how to describe project management on resume

How to list project management skills on your resume

When I brainstormed a list of project management skills to put on my resume (which over here in the UK we call a CV), it was a long list.

If you’re putting together an application for a job, you’ve probably found the same. How do you list the project management skills required without it turning into a giant list of buzzwords?

Here’s how.

How to include project management skills on your CV

Let’s just go with the fact that CV and resume are interchangeable terms for the purposes of this article.

On my CV, I have a section that covers skills. While I try to make it obvious in the job descriptions and project descriptions, it’s worth calling out what you can do by adding a ‘Skills’ heading.

Mine is called ‘Skills Profile’. Underneath, I list skills grouped together by:

• Interpersonal skills

Each of those headings has a list of bullet points underneath that give examples of how I have demonstrated those skills.

I don’t specifically call out project management skills on my resume here: it’s implied in the list of projects I have led in the work experience section underneath.

However, if you don’t have work-related projects , you can add project management skills as one of those headings. That’s the bullet point where you’d talk about your ability to do the technical parts of project management.

What skills to choose?

We aim for a CV to be a couple of pages. I’ve had to read resumes that were over 5 pages and frankly I lost the will to live. It’s too much, and too much detail. And there was a lot of jargon that meant nothing to me.

As you want to keep your application concise and to the point, you’ll need to be a little choosy about the project management skills that make it onto your resume.

The good news is that you don’t have to make that call yourself.

Use the job listing, job description, or personal profile to help you uncover what skills the hiring manager is looking for.

Many employers use sifting tools that look for keywords. They will program in keywords from the advert so those are definitely the ones to focus on.

Below, we’ll look at some examples of common project management skills for your resume.

Soft skills (a.k.a. Power skills)

Soft skills are actually the hard part of project management! But we call them ‘soft’ because they are difficult to quantify and are more to do with interpersonal activities and emotional intelligence.

There’s now a trend towards calling them ‘power skills’ (started, I believe, by PMI) because calling them ‘soft’ makes them seem easy. And you don’t have to work as a project manager for very long before you realize they are truly not easy.

Power skills include:

• Communication (written and verbal)
• Stakeholder engagement
• Conflict management
• Negotiation
• Influencing
• Team building
• Change management .

Ethics, diversity and inclusion and managing workplace stress all fall into this category as well.

Hard skills

Hard skills are technical project management skills: things you need to do to tick the box to prove you can lead a project. They aren’t necessarily ‘hard’ in the sense that they are difficult. They are ‘hard’ compared to ‘soft’, so if we’re moving to the power skills terminology, we should probably ditch hard skills as well.

On your resume, don’t describe them as ‘hard skills’, stick to terms like technical abilities, core competencies, technical skills, project management techniques or something similar.

This group of skills includes:

• Time management
• Resource management
• Project budget management
• Scope management
• Governance and project assurance
• Risk management
• Quality management
• Procurement, and supplier/contract management
• Issue management
• Configuration management.

Either list out the skills with an example that shows you can demonstrate each, or work these words and explanations into your job history section. As I said above, that’s what I do: the fact I can manage projects is woven all the way through my job history.

I don’t repeat that I do risk management for every project, and you don’t have to either. Think about showcasing one or two skills per job (or project) so overall your CV demonstrates that you can do them all. It would get boring to read about how you engaged stakeholders on every project — employers simply need to see a mention of it.

Tip: Check what project methodology your prospective employer uses. Then you can tailor your application to mention agile approaches, predictive or hybrid ways of working.

Describe your project management skills

It’s not enough to simply give a list. Anyone can copy a list of skills from any website or job description. You also need to give an example of what that skill looks like, for you, based on your personal experience.

Here’s a real example of one of the bullet points from my CV that falls into the interpersonal skills section.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills gained from speaking at conferences, delivering online and face-to-face training, and facilitating workshops in a professional setting.

You can see that I name the skill and then describe how I demonstrate it. That gives an employer something to ask about at an interview: “Tell me about a time when you have had to facilitate a workshop.”

It also helps employers understand the scale and scope of your skills. For example, have you run workshops for 5 people or 500? There is no correct answer, but providing some numbers and context helps recruiters understand what you are capable of.

You don’t want to write too much, but you do want to let hiring managers know that you can actually do the skill, and haven’t just copied and pasted it off a list on the internet.

Your next steps

The skills needed for project management jobs vary, so check out what is mentioned in the job posting and think hard about how you can evidence those. Then tailor your resume to highlight the skills that the employer feels are important.

Here are some things to do next.

• Make sure you understand the project management job description so you can check you are listing the most appropriate skills.
• Brainstorm your past experience and consider how to include your work projects in your resume.
• Take a look at the different project management job titles so you know what jobs to apply for.
• Invest some time in updating your resume with project management skills and experience so your application shines.

What skills are needed for project management?

Project management needs a mixture of technical and interpersonal skills including scheduling, team leadership, emotional intelligence, organizational ability, and communication.

Project manager, author, mentor

Elizabeth Harrin is a Fellow of the Association for Project Management in the UK. She holds degrees from the University of York and Roehampton University, and several project management certifications including APM PMQ. She first took her PRINCE2 Practitioner exam in 2004 and has worked extensively in project delivery for over 20 years. Elizabeth is also the founder of the Project Management Rebels community, a mentoring group for professionals. She's written several books for project managers including Managing Multiple Projects .

Project Manager Resume [2024] - Example & Full Guide

As a project manager, you’re the be-all and end-all of any project.

So, you’re great at setting goals, strategic planning, creating budgets, leading a team towards a common goal, keeping tabs on everyone and everything… 

Actually, is there anything you can’t do?

Well, if you’re here, chances are your weak point is writing a job-landing project manager resume .

And, yes—it may seem hard to transfer all of your work experience, skills, and professional achievements onto a single piece of paper. With the right guidance, however, it doesn’t have to be!

So, in this article, we will cover everything you need to know about writing an effective project manager resume, including:

Project Manager Resume Example

Step-by-step guide to write your project manager resume, 50 project manager skills to put on your resume.

Like the look of Jennifer’s IT Project Management resume? Create your own modern project management resume in minutes with these easy-to-complete resume templates and get started on your journey to earning the best PMP certification . 

Quite impressive, right?

These are the elements that make this project manager resume an example to follow:

• Reverse-chronological format. This resume format is the most popular around the world and effectively shows off the candidate’s work experience.
• Eye-catching resume summary. The project manager resume example above includes a brief and to-the-point resume summary that highlights the candidate’s skills and area of expertise.
• Contact information. The project manager resume example above includes all the necessary contact details, such as the candidate’s email address, location, phone number, and relevant social media handles.
• Achievement-focused work experience section. In this project manager resume example, the candidate doesn’t simply mention their responsibilities - they also include their work achievements to help them stand out from other candidates.
• Relevant education section. The candidate only includes their key education details, such as their Bachelor’s degree and a field-related minor.
• Use of bullet points. The candidate uses bullet points to organize and present the information which makes this project manager resume example look neat and structured.
• Well-organized skills section. This project manager resume example includes the candidate’s soft and hard skills that are relevant to the IT industry and project management.
• Effective use of additional sections. The candidate takes advantage of the extra space on their project manager resume by including relevant additional sections, such as their industry-related certifications and academic achievements to show off their professional background.

We've also got more resume examples that you might want to check out:

• Program Manager Resume
• Operations Manager Resume
• Business Development Manager Resume
• Human Resource (HR) Resume
• Office Manager Resume

Writing a project manager resume is no different than working on any other project - you definitely need to have a plan and know the exact steps you’re going to take.

Luckily, you don’t need to figure it out yourself!

We’ve covered each step of writing a powerful project manager resume for you, so let’s dive in:

#1. Pick the Right Format for Your Project Manager Resume

The reverse-chronological resume format is by far the best option for your project manager resume. 

As we’ve mentioned above, the reverse-chronological format is the most popular resume format worldwide. It’s also a recruiters’ favorite!

Here’s what it looks like:

This resume format gives the recruiter a clear picture of your professional background and work achievements by putting your project manager's work experience in the foreground.

Now that you’ve chosen a format for your project manager resume, let’s address the resume layout . 

These are the resume layout elements you should pay attention to:

• Font style . Your project manager resume has to be easily readable, so choose a professional font style that looks good on both PDF and paper.  
• Font size. Keep your font size at 11-12 pts for body text and 14-16 pts for section headings, so that your project manager resume is easy-to-read and fits into a single page.
• Bullet points. Whenever possible, use bullet points to present information and make your project manager resume easy-to-scan as well as well-organized.
• Resume length. Recruiters go through hundreds of resumes every day, so it’s best to fit your project manager resume in one page to make sure they actually read it.
• Resume file format. If not asked otherwise, always save your resume as a PDF file so that it looks the same no matter the device or OS the hiring manager uses. 

Use Our Tried & Tested Templates 

As a project manager, you’re great at time management.

So, you probably aren’t too excited about spending hours on pointless tasks… like formatting your project manager resume.

And especially so when you could be focusing on more important things instead, such as perfecting the contents of your project manager resume.

What if we told you there’s a quick and easy shortcut?

Instead of wasting your time on designing your resume, just pick one of our professional resume templates and dive straight into filling in the contents of your project manager resume!

Besides, our resume templates are far more visually appealing than basic text-editor resumes.

Check it out for yourself:

#2. Add Your Contact Information

Now that you’ve dealt with formatting your project manager resume, you can start filling in the contents.

Let’s begin with the basics - simply add your contact information , including:

• Your first name and last name
• Your title 
• Your phone number
• Your email address
• Your location
• Relevant social media handles (optional)

Here’s an example of a contact information section that includes all of the above:

Lauren Anderson

Project Manager

012-345-6789

[email protected]  

Boston, Massachusetts

linkedin.com/in/laurenanderson29

This step is as easy as it looks - you just have to make sure to fill in the contact details correctly.

Otherwise, you may leave a bad impression which can hurt your application. 

After all, no company wants a project manager who’s sloppy and doesn’t pay enough attention to details.

#3. Write an Impactful Project Manager Resume Summary

The next step is writing an impressive project manager resume summary .

Your resume summary is meant to provide a quick overview (2-3 sentences) of your professional background to let the hiring manager see whether you’re a relevant candidate.

So, to make sure the recruiter doesn’t put your project manager resume aside after taking just a glance (and actually reading the whole thing), your resume summary has to be effective.

Here’s what a powerful resume summary includes:

• Your title and years of experience
• Your most relevant skills in project management
• Your top 1-2 professional achievements

And here’s an example of an impactful project manager resume summary:

• Strategic and detail-oriented Project Manager with 7+ years of experience. Outstanding organizational, time management, planning, and problem-solving skills. Met all project deadlines for 5 years straight and increased Company X’s market share by 12% through successful branding projects. 

#4. Make Your Project Manager Work Experience Stand Out

As a project manager, you have tons of work experience , so the next step is to list it effectively.

First things first - let’s get the formatting right.

Here’s how you should format the work experience section in your project manager resume:

• Follow the reverse-chronological order. Start with your most recent (or current) position and go backward in time. 
• Add your job title. This is supposed to give the recruiter a clear idea of the role you had in the previous workplace.
• Include the company's name and location. You can also briefly describe the company if it’s not a well-known name.
• Add the date of employment. To show how long you worked at the company, use the mm/yyyy format.
• Write down your achievements and responsibilities. Stick to 5-6 bullet points for the most recent roles and 2-3 for older jobs.

Now, no doubt you want your project manager resume to make a lasting impression on the hiring manager and help you land the job. 

So, filling in just the basic work experience details isn’t nearly enough - you’ll end up with a project manager resume that’s similar to other candidates’ resumes.

If you want to make your project manager resume stand out, ask yourself - what exactly are hiring managers looking for?

Sure, it’s your years of experience, but the responsibilities you had in previous roles weigh in much less.

To recruiters, the most important part of your professional background is a proven track record of success . 

As such, the key to a job-winning project manager resume is this: 

Make your work experience section stand out by focusing on your achievements over your responsibilities whenever possible.

So, here’s what you can do to take your work experience section to the next level:

• Use action verbs to describe your achievements and responsibilities, e. g. spearheaded, managed, resolved, executed, etc.
• Only include relevant work experience, e. g. you already have relevant project management experience, so the recruiter won’t be impressed that you scooped ice cream in high school.
• Make your achievements quantifiable , e. g. ”Consistently delivered projects up to 12% below the budget” instead of “Consistently delivered projects under the budget”.

Here’s an example of what an impressive work experience section could look like:

IT Project Manager

08/2017 - 01/2022

• Led and coached a team of 16 IT specialists.
• Managed the Lean Training project for all 54 IT department employees.
• Consistently delivered projects up to 12% below the budget.
• Initiated and managed the project to replace all aging equipment, lowering monthly electricity costs by 23%.
• Introduced a project performance management system that increased project efficiency by 18% over the period of 3 years.

#5. List Your Education Right

Whether you have a degree in project management, business administration, or any other related field, what matters most is your work experience, so keep your education section brief. 

Simply list your education starting with your highest degree as such:

• Degree Name
• University, college, or other institution
• Location (optional)
• Years attended 

As a project manager, technically you aren’t required to have a degree (though this can make competing against candidates with a diploma much harder), so only include your high school education in your project manager resume if you don’t have higher education .

Here’s an example of the education section:

BSc in Project Management

Colorado State University Global

09/2012 - 06/2016

#6. List Your Project Manager Skills

The skills section shows the recruiters your professional abilities, so it’s one of the most important sections (alongside the work experience section) in your project manager resume.

Here are some tips on how to list your skills effectively:

• Tailor your skills section for project management. The point of the skills section is to prove to the hiring manager why you’re a great candidate for this position, in particular, so listing all of your skills is redundant.
• Include any of the skills you have that the company is looking for. Carefully read the job description and see whether the company has listed any specific skills - if you match them, make sure to include them in your project manager resume. 
• Research the most in-demand project management skills. The skills you need largely depend on the field (IT, marketing, retail, etc.), so research the project management field you’re specifically applying to and write down any of the industry-related skills that you have.
• Take a look at your achievements. Not sure which skills you have? Your achievements are proof of your skills, so go back to the work experience section and take a closer look. For example, if you consistently deliver projects before the deadline, you’re likely skilled at time management, planning, delegation, etc.
• List your soft skills and hard skills separately. This will make your project manager resume well-organized and easy to navigate.

Need some inspiration on which skills to include in your project manager resume?

Take a look at our list of the 50 most in-demand project management skills!

Soft Skills for a Project Manager

• Public Speaking
• Active Listening
• Communication Skills
• Critical Thinking
• Problem-solving
• Negotiation
• Conflict Resolution
• Analytical Thinking
• Adaptability
• Stress Management
• Time Management
• Collaboration
• Compromising
• Organizational Skills
• Emotional Intelligence
• Resourcefulness
• Decision-making
• Attention to Detail

25 Hard Skills for a Project Manager

• Business Strategy Knowledge
• Forecasting
• Project Management Methodologies
• Microsoft Office Proficiency
• Technical Documentation
• Project Management Software Proficiency
• Process Management
• Strategic Planning 
• Statistical Analysis
• Risk Evaluation 
• Risk Management
• Database Management
• Programming Languages
• Technical Writing
• Prioritization
• Evaluation of Project Performance Metrics
• Goal Setting
• Financial Management
• Contract Management
• Vendor Management

#7. Include Your Project Management Certificates

While some companies don’t require project managers to have a degree, many are looking for certified project managers.

Having a project manager certificate also means that you’ll get paid more - in fact, certified project managers earn up to 16% more compared to their uncertified colleagues. 

So, don’t let your certificates go to waste and include them in your project manager resume (in reverse-chronological order, of course, in case you have multiple certifications )!

Here’s how to do it:

• Certification name
• Name of agency 
• Year of obtainment
• Location (if applicable)
• Date of expiration (if applicable)
• Expected date of obtainment (if applicable)

And here’s an example:

Certified Project Manager Professional (2019-2022)

Project Management Institute

#8. Make Use of Relevant Additional Sections

Do you still have some extra space on your project manager resume?

Take advantage of it!

Show off your project management experience by adding one or more of these additional sections:

• Associations and organizations you’re a part of, alongside your role in them.
• Publications , such as studies, interviews, and others.
• Conferences , whether they’re on project management or industry-related subjects.
• Awards , if any of them are related to project management.
• Languages are always a plus, but even more so if you’re applying to an international company.

And here’s an example of how to put these extra sections on your project manager resume:

Conferences

• BRIDGE 2021
• English - Native or Bilingual Proficiency
• Russian - Professional Working Proficiency

#9. Match Your Project Manager Resume With a Cover Letter

Now that you know how to write an effective project manager resume, there’s one more thing we need to address - how to write an impactful cover letter .

The point of a cover letter is to prove to the hiring manager that you’re the full package - a competent project manager and the perfect fit for the company.

So, your cover letter should be personalized for the position and include any important details that you haven’t mentioned on your project manager resume.

Here’s how to write a compelling cover letter (even if you aren’t confident in your writing skills!):

• Start your cover letter by putting your contact information in the header.
• Directly greet the recruiter and mention your top 1-2 achievements in the first paragraph.
• In the body of your cover letter, describe your professional background (work experience, skills, etc.) in detail, explain why you want to work for this particular company, and stress why you’d be a great asset to them.
• To end your cover letter , include a call to action.

Check out our guides on cover letter writing tips and cover letter mistakes to make sure your cover letter is top-notch. 

Here’s an example of a convincing project manager cover letter :

Want to show the hiring manager that you are thinking of every detail from A to Z? Match your cover letter to your project manager resume with our cover letter templates !

Key Takeaways

Congrats - now that you know the step-by-step plan of writing a project manager resume, you’re prepared to write a job-winning project manager resume for yourself! 

Before you start, let’s run over the main elements of writing an effective project manager resume:

• Use the reverse-chronological resume format to put your project manager work experience in the center of attention.
• Write an eye-catching resume summary to spike the recruiter’s interest in reading your project manager resume.
• To land the job, focus on your achievements over responsibilities when describing your work experience.
• Only add industry-related soft and hard skills to your project manager resume.
• Add extra sections, such as certificates, awards, associations, etc., to paint a full picture of your professional background.
• Convince the hiring manager you’re the perfect candidate by attaching a compelling cover letter to your project manager resume.

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28 Project Manager Resume Examples for the Job in 2024

• Project Manager Resumes by Experience
• Project Manager Resumes by Role

Writing Your Project Manager Resume

According to the  Project Management Institute (PMI) , the demand for project managers is expected to grow a whopping 33 percent through 2027.

The need for project managers and the  increase in pay transparency laws  means it’s an excellent time to pursue a project management job.

But that’s easier said than done. 

Whether an entry-level or senior project manager, you must  build a resume  showcasing your ability to plan, manage budgets, produce reports, and ensure projects are on schedule.

We’ve handcrafted 28 project manager resume samples that  have helped candidates get jobs at great companies like Lyft and Atlassian.  Plus, our writing guide can help you navigate the  resume writing process  to help you land that first-round interview. You’ve got this!

Assistant Project Manager Resume Example

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• A resume objective is for candidates with less than two years in the field. It demonstrates your eagerness for the role, your relevant skills, and your goals for the future. It’s a lot to ask in two to three sentences, so you’ll likely need to take a few whacks at it before you’ve cut it down to the proper size. We believe in you!
• Including relevant courses or awards is a great way to show hiring managers that you’ve learned the skills necessary for the job. Only include the courses or awards that are most relevant to increase your credibility immediately.

