Created by CakeA
program manager is the backbone of a company’s
program productivity.
Program manager’s duties entail articulating a
programs’ strategy, enlisting team members, and setting numeric goals to achieve the long-term business objective for the corporate.In comparison with a
program manager, a project
manager focuses on the operations and performances of different projects within a
program. A project
manager manages the budget, schedule, and resources to make sure projects are done on time and within budget.
Remember that the requirements of a
program manager vary in different industries. That’s why an IT
program manager resume should be different from an HR
program manager resume or an education
program manager resume. It’s significant to research the company and industry of the job before writing your resume.
Whether you are making a career change to
program manager, or already a senior
program manager seeking new job opportunities, take 5 minutes to read through the article, and learn everything about writing a
program manager resume and cover letter!You'll learn about:How to make a great
program manager resume?What to put on a resume for a
program manager?Tips for writing the best
program manager resumeHow to write a cover letter for a
program manager?
Program Manager Resume SampleHow to make a great
program manager resume?To write a
program manager resume that wows the recruiter, applicants should follow the 6 steps below.Step 1: Understand the differences between a
CV and a resume.A
program manager resume is different from a
program manager CV.
CV is the abbreviation of the Latin word “Curriculum Vitae,” and it means “course of life.” A
program manager CV is a detailed document showing an applicant’s comprehensive background, including work experience, education background, research projects, and publications. In contrast, a
program manager resume is shorter and more concise. It gives recruiters a brief overview of the candidate’s work background and achievements related to the job requirements.💡 Tip:It’s highly recommended to prepare both of them to increase your chances of getting a jobStep 2: Choose the right resume format.Read the 4 most used resume formats and choose the one that best fits your
program manager resume.Chronological resume format
It lists the applicant’s work experience in reverse order. Most recruiters are fond of this format since it allows them to quickly scan through an applicant’s work history including previous job titles, responsibilities, and achievements.
This format is recommended to applicants with solid work experience.
Functional resume format
It focuses on the applicant’s skills, strengths, and experience instead of work history to attract the attention of recruiters.
This format is recommended for entry-level
program managers or job seekers having employment gaps.
Hybrid/Combination resume format
It combines the strengths of chronological and functional resume formats. It lists down the skills and experience related to the job position one’s applying for in the first section, and shows the applicant’s work history in chronological order.
This format showcases both the candidate’s strengths and work experience for the opening job position.
Targeted resume format
It refers to a customized format tailoring for specific opening positions. To write a targeted resume. you have to study the industry, company, and the opening position in advance to get a deep understanding of the job. Then, highlight your skills and experience that might be eye-catching for recruiters in the resume.
Even though a targeted resume requires extra time and effort for applicants to complete, it certainly increases your chance of standing out from competitors.
Step 3: Look up resume templates resume examples online as references.Chance favors the prepared mind. Before writing the resume, it is suggested to read some
program manager resume examples to get the knack of resume writing. Cakeresume and Linkedin are popular platforms to search for
program manager resume examples and templates.Step 4: Tailor your resume for the job position.Remember that there’s no “one-size-fits-all”
program manager resume. Different recruiters value different skills and personalities based on the requirements of the opening position, and it’s easy for them to tell when an applicant sends a generic resume.📝 Reminder: Research the industry, company, and description of the job position to tailor your
program manager resume. Don’t sabotage any change to impress recruiters.
Step 5: Craft a cover letter.A
program manager cover letter is the first to come into recruiters’ sight when they receive application documents from an applicant. Hence, a cover letter is the key to create a good impression on the recruiters.
To write an eye-catching
program manager cover letter, remember to briefly introduce yourself, explain your skills and experience that make you qualified for the job, and elaborate on how you could bring the best for the company.Step 6: Proofread.Proofreading prevents you from making embarrassing errors in the
program manager resume. Give yourself at least one day to proofread your
program manager resume before sending it out.
When proofreading the
program manager resume, remember to check for common errors including spelling errors, grammatical errors, formatting errors, and layout errors. It is recommended to ask family members or friends to examine your
program manager resume to avoid any mistakes.Online resume builders likeCake, provide service in building a professional
program manager CV/resume.Try It OutWhat to put on a resume for a
program manager?Read the 7 sections below to understand what makes a complete and impressive
program manager resume.1. Resume profile (personal information)A
program manager resume profile includes an applicant’s details like full name, Email address, address, and phone number. If you have personal websites or fan pages, don’t hesitate to put the links into your
program manager resume. Seize every opportunity to attract the recruiters.
