Your project management CV is the first impression you make even before an interview. This is where you either catch the employer or lose them. This is your very own project.
Your CV is basically how you market yourself. You’re the product. So, why would your client(employer) choose you over every other product they come across?
This what you give in your CV. It’s not your biodata. It’s the offer you put on the table as to what you can bring with evidence.
There are many things in a CV that makes it stand out. From the format, the order of information, what’s mentioned, the evidences, qualifications, and the kind of skills that catch the eyes of an employer.
Your project management CV and cover letter are your first impressions. In this blog, we have researched employers and many other project management cvs and boiled everything down in one place to make it easy for you.
Your CV shouldn’t be your biography. Instead, it should be a whole collection of selling points giving reasons why employers should invest in you rather than someone else..
How Do I Format My Project Management CV?
Employers receive many CVs every day. Therefore, it’s important that you mention the right qualification in the right places for the employers to find it easily.
Your experience section is golden. So, make sure this goes first in your project management CV. When you’re mentioning your experiences, make sure you mention the title you work for and then go with evidence as to what you delivered.
If you have worked on big projects, mention this at the topmost part of your CV in the experience section.
Once you have completed your experience section, work on your education.Mention any project management related certifications you have if you do, because these stand out to your employer than any other educational qualification you can ever have.
Quick Tip: Avoid including the year of your qualification, because it can bias employers.
Just like people trust brands that have been around for decades, employers might assume someone with older qualifications is more reliable. But that’s not fair, and it doesn’t reflect your actual skills. Instead, make sure you mention what you have achieved.
What kind of qualifications are valuable in my project management CV?
Now this is a big one. So, project management is one of those fields where certifications matter a lot. Certifications can gives you the skills and employers the notion that you are skilled and you’re capable of being trusted with this role.
Qualifications like PMP, PRINCE2 Agile, PRINCE2.
PRINCE2 is more valuable in countries across UK and Europe while PMP is recognised all across the world.
How much experience should I include in my project management CV?
So, when it comes to experience, you don’t have to write every project you’ve ever done.
It’s better if you can keep your experience relevant; now, the requirements, the necessities, the way the projects are done, and everything else are different compared to what you would have done in 2001.
Therefore, make sure you focus more on the experiences of the past 8 to 10 years As for the older experiences, mention them briefly without going into too much detail.
Remember, that your CV is marketing yourself. You understand your employers and mention what they would value only.
Being Over Experienced An Issue?
Yes, sometimes.
Employers skip overly experienced candidates, thinking that their demand of a higher pay or they might struggle when they have to adapt to junior roles so make sure your CV is balanced with the job level you’re applying for.
If you’re a beginner with less experience, then it’s more important that you speak better about your internships, the volunteer projects or the group projects or the certifications you’re currently taking. This shows employers that, you have the skills and commitment required to be employed in their working environment.
Summary of All the Things Discussed
Keep your CV clean and simple. No fancy colours and fancy design and keep the content to the point. You don’t need your employer to skip you because of your CV just because it looks too chunky for them.
Use numbers, because they always speak louder than words , especially in project management.
Finally, alter your CV based on the company you’re applying for, read the job description so that you can highlight your qualifications to be a better fit.
That’s all the tips to create your project management CV. Good luck buddy!