Career Development > PM Resumes

Every job hunter fumbles parts of the tedious job-landing process, but one expert notes that four mistakes can add months to an already frustrating pursuit.

Organizations must go beyond the resume to identify project and program managers whose capabilities align with their needs. An effective hiring process requires precise definitions of job responsibilities that can be matched to specific skill sets, as well as a structured assessment of personality traits.

If we have countless resources about how to write them, why are the majority of resumes awful according to most executive recruiters? Here's what you can do to avoid the traps.

Conventional thinking says that resumes should be logical and consistent, and time gaps should be avoided like the plague. In a perfect world, this may be true--but this is not a perfect world.

Resumes are even more important than ever. Here we look at six critical resume etiquette rules that must be respected if you hope to grab recruiters’ attention.

Your resume is meant to inform, impress and inspire, but don’t get carried away. Most employers spend about 20 seconds with each resume, and they’re mostly looking to weed out applicants. In presenting a concise, compelling case for why you should be considered for an interview, it is crucial that you ‘keep it real.’

Providing work samples is a long-standing practice in creative industries like advertising and journalism, but it's on the rise in other industries. What do you do when an interviewer asks for work samples?

When leaving your job--voluntarily or otherwise—you need to be prepared. Here's some help to make your getaway go off without a hitch.

Why are we afraid to face the truth about project failures and how can we overcome it? For starters, we need to view failure as part of the learning process, a required step on the road to success.

While planning and managing projects over the next 12 months, don’t forget to do the same for your career.

The PMP is no longer the only certification available from PMI. What does this mean for the project manager, and what does this mean for the organizations that are looking to hire project managers? Are certifications of value as a differentiator, or have they become a commodity?

As our series continues, find out about the difficulties of breaking into the project management field and the qualifications companies are looking for.

Now more than ever when a company decides to embark on a project, business leaders are demanding a clear ROI, explicit expectations about the longevity of a project and, more importantly, results. The era of the project manager is back...so use this time to hone your skills, discover new roles and learn how to market yourself for a changing economy.

How do you promote your project management brand in the marketplace? This article provides a few creative approaches to establishing your PM brand and reputation using a variety of social media approaches.

So you're smart and tech savvy...why don't you have your dream job? While your credentials might be what they need to be, your resume might not.

When it comes down to it, does the “rock” of domain experience really beat the “paper” of project management skills?

Just when you thought it was safe to send off that resume...make sure you check it again to maximize your chances for snaring that interview.

Last year at this time we were talking about surviving the recession. We hope this year will bring a formal recovery. How can you tell that the tide is turning? Here are some signs to watch for so you can prepare for the coming wave of economic revival.

There are indeed several things that you should never do professionally, contrary to the age-old saying. In interviewing applicants, you should never write on a resume. Not even in pencil, folks! No, I know there is no law against it, but the law could be enforced based on what you write. There have been more times that I am willing to count that I have been in an interview review session with a client and I have seen them writing on a resume either during the interview or afterwards. ?So?? I hear the group echo. Take a minute to review this information and understand just what type of consequences can be derived from this seemingly harmless action.

All resumes are not created equal. If you want to move up the ladder, you'd better learn how to write an executive resume!

It's an ideal time to build your project management skills. But before you do, read about some mistakes to avoid and the secrets of career-building.

Okay, as usual I am trying to recruit the creme de la creme from our tech world. I think to myself, I should really work with association XYZ, who shall remain nameless? After all, the professional I am looking for will certainly keep in touch with this group if he is keeping his finger on the industry and eyes open to new opportunities. Isn't that the purpose of the whole association concept? Well it used to be, but now I am not so sure. Come inside and hear one example of how an association may be controlling your information.

A smart job-seeker thinks like a project manager and starts out with a plan. Here we focus on the top nine mistakes job seekers consistently make.

The first lesson a project manager needs to learn is that the customer doesn’t always know what they want. Experienced PMs, business analysts and developers must remain aware of these types of customers--and ask the right questions to truly identify the need.

Employers often look only at their own industry when hiring, because not every PM can make the jump--and if they can’t, things can get very bad very quickly. So what should employers look for--and by extension, what should PMs demonstrate that they are capable of doing? Does industry matter in your career? How transferable is the project management skill set?

Take cover letters seriously! A badly written one can disqualify you from the job race.

Know when to hold 'em, when to walk away…and when to double-down.