Entry-Level Project Manager Resume

• Our top tip? Make sure your  entry-level project manager resume  is easy to read.
• Make your body font size relatively big, include section headers, and leave white space (especially in the margins).
• Always customize your experience to match the  project manager job description  as much as you can. If you lack technical skills, highlight transferable skills like communication, collaboration, and time management.
• If you don’t have any experience relevant to project management, that’s okay, too. Employers know you’re just starting, so include any job experience you have, including projects, internships, or even volunteer work.

Associate Project Manager Resume

• Including a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), for example, on your associate project manager resume will immediately tell recruiters you know the principles and best practices required.

Project Management Intern Resume

• For instance, in project planning, you must’ve picked up on leadership, time management, and technical expertise—all transferrable to project management.

Junior Project Marketing Manager Resume

• Your cover letter and resume should form one cohesive whole without being complete copies of each other.
• The goal is to expand on your achievements in your cover letter while still covering most of the abilities mentioned in your resume. So, once you’ve finished building your resume, a free AI cover letter generator can make sure the two documents share similar keywords and achievements.
• If you have more experience in the field, you can consider getting a PCDM or becoming a PCM.
• If you’re newer to the role, try getting entry-level certifications like those offered by Hubspot or Google Ads.

Senior Project Manager Resume

• Employers expect more from senior employees, so they’ll pay extra attention to minor details like punctuation, spelling, and grammar.
• Always  check your resume  multiple times before you submit your application. We’d recommend having several friends look it over, too, just to make sure you didn’t miss anything.
• Always list your highest level of education, whether a college degree or a high school diploma.
• Unless you’re an entry-level candidate, don’t worry about adding your GPA, any awards, or relevant courses. Those are all secondary to work experience.

Senior DevOps Project Manager Resume

• Say, you’ve worked extensively as a product manager in finance and insurance. Including this info in your career objective makes you a notably more eligible prospect for another organization in a similar industry.

Implementation Project Manager Resume

• For instance, in his resume, Jacob leaps right into the work history section with his outstanding accomplishments as an implementation project manager at Cognizant. You’ve probably noticed he strategically sprinkles in powerful action words like “spearheaded” and “led,” painting the image of a team captain who gets the job done.

Salesforce Project Manager Resume

• For a compelling sales project manager resume that strikes the right chord, let the skills section be the spotlight for your expertise in programs or tools specific to the role. Worthy mentions include Salesforce Chatter, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Salesforce Agile Accelerator, Smartsheet, and Jira.

Real Estate Project Manager Resume

• In each work history section, add four bullet lists encapsulating your most impressive feats in the real estate industry, all tailored to the job ad and prospective employer’s needs. Optimizing asset management strategies and increasing portfolio by $3.2M makes for an excellent example of a customization level likely to blow away recruiters.

Software Project Manager Resume

• A software project manager resume with proof of operating below budgets and optimizing savings will be a favorite among hiring managers. Therefore, including achievements such as saving an estimated $51.2k annually would get you closer to winning the job.

Project Management Professional Resume

• Your soft and hard skills have a place here to set you apart from any other average project manager. Go on a full display mode to highlight your competencies in RiskWatch, Zapier, Harvest, and so on, and show how you’ve used them to optimize project budgets and timelines.

SAP Project Manager Resume

• Numbers matter most here so quantify all past project achievements, success rates, etc. Have a habit of submitting work before deadlines are even close? Mention it! Clearly state how many SAP projects you’ve delivered on time. Adding a project management certificate has also never harmed any candidate!

HR Project Manager Resume

• Make sure your HR project manager resume consists of tools like these in the skills section . Further, write down any instances of you helping a company retain or acquire the top talent for a position while lowering extra costs such as overtime wages.

Project Manager Scrum Master Resume

• Accordingly, align your entire project manager Scrum Master resume around the description and mention how you’ve tackled mishaps, boosted efficiency, and improved a team’s overall productivity. Throwing in a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certificate will greatly help if you’re still an intermediate in this field!

Digital Project Manager Resume

• Therefore, your digital project manager resume must embed metrics in every client satisfaction rating, early delivery time, cost reduction, and proper team management strategies.

Clinical Project Manager Resume

• In your clinical project manager resume, you should therefore highlight your project management metrics, including and not limited to cost reduction, timely completions, team collaborations, and resource prioritization to meet preset goals.

Risk Management Project Manager Resume

• You’ll likely need a master’s degree for this advanced role, and be sure to use your job experience bullet points to highlight specific and successful stories on your risk management project manager resume.

Agile Project Manager Resume

• Even if you lack direct work experience, you can emphasize other relevant achievements or projects that align with you’re desired role. For example, a candidate with experience in Scrum and finance will be well-equipped to tackle the challenges of an Agile project manager position at Goldman Sachs.

Healthcare Project Manager Resume

• If you don’t have adequate paid experience to add to your healthcare project manager resume , a globally recognized certificate like the Project Management Professional (PMP) can help prove you’re a leader and have the relevant expertise to be successful.

Creative Project Manager Resume

• For example, the responsibilities of a project manager at a magazine will share many similarities with that of a creative project manager at an advertising agency. Try to think of similar projects you can use to highlight your competency to come across as a well-rounded candidate.

Marketing Project Manager Resume

• Adding measurable results to your marketing project manager resume is a fantastic way to spotlight the magnitude of your achievements. It also showcases the potential you bring to your next employer.

Engineering Project Manager Resume

• For example, you can really boost your chances of being hired by including your knowledge in management tools like Trello and Confluence, not to mention expertise in engineering software like AutoCAD and ANSYS.

Technical Project Manager Resume

• In your skills section, use primarily hard skills like “SQL,” “Agile Development,” and “Google Analytics,” to show off your training. You can add a few soft skills, but most of the list should be learned, technical abilities that you can demonstrate if needed.
• LinkedIn and GitHub are excellent links to add since they show employers you’ve got the connections and the skills to succeed.

IT Project Manager Resume

• Stuck on how to alter your resume? Start by highlighting keywords and phrases in the  project manager job description . Then find a way to incorporate a few of those highlighted phrases in your work experience bullet points and skills.
• You can start by ensuring you have colored section headers in different fonts than your body text. Then play around with the layout, margins, and font size until you hit the sweet spot.

Integrated Project Manager Resume

• Consider using a  resume template  to make your resume aesthetically pleasing and easier to read. It also allows you to let your personality show; pick a template that speaks to you! 
• For project managers, try to include metrics relating to the number of projects you’ve managed or the number of teams you led. Any percentages relating to relevant KPIs are also a good idea, but if you’re just starting, don’t worry about it. That can come later!

Architectural Project Manager Resume

• Of course, don’t make your skills section a complete copy-paste of the employer’s requirements! Simply use it to tailor your skills section and add a few keywords from the job description in your work experience and skills section.
• As a rule of thumb, highlight six to eight up-to-date and in-demand skills in your  resume skills section .

Electrical Project Manager Resume

• Reverse-chronological is the best format for managers since it shows your career progression. Plus, it’s easier for employers (and ATS!) to scan at a glance. It’s a win-win!
• Start by nailing your technical abilities as an electrical engineer. We’d recommend making each work experience bullet point focused on a different skill (such as communicating with vendors, coordinating schedules, or maintaining equipment).
• Then add your project manager skills into the mix, again using each work experience bullet point to highlight one skill.

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• Business Analyst
• Product Manager
• Construction Project Manager

Regarding the “skills” section, it can be tough to find the right balance between listing too many  skills on your resume  and including all areas of strength. It’s a push-and-pull for two reasons:

• You need to include enough relevant skills to get past automated filters companies use (called an ATS) that grade resumes based on keyword matching.
• The person reviewing your resume, either an HR professional or a project manager themselves, will be wary if you list more than 10 skills on your resume.

To strike the right balance, ask yourself if you’d be comfortable answering questions about a given skill in an interview.

For example, if you list “reporting” as one of your skills, you should be able to immediately answer the question “How do you know if a project is on track?” by pointing to specific metrics or reports on your resume or cover letter.

Another good litmus test to determine whether or not you should include a skill is if you can discuss using that skill in one of the projects you list on your resume. This accomplishes two things:

• Reinforces that you’re only including strong skills.
• Provides more context regarding how you deployed your skills in project management (making your resume and candidacy even better).

After all, what would be more convincing to you: a candidate listing a skill or discussing how they used it to achieve a specific outcome? When in doubt, put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes and ask yourself what they would like to see on a project manager resume.

So, what are some common skills you should include on your project manager resume? Look no further than our list!

Skills to include on your project manager resume:

Hard skills.

• Project Management Software (Jira, Trello)
• Microsoft Office/ Google suite (Excel/Google Sheets, PowerPoint/Slides)
• Project Management Frameworks and Methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, Kanban)
• Programming Languages and Frameworks (JavaScript, Node.js, Python, Django)
• Data Analysis
• CRM Experience (HubSpot, Salesforce)
• Digital Marketing

Soft skills

• Public Speaking and Communication
• Problem-solving
• Prioritization
• Conflict Resolution

If you’re in a more senior role and have many of these skills, you should focus on the skills mentioned in the job description.

Yes, customizing your resume like this means more work. However, it’s worth it—our data suggests that this practice alone increases your chance of getting an interview by 11 percent.

As a practical example, look at this sample project manager job description. Look at the underlined skills—they’re what you might want to include if you applied for this position. Try to match the language in the job description as best you can.

Sample project management job description and skills:

• Be accountable for the entire project lifecycle: develop scopes of work and associated project plans and own the day-to-day operations to ensure that projects remain on track and within budget
• Lead internal and external status meetings: capture notes, assign action items to team members and own all necessary follow-up
• Relay clear and specific expectations, timelines, priorities, challenges, and new developments in detail to key internal and external team members/parties
• Own daily project plan components, including task estimation, resource allocations, and new work requests
• Coordinate internal reviews and implementation-related quality assurance efforts
• Come from a place of perpetual learning, always seeking to improve and optimize processes, develop new ones, and participate in the overall growth of the department and agency
• Work with Jira, Smartsheet, or other project management tools
• Eliminate scope creep by ensuring that projects remain within parameters identified in the scope of work
• Communicate issues, bug reports, and change orders to leadership

Project manager resume summary or objective

Before we dive into the topic of resume objectives and summaries, let’s first set the stage with some definitions:

• Resume summary: A short summary of your work history and accomplishments as a project manager. Recommended for professionals with 10+ years of experience in the industry.
• Resume objective: A short statement expressing a few of your skills and what you’re looking for in your next project manager role. Recommended for entry-level candidates.

Although they might sound drastically different, they’re pretty similar in reality, so don’t get too hung up on specific definitions. The key is that you should only include a  resume objective  or summary if it adds real value to your resume.

Resume real estate is valuable since you’re limited to one page, so you can’t waste words. Hiring managers spend, on average, six seconds reviewing a given resume. Don’t divert attention from your work experience and skills if your objective or summary doesn’t provide anything of value.

Senior project managers should use a  resume summary  since it’s a high-level highlight reel showcasing your most significant accomplishments or goals in two to three sentences.

WRONG – generic resume summary

“Experienced project manager with a history of working across departments to achieve goals and positive outcomes on the projects I manage.”

RIGHT – specific project manager resume summary

“PMP certified project manager with 5+ years of experience owning all stages of the project lifecycle from inception through monitoring and closing to deliver projects that exceed expectations on time and under budget.”

The second resume summary works well because it leads with this PM’s certifications (we’ll touch on this more below) while also showcasing their experience delivering projects on time and within the allotted budget. The first example will take up space on the page.

On the other hand, an objective should be used by more junior project managers to talk about your skill set and what you’re looking for in your next role. It can also be used by PMs who are undergoing a career change or looking for something specific in their next role.

WRONG – vague resume objective

“I’m looking for an opportunity to work as a project manager at a growing organization where I can utilize my unique abilities to plan, scope, and deliver projects.”

RIGHT – resume objective tied to experience

“Project manager with experience building web apps as a software engineer and leading projects that have a meaningful impact on the company’s bottom line. I’m looking for a role where I can utilize my ability to communicate effectively with developers and executives alike.”

The second resume objective is a great way to call attention to the fact that this project manager has experience as both a software engineer and a project manager, which can manifest itself in more effective communication between those two groups.

Projects and work experience

When it comes time to talk about your work experience on your project manager resume, you must tell the story of the projects on which you worked. You’ll have more room to dive into this in your  project manager cover letter , so how do you keep it short and sweet in your resume? 

Rather than talking about one-off tasks you completed, focus on one to two of the biggest projects you led. The beauty of being a project manager is that the experience you should discuss is right in your job title.

Here are some questions you might want to answer about the projects you worked on when talking about them on your resume:

• What was the scope or goal of the project?
• How big was the budget, and what was the timeline? Was it a year-long project, or was it a short-term one?
• How large was the team involved, and with what departments did you collaborate?
• What kind of reporting or metrics did you use to determine success?
• Did you encounter any major roadblocks? How did you remove them?
• What kind of collaboration did you have with the executive team? Did you give a presentation upon project completion?
• You can and should use quantifiable metrics here!

Remember that you should also mention some of the skills listed in your official “skills” section. For example, did you use Trello to ensure the project was on time? Did you build reporting to measure project success?

Let’s describe a specific example of how all of this might work when describing your work experience as a project manager.

WRONG – non-specific work experience

Feedzai August 2016 – May 2018, New York NY Project Manager

• Managed several projects in collaboration with the executive team from inception through to closing
• Regularly removed roadblocks to ensure projects were delivered on time
• Presented the results of each project in a clear and efficient manner
• Worked collaboratively with the engineering, product, marketing, and customer success teams

RIGHT – work experience detailing a specific project

• Led the development of content prediction engine, which grew to $1.5M in annual revenue
• Analyzed the scope of the project based on competitive analysis, interviews with customers, and customer feature requests
• Set deadlines for incremental goals, allocated budget, and worked across software, marketing, and executive teams to ensure all teams were properly resourced
• Communicated progress and roadblocks to stakeholders, including executive management, and made proactive recommendations to remove roadblocks leading to the on-time and on-budget delivery of the project

Specialization and industry experience

Since project managers are in such high demand, they can work in various industries and have a wide range of specializations.

So, if you’re looking for a more specialized PM role, you must highlight your experience in that specialization on your resume. If you’re looking for an I.T. project manager or technical project manager role, you should focus on your experience shepherding projects related to software.

Conversely, if you’re applying for a construction project manager role, your field experience will be more valuable. Focus your resume on the position you’re applying for, and pay particular attention to the  project manager job description .

Education and certifications

No matter what you went to school for, you should include your highest level of education on your resume. If you’re an entry-level project manager, you should include relevant classes you took in school that will convince the hiring manager you’ll make for an effective PM.

When you’re a senior PM, you should avoid listing relevant classes because you want the focus of your resume to be your work experience. Since you want to keep it to one page, you can’t afford to use that space for classes.

No matter where you are on the career ladder, certifications can help your candidacy as a project manager.

Top program manager certifications:

• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
• Professional Scrum Master (PSM)
• Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
• Kanban Management Professional (KMP)

If you have one of these certifications, you should include it in your education section and your resume objective or summary, should you include one.

Finalizing your project manager resume

Don’t let “perfect” be the enemy of “great.” Building a project manager resume can be daunting, but the hardest part is getting started. Don’t worry about perfection just yet; instead, focus on making your resume great. No one-size-fits-all “perfect” resume exists because each person has different experiences and skills. Just do the best you can!

If you need a launching point, feel free to use our  free resume templates  or choose a  Google Docs resume template . Or you can try a  resume outline  to give you a relatively blank slate to build on. Add on to include your experience, skills, education, and contact information until it’s complete. Then, and only then, do you need to worry about the details (in which case, go back and reread this guide to make sure you’re hitting all the right notes). 

Feel free to edit any of the resumes above in our resume builder or download the project manager resumes as PDFs. Then as you write, follow the rules in this guide. You’ll be well on your way toward landing your next (or first) role as a project manager!

Here’s a quick summary of our  resume tips :

• Only include skills you’d be comfortable being interviewed on in your resume. Include these keywords both in your skills section and in your work experience bullet points.
• Make sure your resume objective or resume summary adds value to your candidacy. Avoid vague or generic statements.
• When discussing your work experience, highlight the details of one to two major projects you worked on instead of focusing on one-off tasks you completed.
• Be sure to include your highest level of education and any certifications you have in your resume objective or summary.

And that’s it! We wish you the best of luck in whatever role you hope to land!

Resume Worded   |  Proven Resume Examples

• Resume Examples
• Manager Resumes

23 Project Manager Resume Examples - Here's What Works In 2024

Your resume can make or break your search for a project manager position. we’ve got five resume templates here with the key qualities that project manager recruiters are looking for in 2023 (google docs and pdfs attached)..

Project managers are versatile, multi-talented professionals who play an essential role in the success of a business. Among other things, project managers oversee projects from start to finish, ensuring that the entire process runs smoothly while working closely with their team, communicating with clients, resolving conflicts, and staying within set budgets. Career prospects for project managers are expanding exponentially -- according to some estimates, by 2027, around 87.7 million workers will be employed in project management-related jobs. In some respects, there’s never been a better time to become a project manager. However, like many other fields, project management is quite competitive, and if you want to land a position as a project manager, you’ll need a strong resume and a diverse skill set to show potential employers that you’re the right fit for the job. So, what should a project manager resume look like in 2023? First, let’s take a look at some templates of successful resumes. Next, we’ll discuss some of the essential skills for project managers as well as tips for creating a knockout resume. Finally, we’ll cover some of the best action verbs to use in your resume bullet points.

Project Manager Resume Templates

Jump to a template:

• Project Manager
• Entry Level Project Manager
• Senior Project Manager
• Technical Project Manager
• Marketing Project Manager
• Construction Project Manager
• Agile Project Manager
• Engineering Project Manager
• Assistant Project Manager
• Healthcare Project Manager
• Junior Project Manager
• IT Project Manager
• Project Management Office (PMO) Director
• Process Manager
• Process Operator
• Software Project Manager

Jump to a resource:

• Keywords for Project Manager Resumes

Project Manager Resume Tips

• Action Verbs to Use
• Bullet Points on Project Manager Resumes
• Related Manager Resumes

Get advice on each section of your resume:

Template 1 of 23: Project Manager Resume Example

Project managers oversee the planning, executing, and monitoring of an organization’s projects and initiatives. Project managers can work in many different industries, and the job responsibilities may vary based on the industry. In any case, the project manager is responsible for overseeing each step of a project, ensuring timelines are being met, ensuring the project is staying within budget and collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure all expectations are met. To become a project manager, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as business intelligence, applied statistics, or business management. Hiring managers may look for candidates with additional project management certifications. In addition, hiring managers will be looking for someone with several years of experience in relevant roles, such as prior experience as a business analyst, operations associate, or project estimator. Ideal candidates for this role will have superb organizational skills and an understanding of budgets and business operations.

We're just getting the template ready for you, just a second left.

Tips to help you write your Project Manager resume in 2024

   obtain project management certifications.

Since no specific degree is required for a project management role, gaining project manager certifications can help you specialize your knowledge and stand out when applying for these roles. There are several certifications you can obtain, such as the PMP (project management professional) or CSM (certified scrum master) credentials.

   Apply to roles in industries you have experience in

Project managers are needed in a variety of industries, including education, construction, IT, healthcare, technology, and many more. Having experience in the industry you want to be a project manager for will help strengthen your resume. For example, if you have experience working in IT, applying for a project manager role at an IT company is wise.

Skills you can include on your Project Manager resume

Template 2 of 23: project manager resume example.

When applying for a project manager role, you need to demonstrate that you have the right skills for the job. Your work history and skills section should show evidence of your abilities in areas such as time management, planning, and communication. If you have experience with specific project management software or methodologies, make sure to mention those in your resume as well.