2. Resume headlineA
program manager resume headline means a brief line summarizing the whole resume. It should be placed at the top of your resume, and you could use strong or numeric words to make a great impression on the employer.IT
Program Manager Resume Headline Examples:
A data-driven and goal-oriented
program manager with more than 3 years of experience in IT fieldAn experienced
program manager excels at developing a constructive relationship with business partners and launching high-quality IT
programs. 3.Resume summaryA
program manager resume summary is a brief statement summarizing an applicant’s strongest skills, achievements, or valuable experiences.
Program Manager Profile Summary Examples:
Passionate education
program manager with extensive experience in partner relationship management at ABC Inc.,established and maintained relationships with 7 business partners in 5 months.Data-driven marketing
program manager with 6+ years of experience. Launched 30+ training
programs and was responsible for budgeting, marketing, staffing, and content managing in the education field.4.Resume objectiveA
program manager resume objective is generally 2-3 sentences telling an applicant’s goals and ambitions for the future career. It should be specific and relevant to the opening position.Marketing
Program Manager Resume Objective Examples:
Organized and detail-oriented Marketing
Program Manager aims to create branding, positioning, and marketing plans for overseas brands.Excels at working in a cross-functional team. Aim to utilize
program management and problem-solving to bring the best to XYZ Inc.5. SkillsA
program manager skills resume section is a list showcasing the hard and soft skills of an applicant.
If you don’t have extensive work experience, and you’re writing an entry-level
program manager resume, you could focus on highlighting your soft skills including leadership, conflict resolution, and communication to prove that you are a good leader to bring members together.
Also, you could list down different skills based on the industry and company you’re interested in.If you have yet figured out what
program management skills to put on your resume,
here are some
program manager skills examples listed below for your reference.“Skills” Section Example for a Non-Profit
Program Manager Resume:
Hard Skills: Partner Relationship Management
Program ManagementMarketing StrategiesMarket ResearchFundraisingSoft Skills: Interpersonal SkillsTime ManagementLeadershipProblem-SolvingDetail-Oriented
👍 Tip: If you’re writing a Google, Amazon, or Microsoft
program manager resume, it might be better to list down hard skills like
programming and cloud computing that are relevant to the cloud services industry.6.Work experienceA
program manager resume work experience section is a greatly important part. Write down your work experience including company names, job positions, responsibilities, achievements, start date, and end date.Engineering
Program Manager Resume Work Experience Examples:
ABC Company | Senior Technical
Program Manager 2021.05-2022.08Led 12 core team members in developing the 1st and 2nd generation system for the ABC company’s DEF
Program.DFG Company | IT
Program Manage 1999.01-1999.12Managed 13 projects , mapped out information technology strategies, and implemented disaster recovery procedures, resulted in $500K growth in revenue.7. EducationA
program manager resume education section shows an applicant’s educational background, including the college degree, majors, and the year of graduation. Some applicants would add GPA and minors in the resume as well, if they’re considered to be a plus in the
program manager resume.💡 Tip:For applicants who don’t have a college degree, you could list down online courses you’ve taken in your “educational background” section.
8.Additional informationA
program manager resume additional information includes but is not limited to awards, references, certifications, projects, hobbies, or interests.
Hobbies and interests are not strongly suggested unless they are relevant to the position you’re applying for. For instance, if you’re writing an education
program manager resume, you could list down “tutoring” to show your passion for education.Tips for writing the best
program manager resumeRead 6 useful resume writing tips below to get the knack of writing the best
program manager resume.#Tip 1: Customize the
program manager resume for the job.
A customized
program manager resume helps you stand out from others and shows recruiters how well-prepared you are for this job.
To customize the resume, you should have a clear understanding of the
program manager job description.
💡 Research the job, company, and the industry first to finish your
program manager resume.
#Tip 2: Use Keywords in your
program manager resume.
Use keywords from the job description in the
program manager resume to persuade the recruiter that you are qualified for the job.
Some most commonly used keywords in the
program manager resume include “leadership,” “
program management,” “budgeting,” “interpersonal skills” and so on. 🔍Simply type in “
program manager job description resume” or “
program manager responsibilities resume” in Google Search to find inspiration.