Project managers usually tend to focus on the methodology for executing the technical part of the project. However, a good understanding of a practical SOA landscape and its associated challenges can help a technical PM make the SOA adoption on technology projects run even smoother.

What is the big deal with completing job applications? If you think your resume is enough for employers, think again. When it comes to the information needed "for the record," there's more than meets the eye.

So you want a career in project management? What will it take to be successful, and what about earning potential? This article will explore the pursuit of a career in project management, including looks at characteristics of successful PMs, what employers are looking for and salaries.

The idea of using a portfolio is not new. On the popularity scale, resumes win out. But does that mean resumes are better than portfolios? Not by a long shot. Resumes are a job hunting habit, and often a bad one, while portfolios have yet to be tried. Until now.

What sets PM Masters apart from the rest of us? Is it their learning, innate talents and aptitudes or is it more? In observing those who exhibit PM mastery this writer has found they share some common traits and capabilities that provide some interesting insights.

Solid references are as important to job seekers as a well-constructed resume and finely honed interview skills, which is why we’re going to run through the ABCs of job references--why they’re important, and how to get them.

Forget what the PM's background is, forget where their expertise lies. What is the optimal amount of business knowledge that a PM should have on a project? How well do they need to understand the business to be successful? Are you becoming the man or woman who knew too much?

The economic downturn has companies cutting budgets and employees fearing for their futures. No one likes facing layoffs and benefit or pay reductions, but these are the things that carry us through tough times. Here's how you, as a manager, can keep your workforce morale from sinking as you weather the current economic storms.

The future is bright for IT project managers this year, with IT salaries expected to jump and an outstanding PM outlook.

How do you lead and develop resources across the miles? Having a strengthened project team can be hard enough if everyone is located in the same location, but how do you ensure success when the project is global in scope? In this article, we explore different aspects of team and individual development and leadership--and some of the specific challenges that are introduced in a global project.

What will project management look like in the future? One writer summons his smarts as he comes up with some dramatic predictions about governance, PMOs and the accountable PM. Is he a genius or a goofball? You be the judge...

Ever stop to ponder all the different PM frameworks that have been developed over the years and which one you should be using in your organization? Is there really one best framework out there? The options are dizzying, so here we take a look at four of them in depth. What can they do for you? Remember, one size does not fit all...

This writer has had enough with so-called "project managers" making a mockery of the profession on so-called "reality" television shows. So in this article he takes you into the near future to the next reality TV sensation--The Next Great Project Manager. It’s going to be epic!

After more than 20 years in the financial services industry, this writer thought he knew exactly what to anticipate moving into his new role as a software vendor project manager. He was wrong...

There are plenty of project managers who, at the age of 40 (and up) consider changing jobs, but pause. Why? Well, plenty of professional people worry--and with good reason--about age discrimination in the IT world today. We have all heard the horror stories and, of late, the not-so-subtle hints from the executive recruiters that you may be more "difficult to market." How can this be with all of your years of experience? If anything, the "marketing" challenge should be getting easier--shouldn't it?

In baseball you get three strikes before you are out, three individual chances to get on base. Your job search, on the other hand, doesn't afford you that luxury. Your cover letter is your first document of introduction and has got to be fast hitting and on target. If it doesn't measure up, not only are you not going to get to first base, but your dream employer is on to the next batter before you get a chance at the second pitch. There will be no arguing with the ump; your team is not going to come rushing out of the dugout to defend you. You are back on the bench before you even got started. Let's avoid this catastrophe by reviewing an outline for a winning cover letter!

LinkedIn has been ranked the best social networking tool for career builders, and potential employers are keeping a watchful eye on the site. Are you on board?

Is there a "best" way to start a career in project management? Assuming that you have started a career in an organization already, how should you focus on it? If the "by accident" approach isn't for you, there are two very distinct planned paths.

Whether it's around the water cooler or in an online forum, people are talking--and we're listening. With ears open, we've been wandering the gantthead discussions in search of what's really important to project managers.

What should the PM know about a larger program? Should the PMO mandate a consistent level of understanding for PMs whose initiatives fall into larger program? It's time to explore the right program-level perspective for the project level manager.

Selling your project’s benefits is easier if you can translate them. Consider which of the these three valuables will hit the mark with your customers.

Is there any advantage to using Cloud-based project management tools to manage projects? Is it cheaper and more effective? Are the tools more feature-rich? And what about the disadvantages? Here is what some research has revealed…