"Great Communicator" is Written on Your Resume - But Does a Hiring Manager Reviewing It Agree?
Members of the Project Management Life (PML) team are often involved in hiring activities within our regular day-to-day work. We want to share some common observations from this side of the hiring table that we know many project managers who are job hunting might benefit from.
Nearly every project management resume that crosses our desk has one thing in common: a claim of strong communication skills. It might show up in a few different ways, such as:
- “Great communicator”
- “Strong communication skills”
- “Able to communicate with all levels of leadership”
- Or another generic statement around their ability to communicate effectively
The question is: Does the rest of the resume back up that claim?
When we review project management resumes, here’s what we look for to see if that candidate truly demonstrates the “great communication skills” that they’ve stated in their application submission.
Do they include a cover letter?
There’s always debate about whether a cover letter is necessary. Although we don’t have a hard stance on this topic, if you are a strong communicator, a cover letter is a great opportunity to prove it. You have the chance to tailor your message, tell your story, and show your ability to connect with the reader in a clear and engaging way. So consider this – why wouldn’t you want to do this to set yourself apart?
Do they actually describe their communication skills?
Anyone can write “great communication skills” on their resume. However, far fewer candidates actually find ways to show us how.
- Are there examples of how they tailor any communication needs to different stakeholders?
- Do they mention their ability to successfully present to various leadership teams?
- Do they discuss their ability to effectively facilitate project team meetings?
- Do they discuss how they leverage communication to support cross-functional collaborations?
- Can we see measurable impacts from their communication efforts?
Remember this: specific examples will always speak louder than buzzwords or generic statements.
Is the resume itself consistent and well-organized?
Strong communicators present information clearly and consistently. But often, we see resumes that jump around in style and structure, even from one bullet point to the next. For example, we might see several bullets, such as the following, that change how information is presented:
- “Able to lead and manage cross-functional teams…”
- “Great at planning & scheduling…”
- “Strong budget / resource management skills…”
The format, tone, and even punctuation can vary wildly, and that inconsistency undermines the claim that this candidate is a great communicator.
A resume should always tell a coherent, polished story.
Does the resume clearly show the candidate’s value?
Ultimately, communication is about delivering a message that resonates with the audience. A strong project management resume should clearly communicate:
- What unique value this candidate brings
- How they lead and collaborate with key stakeholders
- What results they drive that would benefit the organization
Simply listing bulleted tasks and activities completed or a list of responsibilities isn’t enough. Strong communicators connect the reader with the candidate’s outcomes, impact, and value.
Are the candidate’s top skills clearly and confidently communicated?
In the first few seconds of reading a resume, it should be obvious what the candidate’s top skills and strengths are. There should be no guessing, no hunting for clues, no vague summaries. Strong communicators organize and prioritize information to make their message easy to grasp.
Listing project management as a key skill in the first few lines of a resume should be a given, but it’s often found hidden at least halfway down the page.
Remember this, if you’re a project manager who lists “strong communication skills” on your resume, consider this as just a starting point. Make sure your entire resume and application submission reinforces this. Your resume is the very first impression you provide on how well you communicate.
Leverage this insider’s view from the hiring side of the table to show off your great communication skills and “wow” that next hiring manager reviewing your resume!
You got this, project manager!
Who is Project Management Life (PML)?
Project Management Life (PML) is a team of passionate volunteer project managers who believe in the power of this incredible profession.
We know that project managers are often the unsung heroes that drive innovation and progress, and bring calm to what might otherwise be chaos. We are the leaders behind the scenes that work tirelessly, and deserve to be celebrated for our incredible efforts in making the world a better place.
We founded PML on the idea that we can inspire each other with stories of success and valuable lessons learned, empower each other with career advice and resources to thrive both personally and professionally, and support each other to achieve a fulfilling work-life balance by focusing on our health and well-being.
By living our best life, we bring our best selves to our projects, our teams, and the world.
We truly believe that project managers change the world.
Join the PML Tribe Community
The PML Tribe is a growing online community of project managers supporting our fellow project managers. Whether you’re a new or experienced project manager, this is a place where we can connect, learn, celebrate, and support one another.
You get access to a weekly, members-only newsletter that is jam-packed with exclusive and curated content about project management, career growth and personal branding, health and well-being, personal self-improvement, professional development, work-life balance, and more. We also launched an exclusive clothing brand just for us called PML Gear, and we have various PML podcasts, health and wellness classes, and so much more to come.
Join us today, and don’t miss out!
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