding the project lifecycle employers use to measure success.

Career Development Strategies

Your CV should evolve with your career. Employers look for project managers who invest in continuous improvement.

• Certifications: Adding credentials such as PMP, PRINCE2 Practitioner, or Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) strengthens credibility.

• Upskilling: Learn new project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Jira, Smartsheet) to stay competitive.

• Mentorship: Seek guidance from senior managers - or mentor junior project coordinators to demonstrate leadership.

• Document achievements: Track your accomplishments and metrics so you can update your CV regularly with measurable results.

📌 Pro tip: Networking and development aren’t just add-ons - they’re career accelerators. Show them on your CV to signal growth, ambition, and industry engagement.

8. Key Takeaways

Your project manager CV is more than a formality - it’s your chance to prove you can plan, lead, and deliver projects successfully. Done right, it becomes a career tool that not only lands interviews but also positions you for long-term growth.

Here are the key takeaways:

• Understand the CV vs. resume difference → In the UK, submit a CV that details your experience, achievements, and certifications.

• Follow a clear structure → Include a professional summary, work experience, skills, education, and measurable achievements.

• Showcase project management skills → Highlight both hard (budgeting, scheduling, methodologies) and soft (leadership, stakeholder communication) skills with concrete examples.

• Tailor for each role → Align your CV with the job description and the employer’s priorities.

• Avoid common mistakes → Don’t overload with buzzwords or generic duties; focus on quantified results.

• Invest in networking and development → Certifications, mentorship, and industry connections strengthen both your CV and career prospects.

A strong CV won’t just get you past ATS filters - it will demonstrate that you’re a project manager who delivers value, builds trust, and drives project success.

👉 And if you’re ready to take your CV to the next level - and land interviews that matter - the TechTalk community is here to support you. From peer feedback and mock interviews to live workshops, CV templates, and coaching tailored to project manager roles, we provide the structure and insight you need to stand out.

9. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What should a project manager CV include?

A strong project manager CV should include your contact information, a professional summary, work experience with quantifiable achievements, skills & tools (both hard and soft), education & relevant certifications (e.g. PMP, PRINCE2), and any additional projects or leadership roles.

👉 For design help, check out TechTalk’s free ATS-friendly CV templates. TechTalk UK

2. What’s the difference between a project manager CV and a project manager resume?

The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but generally:

• A CV (UK/Europe-style) is more detailed with full work history, certifications, and may be longer (2 pages or more).

• A resume (US style) is shorter, more targeted to a specific job, focusing only on relevant experience and achievements.
  Use what the job advert or employer asks for; when in doubt, a detailed CV tailored to the role wins.

3. Do you have a project manager CV example or template I can adapt?

Yes! You can use the template layout given earlier in this blog, plus you can download TechTalk’s free set of templates that are ATS-friendly for project management and other tech roles. TechTalk UK.

4. How do I highlight project management skills effectively?

• Include both hard skills (budgeting, scheduling, methodologies like Agile/Waterfall, tools like Microsoft Project, Jira)

• And soft skills (stakeholder communication, leadership, change management)

• Always back skills up with results: e.g. “reduced project delays by 20%”, “led team of X”, etc.

• Use the STAR(L) method in your bullets (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Learning) for clarity.

5. Should I include certifications?

Absolutely. Certifications such as PMP, PRINCE2 Practitioner, Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), ScrumMaster, etc., contribute strongly to credibility and help recruiters see that you are committed to standards and continuous learning.

6. How long should my CV be?

• If you’re early in your career / entry-level, aim for 1 page.

• If you have several years of experience and many projects, 2 pages is acceptable, provided everything you include adds value.
  Avoid unnecessary padding; focus instead on showing relevant experience and impact.

7. Should I use CV templates? Are they safe with ATS systems?

Yes, using a clean, well-structured template is very helpful. Templates that are ATS-friendly avoid excessive graphics, odd formatting, or unusual fonts which can confuse the parsing software. TechTalk’s free CV templates are designed for this. TechTalk UK

8. How can networking help my CV and job prospects?

• Networking can lead to referrals, which often bypass formal screening stages.

• It helps you see what employers expect in CVs (skills, achievements, language) by talking to people in the industry.

• Participating in events, writing or sharing projects, and joining communities helps your reputation.

• Strong networks mean you learn new tools, methodologies, and stay up to date - all of which can improve your CV content.

For more on networking specifically for tech, see resources like How to Network in Tech and Land Jobs and Networking for Career Advancement in Tech.

9. What are common mistakes I should avoid when writing a project manager CV?

• Stating responsibilities instead of outcomes → always aim for measurable achievements.

• Using a generic CV for every job application → tailor your CV (summary, skills, projects) to the specific role.

• Overloading with tools or buzzwords without context.

• Weak formatting or lack of structure - clarity matters.

Not updating your CV with recent achievements or leaving out recent tools or methodologies you’ve worked with.