INDUSTRY STATS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Project Managers & Cost Estimators positions are at a much faster than average growth rate, which is 33%. With that said, there are currently 1,279,390 jobs in the market right now. The total number of jobs is expected to increase by 422198.7 to 1,701,589 in the period of 2020-30.
What’s more, the median annual wage for the Project Managers & Cost Estimators jobs was $66,610 in May 2020. The lowest 10% earned less than $39,930, and the highest 10% more than $128,420.
Our conclusion? The Project Managers & Cost Estimators job market is facing competition due to decreasing demand.
Top Product Development Manager sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers and results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
How to write a Product Development Manager resume experience section
Product Development Manager Resume’s Job Experience Checklist:
- Use 4-6 bullet points per job title;
- Don’t go further than a decade behind when describing your job history, unless you’re applying for an executive position;
- Combine job responsibilities as well as achievements with numbers in results when you describe your past work;
- Start each sentence with a power verb and avoid overused buzzwords;
- Use either C-A-R or S-T-A-R methodology, when describing your experience.
The work experience samples below come from real Product Development Manager resumes that got people hired at top companies. You can use them as an inspiration to build your own resume:
- Lead technical delivery (TPL) of NAMET-RUB projects, including formulation design and specification, laboratory and pilot plant prototypes, cost, claims and registrations
- Manage and lead supplier relationships in the development of new products to find alternative materials for cost-effectiveness and supply crisis together with other functions such as procurement and production teams
- Lead and manage laboratory trials and product development activities to support technical projects including consumer tests and saving opportunities
- Work closely with the cross-functional brand teams: marketing, supply chain, procurement, and finance
- Operator Billing as a payment method to purchase digital contents (e.g. Apps, Movies, Music, Books, Newsstand) on: Windows 10 / Xbox stores (July 2016, first in Italy, link: http://goo.gl/BVzTw4), Google Play Store (June 2013 - Link: http://goo.gl/ybWs8U) and Windows Phone Store (July 2014 - Link: http://goo.gl/XHnm2D). The three services account for Millions €/year.
- Utility Bill Payment with Wind App (July 2016): First Carrier in Italy to launch the utility bill payment financial service with Credit Cards on its mobile App. Link: http://goo.gl/8juDmd
- Digital movie promotion in Google Play Store (Dec 2015 - ongoing). First European operator in 2015, in partnership with Google, to offer digital promotions on Google Play Store. Link: http://goo.gl/zUf876
- Mobile Ticketing (March 2012 - ongoing) Mobile Operator Billing to purchase Transport Tickets in more than 46 smart cities. Link: http://goo.gl/wkVOd2
- Wind Mobile websites (Sep 2013). Wind websites adapted to mobile phones, http://m.wind.it and http://start.wind.it
- MyWind App (2011 – 2013). First two releases of self-care App for mobile (Wind) and fixed lines (Infostrada). Link goo.gl/Ddzp8F
- Manage 100+ projects per year from concept to launch
- Developed the fastest selling product in the companies history, 2.2 million m2 in 2 years.
- Manage up to 50 million pounds in product sales per annum
- Ensure all products meet stringent test criteria and adhere to ISO and GUT standards
- Developed the most sustainable product in our portfolio with fine dust catching abilities.
- Keep the vision, mission and values of the organization by defining organization’s strategy, structure and long-term planning
- Joined as first tech employee, built a team and process from scratch
- Hands-on "BIDS” product development: low-code dev platform with forms, workflows, security, reporting used primarily for state-level budget management solutions
- Automated CI/CD/CT pipelines in Azure DevOps (former TFS)
- Hiring, training, mentoring, tech leadership, reviews, tech pre-sale
- Product planning and API design, overlooking UX across teams
- Overlooking US and AU solutions teams
- Security architecture for product and solutions
- Implementation of cloud strategy and Azure support
- Microsoft Partner Network product certification
- Redesigned look and feel of the product, Bing/Google maps integration
- Joined as first tech employee, built a team and process from scratch
- Hands-on "BIDS” product development: low-code dev platform with forms, workflows, security, reporting used primarily for state-level budget management solutions
- Automated CI/CD/CT pipelines in Azure DevOps
- Hiring, training, mentoring, tech leadership
- Product planning and API design, overlooking UX across teams
- Overlooking US and AU solutions teams
- Security architecture for product and solutions
- Implementation of cloud strategy and Azure support
- Microsoft Partner Network product certification
- Redesigned look and feel of the product, Bing/Google maps integration
- Developing, launching & managing quality of own label products.
