Product managers are in high demand. According to LinkedIn, the number of product manager jobs will grow by 30-40% every year. The average salary for this position is higher than $120,000 a year.
Competition for the best PM positions is fierce, too. Tech giants receive hundreds of resumes for just one job opening. To get noticed, you need an effective resume that instantly communicates your achievements and skill set.
In this article, we will show how to transform your resume to increase your chances of getting an interview for your dream product management position.
Want an effective resume that presents you in the best light? Then, consider working with a product manager resume writing service writer. An expert will create a brand-new product manager resume for you or update your old one. The writer will focus on your achievements, and skills, and tailor your document to the target job to help you get noticed faster.
How to write an effective product manager resume?
Choose the right resume format and layout
For most product manager roles, it is best to use a reverse chronological resume. In such a resume, you list jobs starting with the most recent one. Recruiters prefer chronological resumes because they can see how you grew in responsibility, how long you stayed in each role, and what you achieved.
If you are an entry-level PM with no relevant experience or are switching industries, you may use a functional layout. A functional resume starts with a summary and a list of core competencies. It also emphasizes education and training, and jobs are listed briefly at the bottom of your resume.
Emphasize relevant experience and achievements
The Experience section is the biggest asset of your PM resume. Based on your experience, the hiring manager assumes whether you are a good fit for the position. Here’s how to list your professional history effectively:
- Highlight your experience and achievements. As a junior PM, focus on your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, gain insights from users and stakeholders, and your impact (with numbers if possible). Senior managers should emphasize their team leadership skills, ability to consistently meet KPIs, and a track record in overseeing the project throughout its lifecycle.
- Add metrics. Numbers and percentages show hiring managers that you can meet performance goals and contribute to the product’s success. Illustrate your successes by using numbers and context. Example: Oversaw the launch of a desktop app and grew active users to 280K + in 1 year.
- Keep it concise. Write 5-6 bullets for each project management job. Thus, you will focus on the key deliverables and results without overloading the recruiter with details.
Create a dedicated Skills section
Product managers have a wide range of technical and soft skills. List your skills in a separate section. Thus, the recruiter will instantly see the technical skills, tools, and methodologies you use. Moreover, resume skills often work as keywords and help your resume get a higher ATS score.
You needn’t list all the skills you have – focus on those the specific job opening requires. Most project management jobs require skills in coding, UI/UX design, data analysis, and leadership abilities. Include both hard and soft skills. Here are some examples of specific skills for your PM resume:
| Product developmentProduct strategy Account managementData analysisMarketing strategy SQLUX/UIProcess optimizationHTML/CSS | Product launch Budgeting Revenue improvementTeam leadership Communication skillsMultitaskingCustomer service Presentation skills Negotiation |
Decide if you need a summary
Most modern resumes use a Summary or Objective section at the beginning. In it, you can briefly present your competencies and biggest achievements to employers. A summary takes 3-4 sentences and works as an introduction to your resume.
However, including this section isn’t a must. If you have a stable career in product management and your projects and achievements speak for themselves, skip the summary. On the flip side, if you changed industries or had any other issues in your career, add the summary to explain them.
Target the document to the job description
As mentioned above, large companies get hundreds of resumes. To screen all incoming applications, they use applicant tracking systems (ATS). This software screens your resume for keywords, and if important keywords are missing, the resume gets tossed. So, adapting your resume for each PM job opening is a must in 2024.
Review the job posting to understand what they expect from the ideal candidate. If they request a rich technical background, list your technical competencies and projects where you used them. And vice versa, if the role assumes heavy interaction with customers, add more examples of great customer service.
- Highlight specific skills and credentials and use them in your resume word for word. You can create the Skills section and add all required skills there.
- Use keywords in the top 1/3 of the resume. Thus, the ATS software will rank them higher, and a human recruiter will quickly see that you have the needed skills.
- Use ATS-friendly formatting. Avoid images, graphics, or columns, as they might not open correctly in ATS. Send your resume as a PDF or DOCX file.
Add education and certifications
If you graduated less than 3 years ago, put your Education section above the experience. Add the school name, educational program, degree, and graduation year. You may also add academic achievements (such as graduating with honors), relevant coursework, and thesis. Experienced PMs place the Education section after the experience and list education briefly.
In addition to a formal degree, add any certifications, training, and workshops you attended. Employers value candidates who develop their skills and learn the best practices in the industry.
If you are not certified yet, consider these certifications – they can increase your employability and help advance your skills:
- Certified Product Owner – Product HQ
- Product Manager Certification
- Professional Scrum Master I
- Certified Product Manager – AIPMM
- Agile Certified Product Manager and Product Owner.
Format your resume professionally
Recruiters pay more attention to neat and structured resumes. If your resume is easy to skim through, they are more likely to read it from top to bottom. On the flip side, if you submit a cluttered document, they can easily overlook your product sense and strong analytical skills. Here is how to format your PM resume properly:
- Keep it to 1 or 2 pages. Entry-level candidates can submit a one-page resume. If you have over a decade of strong, relevant experience, it is okay to send a two-page document.
- Use a readable font. The most popular fonts are Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, and Garamond. Set the font size to 10-12 pts for easy reading.
- Skimmable structure. Use subheadings and boldface key information so that the resume is easy to look through.
Proofread before sending
Attention to detail is a must-have skill for PMs. Take the time to carefully proofread your resume so that it makes a stellar first impression. Use an online spell checker to correct minor issues, but don’t rely on such software completely, as it can overlook many mistakes. Proofread the document manually or ask a trusted friend to review it.
With the above tips and strategies in mind, you can create a good product manager resume that will sell your skills in ensuring business growth, meeting customer needs, and data analysis. If you have questions about tailoring your resume for a specific position, do not hesitate to turn to resume writers. These professionals can polish your written resume and help you feel confident during your job search.