#Tip 3: Quantify results in your
program manager resume.
Instead of simply saying what skills you’re good at, try using numbers like rankings and percentages to showcase your achievements in the
program manager resume.
For instance, if you’re writing a senior
program manager resume, and you want to show your leadership experience, you could write “Led and trained 7 project
managers and 41 departmental colleagues in areas of
program management.”
#Tip 4: Choose an ATS-friendly resume format.
ATS refers to a system used by big companies to identify and parse unqualified resumes for open positions. It’s important to create an ATS-friendly
program manager resume to get through the system.
📍 To write an ATS-friendly
program manager resume, one should avoid images or charts that may be unreadable for the system. On top of that, a complex resume format may confuse the system. Remember to create a
program manager resume in a neat and clean format.
#Tip 5: Adopt resume action words (verbs).
Action words are commonly-used in
program manager resumes to highlight work experience and accomplishments. Select professional words like “organized” and “launched.”🚫 Avoid overusing the generic and same action words like “did” and “made” in your
program manager resume.
#Tip 6: Tailor the
program manager resumes for different fields.
All industries and companies have different expectations for their
program manager applicants. Hence, avoid a “one-size-fits-all” resume because it looks vague and insincere. Try to put industry experience and know-how in your
program manager resume to showcase your understanding and preparation for this position.💡If you’re writing an operations
program manager resume, it should focus on the field of operation. On the other hand, if you are preparing for a marketing
program manager resume, you should show your knowledge in market analysis and marketing strategies.How to write a cover letter for a
program manager?A well-designed
program manager cover letter distinguishes you from other candidates. Read the 5 important parts below to write a competitive
program manager cover letter.1. Contact details
It involves an applicant’s full name, mobile number, and Email address.
If you have personal pages or websites like Cake and Medium, put the links in your
program manager cover letter to catch the recruiter’s eye!
2. Introduction
It is placed in the first part of your
program manager cover letter, and it includes greeting and telling recruiters the job position you’re applying for.
If you don’t know the name of recruiters, you could write “Dear Hiring
Manager” or “To Whom It May Concern” in the greeting sentence.
3. Motivation (Intention to apply)
This part is to show your intention of applying for the job. It’s a great chance to show your know-how and understanding of the industry, company, and position in the
program manager cover letter to amaze the recruiters.
4. Qualification
This part is to show why you are qualified for the job. You should write down work history including company name, job position, job duties, and performances. If you have limited work experience, you could introduce your projects or rewards to show your qualification.📝 Remember to elaborate on how your past experiences make you
qualified for the job and how you could bring the best to the company.
5. Closing
Remember 3 things while writing the closing part of a
program manager cover letter.
Thank the recruiter for reading your cover letter.Tell the recruiter if you have attached documents including resume and portfolio to the email message.Remember to send the
program manager cover letter in a PDF file to preserve the formatting.
💡 Pro Tips:Remember to elaborate on how your past experiences make you qualified for the job and how you could bring the best to the company.Proofread your
program manager cover letter before sending it out to avoid embarrassing or silly mistakes!
Program Manager Resume SampleNana MiPassionate and Goal-Oriented Marketing
Program Manager
[email protected]
Phone: (123)-456-789
Address: New York City, NY, 00926
Professional Summary
With more than 3 years of experience in
program management. Led a cross-functional team of 15 members to raise 15% of total sales lead in 8 months for ABC company.
Work Experience
KKCake Inc. | NYCMarketing
Program Manager
J11/2021 - 02/2023
Led a cross-functional team of 9 members to plan and implement marketing strategies, increasing 30% of the website’s organic web traffic in 2 months.
Established and managed customer relationships.
AaBb Inc. | NYC
Marketing Project Cooperator
04/2022-11/2022
Scheduled and led more than 50 meetings for 3 departments.
Oversaw and reported project developments to PM using spreadsheet reports.
Assisted PM in managing 7 IT projects and all projects were done on time and under budget.
Education
2017 - 2021, Bachelor of Science: Business Administration
Mars ABCD Graduates College, NYCRelated Courses: Marketing, Business AdministrationGPA: 3.9/4
Skills
Hard skillsMarket ResearchMarketing ProposalPartner Relationship
Program ManagementSoft skillsLeadershipCommunicationProblem SolvingTime ManagementSoftwareMicrosoft OfficePhotoshopTrello
--- Originally written by Naomi Lin ---