- Executing range plans to deliver NPD & Innovation & first to market products.
- Briefing & managing artwork & design, packaging and creative copy.
- Contributing to category growth and incremental sales & profitability.
- Supplier Management on a domestic and global level.
- Ongoing quality reviews, bench marking & continuous improvement.
- Responsibility for management of due diligence testing, product safety, legislative requirements, efficacy & claim substantiation.
- Specification management.
- Factory visits, auditing & first production sign off at UK, European & Far East sites.
- Identifying & delivering cost saving and packaging reduction opportunities.
- Working as a product developer has so many benefits from every aspects. Partner with the design and engineering teams on design concepts and product iteration. It has given me a wide perspective on development of a product. Its a challenging task to work through a product lifecycle. It taught me management skills.
- Direct interaction with customers.
- Focus on product vision.
- Capable of resolving conflicts.
- Since I'm always inclined towards designing, I have an eye for details.
- I manage multiple brands with great designs, discussing ideas with customers, about material ,processes and delivering end product on time.
- Project Leader responsible for all new boat platform development from conception to launch
- Leads Project Managers and Project Chiefs at remote facilities globally
- Guides Advanced Development efforts to bring exciting, Patented products to market
- Works cross-functionally to deliver customer focused content as the face of the product
- Discontinued old obsolete products and replaced with newer technology.
- Established proper product series with defining qualities.
- Redesigned Front End GUI to enhance user experience and is currently used on 11 out of 24 recorders.
- Identified & consolidated over $300K slow moving inventory.
- Launched 69 new products in 2020 maintaining 200 SKUs.
- Launched New AI-based technology.
- Resolved over 250 open bug issues in one year.
- Launched 8 major software revisions on iOS, Android, Windows, & MacOS.
- Worked on 20 unique project opportunities valued at over $200K.
- Acted as assistant network administrator due to extensive knowledge in networking.
- Managed seasonal product launch calendar and worked with cross-functional teams to ensure successful introductions
- Developed merchandise strategies aligned with brand identity for all Home categories, including: Mirrors, Furniture, Lighting, Tabletop, and Decor
- Negotiated costs with suppliers and achieved margin goals while offering commercially viable products
- Developed strategic plans that aligned financial and product opportunities by department, class and key items
- Created pricing strategies to maximize sales trends and opportunities
- Evaluated weekly, monthly, and quarterly reporting to identify trends and make data driven decisions
- Traveled overseas to visit factories and source new suppliers
- Managed a team of nine and supported team with strong direction, praise, and direct feedback - created a collaborative and empowered team dynamic
PRO TIP
Show off real numbers that display your accomplishments in past roles. Instead of listing out your responsibilities as Product Development Manager, talk about the measurable impact you made to their business. Did you boost their revenue? Increase customer retention? Mention your proudest points on your resume.
Action Verbs for your Product Development Manager Resume
Recommended reads:
Product Development Manager Resume Skills’ Tips & Tricks to Impress Recruiters
Resume Skills Section Checklist:
- Ensure your hard skills section (including technologies) are exactly matching the job description.
- Don’t simply list your soft skills. Apply the “show, don’t tell” principle - let your job achievements speak for themselves.
- Find a way to showcase your skills beyond the skills section.
- Your resume’s skill section is important to ATS systems - so don’t skip it.
Top Skills for your Product Development Manager resume
- Jira
- Project Management
- SQL
- MS Office
- Agile
- Scrum
- Tableau
- CRM
- Strategic Planning
- Planning
- Budget Management
- Influence
- Delegation
- Negotiation
- Motivation
- Conflict management
- Adaptability
- Resourcefulness
PRO TIP
Add a Talent Section to your resume, where you can pick your top 3 soft skills and describe how you used them to complete a project or balance departmental communication.