   Skills section and bullet points

Skills sections in resumes are most effective when they succinctly list the relevant skills for the job you’re applying for. This template shows only specific project management-related skills, and there are bullet points under the work experiences that exemplify some of the more abstract skills (e.g. strategic planning).

   Strong action verbs

The bullet points in this template begin with strong action verbs such as “developed”, “spearheaded”, and “managed”. We always suggest framing your past successes with verbs like these to emphasize the role you played in your accomplishments.

Template 3 of 23: Entry Level Project Manager Resume Example

As an entry level project manager, you're just beginning your journey in overseeing projects from start to finish. One of the key aspects of this role is understanding and adapting to the ever-evolving industry trends and company expectations. When crafting your resume, emphasize your project management skills in areas like planning, execution, and risk management. Also, stay updated with industry-specific certifications and showcase your ability to learn and grow in the role. Companies hiring entry-level project managers often look for those who can adapt quickly and bring fresh perspectives to the table. Therefore, it's crucial to highlight your innovative thinking, problem-solving skills, and willingness to collaborate with diverse project teams. Demonstrating these qualities on your resume will help you stand out as a potential candidate.

Tips to help you write your Entry Level Project Manager resume in 2024

   focus on relevant coursework and certifications.

As an entry-level applicant, you may have limited work experience. Make sure to highlight relevant coursework and certifications such as PMP, CAPM, or Agile methodologies that showcase your knowledge in project management principles and practices.

   Emphasize your team collaboration experience

Employers value candidates who can work effectively with others. Use your resume to showcase experiences where you successfully collaborated on class projects, internships, or volunteer work, highlighting your ability to communicate and contribute in a team setting.

Skills you can include on your Entry Level Project Manager resume

Template 4 of 23: entry level project manager resume example.

At first, it might seem intimidating to apply for project manager jobs with little to no prior experience in this line of work. But if you have a strong academic history and the skills to succeed as a project manager, you can break into this field. Use your resume to highlight projects you worked on in school, extracurricular activities, and any other experiences where you had to use skills such as problem solving and organization.

   Education and academic background

On an entry-level resume, leading with your educational history can put your strengths in the forefront - especially if you excelled in school. If you had a high GPA or academic honors, it’s great to mention those here, as well as any coursework or projects you did that could be relevant for project management.

   Volunteering and internships

Even if you don’t have an extensive work history, you’ve likely done internships, community service, and other projects that show who you are and where your strengths lie. Extracurricular activities can also tell recruiters that you’re driven, ambitious, and actively involved in your community.

Template 5 of 23: Senior Project Manager Resume Example

As a Senior Project Manager, you're the orchestra conductor of your organization. You're the bridge between various teams, clients, stakeholders, and upper management, making sure everything and everyone moves in harmony. You're the one who pulls together all the disparate threads into a cohesive, successful project. Because of the central role you hold, you should focus on showcasing multidimensional skills on your resume, from technical knowledge to team leadership. Moreover, due to the recent remote work trend, companies are seeking project managers who can effectively spearhead virtual teams. So, an understanding of online collaboration tools and strategies is now crucial.

Tips to help you write your Senior Project Manager resume in 2024

   highlight leadership skills.

In your resume, emphasize your ability in leading teams, resolving conflicts, and fostering collaboration. These are indicators of a strong Senior Project Manager who can keep everyone aligned with the project goals. Also, provide examples of your leadership skills in action, especially in highly complex projects.

   Showcase Technical and Industry Knowledge

As a Senior Project Manager, you should demonstrate deep knowledge of project management methodologies and tools. Illustrate your expertise in industry-related software and highlight any project management certifications you hold. Also, relate your knowledge of the industry, trends, and regulations, which shows that you understand the business context of projects.

Skills you can include on your Senior Project Manager resume

Template 6 of 23: senior project manager resume example.

As a senior project manager, you won’t only be managing projects; you’ll likely also be managing other members of your team. To get this kind of job, you’ll need to show that you have leadership capabilities along with the experience and expertise of a senior-level professional. Your work history should highlight any management or leadership roles you’ve held in the past, in addition to any previous achievements managing projects.

   Emphasis on work experience

If you’ve been working in project management for many years, you’ll have a lot of work history to show for it. Leading with this section places the emphasis on your experience and all that you’ve learned from it.

   Promotions at previous jobs

Being promoted shows that you achieved a high level of excellence and that you’ve been regarded as a top performer with past employers. This resume includes an example of a promotion, which demonstrates leadership and professional growth.

Template 7 of 23: Technical Project Manager Resume Example

As a Technical Project Manager, you're the key person responsible for bridging the gap between technical teams and stakeholders, ensuring projects are completed efficiently and on time. The tech industry is always evolving, so staying up-to-date with the latest trends and methodologies is crucial. When writing your resume, make sure to emphasize your technical expertise and proven experience in managing complex projects. Additionally, showcase your ability to adapt and learn fast, as this is highly regarded in this role. In recent years, there's been a shift towards agile project management methodologies, which require Technical Project Managers to be more flexible and responsive. This means that when crafting your resume, it's essential to highlight any agile or Scrum experience you have, as well as your capability to work within a fast-paced environment.

Tips to help you write your Technical Project Manager resume in 2024

   emphasize technical skills and certifications.

As a Technical Project Manager, your technical skills and certifications are a huge selling point. Make sure to list all relevant skills, as well as any formal training or certifications you hold, such as PMP, Agile, or Scrum Master, to demonstrate your expertise in the field.

   Highlight successful project outcomes

Technical Project Managers are responsible for delivering projects on time and within budget. Make sure to include specific examples of your past project success, including quantifiable outcomes like time, budget, and scope management. This will show prospective employers your ability to drive results.

Skills you can include on your Technical Project Manager resume

Template 8 of 23: technical project manager resume example.

Technical project management jobs often require you to have a background in IT, engineering, or another tech-related field. If you’re pursuing one of these positions, you’ll want to use your resume to highlight your technical expertise as well as your project management experience. This resume template will show you how to do just that.

   Tailored to the specific position

This resume effectively showcases prior work history with examples of both project management and technical experience. A work history like this one clearly demonstrates that you have the right blend of skills to succeed in a technical project manager role.

   Detailed bullet points with measurable results

As much as possible, when talking about your accomplishments, you should mention the specific results that you achieved through your actions. This resume template is filled with quantifiable results (e.g. increased ROI and reduced onboarding time for new hires) that show the impact you had at your previous workplace.

Template 9 of 23: Marketing Project Manager Resume Example

A marketing project manager is someone who oversees a company’s marketing campaigns and initiatives. Marketing project managers are typically responsible for overseeing high-priority projects from start to end, such as the execution of a commercial. The marketing project manager is responsible for working with other senior-level marketing professionals to establish the vision for the marketing strategy. Then, they must execute this vision from beginning to end. To become a marketing project manager, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in marketing or business administration. Hiring managers will be looking for someone with several years of experience in marketing, sales, management, and/or public relations. It’s important that candidates for this role have experience executing large scale projects. Marketing project managers must have excellent organizational skills, great leadership abilities, and critical thinking skills.

Tips to help you write your Marketing Project Manager resume in 2024

   show your previous experience planning and executing projects.

Even if you don’t have project management specific experience, you probably have experiences that relate to the key responsibilities of being a project manager. If you have any experience planning events, coordinating or leading staff, or launching new products, you should note this on your resume.

   Demonstrate your experience developing marketing campaigns

The marketing project manager does not just oversee the granular aspects of a project, they also help develop the marketing campaigns themselves. So, it’s important to note your professional marketing experience, including any marketing campaigns you have successfully developed.

Skills you can include on your Marketing Project Manager resume

Template 10 of 23: marketing project manager resume example.

Marketing project managers collaborate closely with the marketing department of a business. If you’re seeking a job as a marketing project manager, use a resume similar to this template to highlight your skills and experience in fields such as marketing, journalism, or communication.

   Great action verbs in bullet points

Describing your accomplishments with strong verbs like “led”, “coached” and “designed” shows that you have taken an active role in your success - something any potential employer will be glad to see.

   Use of skills, education, and projects sections

In this resume template, the skills and education sections complement the work experience. Mentioning personal projects and achievements outside of work can also help you come across as a well-rounded individual.

Template 11 of 23: Construction Project Manager Resume Example

A construction project manager does more or less similar work as a construction manager. This professional ensures all the processes in a construction project run according to the project schedule. These include planning, implementation, controlling, monitoring, and closure. Think of a construction project manager as the overall head of a project. As a project's overall head, a construction project manager has a wide range of skills and knowledge. So, their resumes primarily focus on showing their in-depth understanding of the industry. It also highlights their top talents and the certifications they have received in their career.

Tips to help you write your Construction Project Manager resume in 2024

   highlight the recognitions you've received as a construction project manager.

There is no better way to tell the recruiter that you're a top professional in construction project management than listing the awards you've won in your career. If you've been a construction project manager for a long time, including any recognition you may have received will elevate your profile.

   Focus on your ability to manage construction projects remotely

Thanks to the recent COVID-19 incident, recruiters are on the lookout for construction project managers who have demonstrable ability to work and manage teams remotely. Show that you are conversant with video-conferencing platforms and other tools that support virtual communication.

Skills you can include on your Construction Project Manager resume

Template 12 of 23: construction project manager resume example.

Construction project managers are project managers that are specifically focused on the construction projects. This includes consulting with architects, managing stakeholders and deadlines, and overseeing day-to-day work at sites. Remember to focus on your construction or real estate experience when applying for construction project management jobs.

   Emphasize transferrable project management skills like leadership

Core project management soft skills include leadership, communication and teamwork. Recruiters want to see evidence of these skills on your resume, so highlight them in your bullet points.

   Strong action verbs highlight experiences

Use action verbs like "Supervised" and "Coordinated" to show your leadership and teamwork experiences. Every bullet point on your resume needs to start with an action verb to show recruiters your role in each accomplishment.

Template 13 of 23: Construction Project Manager Resume Example

Template 14 of 23: Agile Project Manager Resume Example

An Agile project manager leads differently. APMs use the Agile framework, created in the 90s, to create and manage teams. As an APM you will be less concerned with hierarchy and top-down leadership. Your leadership will be based on 4 main values; being team-focused over tools-focused, using working software over extensive documentation, collaborating with customers over impersonal contract negotiations, and being agile and flexible in the face of change. Outside of certification as a project manager, a recruiter will need to see Agile certification. So ensure all your Agile qualifications are clearly listed.

Tips to help you write your Agile Project Manager resume in 2024

   use people/team-centered language..

The Agile philosophy is deeply rooted in concentrating on the team and personalizing their experience to ensure success. So you will want your resume’s language to reflect Agile’s philosophy. So keep your experience focused on what the team has accomplished and how your work as a project manager has improved the way your team works.

   Use Agile keywords.

To help you get through recruiters’ ATS (Applicant Tracking System) filters, ensure your resume is filled with Agile keywords and language. This applicant uses Agile language including ‘Agile Scrum’, ‘Kanban principles’, ‘scrum master’, etc.

Skills you can include on your Agile Project Manager resume

Template 15 of 23: engineering project manager resume example.

An engineering project manager focuses on engineering projects. They ensure these projects are created and completed within budget, on time, and to a high standard. Your everyday tasks will include the management of schedules, material sourcing, cost management, and procurement of all necessary permits and documentation. While it is not absolutely necessary for you to have an educational history in engineering, it is generally expected that you will have at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering; especially the type of engineering you will be interacting with as a project manager. Take a look at this successful engineering project manager resume.


Tips to help you write your Engineering Project Manager resume in 2024

   have a balanced engineering and management skill set..

An engineering project manager needs to be knowledgeable about engineering as well as project management. Make sure your skill set reflects these two areas. So list both engineering and project management tools like this applicant has done.

   Use engineering language.

You want recruiters to feel confident that not only are you a good project manager but that you are a good engineering project manager. So include engineering language and terms to show recruiters that you are knowledgeable in the field.

Skills you can include on your Engineering Project Manager resume

Template 16 of 23: assistant project manager resume example.

As the name suggests, an assistant project manager is there to support a project manager in whatever way they can. You will not be the decision maker but you may be delegated tasks to manage. You will also most likely do a lot of the administrative and coordination tasks. In essence, you will do the project managers ‘grunt work’. To succeed in this role you must have very strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills. The ability to multitask will also be important for your success. Educationally, any degree or certification in project management would be highly beneficial. This applicant has three listed project management certifications.

Tips to help you write your Assistant Project Manager resume in 2024

   show off your experience with tools useful for project management..

Prove to project managers that you will be able to adequately support them by listing the tools you are experienced with that would make their lives and work easier. This applicant includes tools like Trello and Microsoft Project which are both great for making project management organized.

   Demonstrate your organizational skills and success.

An easy way to convince a project manager that you would be an asset as their assistant is to list the successes you have had organizing projects. E.g. this applicant mentioned that they ‘supported in developing a project schedule for 15 projects’. This shows employers your capacity and capability to handle projects and delegated tasks.

Skills you can include on your Assistant Project Manager resume

Template 17 of 23: healthcare project manager resume example.

A healthcare project manager will manage a variety of projects in the field. These projects could range from building and opening a new wing at a hospital, to hiring new nurses, to reducing patient waiting times by a certain percentage. Because of the variety of tasks, you need to be well versed in the healthcare industry and have a clear idea of the needs of both the healthcare providers and also the patients. While a degree in healthcare is not absolutely necessary, having certification in healthcare would be a huge plus for recruiters. This applicant has 2 healthcare-related certifications.

Tips to help you write your Healthcare Project Manager resume in 2024

   show growth in your healthcare project management promotions..

Show recruiters your dedication to the healthcare field by showing consistent growth and promotion in the field. Apart from dedication, it will also indicate to recruiters that you excel in every position you are put in and that you are an exemplary employee who employers wanted to reward with promotions.

   Ensure your skills section includes healthcare industry-standard skills.

There are certain systems and skills that are commonplace in healthcare. E.g. You need to know regulations on patient safety and also know how to handle medical records. The healthcare industry has a ton of regulations so an industry-specific skills list will help recruiters feel confident that you are knowledgeable on how one needs to operate in the industry.

Skills you can include on your Healthcare Project Manager resume

Template 18 of 23: junior project manager resume example.

Junior project managers are much like assistants and will assist project managers with their more mundane tasks or with whatever tasks they get assigned. They will generally focus on administrative, oversight, and management tasks. A bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or a similar field, would be highly beneficial. If you have any certification in project management be sure to highlight that as well.

Tips to help you write your Junior Project Manager resume in 2024

   include previous administration experience..

Because this is an entry-level position, you may not have a ton of project-management-specific experience. If however, you have administrative experience, be sure to include that in your resume. Junior project managers will help with a lot of administrative tasks, so any administrative experience will be relevant to this position.

   Use manager and leader keywords.

You will want to show project managers that they can delegate tasks to you that you will manage as effectively as they would. To do this, use leadership and managerial keywords to show them that you too possess those traits and that you can handle significant projects and tasks without much oversight.

Skills you can include on your Junior Project Manager resume

Template 19 of 23: it project manager resume example.

As the name dictates, an IT project manager must be experienced and qualified in IT. Recruiters will therefore be looking for an educational background in IT, IT-related certification, and IT-related previous experience. As a project manager, you will also need your resume to highlight your management and coordination skills. This applicant has the necessary educational background and a strong extensive IT-related experience history.

Tips to help you write your IT Project Manager resume in 2024

   use it-related keywords..

Show recruiters that you are well versed in the IT sector by using IT keywords. This applicant uses words like ‘Software Development Lifecycle’ and ‘virtualization’ to prove their competence as an IT project manager.

   Use metrics to impress.

Make your resume easier to digest by using metrics to show recruiters your workload capacity, the size of the teams you have managed, and the measurable success of your efforts.

Skills you can include on your IT Project Manager resume

Template 20 of 23: project management office (pmo) director resume example.

This is a high executive-level position. In this position, you may be leading the entire project management department or a whole project-based company. As an executive your responsibilities are broad and the people under you are many. You may find yourself developing strategy and planning projects, overseeing the execution of projects, speaking to clients or other stakeholders, etc. Recruiters will almost always expect at least a bachelor’s degree in project management or a related field, and at least 5 years of experience as a project manager. Take a look at this strong PMO director's resume.

Tips to help you write your Project Management Office (PMO) Director resume in 2024

   get certification to increase your credibility..

Stand out from the crowd by gaining one of the many project management certifications you can get. It shows dedication to the profession and also improves your credibility.

   Show your impact on the bottom line.

Show recruiters that you can efficiently lead the execution of successful projects by including metrics of success in your resume. Include figures that reflect how much money you saved clients or how much money you made for clients.

Skills you can include on your Project Management Office (PMO) Director resume

Template 21 of 23: process manager resume example.

As a Process Manager, your resume has to showcase your ability to optimize business operations. This role requires a mix of technical and management skills, and your resume should reflect your proficiency in these areas. You need to be aware of the current emphasis on digital transformation in businesses, as the drive towards efficiency and accuracy is pushing companies to automate processes. Hence, your familiarity with these technologies is a critical asset. As you draft your resume, remember that hiring managers want to understand your achievements. They're looking for specific examples of how you've improved processes and delivered measurable benefits. So, don’t shy away from including concrete figures and results in your achievements.

Tips to help you write your Process Manager resume in 2024

   demonstrate knowledge of process improvement methodologies.

When writing about your previous experience, you should detail your knowledge of methodologies like Six Sigma or Lean, as these are often used in process management. Show the impact you made using these methods with quantifiable results.

   Show expertise in relevant technologies

Since the role of a Process Manager now often involves digital transformation, it's essential to detail your proficiency in technologies like Robotic Process Automation (RPA) or AI-based systems on your resume. This could be in the form of the specific projects you’ve led or certifications you've earned.

Skills you can include on your Process Manager resume

Template 22 of 23: process operator resume example.

The role of a Process Operator often involves managing and maintaining the equipment that produces products in various industries. It's a job that requires both technical knowledge and operational efficiency. With the recent shift towards automation and remote work, many operators now need to be comfortable using and troubleshooting digital interfaces. Furthermore, the ability to adapt rapidly to new processes or technologies is becoming progressively valued. When creating your resume, it's important to go beyond simply listing past job duties. Instead, provide clear examples of how you've used your skills to increase efficiency, maintain safety protocols, or enhance product quality.

Tips to help you write your Process Operator resume in 2024

   showcasing technical skills.

As a Process Operator, you're expected to be well-versed with the equipment and technology used in your industry. It's crucial that your resume reflects your facility with these tools. Mention any specific machinery or software you've worked with, and don't forget to include any certifications or formal training.

   Emphasizing problem-solving abilities

Process Operators often have to troubleshoot on the fly and keep things running smoothly. You should include specific instances where you've used your problem-solving skills to prevent or manage issues, whether they were mechanical failures or process inefficiencies.

Skills you can include on your Process Operator resume

Template 23 of 23: software project manager resume example.

As a Software Project Manager, you're not just a tech enthusiast. You're the thread that holds the chaos in check, driving the rhythm of a shared heartbeat amongst coders, testers, designers, and stakeholders. It's a balancing act between understanding technical specifics and team management. Recent trends show an emphasis on Agile and Scrum methodologies, coupled with a stronger focus on 'ship fast, iterate faster' strategies. In crafting your resume, remember, it's not about being a master of everything, but a maestro in orchestrating the symphony of software creation. In recent years, there's been a surge in remote and distributed teams. Therefore, your resume should reflect not just your ability to manage projects, but also your proficiency in handling teams scattered across different time zones. Demonstrate your ability to handle the unique challenges that come with managing remote teams, and keep an eye out for the latest project management tools and platforms trending in the industry.

