Welcome to First Class CV, your ultimate guide on how to write a management CV. Whether you’re crafting a cv template, looking for a cv layout, wandering how to make a project management CV or aiming for senior leadership positions, we’ve got you covered with expert advice and tips.
In today’s job market, project managers are in high demand, with attractive compensation packages. According to a survey conducted by YouGov and the Association for Project Management (APM), nearly two-thirds (65%) of project managers experienced a pay increase in 2022.
To help you create an outstanding management CV, let’s dive into the essentials and some skills to put on a cv.
Crafting an Impressive Management CV: The Basics
Start with a clear and professional layout, avoiding complex formatting. Choose the right CV format for your needs, whether it’s adapting a master CV or building one from scratch. If you’re starting anew, our comprehensive guide to writing a CV is here to assist you.
Ensure you allocate sufficient time to meticulously review your CV before sending it. Typos and errors can harm your professional image, so triple-check for accuracy.
If you are wandering how many pages a cv should be? the ideal number to not drown the reader in information is 1-2 pages making sure your qualities are well presented and easy to read.
Highlighting Managerial Skills
Whether you’re targeting project management roles or other positions, carefully review the job advertisement for required or desired hard and soft skills. Consider creating a dedicated key skills section or incorporating your skillset into your personal statement and career history. To make a skills based cv.
By including the right skills, you increase the chances of bypassing applicant tracking system (ATS) software. Relevant hard skills for project management may involve expertise in methodologies like PRINCE2, Waterfall, Scrum, Agile, etc.
Additionally, project management CVs commonly mention skills such as deadline management, budgeting, risk management, negotiating, supplier management, troubleshooting, team management, procurement, and data analysis.
For senior management roles, skills may encompass company growth, change management, commercial acumen, people management, strong leadership, department management, strong communication, and stakeholder management.
Remember, honesty is paramount. Falsely claiming skills you haven’t acquired will eventually be exposed.
Substantiate Your Claims
Support your achievements and claims with concrete evidence. Include statistics and facts on your CV to demonstrate your impact in previous roles. For project managers, highlight your involvement in different projects and notable successes. If you’ve held senior management positions, showcase your contributions to a company’s success.
Additionally, mention the number of staff you’ve managed or client accounts you’ve overseen. Incorporate relevant financial examples, such as efficient budget utilization or sales figures directly attributed to your management.
To effectively present your achievements, utilize the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and ensure you cover each aspect. By quantifying your accomplishments, you distinguish yourself from other applicants.
A strong project management CV includes multiple specific examples that provide evidence of your skills. Avoid generalizations, as they may hinder employers’ understanding of your unique strengths. If you need more space for a detailed STAR example, consider incorporating it into your supporting statement or complement your application with a well-crafted cover letter.
Example of a Project Management CV
Here’s an example to help you get started:
Rafael Timm [Address] – [Phone number] – [Email address]
Personal Statement [Customize this section to promote your unique qualities and career goals, showcasing your results-oriented approach and proven track record of delivering high revenue projects ahead of schedule and with a higher than budgeted profit margin.]
Key Skills [Include a strong skills section or position it after your work history, tailoring your skillset to the job description. Utilize bullet points to emphasize relevant skills like PRINCE2 certification, problem-solving, budget oversight, meeting deadlines, C-level reporting, and line management.]
Work History [List your previous roles and companies in reverse chronological order, starting with your current or most recent position. Provide dates and use bullet points to outline your achievements and responsibilities.]
Qualifications and Education [Begin with relevant qualifications (e.g., PRINCE2, APM) and then list your education details, including management qualifications, university degree, A-Levels, and GCSEs.]
Interests [This optional section can strengthen your overall application. Include interests that showcase your skills, such as organizing local concerts using project management skills to raise money for charity.]
References available on request
Summary: How to Write a Management CV
Begin with a strong foundation, highlighting your career history and education. Tailor your skillset to the job description, incorporating facts, figures, and statistics to substantiate your achievements. Dedicate ample time to crafting a compelling personal statement that captures hiring managers’ attention. If you seek additional support, our CV writing service offers expertise in crafting management CVs for professionals at all career levels. Contact us for more details.