Recommended reads:
Product Development Manager Resume Header: Tips, Red Flags, and Best Practices
CHECKLIST For Your Product Development Manager Resume Header
- Your name and surname in a legible and larger resume font
- The job title you’re applying for or your current job title as a subheading to your name
- Link to your portfolio or online profile, such as LinkedIn
- Address (City and State for the US; just your city for rest of the world)
- Email address
- Headshot (required or welcomed in the EU; not required and sometimes frowned upon in the US)
Stick to popular email providers such as Gmail or Outlook. And use these professional formats to create your username:
- first.last@gmail.com
- last.first@gmail.com
- firstlast@gmail.com
- f.last@gmail.com
- first.l@gmail.com
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Some companies, states, and countries have non-discrimination policies about what kind of information can be included on your Product Development Manager resume. This might include a photo (which is often included in a resume header and might be on personal web pages you link to). You can always email the company’s HR department to ask about their policies before you apply.
Product Development Manager Resume Summary Best Practices
Checklist: What to include in your Product Development Manager resume summary:
- Years of experience;
- Highlight top 3 skills and proficiencies;
- One big professional accomplishment you’re most proud of, that you can tie with the aforementioned skills;
- Use short, direct sentences - but no more than three - to keep the HRs interested.
Resume Summary Formula:
PRO TIP
Highlight specific past projects that you’re most proud of in your summary. It sets an excellent tone for the rest of your resume. You can talk about all of your former jobs in your work experience section later on.
Recommended reads:
Listing Your Education, Certifications and Courses
Resume Education Section Checklist:
- Ensure your hard skills section (including technologies) are exactly matching the job description.
- Don’t simply list your soft skills. Apply the “show, don’t tell” principle - let your job achievements speak for themselves.
- Find a way to showcase your skills beyond the skills section.
- Your resume’s skill section is important to ATS systems - so don’t skip it.
Top Certifications for your Product Development Manager resume
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PRO TIP
If you hold a certain major and a minor, your majors should be mentioned first.
Product Development Manager Resume: Additional Writing & Formatting Tips
There are three basic resume formats you can choose from:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional resume format;
- Hybrid (or Combination) resume format;
The most optimal format for your particular case will depend on your years of experience, as well as whether you’re switching industries or not.
Reverse chronological resumes are best suited for experienced individuals who are sticking to their industry. The experience section takes a central place, and its bullets contain your responsibilities and achievements, coupled with numbers and results.
Functional resumes are used by less experienced jobseekers or career changers. Note that it’s not a format that recruiters prefer, as most are used to the classic chronological alignment. Instead of a list of job titles, functional resumes focus on your skills, and through what experiences you gained them.
Hybrid resumes are great for both experienced and entry-level candidates, as well as career changers. They combine the best of both worlds - most often in a double column format, where one side of the content is focused on your experience, whereas the other - on your skills, strengths, and proudest moments.
Product Development Manager Resume Summary best practices
Here are more resume tips regarding your layout and style:
- Clear and legible 12p resume font size;
- Use 10’’ resume margins - that’s default for a great resume design;
- Use a one-page template resume length if you’ve got less than 10 years of experience; otherwise, opt for a two-page resume;
- Save your resume as PDF before sending it to the recruiter.
To take it a step further, check out how your resume can stand out without leaning too much on the creative side.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Sometimes you’ll want to go after a job which requires more experience than you have. Instead of using a typical Product Development Manager resume layout, you can use a creative layout. Getting noticed is the most important challenge and a creative resume layout might help you get invited for an interview as most of other accountants have boring resume designs.
Other sections to include in your resume
Depending on the type of company (corporation or start-up; innovative or traditional), job seniority level and your location, you may want to include more sections to your Product Development Manager resume:
Product Development Manager Resume: How to Make Yours More Creative & Stand Out
When you send your resume to a potential employer, chances are it's the fiftieth one they've seen that day. That's why you need to make your Product Development Manager resume stand out for the right reasons. That means showing your personality, not just your professional experience. Employers are far more likely to remember a candidate who seems like a genuine person and not a robot. Do this by including your passions (which is also a great place to demonstrate skills on a resume), share your favorite books, or even what your usual day looks like.
What Makes a Great Product Development Manager Resume: Key Takeaways
- Choose a resume layout that sends the right message across and fits your current career situation;
- Create a resume header that shows your desired job title, and easy to find contact numbers;
- Be specific about your experience, accomplishments and future goals in your summary;
- Feature detailed metrics and specific examples that show the impact you made in your previous roles when describing your experience;
- List soft skills backed by examples;
- Add all of your technical skills and certifications that you have and match the job description;
- Show off a dash of personality in your resume that will demonstrate your culture fit and the right mix of hard and soft skills.