Tips to help you write your Software Project Manager resume in 2024

   demonstrate proficiency in project management methodologies.

Agile, Scrum, and Kanban methodologies have become a mainstay in the software development process. In your resume, discuss projects where you've successfully applied these methodologies. You should elucidate how you have adapted and applied them to drive project success.

   Exhibit capabilities in managing distributed teams

Show your potential employers that you can handle the challenges of managing remote teams. Elucidate instances where you've effectively navigated through issues of communication, time-zones and cultural obstacles to achieve project goals.

Skills you can include on your Software Project Manager resume

As a career coach and hiring manager who has worked with top companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, I have seen countless project manager resumes. In this article, I will share insider tips on what makes a project manager resume stand out and increase your chances of landing an interview. These tips are based on real feedback from hiring managers and successful job seekers in the field.

   Highlight your leadership experience

Employers want to see that you have experience leading projects and teams. Instead of simply listing your responsibilities, focus on the impact of your leadership:

• Led a team of 12 developers and designers to deliver a $500K project on time and under budget
• Managed stakeholder expectations and communicated project status to executive leadership

Quantify your achievements whenever possible to show the scope and impact of your leadership.

   Showcase your technical skills

While project managers are not expected to be technical experts, it's important to show that you have a solid understanding of the technologies and methodologies used in your projects. Some examples:

• Proficient in Agile methodologies including Scrum and Kanban
• Experience with project management tools such as JIRA, Trello, and Asana
• Familiarity with software development lifecycle and DevOps practices

Avoid simply listing buzzwords or acronyms without context. Instead, explain how you used these skills to deliver successful projects.

   Tailor your resume to the job description

One mistake I often see in project manager resumes is a generic list of skills and experiences that are not relevant to the specific job. Instead, take the time to customize your resume for each application. Here's an example of what not to do:

• Experienced project manager with 5+ years of experience
• Strong communication and leadership skills

Instead, focus on the specific requirements and priorities mentioned in the job description:

• 5+ years of experience managing software development projects in an Agile environment
• Proven track record of communicating with technical and non-technical stakeholders

   Highlight your certifications and training

Project management certifications such as PMP or Scrum Master can set you apart from other candidates and show your commitment to professional development. However, simply listing the acronyms is not enough. Provide context on how you applied the knowledge and skills gained from these certifications in your work:

PMP-certified project manager with experience applying PMBOK best practices to deliver complex IT projects. Completed Scrum Master training and successfully implemented Scrum methodology in Agile development teams.

   Show your ability to manage budgets and resources

Project managers are often responsible for managing budgets, resources, and vendor relationships. Highlight your experience in these areas with specific examples:

• Managed project budgets ranging from $100K to $1M, consistently delivering on time and within budget
• Negotiated contracts with vendors and managed relationships to ensure timely delivery of key project components
• Optimized resource allocation across multiple projects to maximize team productivity and minimize downtime

Use numbers and metrics to quantify your impact whenever possible.

   Emphasize your problem-solving skills

Projects rarely go according to plan, and employers want to see that you have the ability to adapt and solve problems under pressure. Instead of simply saying you have 'strong problem-solving skills', provide concrete examples:

• Identified and mitigated risks early in the project lifecycle, resulting in a 20% reduction in project delays
• Developed contingency plans and worked with the team to quickly resolve issues when faced with unexpected roadblocks

Showcase your ability to think critically, make tough decisions, and lead your team through challenges.

The best project managers have the ability to wear numerous hats. They are usually team players who are exceptionally organized, highly strategic, adaptable, and great at communicating with a variety of people. When you’re applying for a project management role, use your resume to show that you have the right skill set and personality for the job. With that in mind, here are some tips for creating a project manager resume that will help you stand out from the crowd.

   Be specific about your accomplishments.

On any resume, you should specify what you’ve accomplished in your previous work. However, when you’re applying to become a project manager, your accomplishments should include specific projects you’ve worked on at past jobs. While you want to keep your resume fairly succinct, don’t be afraid to go into a bit of detail about what projects you did, what your role was, how you ensured the project’s success, and what the end results were.

   Showcase relevant skills for project management.

If your resume has a skills section, use it to highlight several relevant skills for project management. Even better, for any skills that you list, include bullet points about achievements at your previous jobs where you used those skills. Showing hiring managers evidence of your problem solving abilities is always better than simply saying that you have a “solution mindset”. What skills should you emphasize? Project managers need soft skills like organization, planning, management, and coordination. However, soft skills are only part of the equation; many project managers also need to be versed in workspace tools, platforms, and software. Different companies will use different frameworks, but if you can show that you have experience with using some of these tools, you’ll have a definite leg up on the competition.

   Create an ATS-friendly resume.

Whenever you’re applying for a new job, it’s always good practice to optimize your resume for ATS software. Even if you don’t know for sure that the company filters incoming resumes, you should err on the side of caution and assume that they do. Getting past an automated resume filter may sound daunting at first -- but if you follow a few basic strategies, you can get your resume through ATS and in front of a live (human) recruiter. First, make sure that your document is easily readable and that it’s in a standard format such as Word or Google Docs. Keep your text free of images, diagrams, tables, and unusual fonts. Next, you’ll want to include relevant keywords from the job description, but be careful not to overdo it or make your language sound unnatural -- after all, the goal is to eventually get your resume read by a live person!

   Use strong, measurable achievements.

Our last word of advice is to include strong, measurable achievements in your resume -- talk about what you accomplished, not simply what you were responsible for at your old jobs. And, of course, make sure that your LinkedIn and other social media profiles are up-to-date to leave the best possible impression on the recruiter.

Writing Your Project Manager Resume: Section By Section

  header, 1. highlight your project management certification.

If you have a relevant certification like PMP, PRINCE2, or Scrum Master, make sure to include it after your name in your header. This instantly communicates your expertise and commitment to the field.

Here's an example of how to format your name and certification:

• John Smith, PMP
• Sarah Johnson, PRINCE2 Practitioner

Avoid simply listing 'Project Manager' as your title, as it doesn't add much value:

• John Smith, Project Manager
• Sarah Johnson, Project Manager

2. Include your location, phone, and email

Hiring managers want to quickly see if you're a local candidate or if you would need to relocate for the role. Including your city and state is sufficient - no need to list your full address.

You should also include your phone number and a professional email address. Make sure your email handle is straightforward and professional, like [email protected] .

• John Smith, PMP San Francisco, CA | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected]

Avoid using casual email handles that you created years ago:

3. Add your LinkedIn profile URL

In today's digital age, hiring managers often look up candidates on LinkedIn. Make it easy for them by including your LinkedIn profile URL in your header.

Ideally, your URL should be customized with your name rather than a string of random numbers. Here's how:

• John Smith, PMP San Francisco, CA | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] linkedin.com/in/johnsmith

Avoid using the default LinkedIn URL format:

• John Smith, PMP San Francisco, CA | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] linkedin.com/in/john-smith-37b6a8142

  Summary

A resume summary, also known as a professional summary or career summary, is an optional section that appears at the top of your resume. It provides a brief overview of your professional experience, skills, and achievements that are most relevant to the position you're applying for. While a summary is not required, it can be a valuable addition to your resume, especially if you have extensive experience or are making a career change.

When writing a summary for a project manager position, focus on highlighting your most impressive accomplishments, leadership skills, and industry expertise. Tailor your summary to the specific requirements of the job posting and the company's needs. Keep it concise and impactful, ideally no more than 3-4 sentences.

To learn how to write an effective resume summary for your Project Manager resume, or figure out if you need one, please read Project Manager Resume Summary Examples , or Project Manager Resume Objective Examples .

1. Showcase your project management expertise

Highlight your experience and skills that are directly relevant to project management. Mention the types of projects you've managed, the industries you've worked in, and any notable achievements.

For example, a good summary might look like this:

Experienced project manager with 5+ years of experience leading cross-functional teams in the software development industry. Proven track record of delivering complex projects on time and under budget, resulting in an average of 20% cost savings per project. Skilled in Agile methodologies and proficient in project management tools such as JIRA and Asana.

2. Quantify your achievements

Whenever possible, use numbers and metrics to quantify your accomplishments. This helps hiring managers understand the impact you've made in your previous roles.

Avoid vague statements like:

• Managed multiple projects successfully
• Improved team efficiency

Instead, provide specific details and figures:

• Led a team of 12 in delivering a $500K project 2 weeks ahead of schedule
• Implemented process improvements that increased team productivity by 30%

3. Tailor your summary to the job

Customize your summary to align with the requirements and preferences outlined in the job posting. Highlight the skills, experience, and achievements that are most relevant to the specific project manager position you're targeting.

For example, if the job emphasizes experience with a particular project management methodology, such as Scrum, make sure to mention your expertise in that area:

Certified Scrum Master with 7+ years of experience leading Agile software development projects. Skilled in facilitating sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives to ensure timely delivery of high-quality products. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement Scrum best practices, resulting in a 25% increase in team velocity.

  Experience

The work experience section is the most important part of your project manager resume. It's where you show hiring managers how you've applied your skills in the real world to deliver results. In this section, we'll walk through how to write an effective work experience section step-by-step, with examples of what to include and avoid.

1. Use reverse-chronological order

Start with your most recent or current role at the top, then work backwards. This puts your most relevant experience first. For each role, include:

• Company name and location
• Dates of employment (month and year)
• 3-5 bullet points detailing your accomplishments

Bad example:

Project coordinator, 2018-2019 Junior project manager, 2019-2020 Project manager, ACME Co, New York, 2020-present

Good example:

Project Manager , ACME Co, New York, NY, 2020 to present Junior Project Manager , XYZ Inc, Boston, MA, 2019 to 2020 Project Coordinator , 123 Agency, Chicago, IL, 2018 to 2019

Tip: Bold your job titles to make your career progression stand out at a glance. Try our Targeted Resume tool to see if you've included the right keywords and skills for each role.

2. Focus on achievements, not duties

Don't just list your day-to-day responsibilities. Hiring managers want to see the impact you made in each role. Ask yourself:

• Did you deliver projects on time and under budget?
• Did you improve any processes or implement new methodologies?
• Did you mentor or train other team members?

Quantify your accomplishments with metrics where possible. Bad example:

• Responsible for managing project timelines and budgets
• Coordinated project tasks and deliverables
• Communicated with stakeholders
• Managed 5+ projects simultaneously with budgets up to $500K
• Implemented Agile methodology which reduced average project time by 20%
• Mentored and trained 3 junior project managers

After drafting your bullets, run your resume through our free Score My Resume tool. It checks your resume on 30+ key criteria hiring managers look for and gives you instant, actionable feedback to improve.

3. Tailor your experience to the job

Hiring managers want to see experience that's relevant to their open role and company. Carefully review the job description and mirror the language it uses, where applicable. If a posting mentions specific project management tools, methodologies, or domains, call those out in your work experience.

Let's say a job description lists Jira, Trello and Scrum. You'd want to include examples like:

• Managed Scrum ceremonies including daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives
• Tracked and assigned tasks to team members using Jira and Trello

If it mentions healthcare experience, you could say:

Managed a $1.2M telehealth implementation project in collaboration with clinicians, IT, and operations teams

Tip: Include relevant certifications like PMP, CSM or ITIL in your title or a "Certifications" section to further show your expertise in specific project management areas.

  Education

Your education section is a key part of your project manager resume. It shows employers you have the knowledge and training to succeed in their role. It also provides context for your work experience. Here are some tips for writing a strong education section on your project manager resume.

1. Put your education section in the right location

Where you place your education section depends on your level of experience:

• If you are a recent graduate or have limited work experience, put your education section above your work experience. This highlights your relevant training first.
• If you have several years of project management experience, put your education below your work history. Your professional experience is more important to employers at this stage.

2. Only include relevant degrees and coursework

As a project manager, include your bachelor's degree and any advanced degrees. However, don't include your associate or high school diploma. For example:

• MBA, Stanford University, 2018
• B.S. Business Administration, NYU, 2014

If you are a recent graduate, consider listing relevant coursework too:

• Relevant coursework: Project Management, Operations Management, Leadership
• Irrelevant coursework
• Online certificates (put these in a separate section)
• High school diploma

3. Keep your education section concise

Experienced project managers should keep their education section brief. Employers are more interested in your work accomplishments than your degrees at this stage. For example:

M.S. Project Management, Columbia University B.A. Business Administration, University of Florida

However, recent graduates can go into more detail to highlight their qualifications:

B.S. in Industrial Engineering, UCLA, 2022 GPA: 3.8 Relevant Coursework: Project Management, Supply Chain Management, Statistical Quality Control Honors: Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa

4. Use consistent formatting

No matter how much detail you include, keep your formatting consistent. For example:

Master of Business Administration, Harvard University, 2019 Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Stanford University, 2014

MBA, Harvard University, 2019 BSE, Stanford University, 2014

Avoid inconsistent formatting like:

Master of Business Administration (MBA), Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 2019 B.S.E., Stanford University, 2014

Consistent punctuation, abbreviation, and order make your education section easier to scan.

Action Verbs For Project Manager Resumes

The best project manager resumes discuss specific accomplishments using strong action verbs. Strong verbs convey your role in your achievements; in any resume bullet point, we recommend pairing an action verb with the quantifiable result you achieved to show the impact of what you did. Project managers may have a diverse set of skills to draw upon, and there are a huge number of verbs you could choose to describe what you’re good at. We have an entire article devoted to action verbs to use in resumes -- in particular, project managers may want to pursue the ones in the accomplishment-driven, communication, management-related, leadership, and problem-solving sections.

• Facilitated
• Accelerated
• Spearheaded

For more related action verbs, visit Leadership Action Verbs .

For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs .

Action Verbs for Project Manager Resumes

Skills for project manager resumes.

To craft an outstanding project manager resume, you’ll want to show that you have the most crucial skills for the job. Recruiters will want to see that you are adept at managing, leading, planning, and strategizing -- use your skills section and bullet points within your work history to illustrate your abilities in these areas. In addition to highlighting essential project management skills , you should also re-read the job posting to look for specific skills that your potential employer is seeking. If they mention any skills, be sure to mention those (and include supporting examples) within your resume. Finally, many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) or other technology to sort through and analyze the high volume of resumes they receive. You can optimize your resume to get past the automated filtering process and give yourself a better chance of getting noticed. We’ll go into ATS in more detail below.

• Copy Protection
• Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
• Agile Methodologies
• Project Planning
• Integration
• Project Management
• Software Project Management
• Business Analysis
• Business Process Improvement
• Program Management
• Microsoft Project
• Agile Project Management
• Agile & Waterfall Methodologies
• Requirements Analysis
• Enterprise Software
• Change Management
• Vendor Management
• Project Coordination

How To Write Your Skills Section On a Project Manager Resumes

You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:

Skills Word Cloud For Project Manager Resumes

This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Project Manager job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.

How to use these skills?

Resume bullet points from project manager resumes.

You should use bullet points to describe your achievements in your Project Manager resume. Here are sample bullet points to help you get started:

Implemented a system upgrade for an American bank just 8 weeks before deadline; resulted in securing additional business worth $5 MM

Developed an Excel macro and standardized reporting templates, resulting in efficient data collection and a 35% reduction in turnaround time

Managed a 10-member cross-functional (engineering, product, sales, support) team and coordinated with five business partners towards the successful launch of an e-commerce website

Enforced Kanban principles as a scrum master that reduced cycle time by 25% and increased the team's throughput in less than 9 weeks.

Reduced new user acquisition costs by 20% through implementing social sharing features and streamlining user adoption; shortened development cycles by 25% and increased release date accuracy by 20%

For more sample bullet points and details on how to write effective bullet points, see our articles on resume bullet points , how to quantify your resume and resume accomplishments .

Other Manager Resumes

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Project Manager Resume Guide

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• Entry Level Project Manager Resume Example
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• Marketing Project Manager Resume Example
• Construction Project Manager Resume Example
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• Engineering Project Manager Resume Example
• Assistant Project Manager Resume Example
• Healthcare Project Manager Resume Example
• Junior Project Manager Resume Example
• IT Project Manager Resume Example
• Project Management Office (PMO) Director Resume Example
• Process Manager Resume Example
• Process Operator Resume Example
• Software Project Manager Resume Example
• Tips for Project Manager Resumes
• Skills and Keywords to Add
• Sample Bullet Points from Top Resumes
• All Resume Examples
• Project Manager CV Examples
• Project Manager Cover Letter
• Project Manager Interview Guide
• Explore Alternative and Similar Careers

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Project Manager Resume: Templates, Examples, & Essential Skills

As a Project Manager, you are most likely great at leading, and exceptional at organizing. But are those skills of yours not transferring to resume writing? If that’s the case, take advantage of our resume templates, and make sure your resume is as well organized as your daily tasks.

Project Manager Resume Example MSWord® Manage the job application process the right way by using our customized Project Manager Resume Template in Word.

Being a project manager requires extensive knowledge and refined leadership skills. 

The position comes with huge responsibilities since it’s the project manager’s job to integrate, strategically plan, and control both the company team and its projects’ progress. 

Demanding as the job of a project manager may be, crafting a suitable resume for a related position can be even more daunting. Competition, professional competence, related achievements, and experience—all these and more can make or break a project manager resume. 

No matter how good you might be at project management, it will ultimately be your resume that will speak on your behalf and paint a whole picture of you as a professional before your hirers. 

Dread not, for we have compiled a detailed guide on how to write a resume for a project manager position, and get the job you applied for—no questions asked.

Project Manager Resume Sample

Since the best way to understand how to write a resume for a project manager is through an example, here is what a full project manager resume ought to look like:

[ Jennifer Decker ]

[ Product Manager ]

[88 Northland Street, OH 45205   |   513-555-1204   |   [email protected]]

Detail-oriented project manager with 15+ years of experience executing multi-function management and business analysis for a variety of projects. Excellent organizational, planning, time-management, and problem-solving abilities. For 5 years in a row, I met all project deadlines and improved Fever Productions market share by 12% through effective branding projects.

Product Manager

Fever Productions, Cincinnati, OH

08/2010 to Current

• Led the company’s software development project
• Analyzed and strategically planned the business goals, budget, schedules, and team member coordination
• In control of the project’s team and communicating about problems to improve overall interaction between team members

Venus Flytrap Printworks, Cincinnati, OH

01/2007 to 07/2010

• Managed telephone interaction, and offered issues to potential clients
• Helped chief project manager in handling multiple projects at once, prioritized them and efficiently solved them
• In control of expense reporting, risk management, budget, and execution

Master’s Degree in Business Administration 

From the University of Pennsylvania

2006 – 2007

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration

From the Monte Ahuja College of Business

2001 – 2005

Certification

Project Manager Professional Certification  

From the Project Management Institute

• Database management
• Web development
• Microsoft Office
• Project management software
• Documentation

What’s the Best Project Manager Resume Format?

There are a few project manager resume formats available, with the ever-favorite being the reverse-chronological resume format. 

As the name itself suggests, a resume with a reverse-chronological format serves to describe your previous work experiences, starting from the most recent and moving backward.

Some studies have shown that this type of resume format is most appealing to a big number of employers since it is fairly easy to read—almost like a story. 

At the top of the resume, candidates should include a short summary or objective , to catch the attention of the hiring agent.

The reverse-chronological format starts with the professional experience and then moves on to the personal life, education, and other talents and hobbies of the candidate. 

Some of the best skills should also be mentioned here, both characteristic skills and job position-related skills. It’s also important to mention some certificates or awards, because they may bring extra credit.

