PM Resume Tips
How to create a Product Manager resume that gets you interviews.
~10 seconds
Average time a recruiter spends on initial resume scan. Make every word count.
The 4 Must-Haves
Quantified Impact
Use metrics to show results. "Increased user retention by 25%" beats "Improved user retention."
Example
"Led redesign of onboarding flow, improving 7-day retention from 32% to 47% (+47% relative lift)"
Product Outcomes, Not Tasks
Focus on what you achieved, not just what you did. Outcomes > outputs.
Example
"Launched mobile checkout, driving $2.3M incremental ARR (vs. "Built mobile checkout feature")"
Cross-Functional Leadership
Show you can work across engineering, design, data, and business teams.
Example
"Partnered with engineering (8 devs), design, and data science to ship personalization engine"
Strategic Thinking
Demonstrate you understand the "why" behind product decisions.
Example
"Identified $50M market opportunity in SMB segment, leading to new product line launch"
Section by Section
Summary (Optional)
2-3 sentences max. Only include if it adds value. Tailor to the specific role.
Experience
3-5 bullet points per role. Most recent roles get more space. Use strong action verbs.
Skills
Be specific and honest. Only list skills you can discuss in depth.
Education
Keep it brief unless you're early career. MBA/top programs can be highlighted.
Common Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
Too much jargon | Write for a human, not an ATS. Clear > clever. |
No metrics | Quantify everything. No numbers = no proof. |
Feature lists | Features shipped ≠ impact delivered. Focus on outcomes. |
Too long (3+ pages) | One page for <10 years experience. Two pages max. |
Generic summary | Skip "Results-driven PM..." Tailor it or drop it. |
Missing the "how" | Show your process: research, prioritization, execution. |
Strong Action Verbs for PMs
Leadership
Impact
Strategy
Execution
Formatting Best Practices
Keep It Clean
- • Use a simple, professional font
- • Plenty of white space
- • Consistent formatting throughout
- • PDF format for submission
Scannable Layout
- • Bold company names and titles
- • Bullet points, not paragraphs
- • Numbers stand out visually
- • Clear section headers
Before You Submit
- • Proofread (then proofread again)
- • Tailor to the specific role
- • Check all links work
- • Ask someone else to review
Resume Ready? Start Applying
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