Project managers are an essential part of any successful business operation. While the role can vary widely from company to company, you can be sure that coordination and cooperation will be at the heart of everything you do. If you’re ready to take the leap into this exciting field, you’ll need a great entry level project management resume.
Luckily, Resume.io is here to help. With 300+ resume examples and writing guides, Resume.io is an expert resource for job seekers in all fields and at all stages of their careers! This resume guide, along with the corresponding resume example will cover the following topics:
- What does an entry level project manager do?
- How to write a entry level project management resume (tips and tricks)
- The best format for a entry level project manager resume
- Advice on each section of your resume (summary, work history, education, skills)
- Professional resume layout and design hints
What does an entry level project manager do?
An entry level project manager assists with the procurement, organization, management, and conclusion of various projects and tasks relating to the business operation. While specific responsibilities will vary depending on the industry and company, some of the main duties of entry level project managers may include:
- Research and development of project goals and outcomes
- Coordination between various stakeholders, contractors, and other teams
- Documentation of project progress, quality measurements, and results
- Support of project managers through menial tasks like data entry or communication
While the need for project managers overall is expected to grow at about average pace, certain fields will experience increased demand for these positions. In particular, IT systems, construction, manufacturing, and healthcare should see an increased number of project management positions in the coming years.
*Source: BLS
How to write an entry level project management resume
The very first step in writing your entry level project management resume is understanding what sections to include. Your CV should contain the following elements:
- The resume header
- The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- The resume skills section
- The education section
One common thread throughout various types of project management positions is the need for organization and attention to detail. Your resume is not only the place to give examples of these skills in action in your previous work, but also an opportunity to show these skills through clean writing and a strong layout. By following the structure above, you’ll be able to include all the elements hiring managers are looking for and communicate your professionalism and seriousness about the position.
Before starting to write, make sure to carefully read the job description and take note of any areas where your current experience closely overlaps with the needs of the role. You should also look for any specialized skills or duties that seem particularly important to the employer and address these needs throughout your resume.
Choosing the best resume format for an entry level project manager
We recommend the reverse chronological format as the best choice for entry level project management resumes. This structure focuses on the employment history section and gets its name from the fact that previous positions are listed from most recent (or current) to oldest, going back about 10 years or as many relevant roles as you have to show.
This is considered the “standard” format and the one that most hiring managers expect to see. While other formats exist, they are best suited for students or more independent workers. Project managers, even those applying for entry level positions, should focus on developing a great employment history section to increase their chances of landing the job.
Resume header
The resume header is the section found at the top of the page that contains your name and job title along with basic contact information like phone number, email address, and a LinkedIn profile if you have it. For candidates applying in North America, a full street address is not necessary on your resume, nor is a professional headshot. You can find more inspiration for creating a great resume header on our project management resume sample.
Resume summary example
The resume summary section is the first 3-5 sentences at the top of the page that introduce you as a candidate and share a glimpse of your strongest skills and most impressive experiences. The goal of the summary is to pique the hiring manager’s interest and encourage them to continue reading the rest of your resume. You can see how this is done on our adaptable entry level project management resume example below.
Efficient and well-organized Project Manager with hands-on experience contributing to project planning, scheduling and coordination. Strong grasp of project lifecycles and agile methodologies through academic projects and internships.
For more help creating a professional, effective summary, check out our related resume samples including our:
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Employment history sample
The employment history section will take up the bulk of your resume and will likely have the biggest impact on the hiring manager’s decision to contact you for an interview. Therefore, it is important to craft each entry with care. Start by listing your job title, the company name, dates worked, and location. Under each entry, add 4-5 bullet points that concisely describe your duties, skills used, and accomplishments in the role. See our adaptable resume sample below for more insight.
Project Management Intern at IntePros, New York, NY
June 2021 - August 2021
- Contributed to planning, scheduling and coordination of various project tasks and deliverables. Liaised closely with project managers to develop project plans and timelines.
- Delivered integral support in preparation of project documentation, including status reports and project summaries.
Administrative Assistant at Colombia University, New York, NY
September 2020 - May 2021
- Performed organization and upkeep of project files to streamline access and retrieval. Scheduled meetings and facilitated communication between project teams and clients.
- Supported project management team by conducting research to assist in decision-making and project planning.
Project managers are privy to a lot of data and information about the scope and success of any given project. Make sure to include some of the most convincing numbers on your resume to show that you can successfully handle larger responsibilities and the impact you can have on the competition of a project.
CV skills example
There is more to the CV skills section that may first meet the eye. While this bullet point list of skills is important to the hiring manager, it is also a tool that can help ensure your resume passes the automated resume scanners in use at most large companies. Make sure to include skills from the job description in this section and keep a balance of hard skills (like software and budgeting) to soft skills (communication, coordination, etc.). Always list a skill using the employer’s exact language from the job description, as this is often what is used to program the resume scanning algorithm. See our adaptable resume example below.
- Agile Methodologies
- Project Documentation
- Team Leadership
- Productivity Software
- Project Management Life Cycle
- Project Documentation
- Data Analysis
- Scheduling & Recordkeeping
Entry level project manager resume education example
Most entry level project management jobs will require a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Therefore it is important to include this information in an education section to show that you meet the basic requirements for the job. List past degrees in reverse chronological order with the most one first. You should include the degree name, school name, location, and dates attended. As an entry-level candidate, your education may be your most important experience to date, so you may include one or two bullet points that expand on any achievements or leadership positions you held while in school. See our education resume sample for project managers below.
Bachelor of Business Administration, Baruch College, New York, NY
August 2018 - May 2022
Resume layout and design
The layout and design of your resume show that you are serious about the project manager position and are able to craft a professional and attractive document. General rules to follow include using consistent font sizing and styles throughout your resume and sticking with a neutral color scheme or just one professional color. You should also keep a balance between white space and text to avoid visual fatigue for the reader. An expertly designed resume template can make it easy to achieve a perfectly formatted document.
Key takeaways for an entry level project manager resume
- An entry level project manager job is the best way to get started in this fast-growing field
- Craft a summary that compells the hiring manager to read the rest of your resume
- Reverse chronological is the best resume format for project management
- Our adaptable entry level project management resume template can serve as a guide for the layout and design of your own application