Other Project Manager Resume Formats

The second most commonly used format is the functional resume format . Here, the summary or objective of the candidate comes first. And, unlike the previous format, in a functional resume format, all the attention will fall on your skills section. For applicants who don’t have a rich work experience section (or any experience for that matter), the functional format is ideal since its main aim is to highlight your personal skills and show the employer that you’re capable of doing the job flawlessly—even without the professional background. 

Finally, there is also the combined resume format , whose name is self-explanatory. 

This format is a combination of both previous resume formats. In the combined resume format, the main focus will fall on both the candidate’s previous work experiences as well as their professional skills. 

Both sections are equally highlighted, which makes the combined format ideal for applicants who want to change their profession or include the best of both worlds – skills plus experience. 

To make the resume even more professional, you can always use a project manager resume template tailored just for your needs.

When explaining your professional history, emphasize your accomplishments and any other relevant awards or affiliations. This will paint a complete picture of you as a valuable project manager—and it’s a chance to emphasize the best parts of your career.

How to Write a Project Manager Resume Summary or Resume Objective

Another required section that makes your resume stand out is the project manager resume summary. 

For those unfamiliar with it, a resume summary should include a brief overview, no more than 3 sentences long, of all your professional experiences.

In this short section, the candidate should highlight their most significant achievements, thus allowing the employer to quickly determine if the candidate is qualified for the position. 

A resume summary can also be useful when creating longer resumes, and you can always boost it with relevant keywords and thus make it more relevant. 

On the other hand, a project manager’s resume objective is a statement included at the beginning of the resume and serves to describe the candidate’s key goals. 

Similar to the resume summary, the resume objective serves to inform the employer if the candidate is a good fit for the company.

The section should be short and precise, and briefly clarify the candidate’s goals and ambitions in the long run.

Both the summary and objective are similar to one another, with the difference that the summary is more commonly used by people seeking employment in the same profession, and the objective for those looking to change industry fields.

Project Manager Resume Summary Example

An exceptional project manager resume summary should include the following:

• Description of the candidate’s top professional accomplishments 
• The candidate’s professional title 
• The applicant’s most relevant project management skills
• Number of years of professional experience

Below is an example of what a resume summary should look like:

Project Manager with over 7 years of experience, strategic and detail-oriented. Excellent organizational, planning, time-management, and problem-solving abilities. For five years in a row, I met all project deadlines and improved Company X’s market share by 12% through effective branding projects.

To compare, you should also see an example of a poorly written summary section:

Experienced project manager with a track record of collaborating across departments to meet goals and generate excellent outcomes on the projects I oversee. I’m searching for a job as a project manager at a rising company where I can use my unique skills to plan, scope, and deliver projects.

How to Write an Entry-Level Project Manager Resume Objective

To create an appealing entry-level project manager resume objective , you must first understand what the recruiter is looking for. 

All in all, the objective’s aim is to demonstrate to the employer that you’re the perfect choice for the job at hand.

In order to show that you deserve the position – even without the experience – you can emphasize a few of your greatest abilities. It’s very useful for entry-level project managers to point out the education and degrees they have, along with some certification if they possess any.

Here are some tricks in how to write a good-looking entry-level objective:

• Keep the objective as brief as possible . Don’t include any irrelevant information that won’t do anything well. You only need a few well-structured sentences and make certain that each word is thoughtful and necessary.
• Be specific and precise about the work position you seek, in this case, project manager. Discuss your objectives simply and make them relatable to the position you are applying for. Keep the sentences well-written and use professional terminology to grab the attention of the recruiter.
• Draw attention to some extra project or activities you’ve been a part of while studying. This way, you will fill any gaps you have in the experience section.
• Explain what you’re willing to do for the company and how you will contribute to its overall success and further accomplishments. Take your objectives a step further and outline how they align with the demands of the organization, all the while relying on the job description as your guide. 

Entry-Level Project Manager Resume Objective Sample

There are many diverse ways to structure an entry-level project manager resume objective :

Highly qualified and talented professional seeking associate-level project management role to practice good communication, efficient planning approach, and deliver great projects to customers, four-year business bachelor’s degree program, as well as proficiency in six languages.

Take a look at this example of what an objective shouldn’t look like. 

When writing an objective, it’s important to see both right and wrong examples and compare them to help you fully understand what employees are looking for.

I’m an excellent project manager in search of a regular eight-hour job, where I can show all my project management skills and contribute to the company. 

Even though the objective should be simple and brief , that doesn’t mean that it should be void of its primary essence. Being eloquent and using professional lingo will always make you seem better for the position and more versed. Since you will be lacking professional experience in your entry-level project manager resume, pay more attention to your top skills , and include any respective degrees and certificates you have to support your professional readiness for the job. 

How to Describe Your Project Manager Experience

Before becoming professionals in the project management industry , most project managers firs t worked as an IT employees. 

Interestingly, this part of the candidate’s previous work experience is rather important for the employer, so do your best to feature it in your resume and describe it in detail at that. 

It might be best to write down what your previous professional title was, alongside the purpose you served at the company as a front end employee. 

Mentioning any viable IT-related skills is also a plus, as it helps the hiring agent to, in a way, filter out the unripe fruits from the ripe ones. 

To explain your level of expertise in this area, you first need to include your level of knowledge. You will also need to describe your professional comprehension of popular operating systems, including debugging software issues. 

Also, you can mention that you are able to assist clients with minimal IT knowledge who need a professional’s helping hand to sort a related issue. 

Any certifications and publications that describe your solid proficiency in hardware and software, among other IT areas, should have a place in your resume since it gives the employer a clearer picture of your skills and accomplishments. 

If you also have finished any professional courses or did training in the field of software and IT management, add these to your professional resume strengths.

Project Manager Resume Examples: Experience 

The experience section is the most significant to craft, since hiring agents are most interested in a candidate’s prior projects. The project manager resume experience section should ideally look like this:

Senior Project Manager Company X 08/2005 – 07/2009

• I oversaw and coached a staff of 16 experts.
• I was in charge of the Lean Training initiative for all 54 staff members.
• Delivered projects up to 12% under budget on a regular basis.
• I started and supervised a project to replace all old equipment, which resulted in a 23% reduction in monthly electricity bills.
• Over a three-year period, a project performance management system was implemented, which boosted project efficiency by 18%.

Below are some tips and tricks that might come in handy when writing an experience section for a project manager resume:

• To explain your accomplishments and duties, use action verbs such as managed, spearheaded, resolved, executed, and so on.
• Include only relevant information regarding your previous experience. It’s recommended to provide information about previous jobs that are similar or at least in the same branch as the job position you are seeking. The employer won’t be impressed to read about your high school part-time jobs or non-related tasks.
• Make your accomplishments measurable , and provide percentages when talking about certain things. For example, try using “Consistently delivered projects up to 12% under budget” rather than “Consistently delivered projects under budget.”

Entry-Level Project Manager Resume: Experience Section

The work experience portion of your project manager resume for entry-level candidates should be formatted as follows:

• Follow the functional resume format . This helps you point out your top work-related as well as your soft skills and assure the employer that you’re the right fit for the position even with no significant experience.
• Write a well-structured education section. For candidates with no previous work experience, education comes as one of the most important factors. Include the name of the college, university, or course, along with the years of attendance.
• Point out any internships, college projects, and activities you partook in. Even though entry-level candidates don’t have real job experience, working on college-related projects will make up for the lack of professional practice.
• Include the name of the company in which you had your internship, especially if it’s a major business. Add a few sentences to elaborate on your responsibilities there, and detail your contributions to the company projects.
• Mention voluntary projects that you might have been a part of, and explain how you gained the relevant experience.
• Write a short objective at the top of your resume to state why you want the job
• Create a list of accomplishments and obligations. 5 to 6 bullet points will do. 

If you want your project manager resume to stand out and strike the attention of the employer, you need to make it unique. 

And, whilst you may be lacking the professional experience to get the job, your skills, additional accomplishments, and most of all—your adequate experience—can often be just enough to land you the position you applied for.

Have You Tried Troubleshooting Your Education Section? You Should

Even though project management knowledge can be gained without college, having a degree of some sort will more likely get you the job faster. 

Every major company in this industry seeks candidates who have at least a Bachelor’s degree. Two degrees, or even better—a major’s degree—heighten your chances of scoring the job you seek. 

The education section on a resume is just as necessary to include in a resume as other sections. 

If you have a high-quality education, but somehow, the hiring agents reject your resume after a single glance, the issue might be your poorly described education section or choosing the wrong resume format. 

Alterations are a great way to showcase your project manager education section. 

If you are having trouble determining what a quality education section in a resume looks like, read on as we elaborate on the details that will make you stand out from the crowd —educationally and otherwise. 

Project Manager Resume Education Section

The education section should be kept short and tight , unless you are an entry-level candidate and have no real experience to show for. 

By default, employers will be more interested in your professional journey; however, without it, your education section is the next big aspect of your resume to polish and write accordingly. 

Arrange your education resume section in the following order, starting with your highest degree:

• Title of the degree
• University, college, academy, or other educational institution
• Years of attendance
• Location (optional)

A project manager applicant should not pile up information regarding their education, but neatly organize it, so it’s readable, precise and relevant. 

If you just throw information here and there, your resume will look chaotic, and it might cost you getting the job altogether. 

As mentioned earlier, a project manager position does not always demand that candidates have a professional degree. If you don’t have a degree but have the experience, you can pay more attention to the latter and put your professional skills to the test. 

The Best Skills for a Project Manager Resume

In a project manager resume, the skills section should showcase your best hard and soft skills for the job, and offer a brief explanation on how you plan on putting these into practice. 

Soft Skills

Speaking in Public

Astute Listening

Great Communication

Critical Thinking

Problem-solving

Resolving Conflict

Analytical Thinking

Being Adaptable

Managing Stress

Time Management

Collaboration

Hard Skills

Budgeting & Forecasting

Digital Marketing

Business Strategy Knowledge

Project Management Methodologies

Computer Literate

Proficiency in Project Management Software

Process Management

Strategic Planning Statistical Analysis

Risk Evaluation

Again, the best way to organize this section is to start listing your top hard skills first, and then move on to your soft skills.

Soft skills are worth mentioning; however, the recruiter will ultimately be more eager to see what skills you can immediately bring to the table in your project manager role. 

Remember, try to subtly intertwine these skills within other areas of your project manager resume and not just list them at the end.

Picture these words as magic keywords—employees are scanning hundreds of resumes looking for these skills, so your resume will jump out at them if you have cleverly included them throughout.

How to Add Other Sections for an Effective Resume

If you’re under the impression that the project manager resume is still not fully written , that there are gaps in your content, or that you are lacking sufficient experience, adding other sections can help make up for the shortcomings and still make you a viable candidate for the job. 

Here are some of the most commonly used additional sections in a professional resume:

• Publications such as research, interviews, and other forms of media. If some of your works have been published in the media, make sure you bring that up in the resume.
• Conferences , on both project management topics and industry-related topics. If any of these are relevant and connected to project management, they should be considered for your resume.
• Partaking in any associations and organizations and details on your level of involvement in each. Explain briefly what your job was and how you contributed to those organizations.
• Language skills are always advantageous, no matter if you’re applying for a position in a domestic or an international company. Especially for international positions, mentioning your polyglot skills will be highly appreciated. 

Project Manager Resume Sample “Other” Sections

As many other sections as you might want to include in your resume, sticking to the relevant ones only will do a better job at representing you professionally. 

If some of your achievements are more impactful than others, include them first, and leave out the information that serves you no purpose in getting a project manager’s job. 

However, if you possess both language skills and have relevant publications , or you have attended respective conferences, all sections need to be included in your resume for better effect. Ambition counts, so use it. 

Here’s a sample of a well-written additional section on a project manager resume:

Conferences 

AIPM National Conference 2020, ACMP Annual Conference

• English – mother language, native proficiency
• German – professional working proficiency
• Spanish – excellent writing and speaking abilities

Organizations 

Project Management Institute, Association for Project Management

Project Manager Resume Writing: Key Takeaway

You’ve reached the end of this ResumeGiants guide and hopefully, we’ve helped you answer how to write the perfect job-winning project manager resume. 

Before you go and nail that resume like a pro, here’s a nifty checklist to keep in mind and refer back to when needed: 

• Use a reverse-chronological resume format to highlight your project management job expertise.
• To pique the employer’s interest when reading the resume, create an attention-grabbing resume summary or objective .
• When explaining your work history, emphasize your accomplishments above your obligations.
• Only include relevant talents and skills in your sector 
• Include other professional information, like awards and affiliations, to provide a complete picture of your professional profile.

If you are still having trouble composing a suitable project manager resume, use our free resume builder available online.

All the best with your job hunt!

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• Resume and Cover Letter
• How to List Projects on a...

How to List Projects on a Resume (with Examples)

10 min read · Updated on February 23, 2024

Projects on your resume can prove you have what it takes to succeed

You've likely heard a few catchphrases related to resume writing. Things like “show, don't tell” and “be an achiever, not a doer.”  One of the most effective ways to put these principles into action is by including projects on your resume. But how exactly do you list projects on a resume, and why are they so important?

You've come to the right place. Here, you'll learn how to list projects on your resume in a way that catches the eye of hiring managers and helps you to stand out from the competition. 

It doesn't matter if you're fresh out of college or have a decade of experience under your belt; including projects on your resume can significantly enhance your chances of landing your dream job.

Your old resume may have been a list of work experiences, but your new resume will outshine the competition and win you the interviews you seek. 

Projects vs work experience

Depending on where you're at in your career, it can be tough to separate projects from actual work experience, especially if you're a freelancer or regularly tackle projects as a part of your job. While both are exceedingly valuable in telling your career story, you have to be a bit discerning to determine which is more important. 

Obviously, you gain experience from working at jobs and completing projects, but listing projects separately can help you to highlight specific skills that might get lost when you explain work you did in a previous job. 

The main differences can be summarized as: 

Projects are concise and specific

Work history provides a broader view of your career trajectory

At the end of the day, you must pick the things you want to include on your resume with the aim of balancing your knowledge and skills with what's being called for in the job description. Relevancy and tailoring your resume are critical, allowing prospective employers to see what you have to offer their team. 

Why listing projects can be good for you

When you're trying to prove to an employer that you're an achiever rather than a doer, having a project or two to back up your claims can do wonders for your candidacy. Not only do projects on your resume have the ability to demonstrate relevant skills, but they also allow you to showcase initiative and accomplishments. 

In the context of standing out from the crowd, projects on your resume can add depth to your experience to paint a more well-rounded and comprehensive picture of what you bring to the table for the new employer. One thing that a lot of people miss is that you can also use projects on your resume to fill in any experience gaps that may be present. 

Types of projects you can highlight on your resume

While the projects you list on your resume are as unique as you are, there are some common types. Knowing what type of project you're going to list on your resume will help you to determine if the project is relevant and can also guide you in knowing where on your resume to list it. 

There are four basic types.

This is any project you've done in your position with a company. It was probably part of your job description, but it could've also been something you were called on to do outside of your day-to-day role. Perhaps you led a team to launch a new product or created a new process for doing something that saved time and money. Work projects are good to have on your resume because they demonstrate that you're the type of person to go above and beyond to achieve an objective. 

2. Academic

These are projects that you complete in a classroom or educational setting. You'll definitely need to include academic projects if you're fresh out of college and have little to no work history or relevant professional experience. Academic projects for your resume can be anything from conducting a research study and writing a thesis or dissertation to developing a software application as part of a class project. Including academic projects on your resume gives you a chance to highlight relevant skills and prove to a future employer that you have a passion for learning and development. After all, continuous improvement is a highly sought-after skill. 

3. Personal

Sometimes, you get bored at home and decide you want to build a personal website or create a blog. There have even been folks who've created apps that work with their smart home devices to automate activities. It doesn't matter that these are personal projects, if you find that your resume is lacking particular skills or achievements you can use these projects on your resume to round out your candidacy. That said, adding a personal project to your resume should be a last resort. 

4. Freelance

'Tis the time we live in – a lot of people work as independent contractors or freelance. It's a great way to fill in employment gaps or have some income if you're on a sabbatical . The most common freelance projects center around things like graphic design, marketing, tech, and writing. These types of projects can be valuable additions to your resume. 

How to add projects to your resume

Since you want to keep your resume relevant to the job you're applying for, the first step is to create a list of projects from your history and compare them to what employers need. 

Analyze the job description to dissect out the keywords and phrases. Once you have that list, compare it to the skills and achievements you can talk about with each project. Beyond picking the right project to match the job, you also have to consider space.

Bear these guidelines in mind:

Pick projects for your resume that match the job description

Pick projects that allow you to keep your resume on the right number of pages

The final step is to properly format the project entries in their respective sections. 

Where to include projects on your resume

For the most part, you'll format a project listing the same way you would a work history listing. The only difference is that you may not have a company to list indicating where you did the project. If you can't list the client or location associated with the project, don't let that stop you from adding it. 

As you would expect, work projects would be listed in the Professional Experience section, academic projects are best suited in the Education section, and some projects may even merit having their own special section. 

What does all of that look like? Let's take a look.

Projects in their own section 

For the most part, your resume should have at least five sections:

Contact information

Profile (which contains your title and summary paragraph)

Work history

You can also add an entirely new section called “Projects,” “Selected Projects,” “Relevant Projects,” or “Academic Projects.” 

Depending on how hard you have to lean on those projects to wow a hiring manager will be the deciding factor on whether you place this new section above or below “Professional Experience.” If you really need them to make your candidacy, then put them above. If you want them on there just to give the hiring manager one more glimpse into what you can do, then put them below. 

Example of projects in their own section

You should create a title for the section and then list each project with relevant bullet points that call out things you achieved in working on that project. It's also appropriate to put the dates you were working on each project. 

Selected Projects

Post Evaluation Platinum LEED Office Building | 04/2022 - 10/2022

Used advanced knowledge of Occupant Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Survey benchmarks and performed literature review / precedent studies to present data-driven solutions regarding visual and thermal comfort. 

Authored and presented findings related to underfloor air distribution (UFAD) system analysis. 

Integrated Façade Simulator: Hybrid Reality Simulations for Assessing Human Façade Interaction | 09/2020 - 05/2021

Created a novel integrated hybrid system that simulated a multi-sensory environment and observed participants and the impact of environmental stimuli for sensation, perception of comfort, and energy consumption. 

Projects in the experience section

If you're one of those people who get chosen by a boss to work on a project or if you've spent a significant time as an independent contractor , then it's probably going to serve you best to include projects within the “Professional Experience” section of your resume. 

Example of projects in the experience section

Format it like you would any other position within your experience section, including the name of the company, the dates you were employed, your position title, and some achievement bullets. Then, beneath those achievement bullets for your job, add “Noted Projects” and talk about the project as separate from what you accomplished as an employee. 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

XYZ Company | Location 05/2015 to Present

Senior Biologist

Achievement bullet #1

Achievement bullet #2

Achievement bullet #3

Noted Projects:

Major Development Plan and Infrastructure Project – 03/2019 - 06/2021

Monitored site conditions to ensure the protection of sensitive species, including California gnatcatcher, cactus wren, least Bell's vireo, arroyo chub, arroyo toad, and general nesting birds.

Oversaw end-to-end project management processes, including scoping, planning, timelines, delivery, execution, and status reporting. 

Subdivision Development Project – 04/2013 - 01/2017

Directed biological resource protection initiatives for a 180-acre development project, resulting in approximately 475 acres of preserved, restored, and enhanced habitats. 

Conducted protocol and non-protocol environmental impact surveys for 3 years, in the wake of a widespread wildfire, to assess gnatcatcher habitat, population density, and movement. 

Projects in the education section

It can be hard to craft a resume when you've just graduated college and have no real experience to show future employers. Fortunately, you can lean on things you did at school to inject experiences, achievements, and skills into your resume. You just write an expanded education section. 

Relate reading: How to List Education on Your Resume (with Examples)

Example of projects in the education section

Whether you're listing your GPA or relevant coursework, you can always add some college projects to your resume education section if you need to prove your salt to a new company. 

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Bachelor of Finance, | State University – Location (Expected May 2024)

Coursework : Current Economic Problems, Macroeconomics, Accounting Principles, Money and Capital Markets, Business Statistics, Spreadsheet Modeling in Finance, Global Financial Markets

Academic projects

Secured funding for a non-fungible token (NFT) from State University's Board of Trustees and generated a 100% return on investment (ROI). 

Placed in the top 10% of a financial modeling competition. Analyzed comparative values over time to predict future performance and identified a portfolio of stocks that were graded and ranked in terms of profit and loss and accuracy of predictions. 

Projects on your resume win interviews

Remember that the main goal of your resume is to win interviews. Adding projects can be just the thing that makes you stand out from the crowd of job seekers. Use projects wisely, though. Leverage them to boost your skills, enhance your achievements, and inject necessary keywords into your resume that align with what the job description asks for in a new employee. 

Once you get all of that written, we'll give it a once-over for you with a free resume review . After all, it's always good to get expert, objective feedback on your resume. 

Recommended reading:

Guide to Writing a Great Resume with No Work Experience

Ask Amanda: How Do I List Self-Employment & Freelance Work On My Resume?

47 Accomplishment Examples for Your Resume: Expert Picks

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

Why You Lose When You Lie on Your Resume: Learning From Mina Chang

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How To Put Projects On A Resume (With Examples)

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Summary. To put projects on your traditional chronological resume , include a separate projects section beneath the education or work experience section. In a project based resume, rename the work experience section to be named “projects” and you can avoid the standard chronological resume format and instead focus on your most relevant projects and professional skills.

No matter where you are in your career journey, adding projects to your resume can highlight your key qualifications and help your application make more of an impression.

In this article, you’ll learn how to add projects to your resume and when it’s a good idea to take this route.

Key Takeaways

You can work projects into your work history section, organize your resume around your projects, or create a separate section for your projects.

You should list your most relevant projects first and leave off any irrelevant projects.

Freelancers, entry-level job candidates, and people who are changing career paths could benefit most from project-based resumes.

How to List Projects on a Resume

Examples of ways to list projects on a resume, tips for listing projects on a resume, why should you put projects on a resume, what is a project-based resume, who should use project-based resumes, putting projects on a resume faq, final thoughts.

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To list projects on a traditional chronological resume , you should include a separate projects section beneath the education or work experience portion of your professional resume. This can be easily accomplished by including a “key projects” section below the bullets detailing your previous job responsibilities and accomplishments.

Listing projects on a traditional date-ordered resume can be a great option for professionals who want to showcase their project management expertise while also detailing their prior work titles and chronological job experience.

If you’re looking to ditch your traditional chronological resume altogether, a project-based resume is a great way of showcasing your most desirable professional skills outside of the tight confines of a standard cookie-cutter resume that lists your work experience in reverse chronological order.

By renaming the “work experience” section of your resume to “projects,” you can easily avoid the standard chronological resume format and instead focus on your most relevant projects and professional skills. This unique structure focuses more on practical, hands-on experience and less on how long you held a certain job title.

To list projects on a resume:

Contextualize the project’s details. You don’t want each project to take up too much space, but you do need to describe the key who, what, where, when, and why of the story. Most importantly, bring in numbers as often as possible.

Highlight your accomplishments. “Ideally, your resume is a list of achievements,” says resume expert Don Pippin . When describing your projects, be sure that the direct impact that you had on the end result is apparent.

Tailor your resume for each job. Again, this applies to all resumes, not just project-based ones. In the context of projects, though, be sure to think about how each entry relates to the specific job you’re applying for.

Provide examples. If you’re emailing your resume, including some hyperlinks to documents relating to past projects can be really impactful. Not only can the hiring manager see the results of your work, but also how you and your team approached projects in general.

Below are three examples of ways you can list projects on your professional resume or CV . Using these examples as a template when writing your job-specific resume can help you advance in the hiring process and land the job of your dreams.

Listing Projects in the Education Section of Your Chronological Resume Example:

Education Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, Massachusetts B.S. in Mechanical Engineering , May 2020 | GPA: 3.8 Key Projects: Led a team of three engineering students to execute blueprints and coordinate the production of state-of-the-art air filtration systems for the university hospital. Production and installation came in 12% under budget and were completed 2 weeks ahead of schedule.

Listing Projects Below Previous Job Responsibilities and Work Descriptions in Your Chronological Resume Example:

Work Experience Sales Associate Baker Technologies | March 2019-present Drove revenue by 13% year-over-year by initiating increased customer engagement policy Oversaw a team of five cashiers, who collectively processed average credit card and cash payments of over $20,000 daily Key Projects: Worked with a software developer to redesign and launch Baker Technologies’ online marketplace, resulting in a $2 million increase in profits for 2019.

Listing Projects in a Projects Section of Your Project-Based Resume Example:

Professional Project Highlights App Development Camping With Oliver , July 2020-November 2020 Developed and coded a complex app, compatible with iPhone and Android devices, designed to help hikers locate free campsites in their area. Increased digital revenue stream by 55% following launch Private Web Design Bobbi’s Bakery , January 2021-March 2021 Built a multifunctional website with a complex ordering system using HTLM 5, CSS, and bug-free code Managed all custom graphics, page composition, and branding for this client, leading to a 30% Q/Q jump in sales

If it’s your first time listing projects on a resume or ditching your traditional chronological resume or project-based one, there are a few things you need to keep in mind to craft an effective resume and impress hiring managers.

By following these five tips, you’ll be able to perfectly listing projects on your professional resume and allow your key skills and job qualifications to shine.

Lead with the most relevant projects. One of the biggest advantages of a project-based resume is having the ability to list your work experiences and skills in order of the most relevant projects, instead of arranging them chronologically.

Highlight leadership and job-specific skills. If you’re listing projects on your resume, it’s important to be deliberate and meticulous in the projects you include. Your project list should be presentable, professional, and perfectly convey your leadership and job-specific skills.

Show how you achieve results and meet company goals. Another substantial perk of listing projects on your resume is the ability to clearly illustrate and verify how you are results-driven and ready to meet company goals.

Illustrate how your experiences align with company values. Not only is it important to showcase the skills and qualifications required for a job opening, but it’s also essential to illustrate how your work style and professional goals align with the values a company prides itself on.

Keep project descriptions short. To emphasize your strongest skills and professional abilities, it’s important to keep project descriptions short, concise, and to the point. Providing only the essential details to demonstrate your skills, achievements, and experience will allow hiring managers to easily read and review your resume.

Listing projects on your resume will help you get a leg up over other qualified competing applicants.

A project-based resume, similar to a functional resume , is highly effective in conveying your unique qualifications, work style, field of specialization, and areas of expertise.

Project-based resumes are great tools for illustrating hands-on experience and your decision-making and conflict resolution skills. Describing projects you’ve been involved with can give hiring managers a glimpse into how you operate as an employee.

Submitting a project-based resume with your job applications can allow you to position yourself as the best candidate for the role by highlighting and describing projects that closely align with the job description included in the advertisement.

Including a list of projects on your resume will allow your job application to shine and illustrate your work capabilities and well-rounded personality; to hiring managers and job recruiters.

A project-based resume is a professional resume that focuses on accomplishments rather than chronological job titles and previous work responsibilities.

Where a traditional resume lists work experience and academic degrees in date order, a project-based resume instead does one of two things.

It either lists a job seeker’s relevant academic, work, and personal projects in order of most to least compelling or includes specific projects beneath the education or work experience sections of a resume.

Project-based resumes effectively provide hiring managers and prospective employers with verifiable proof of a job applicant’s industry expertise, achievements, and experience.

Anyone can use project-based resumes, but the following groups might find additional benefit:

Freelancers. Project-based resumes can be an especially worthwhile option for freelancers , as it allows you to ditch the traditional chronological resume and instead focus on projects you have worked on that are most relevant to the position you’re applying to.

Entry-level candidates. Not only is a project-based resume a great alternative for freelance workers, but it can also be equally as enticing for traditional employees or recent graduates since projects can be easily listed beneath education and work experience sections, as you would normally list accomplishments, skills, and previous job responsibilities.

Career changers. Writing a project-based resume can be a great option for people looking for their first job, changing careers, coming off a long sabbatical or personal leave, or searching for a full-time job after a series of freelance gigs.

Should I put my projects on my resume?

Yes, you should put your projects on your resume. Listing a few of your most impressive professional projects on your resume can help hiring managers see what you’re capable of.

What kind of projects should I put on my resume?

You should put successful, professional projects that relate to the job you’re applying for on your resume. Think of a few of the projects that demonstrate the skills that are listed on the job description you’re applying for and put them on your resume.

Do personal projects count as experience?

No, personal projects don’t count as experience. They don’t usually count as formal work experience, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put some of them on your resume, especially if they demonstrate your professional skills.

is it OK to put project details in a resume?

Yes, It’s OK to put project details in a resume. Projects are a great addition to your resume when your experience section doesn’t already show that you have the background or experience for a job. Recent graduates or entry-level candidates are the ones who typically put projects on their resume.

Whether you’re a freelancer or a traditional employee, a recent graduate or a career changer, projects can make your resume pop.

By illustrating your hands-on work experience, verifying your skills and job qualifications, and marketing yourself as the best candidate for the role, you’ll have hiring managers who can’t wait to call you in for an interview to learn more.

Using the tips and templates included in this article can help you write a well-structured and effective project-based resume and make a great first impression on recruiters across industries.

Yale Law School – Resume Advice & Samples

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Elsie is an experienced writer, reporter, and content creator. As a leader in her field, Elsie is best known for her work as a Reporter for The Southampton Press, but she can also be credited with contributions to Long Island Pulse Magazine and Hamptons Online. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Stony Brook University and currently resides in Franklin, Tennessee.

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• 7 best time management skills...

7 best time management skills on a resume (with examples)

10 min read · Updated on April 22, 2024

Show hiring managers you're the reliable professional they're seeking

Are you the sort of employee who feels in control, knowing that your deadlines will be met, your desk will be cleared at the end of the day, and your records are always up to date? Or are you the type to panic at the last minute, thriving under the pressure of getting things done but usually running late and leaving your colleagues wondering if your part of the project will ever be completed? 

Yes, we're talking about the importance of time management skills here. In this post, we'll look at why time management skills on your resume are important to employers and which are most in demand. We'll also share how to include time management skills on your own resume and provide some examples so that you can get it right. Let's dive in.

Why are time management skills important on a resume?

Employers want staff who can work efficiently and complete their tasks on time, every time. Whether you're applying for the sort of role that demands the ability to meet major project deadlines or the sort of role that requires you to stay on top of a busy workload, you need to show you're up to the job. That means showing off your time management skills on your resume, so that employers know from the start that you're a reliable employee who can keep up with the demands of the role. 

What are the best time management skills on a resume? 

If you think it's as easy as scribbling “time management” into a skills list on your resume, think again. Let's take a look at some of the most desirable examples of time management skills for your resume and examine how you can incorporate these professional skills  into your own job search document. 

1. Prioritization

Are you the kind of person who can't see the wood for the trees? If you have a to-do list as long as your arm, it's easy to get bogged down carrying out less-important tasks at the expense of the more critical ones. Rather than starting at the top of the list and working down, the employee with strong prioritization skills has the clarity to identify what needs to be done now and what can be saved for later.

2. Planning

Being able to plan ahead and schedule work is a valued and valuable skill. Rather than leaving everything to the last minute and rushing tasks in a panic, a planner breaks down tasks into manageable chunks and schedules in the time necessary to complete them to a high standard by the allocated deadline. Whether you're doing this for your personal workload or coordinating tasks across a whole team, this is a great skill to showcase on your resume. 

3. Delegation

Delegation may not seem like a time management skill, but it is! No-one can do everything. Being able to delegate to junior staff, or even to a peer with more expertise in a particular area, means that you can use your time more productively. When everyone can focus on their own contribution, things happen more efficiently and smoothly. 

4. Using technology

There is a vast amount of technology available these days to help us manage our time better. Whether you collaborate with colleagues on Slack, track the time you spend on tasks using Toggl, plan projects in Asana, or use one of the myriad other technologies available, it's worth calling out this tech on your resume. 

5. Meeting deadlines

This is one of the most critical time management skills for your resume. Employees that miss deadlines create work for their colleagues and let down customers. Whether your role depends on meeting regular deadlines, such as in project management , or you just need to submit your expense claims by a certain time each month, it's worth highlighting your ability to succeed here. 

Are you easily distracted? Or worse, does your distraction distract others from their work? If you can zoom in on your task and maintain concentration, that's a highly desirable skill. While everyone needs a break from time to time, employers are looking for someone who can maintain the focus needed to be productive. 

7. Organization

No list of time management skills would be complete without mentioning organization. Rather than trailing chaos in their wake, the organized employee brings together skills in planning, prioritization, and focus to stay in control of their workload and is recognized as a reliable member of the team. 

Where to put time management skills on your resume 

While you don't need to litter your resume with every time management skill we've listed, you'll want to prove that you're a reliable professional who stays in control by using some of the qualities we've mentioned. A scattering of these skills throughout your resume will help to build a positive image of you in the hiring manager's mind, so here's where you can use them:

In the Profile section

The profile is your elevator pitch, that should position you as a candidate of choice in the reader's eyes. That means it needs to show off your best, and most relevant, attributes for the role. If you're an experienced professional, well into your career, time management may not be one of your key selling points - you can mention it later in your resume instead. But for students and recent graduates, soft skills such as time management are likely to be the focus of their resume. In that case for you, feel free to mention one or more of the skills we've mentioned in your profile. 

In the Key Skills section 

The Key Skills (or Core Competencies) section is an obvious place to list some time management skills on your resume. It's wise to include the skills requested in the job posting in this section, so take a moment to scour the advert for keywords you can mirror. Make sure that any skills you list in this section are evidenced elsewhere on your resume. 

In your Professional Experience section 

Your work history is the ideal place to throw in your aptitude for time management, as you'll have the space and flexibility to add some detail. Remember the mantra: show, don't tell! That means proving that you have the skills you claim, by telling a story and quantifying the outcomes, rather than just saying, “Yep, I can do that.” We've got some examples of this below. 

Examples of time management skills on your resume 

Now you know which time management skills are great to include on your resume, and you know where to include them. But some examples would probably help, so that you can understand what's expected and how to include these skills naturally in your Professional Experience section. We aim to please! We've pulled together some time management skills examples for your resume, that you can adapt and use as inspiration. 

Examples of time management skills for students

Consistently handed in assignments ahead of deadlines, while balancing the competing demands of studies and a part-time job

Maintained a 100% record of punctuality and attendance

Examples of time management skills for a Project Manager resume

Took over a stalled project and achieved delivery by the original deadline, having re-planned timelines and re-energised the project team

Delivered a complex app development project 2 weeks ahead of schedule by delegating tasks fairly across the team and resolving problems collaboratively 

Examples of time management skills for an Administrator resume 

Developed a logical new filing system that enabled faster retrieval of client documents

Completed monthly reporting on time and with zero errors, due to a natural aptitude for focus and attention to detail 

Examples of time management tasks for an Event Manager resume

Prioritized tasks and set deadlines with suppliers to organize a successful team building event for 100+ delegates 

Built a delivery schedule for a major conference and monitored progress, with positive feedback received from senior executives and speakers

Examples of time management skills for a Content Writer resume

Collaborated with a remote team via Slack to ensure that all required content was produced in line with the monthly schedule

Consistently achieved handover deadlines by taking an organized approach and planning a demanding personal workload 

Examples of time management skills for a Warehouse Manager resume

Improved average despatch time by 35% by creating a more efficient floor layout 

Motivated staff to achieve KPI targets by providing one-to-one training on time management

Examples of time management skills for a Retail Assistant resume

Completed stock takes within the agreed timeframes by taking an organized and logical approach

Increased sales and revenue by prioritizing replenishment of high-margin, fast-selling products

How to explain time management skills in an interview

When it comes to an interview, the same mantra of “show, don't tell” applies. Use the STAR technique to tell the interviewer about a time when you used your time management skills to achieve a positive outcome for the team or the business. Remember the 7 examples of time management we've listed above to identify a particular scenario to discuss. You can find out more about the STAR technique in this post: How to use the STAR approach in a job interview .

How to improve your time management skills 

If you struggle with your time management, it's not the end of the world. There are things you can do to improve this vital soft skill so that you can showcase it proudly on your resume. 

Swallow the frog

This may be a revolting expression, but it boils down to tackling the most unpleasant task first. Once you've done that, you have the rest of the day to work productively on much easier tasks, without the prospect of a difficult or challenging issue hanging over your head to face later. 

Schedule 

One of the most helpful things you can do for your time management is to set a schedule – and stick to it. By prioritizing what needs to be done each day, allocating a reasonable amount of time to it, and checking back in regularly, you'll find yourself flying through your to-do list faster than ever.

Embrace technology 

There's a plethora of apps out there designed to help with time management, it's just a case of finding the one that works for you. A bit of time spent on research now could save you hours in the future. 

Take a break

It may seem counterintuitive, but stopping work can actually make you more productive. Scheduling regular short breaks means that you'll return to the task refreshed and with a clearer mind, meaning you'll finish the work sooner and to a higher standard than if you'd just plowed on through. 

Don't write a to-do list 

Rather than writing a to-do list, write a priority list instead. It will be shorter and more manageable, and crossing items off your priority list will leave you with a sense of accomplishment that will power you through some odd tasks on your nice-to-do-but-not-a-priority list. 

Save time when writing your resume

As we mentioned, delegation is a great time management skill for your resume. Did you know that you can delegate that task too? TopResume has a team of expert writers available to make sure you're putting your best foot forward when you start your job search. 

If you've been organized enough to complete the task yourself, why not send your resume for a free review to make sure you've ticked all the boxes? 

Recommended reading: 

• 10 Ways to Build Awesome Time Management Skills
• The 10 Secrets of Effective Team Management
• 11 Best Administrative Skills for Your Resume (With Examples)

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

Why You Lose When You Lie on Your Resume: Learning From Mina Chang

See how your resume stacks up.

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Tabloid Publisher Testifies Trump Asked Him to ‘Help the Campaign’

The jury heard testimony about what prosecutors say was a conspiracy to bury negative news, including a porn star’s claim of a sexual encounter with Donald Trump. The longtime publisher of The National Enquirer will resume his testimony on Thursday.

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Jesse McKinley and Kate Christobek

Five takeaways from the sixth day of Trump’s criminal trial.

Tuesday’s session of Donald J. Trump’s criminal trial began with a heated clash between Justice Juan M. Merchan and Mr. Trump’s lead lawyer over a gag order . It ended with an insider’s look into a tabloid newspaper practice known as “catch and kill.”

Prosecutors said that Mr. Trump had “willfully and blatantly” violated a gag order barring him from attacking jurors and witnesses, among others. They said he had done so in comments outside the courtroom and online and should be found in contempt of court.

Mr. Trump’s top lawyer said in response that Mr. Trump was simply defending himself from political attacks. Justice Merchan did not rule, but he scolded the lawyer, Todd Blanche, saying, “you’re losing all credibility with the court.”

A former ally of Mr. Trump, David Pecker, the ex-publisher of The National Enquirer, later testified to buying and burying unflattering stories about Mr. Trump during his 2016 run for president, an arrangement he called “highly, highly confidential.”

Mr. Trump, 77, faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to hide a payment to a porn star, Stormy Daniels, made to cover up a sex scandal that threatened to derail his campaign. Ms. Daniels, who may testify, has said that she and Mr. Trump had a brief sexual encounter in 2006, something the former president denies.

Mr. Trump has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, the former president — and presumptive Republican nominee — could face probation or up to four years in prison.

Here are five takeaways from Mr. Trump’s sixth day on trial:

Pecker describes “catch-and-kill.”

Taking the stand for a second day, Mr. Pecker outlined a decades-old friendship with Mr. Trump, a relationship that he said deepened in 2015.

It was then, Mr. Pecker said, that he, Mr. Trump and Michael D. Cohen, Mr. Trump’s former lawyer and fixer, met at Trump Tower in Manhattan to hatch a plan to write promotional stories about Mr. Trump and negative stories about his political opponents.

Mr. Pecker said he acted as the campaign’s “eyes and ears,” notifying Mr. Cohen about possible scandals, particularly regarding women in Mr. Trump’s life.

Mr. Pecker on Tuesday walked through one of the “catch-and-kill” deals. He said that The National Enquirer learned that a doorman who had worked at a Trump building was looking to sell a story about Mr. Trump fathering a child out of wedlock. The tabloid discovered that the story was apparently false, but paid $30,000 anyway, “because of the potential embarrassment” it could have caused Mr. Trump, Mr. Pecker said.

Who Are Key Players in the Trump Manhattan Criminal Trial?

The first criminal trial of former President Donald J. Trump is underway. Take a closer look at central figures related to the case.

Pecker paints a portrait of a bygone era.

Mr. Pecker’s testimony depicted an anachronistic New York, with landlines, powerful supermarket tabloids and must-see network television, including “The Apprentice,” which made Mr. Trump nationally famous.

It also shed light on Mr. Pecker’s editorial tactics, including getting tips from Mr. Trump about who was getting kicked off “The Apprentice,” in line with Mr. Trump’s penchant for feeding dirt to tabloids.

Mr. Pecker said that he called Mr. Trump “Donald,” and that they had “a great relationship,” adding that he went so far as to start a magazine called Trump Style. When he proposed the magazine, Mr. Pecker said, Mr. Trump’s biggest question was, “Who’s going to pay for it?”

Trump’s short leash could get shorter.

Christopher Conroy, a prosecutor with the Manhattan district attorney’s office, argued that Mr. Trump had repeatedly violated the gag order that the court imposed on him. One alleged violation included a nine-minute diatribe outside the courtroom on Monday during which he attacked Michael Cohen, his former fixer and a key witness against him.

“He did it right here,” Mr. Conroy said.

But Mr. Blanche said that the former president was “facing a barrage of political attacks” from several potential witnesses and needed to strike back.

“He’s running for president,” Mr. Blanche said. “He has to be able to respond to that.”

Justice Merchan has chastised Trump once so far, for muttering in front of a prospective juror. If he holds him in criminal contempt, it will mark a serious escalation. For their part, prosecutors said they were not seeking to jail Mr. Trump, but wanted him to be fined.

A frustrated Trump

Mr. Trump sat stoically while prosecutors argued that he violated the gag order. But he grew animated during the interplay between Mr. Blanche and Justice Merchan. On several occasions, the former president sharply turned to his other lawyers and whispered.

When Mr. Blanche finished his argument, Mr. Trump immediately beckoned him over before he snatched a piece of paper off the defense table.

Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social right after the hearing, accusing Justice Merchan of taking away his “right to free speech” and claiming that he was “not allowed to defend myself.”

Thursday will be a big day for Trump in two courts.

Court is not in session on Wednesday, but prosecutors will continue their direct examination of Mr. Pecker on Thursday.

While Mr. Trump is expected to be in court in Manhattan that day, he may be a little preoccupied: In Washington, some of his other lawyers will be arguing in front of the Supreme Court that Mr. Trump should receive presidential immunity from prosecution in a federal election interference case.

Mr. Trump had sought to take a day away from his New York case to watch those arguments, but Justice Merchan denied his request.

Matthew Haag and Michael Rothfeld

This is how The National Enquirer quashed a doorman’s Trump tip.

David Pecker, the former publisher of The National Enquirer, revealed during Donald J. Trump’s criminal trial on Tuesday how a team of reporters chased down a potentially explosive news tip called into the publication in 2015 that evolved into a catch-and-kill deal.

Dino Sajudin, a former doorman at a Manhattan building managed by the Trump Organization, called the tabloid’s tip line late in 2015 and said he had overheard other employees claiming that Mr. Trump had fathered a child out of wedlock with a woman who previously worked for him.

While the claim appeared to be false, the allegation could have damaged Mr. Trump during the campaign if it ever became public, Mr. Pecker testified in Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday.

“I made the decision to buy the story because of the potential embarrassment it would have to the campaign and Mr. Trump,” Mr. Pecker said, adding that it was important to have it “removed from the market.”

The Enquirer initially reached a deal with Mr. Sajudin that would pay him $30,000 if the tip turned into a story. A contract with Mr. Sajudin was shown to the jury on Tuesday, featuring the words “Donald Trump’s illegitimate child.”

Mr. Pecker did not immediately alert Mr. Trump or his longtime fixer, Michael D. Cohen, about the tip, but instead dispatched a team of reporters to investigate the claim. They returned saying that it appeared totally false, in part because the child strongly resembled the man she knew as her father, a Trump Organization driver.

Mr. Cohen eventually heard about the allegation and called the tabloid’s editor, angry that its reporters would even consider the claim had merit. Mr. Pecker testified that Mr. Cohen also called him to say that Mr. Trump had offered to take a DNA test and could not be the child’s father.

The original deal with Mr. Sajudin was nonetheless amended to pay him the $30,000 whether the story was published or not, and adding a confidentiality provision requiring him to pay the publisher $1 million if he disclosed the tip elsewhere.

According to Mr. Pecker, Mr. Cohen told him that “the boss would be very pleased.”

Mr. Sajudin was released from the confidentiality agreement in December 2016, a month after Mr. Trump won the election, which prosecutors say reveals the deal’s true objective.

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Nate Schweber

A day after Trump issued a call for more supporters to gather outside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse, the number reached its nadir. The number of identifiable Trump fans across the street in Collect Pond Park on Tuesday sank to the mid-single digits, after hovering at about a dozen for a week.

Trump continues to receive favorable treatment from the New York City Police Department. For a week, a large N.Y.P.D. dump truck has parked in the intersection of Hogan Place and Centre Street, with a uniformed driver sitting inside. Minutes before Trump's arrival each morning, the dump truck has pulled a half-car length forward, blocking news photographers’ views of him entering the side door of the courthouse. And this afternoon, like those before it, the driver did the same maneuver for Trump’s 2:37 p.m. departure.

Jim Rutenberg

The National Enquirer’s help for Trump broke norms, even for a tabloid.

The National Enquirer was more than a friendly media outlet for Donald J. Trump’s presidential campaign in 2016. It was a powerful, national political weapon that was thrust into the service of a single candidate, in violation of campaign finance law.

The tabloid’s former publisher, David Pecker, testified nonchalantly on Tuesday about how the tabloid operated in tandem with the Trump campaign, “catching and killing” potentially damaging stories and running elaborate and false hit pieces on Mr. Trump’s opponents. But its practices were unusual even in the wild supermarket tabloid news game.

By the admission of The Enquirer’s own publisher — first made to federal prosecutors years ago during the prosecution of Mr. Trump’s fixer, Michael Cohen — the tabloid was operating with the full intention of helping Mr. Trump’s campaign.

Under the First Amendment, newspapers are permitted to support candidates. But The Enquirer’s support went beyond journalism: The publication paid $150,000 for a story a Playboy model, Karen McDougal, was preparing to tell about an affair she said she had with the candidate. Then, it published nothing.

That sort of deal is not unusual in the tabloid news trade, even if it violates journalistic standards followed by mainstream American outlets like this one, which have rules against paying sources.

But before 2016, there had never been a known catch-and-kill deal to aid a presidential campaign. In that context, The Enquirer’s payment violated federal campaign laws prohibiting corporations from donating to presidential candidates — who are limited to receiving direct donations of $4,400 per person — and forbidding them to coordinate election-related spending with campaigns.

As The Enquirer’s parent company at the time, American Media, admitted in a “non-prosecution” deal with the federal government in 2018: “AMI knew that corporations such as AMI are subject to federal campaign finance laws, and that expenditures by corporations, made for purposes of influencing an election and in coordination with or at the request of a candidate or campaign, are unlawful.”

The deal helped secure Tuesday’s testimony.

(The Federal Election Commission later hit The Enquirer’s parent company with fines of $187,000; Mr. Trump’s campaign escaped sanction .)

The Enquirer was also providing a hidden value to Mr. Trump: By giving over its cover to his political needs, Mr. Pecker gave him the equivalent of free advertising space at most major supermarket checkout lines in the country, where the tabloid had long ago secured prime placement.

One expert said at the time that such exposure could be worth as much as $3 million a month.

Worth potentially even more: The Enquirer’s agreement to keep from the checkout line not only Ms. McDougal’s story but the cache of Trump dirt it had in its own files — “tabloid gold” that would never see the light of day.

Jonah Bromwich

We end the day without a final decision from the judge on whether Trump will be held in contempt and fined for violating his gag order. Justice Merchan could issue a written ruling at any point, or rule from the bench on Thursday or later. There is no deadline.

Michael Gold

Trump, speaking in the hallway outside the courtroom, says he thinks the gag order is unconstitutional. He’s holding a stack of printed articles that he says he’s not sure he’s allowed to share because of the gag order, which only pertains to a limited set of issues. While in the middle of talking to reporters, he says, “I’d love to talk to you people, I’d love to say anything that’s on my mind, but I’m restricted.”

He again criticized the trial as an attempt to interfere with his presidential bid. He complained that President Biden was free to campaign while he was stuck in a courtroom, “sitting up as straight as I can all day long.”

David Pecker is done testifying for the day. The judge gives jurors customary warnings, as well as one we haven’t heard before, about reporting anyone who seeks to violate jury integrity — making it sound almost as if someone has approached a juror inappropriately. Then they leave the courtroom.

Karen McDougal, by the way, was selling a story of having had an affair with Trump. Pecker concluded the day’s testimony by saying that Michael Cohen was becoming increasingly agitated as The National Enquirer editor, Dylan Howard, traveled to hear her story. “It looked like he was getting a lot of pressure to get the answer, like, right away,” Pecker says of Cohen.

David Pecker tells the courtroom that he asked Dylan Howard, the former editor of The National Enquirer, to investigate Karen McDougal’s story and that he told Cohen he had done so. He seems to indicate his conversations with Cohen soon increased in frequency and the two men began to talk multiple times daily. Cohen said they should communicate over Signal, an encrypted app, which is often used for conversations that a person wants to keep private.

Maggie Haberman

The jury is quite alert for this portion of Pecker’s testimony.

Kate Christobek

Trump’s body language changed when Pecker started testifying about the catch-and-kill deal involving McDougal. He started moving his head, squinting and pursing his lips, and then crossed his arms over his chest.

Pecker says he advised Trump to purchase McDougal’s story directly. “I think you should buy it,” he recalls having said to Trump, who was then a candidate for president. He says Trump said he’d think about it and have Cohen call Pecker back.

Matthew Haag

David Pecker laid out how he helped Trump’s campaign.

David Pecker, a former publisher of The National Enquirer, on Tuesday testified about the mutually beneficial relationship between Donald J. Trump and the supermarket tabloid that started decades ago and buoyed Mr. Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.

Mr. Pecker said that the pivotal moment was an August 2015 meeting at Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan. “I received a call from Michael Cohen telling me that the boss wanted to see me,” Mr. Pecker said, adding that he did not know the nature of the meeting before he showed up.

Mr. Trump had announced his presidential campaign a few months before in the same place, and Mr. Pecker said he arrived to meet not just Mr. Trump but also Mr. Cohen, his fixer at the time.

Mr. Trump and Mr. Cohen asked him how he could “help the campaign,” according to Mr. Pecker, underscoring prosecutors’ argument that the hush-money payments were made to help Mr. Trump get elected.

An outcome of that Trump Tower meeting were negative headlines attacking Mr. Trump’s rivals and positive stories that promoted him. Prosecutors said that negative coverage included stories about Ben Carson, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio while they were seeking the Republican Party’s nomination.

During the campaign, Mr. Pecker said he worked closely with Mr. Cohen, who would feed him information. Mr. Cohen would call him after Republican debates and ask for negative coverage to be directed at whichever candidate had been most successful onstage.

In turn, The Enquirer would “embellish” the stories, Mr. Pecker said, essentially confessing that it published “fake news” to help Mr. Trump.

Mr. Pecker also said that the tabloid arranged to suppress negative information, especially pertaining to “women selling stories” about Mr. Trump, who Mr. Pecker said was known as “the most eligible bachelor and dated the most beautiful women.”

We are fifteen minutes — at most — away from the end of the day. Steinglass, the prosecutor, appears to be putting a bow on the story of the doorman who sought to sell Trump’s story. But he moves on immediately to the second catch-and-kill deal, which involved the former Playboy model Karen McDougal. She, too, had a story about Trump to sell.

Prosecutors like to end the day with the most intriguing question-and-answer series they can. I’d expected Steinglass to finish with the doorman, and perhaps allow the jurors to leave early. But by moving onto this next deal, he could be setting up a nice cliffhanger to leave jurors with, that he'll pick back up when we return Thursday morning.

Steinglass, the prosecutor, is asking Pecker why he paid so much for this story. “I made the decision to buy the story because of the potential embarrassment it would have to the campaign and Mr. Trump,” Pecker responds. This is catch-and-kill in a nutshell and Pecker just said several times in different ways that he was acting on Trump’s behalf.

Regardless of whether the allegation about Trump fathering the child was true or not, the jury is now being shown a contract the National Enquirer reached with Dino Sajudin, the doorman, in which the words “Donald Trump’s illegitimate child” feature prominently. Things like that can leave a mark.

Pecker says Cohen called him furiously denying that the child in question was Trump's, saying that he offered to take a DNA test and that because he was German-Irish and the woman was Hispanic, it was impossible for the child to be his.

To be clear, Pecker appeared to be saying that Cohen indicated that a child with a Hispanic mother couldn’t be Trump’s.

Trump has often talked about “good genes” and blood lines. While running for president, he has denigrated immigrants from Latin American countries and said undocumented immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country.”

On the other hand, Pecker did not clarify whether “the woman” he was referring to was the mother of the child or the child herself, who by then was in her 20s.

Pecker is now being asked about Dino Sajudin, a doorman who worked at a Trump building and looked to sell a story — which was apparently false — about Trump fathering a child out of wedlock. This is the first of three catch-and-kill deals that Pecker is expected to describe and we will likely get a fair amount of detail on each of them.

This story clearly bothers Trump. Just like yesterday when it came up during opening statements, he frowned and shook his head.

Pecker says the love child story would have been a big story, and he believed it was important to have it “removed from the market.” Cohen told him “the boss would be very pleased.”

To catch you up, David Pecker, the former publisher of The National Enquirer, has been testifying for nearly two hours, detailing a mutually beneficial relationship between Trump and his publication. Pecker said that at the direction of Trump and his fixer, Michael Cohen, The Enquirer published negative coverage about Trump’s political rivals and positive stories that promoted him. The National Enquirer benefited too, with increased newsstand sales. The tabloid also arranged for negative stories about Trump to be suppressed through “ catch-and-kill ” schemes.

The symbiotic relationship existed for years, Pecker said, stretching back to when Trump hosted the reality television show “The Apprentice.” But it picked up during the presidential campaign after Trump, Cohen and Pecker met at Trump Tower in August 2015.

Trump pulls down the lapels of his jacket sharply and walks out, again looking frustrated. To me, he’s looked far angrier yesterday and today than he did during all of last week, during jury selection.

Trump’s lawyers have objected all along to prosecutors couching Trump’s relationship with Pecker and Michael Cohen as a conspiracy — after all, Trump is not facing a conspiracy charge. But Joshua Steinglass, one of the prosecutors, just noted for the first time in court that one of the election statutes the case is based on does in fact have a conspiracy provision. That could prove important later when the jury is instructed on the laws they must consider in reaching a verdict.

We are taking a short break, though the lawyers and Trump are staying put. From our perspective, it seemed as if the jurors needed it. A few looked like they were flagging. We have no lunch break today — usually it’d be about a half hour away — and this is a lot of information to absorb. Jurors often feel a special responsibility to understand what they’re being told, given their role. It can be very tiring, regardless of the subject matter.

Pecker is now being asked about being introduced to Steve Bannon, Trump’s top campaign strategist, in October 2016. He recalls Trump saying, “I believe you and Steve would get along really well.” Bannon told Pecker that he went through some of the Enquirer articles and liked them, and had some other ideas. Pecker said he would give him old issues to study.

It’s worth recalling that this happened around the same time as the Wikileaks email dump, after a hack of Clinton’s top adviser John Podesta’s account, and the Trump team used that material frequently.

Prosecutors just showed several examples of the negative headlines about Trump's opponents, Ted Cruz, Ben Carson and Marco Rubio.

Pecker is being asked about an infamous Enquirer story linking Ted Cruz’s father to the John F. Kennedy assassination. He says it originated with Dylan Howard, The Enquirer’s editor.

Pecker said that after the Republican debates, Cohen would call him and direct him to focus the negative coverage on whichever candidate had been most successful onstage.

It should be pointed out that Pecker’s testimony isn’t just damaging to Trump. He is, in effect, laying waste to his own professional career by going through headline after headline and suggesting he attacked Trump’s rivals to aid Trump.

Pecker is asked about the nature of Cohen’s relationship to the Trump campaign. Pecker says Cohen always said he didn’t work for the campaign, and that he was instead “Mr. Trump’s personal attorney.” But jurors just heard that Cohen was central to feeding the tabloid negative information about campaign opponents.

“Michael was physically in every aspect of whatever the campaign was working on,” Pecker says. He adds that because Cohen wasn’t officially employed by the campaign, he may have heard things “informally” or “injected himself into it.”

Pecker finally says something mildly helpful to the defense. He says he doesn’t know who Cohen spoke to, and adds that Cohen may have essentially been freelancing, acting of his own volition as he tried to get more involved with the campaign.

Now, we are discussing negative headlines attacking three of Trump's Republican opponents in 2016, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, which prosecutors argue illustrate the outcome of the agreement reached during the Trump Tower meeting. Pecker says that Cohen would feed him negative information and that The National Enquirer would “embellish” and add onto it.

Trump jumped on the negative coverage of Ted Cruz, especially about his father, in 2016. The campaign promoted it like it had come about organically and Trump was simply responding to it.

Trump just leaned in toward the monitor in front of him and squinted to look closer at a collection of headlines from The National Enquirer that praised him. They included: “Donald Trump — Cruzin to victory! Ted endorses Donald” and “Obama’s Half Brother — Cheering on Donald at Debate.”

Prosecutors call Trump’s echo of a Fox News host’s remarks ‘troubling.’

As prosecutors argued Tuesday that former President Donald J. Trump had repeatedly broken a gag order, they called one episode “very troubling” — his sharing of a commentator’s quote disparaging prospective jurors as clandestine operators for the left.

Mr. Trump posted the remark by Jesse Watters, a Fox News commentator, on his social media site Truth Social last week, as jury selection was underway in his hush-money trial. Mr. Trump quoted Mr. Watters as saying, “They are catching undercover Liberal Activists lying to the Judge in order to get on the Trump Jury.”

Mr. Trump’s post embellished the actual remarks made by the commentator, adding the phrase “in order to get on the Trump Jury” when Mr. Watters had not said that on air. A few hours later, however, Mr. Watters posted on X the exact statement as shared by Mr. Trump.

No juror or potential juror has been identified as a liberal activist.

In that Fox News segment, Mr. Watters also shared personal details about the jurors in his segment. The day after that post, the judge in the case, Juan M. Merchan, ordered reporters to withhold some information that could identify jurors.

“What happened here was exactly what this order was meant to prevent and the defendant doesn’t care,” a prosecutor, Christopher Conroy, said in court Tuesday.

A lawyer for Mr. Trump, Todd Blanche, argued that Mr. Trump was simply sharing a quote, a common argument used by Mr. Trump to put distance between him and reposts of other people’s comments.

Judge Merchan did not appear to buy that argument. “It’s not passive,” Mr. Merchan said about how a post is published on Truth Social.

Mr. Conroy said the timing of the “liberal activists” post was important. The next morning, a juror came into court and asked to be excused, saying that friends and colleagues had been able to identify her as a member.

Mr. Watters hosts the nightly program “Jesse Watters Primetime” and is a co-host on “The Five,” a weekday afternoon chat show. He rose to prominence on Fox News for his ambush-style interviews on the street, which included a 2016 segment in which he mocked Asian people in New York City’s Chinatown that was widely seen as trafficking in stereotypes and veering into racism.

Pecker asked that the “catch-and-kill” arrangement be kept secret. Steinglass asks him to explain why. Pecker says he was helping the campaign, and didn’t want it to “leak” that his publication was aiding Trump. He wanted it “very confidential,” he says. Steinglass, satisfied, moves on.

A hearing turns heated as judge considers citing Trump for contempt.

The judge overseeing former President Donald J. Trump’s trial in Manhattan held a fiery hearing on Tuesday about whether to find Mr. Trump in criminal contempt for repeatedly violating the provisions of a gag order.

While the judge, Juan M. Merchan, did not issue an immediate ruling, he engaged in a heated back-and-forth with one of Mr. Trump’s lawyers, scolding him for his failure to offer any facts in his defense of the former president.

“You’ve presented nothing,” Justice Merchan told the lawyer, Todd Blanche, adding soon after: “You’re losing all credibility with the court.”

Justice Merchan’s rebuke came moments after prosecutors in the Manhattan district attorney’s office had complained that Mr. Trump willfully violated the gag order by making 10 public statements on social media and on his campaign website that attacked two likely witnesses and the jury.

The prosecutors pointed to Mr. Trump’s attacks on Michael Cohen, a lawyer who had helped Mr. Trump arrange hush payments to a porn star to stop her from speaking about a sexual encounter she said she had had with Mr. Trump. The prosecutors also told Judge Merchan that a post Mr. Trump had made going after the woman, Stormy Daniels, violated the gag order.

Prosecutors flagged another post for Justice Merchan, saying it was even more troubling. In it, Mr. Trump had quoted a Fox News commentator, Jesse Watters, denigrating potential jurors in the case as “undercover liberal activists.”

Justice Merchan imposed the order on Mr. Trump in late March, barring him from public statements about any witnesses, prosecutors, jurors or court staff. But within a week, after Mr. Trump had found a loophole in the order and repeatedly attacked the judge’s daughter, Justice Merchan expanded it to cover the relatives of court staff members and relatives of lawyers working on the case.

Christopher Conroy, a prosecutor, told Justice Merchan on Tuesday that Mr. Trump had broken the order “repeatedly and hasn’t stopped.” Mr. Conroy added that the former president had made statements violating it even “right here in the hallway” outside the courtroom.

“He knows what he’s not allowed to do,” Mr. Conroy said of Mr. Trump, “and he does it anyhow.”

Mr. Blanche rejected that argument, telling the judge that Mr. Trump had never willfully violated the order. Mr. Blanche instead tried to paint his client’s statements as legitimate responses to “a barrage of political attacks.”

“Mr. Cohen in particular, and also Ms. Daniels, have ramped up their political attacks and their attacks on him as candidate in the weeks leading up to the trial,” Mr. Blanche said. His argument to Justice Merchan was that Mr. Trump should be allowed to respond.

The judge was skeptical, all but pleading with Mr. Blanche at one point to make a more substantive legal argument.

“I hate to keep coming back to this, but you’re not offering me anything to support your argument,” he said.

Prosecutors have asked Justice Merchan to fine Mr. Trump $1,000 for each of his violations of the gag order. They have also asked the judge to warn Mr. Trump that if he continues to violate the order, he could face jail time.

Matthew Haag and Alan Feuer

New York’s court system is publishing daily transcripts of Trump’s trial.

If you want to follow Donald J. Trump’s criminal trial in detail but can’t make it to the Lower Manhattan courthouse in person, you can still read every word of the proceedings.

The New York State Court system will publish a transcript of each day’s court action by the end of the following day on its website. The transcripts can be found here under People v Donald J. Trump (Criminal).

The trial is not televised nor is there live audio, so the transcripts provide the only way to read what is said in the courtroom, word for word.

The court system does not normally release daily transcripts for public consumption and in most cases, seeing transcripts for a court proceeding can be costly. But the court system’s chief administrative judge, Joseph A. Zayas , believed it was the right thing to do.

“This measure is in the interest of the public good and aligns with the court system’s commitment to judicial transparency and its ongoing efforts to enhance public access to, and understanding of, the courts and justice system,” said the judge, who made the decision to publish the transcripts.

In addition to the transcripts, the court website also includes various documents from the hush-money trial, including the 42 questions asked of prospective jurors during jury selection. The site also includes some documents from Mr. Trump’s civil fraud case as well as the previous criminal fraud case against Allen Weisselberg , the former chief financial officer of the Trump Organization.

Jonah E. Bromwich and Ben Protess

Here’s the latest on the trial.

A key witness in Donald J. Trump’s criminal trial pulled back the curtain Tuesday on what prosecutors say was a conspiracy to influence the 2016 presidential election, describing how he used his tabloid to aid Mr. Trump’s campaign.

The witness, David Pecker, the longtime publisher of The National Enquirer, described a 2015 meeting with Mr. Trump and his fixer at the time, Michael D. Cohen. Prosecutors described the meeting, which took place at Mr. Trump’s Midtown Manhattan headquarters, as the “Trump Tower conspiracy.”

Prosecutors say that meeting is where the trio hatched their efforts to conceal several sex scandals during the 2016 campaign. One of those efforts, a $130,000 hush-money payment Mr. Cohen made to a porn star, Stormy Daniels, is at the heart of the case.

Before court adjourned for the day, Mr. Pecker testified that Mr. Cohen and Mr. Trump had asked him what he and his magazines could do “to help the campaign,” a crucial statement that supports the prosecution’s argument that the men were not just protecting Mr. Trump’s personal reputation, but aiding his presidential bid.

“I would be your eyes and ears,” Mr. Pecker recalled telling them, as he explained the tabloid practice of “catch and kill,” in which an outlet bought the rights to a story, only to never publish it.

Mr. Pecker is expected to return to the stand when the trial resumes on Thursday. Court will not be in session on Wednesday.

During roughly three hours of testimony on Tuesday, the tabloid publisher described how Mr. Cohen communicated with him to protect Mr. Trump from negative stories, including a doorman’s apparently false claim that Mr. Trump had fathered a child out of wedlock. Mr. Pecker testified that Mr. Cohen had told him “the boss would be very pleased” to have that story suppressed.

Mr. Pecker also described working with Mr. Cohen to generate negative coverage of Mr. Trump’s political rivals, saying that Mr. Cohen would feed him information and that The National Enquirer would sometimes “embellish” and add onto it.

Mr. Pecker also said that Mr. Cohen was “physically in every aspect of whatever the campaign was working on.” But, in what may have been a positive moment for the defense, he testified that Mr. Cohen, who always insisted that he was not a campaign employee but Mr. Trump’s personal lawyer, may have “injected himself” into the campaign at times.

Mr. Trump, who repaid Mr. Cohen for the hush money, is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records. Each charge reflects a check, invoice or ledger that prosecutors say disguised the true purpose of his reimbursement of Mr. Cohen, who is expected to be a key witness against him.

Mr. Pecker’s testimony on Tuesday came after a bruising hearing for Mr. Trump and his legal team, as prosecutors argued that Mr. Trump’s attacks on witnesses and jurors posed a “threat” to the trial. They urged the judge to hold him in contempt of court over what they said were 11 violations of the gag order barring him from attacking witnesses, prosecutors, jurors and court staff, as well as their relatives.

A prosecutor, Christopher Conroy, rattled off various statements from Mr. Trump that the district attorney’s office believes crossed the line, including calling Mr. Cohen and Ms. Daniels “sleaze bags” and reposting an attack on the jury pool, which came the night before a juror who had already been seated asked to be excused.

“What happened here was exactly what this order was meant to prevent, and the defendant doesn’t care,” Mr. Conroy said.

Mr. Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, argued that Mr. Trump’s posts were political in nature, and said they did not violate the order because he was simply responding to “a barrage of political attacks,” including from Mr. Cohen.

Prosecutors have asked the judge, Juan M. Merchan, to fine Mr. Trump $1,000 for each violation. Justice Merchan, whose daughter has been among Mr. Trump’s targets, did not immediately rule.

But he appeared skeptical of the defense’s claims. At one point, after Mr. Blanche told the judge that Mr. Trump was trying to comply with the order, Justice Merchan replied, “You’re losing all credibility with the court.”

Here’s what to know on Day 6 of the trial:

The hearing over the gag order was heated at times, with Justice Merchan scolding Mr. Blanche for his failure to offer any facts in his defense of the former president. “You’ve presented nothing,” he said. Read more about the hearing.

One key issue in the hearing involved Mr. Trump echoing the remarks of a Fox News commentator , Jesse Watters, in a social media post. The full quote, as shared by Mr. Trump, said: “They are catching undercover Liberal Activists lying to the Judge in order to get on the Trump Jury.”

Yesterday, in its opening statement, the prosecution accused Mr. Trump, Mr. Cohen and Mr. Pecker of plotting to bury negative stories about Mr. Trump ahead of the 2016 election. Mr. Trump’s lawyer proclaimed that “President Trump is innocent.” Here’s a look back at the day in court.

Five takeaways from the fifth day of Trump’s criminal trial.

Monday marked another key moment in the criminal trial of Donald J. Trump: opening statements, during which the former president listened quietly to the prosecution’s allegations of crimes, and the defense’s counterargument that he was a simple man, wrongly accused.

The jury that will decide Mr. Trump’s case concentrated intently on the statements, which began the presentation of what will be weeks of testimony and other evidence, all in a tense courtroom in Lower Manhattan.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee once more, Mr. Trump, 77, is charged with falsifying 34 business records in an attempt to cover up a payment to a porn star, Stormy Daniels, in the days before the 2016 election. Ms. Daniels, who may testify, says that she and Mr. Trump had a sexual encounter in 2006, a claim the former president denies.

Mr. Trump has also denied the 34 felony charges, calling them orchestrated by Democrats; if convicted, the former president could face probation or up to four years in prison.

Here are five takeaways from Mr. Trump’s fifth day on trial:

The prosecution has a big story to tell.

The charges faced by Mr. Trump may sound bland — “falsifying business records” doesn’t really set the heart racing — but the prosecution made clear on Monday that it plans on painting a much broader picture.

Matthew Colangelo, a prosecutor, laid out in his opening statement a tale that touched on tabloid journalism , tawdry affairs and covertly recorded phone calls . Jurors will likely be told about events inside fancy hotel rooms, Trump Tower and even the Oval Office. And the stakes? The presidency.

All that suggests that the case will keep jurors wide-awake during the six or so weeks it is projected to take. Indeed, when asked if they wanted paper and pens to take notes, more than half of the people in the jury box (12 jurors and six alternates) raised their hands.

The defense wants to destroy prosecution witnesses.

Mr. Trump’s lead lawyer, Todd Blanche, used his opening statement to cast Mr. Trump’s actions leading to this case as run-of-the-mill business, and said that Mr. Trump is defending himself at trial, just as “any of us would do.”

He argued that the use of a nondisclosure agreement — the document Ms. Daniels signed after receiving the payment — was typical among the wealthy and the famous and “nothing illegal.” He continued that there was nothing wrong with trying to influence an election, adding: “It’s called democracy.”

Mr. Blanche also attacked Mr. Cohen, a former lawyer and fixer for Mr. Trump. He said Mr. Cohen, who pleaded guilty to federal campaign finance crimes in 2018, was a “criminal” who “can’t be trusted.” He added that Ms. Daniels was “biased” against Mr. Trump and made a living off her story about the sexual encounter.

He called the heart of the prosecution case just “34 pieces of paper” that don’t involve Mr. Trump.

Trump was muted during the abbreviated day in court.

On Mr. Trump’s way into the courtroom on Monday, he addressed reporters for about three minutes and blasted a range of perceived enemies, including New York’s attorney general, Letitia James, and the judge in a recent civil fraud case that resulted in a $454 million judgment against him.

But Mr. Trump’s behavior during opening statements reflected that he understood the gravity of the moment.

Mr. Trump made no outbursts during the prosecution’s opening statement, although he occasionally showed displeasure: He shook his head slightly at arguments that he orchestrated a scheme to corrupt the presidential election and then more strenuously when prosecutors said he was guilty of felonies.

During his own side’s opening statement, Mr. Trump sat largely motionless and expressionless watching his lawyer Mr. Blanche. Mr. Trump’s behavior was muted compared with his volatility during past Manhattan court appearances.

But at the conclusion of the trial day, Mr. Trump took his preferred spot in front of a television camera in the hallway, and spoke for more than nine minutes, attacking the prosecutor’s case — once again — as unfair.

David Pecker used to live on celebrity news. Now, he is the news.

Prosecutors’ first witness was David Pecker, the longtime publisher of The National Enquirer . He ambled to the stand and promptly gave a lesson in the ways of tabloid journalism, including the purchasing of articles — anything more than $10,000, he had to approve — and the significance of putting a famous face right out front.

“The only thing that was important is the cover of a magazine,” Mr. Pecker testified.

In about 30 minutes of testimony, Mr. Pecker also laid out trade secrets on sourcing, saying hotel workers and limo drivers could be a font of information on the rich and famous.

He seemed at ease: laughing at a prosecutor’s jokes, and sometimes directly addressing the jury just a few feet away.

We’re moving right along.

Over the past five trial days, the judge overseeing the case, Juan M. Merchan, has shown that he is eager to keep this trial on schedule. He seems serious about keeping his word to the jurors that the trial will last six weeks.

On Monday, truncated by a juror’s dental emergency and the Passover holiday, he decided to start with the first witness — Mr. Pecker — despite having only half an hour left on his schedule.

On Tuesday, the court will first consider a prosecution motion to hold Mr. Trump in contempt over recent comments that they say violated a gag order meant to keep him from attacking participants in the trial and their families.

Then, Mr. Pecker will continue on the stand, probably diving deeper into the “catch-and-kill” scheme used to buy up — and cover up — unflattering stories, a central element of the prosecution’s narrative.

Court will end early again, at 2 p.m., for further observance of Passover and then will have its weekly Wednesday break.

But there is little indication that as the weeks pass, Justice Merchan will let the pace slacken.

Michael Rothfeld

A look at how tabloids used ‘catch-and-kill’ to trade on the secrets of celebrities.

“Catch-and-kill” is a term coined by old-time tabloid editors for buying the exclusive rights to stories, or “catching” them, for the specific purpose of ensuring the information never becomes public. That’s the “killing” part.

Why would anyone want to spend money on a story that it never intends to publish? In the world of tabloid journalism, where ethical lines are blurry, deciding what to publish and why is often a calculus that covers favors doled out and chits called in.

David Pecker, the former publisher of The National Enquirer, who also oversaw other tabloids such as Star and lifestyle publications such as Men’s Fitness, was a master of the technique , according to people who have worked for him.

In 2003, Mr. Pecker’s company, American Media Inc., bought several muscle magazines founded by a mentor of Arnold Schwarzenegger, the bodybuilding legend and movie star. When Mr. Schwarzenegger, who was often featured in those magazines, jumped into the recall election to replace California’s governor, Mr. Pecker ordered his staff to buy up negative stories about him in order to protect his investment, former employees said.

Staff members called it “the David Pecker Project.” American Media paid $20,000 to a former mistress of Mr. Schwarzenegger so that she would not speak about their affair — though news of it had previously been published. The company paid another $1,000 to her friend and $2,000 to a man who had a video of Mr. Schwarzenegger dancing lewdly in Rio de Janeiro 20 years earlier. Mr. Schwarzenegger was elected governor.

Mr. Pecker’s publications made deals with other celebrities as well, though not always for money. He traded away dirt about the golfer Tiger Woods in exchange for an exclusive interview in Men’s Fitness in 2007, according to people with knowledge of that episode.

And, according to the prosecutors in the Manhattan trial of Donald J. Trump, Mr. Pecker employed “catch-and-kill” tactics in the 2016 presidential election, paying a doorman and a Playboy model to suppress negative stories about Mr. Trump and boost the candidacy of his longtime associate.

The Links Between Trump and 3 Hush-Money Deals

Here’s how key figures involved in making hush-money payoffs on behalf of Donald J. Trump are connected.

Who is David Pecker, the trial’s first witness?

The first witness in Donald J. Trump’s criminal trial is David Pecker, who was the publisher of The National Enquirer, and had traded favors with Mr. Trump since the 1990s.

Mr. Pecker, who was sometimes referred to as the “tabloid king,” had long used his publications to curry favor with Mr. Trump and other celebrities, in exchange for tips or for business reasons. Staff members called Mr. Trump, like other favored stars who were off limits, an “F.O.P.” — “Friend of Pecker.”

Mr. Trump and Mr. Pecker, along with Mr. Trump’s former fixer Michael D. Cohen, hatched a plan in August 2015 to boost his upstart presidential campaign, prosecutors say. The former Trump allies are each expected to take a turn on the witness stand, giving testimony that could help make him the first president convicted of a felony.

Prosecutors for Alvin L. Bragg , the Manhattan district attorney, will try to show that the hush money payment to a porn star at the center of the trial was part of a larger effort to suppress negative news about Mr. Trump to sway the election. That scheme, they will contend, includes two other deals, both involving Mr. Pecker.

Mr. Trump had announced his presidential campaign in June 2015. The plan the men laid out two months later was simple, according to court documents, interviews with people involved in the events or familiar with them, private communications and other records.

Mr. Pecker would use The Enquirer to publish positive stories about Mr. Trump’s campaign and negative stories about his rivals. He would alert Mr. Trump, through Mr. Cohen, when The Enquirer learned of stories that might threaten Mr. Trump. The Enquirer could buy the rights to those stories in order to suppress them, a practice known in the tabloid world as “catch and kill.”

In late 2015, Mr. Pecker’s company paid $30,000 to suppress a claim by a former doorman at a Trump building who said he had heard Mr. Trump fathered a child out of wedlock — a rumor that was apparently untrue.

Then in August 2016, The Enquirer’s parent company paid $150,000 to a former Playboy model, Karen McDougal, to keep her account of an affair with Mr. Trump quiet. Two months later, Mr. Pecker and The Enquirer’s editor helped Mr. Cohen negotiate a $130,000 hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels, the former porn star who also said she had sex with Mr. Trump. He has denied both women’s claims.

Mr. Cohen pleaded guilty to federal campaign finance crimes in 2018.

The Enquirer’s parent company, American Media Inc., made a deal that year to avoid federal prosecution, acknowledging that it had illegally tried to influence the election .