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Personal Statement - MSc Project Management

• Sample personal statement

29 July, 2022

Personal statement - msc project management share.

• 12 May, 2013

I have prepared this application with great delight, initiating my journey to study MSc Project Management at the University of Bedfordshire. This course will enhance my current academic knowledge, will give me real-life experiences, will teach to manage critical assessments of project management methods of knowledge, theories, issues, and tools and techniques. Through this course highlights, I would be potential to have a real impact on the transformation of my future career. As my career goal is to create awareness in the business projects, which I found in the study of MSc Project Management, I want to contribute a part of myself to the implementation in developed and developing nations by achieving the degree award. I am very much excited to pursue the course to achieve my future career goal.

I had completed my Senior School Certificate Examination in 2015 from The West African Examinations Council. Then I got admitted into the University of Sussex for my international foundation programme of study and completed in May 2017 in Law, International Relations and Sociology. After then I completed my graduation - Bachelor of Law from Nottingham Trent University in 2020. I started my professional life with Longhall Business Consulting Support Services, Ltd. as a Project Manager in June 2020 and still working there. From my work life I realized that I need to gain more knowledge in business projects for my fastest career growth. So, I decided to pursue the MSc Project Management. Throughout my free time, I have participated with various activities like social volunteering and training sessions. I have improved my English language through my personal practice. Now I want to complete my further higher studies in the UK as I know UK degrees are always professional and my previous graduation degree was awarded from UK University. I have realized that I need to gain the latest knowledge in the field of project management and gain more knowledge of real-world scenario discussions and enhance my problem-solving abilities. The course is flexible and responsive and offers lots of opportunities for future development. With my academic experience, I am confident that my aspects and professional goal make me a suitable candidate for the course.

This MSc Project Management which are organized to develop business competence and strengthen confidence and credibility, providing with a unique learning experience. I have reviewed the programme and found that this course aims to develop the skills set in particular and seeks to develop enquiry skills through conducting case studies and projects requiring a search for information using a range of sources to support learning methods. The modules are designed to be engaging, attractive and flexible in the current global marketplace where, apart from being introduced to the University and the Faculty, and adaption with the project management field to prepare me for the rest of the studies. The assessment includes coursework to test student knowledge and understanding and to demonstrate their ability to research, apply theories and models, critically thinking, communicate, and work in teams. The study environment definitely is demanding but it will be a rewarding experience for the students. Throughout the year includes- Business Dissertation, Leading People in Creative Teams, Performance Achievement Planning, Project and Operations Management, Project Management Practice, Risk and Procurement Management. These units will teach me to become an independent and self- directed lifelong learner. All assessments are rooted in authentic and practical workplace scenarios to enable the integration of theory and practice in dynamic `real world work contexts. Moreover, I have found the University’s Learning Resources provide a Study Hub from which I can improve my assignment-based skills by accessing free professional support to develop a wide range of relevant and valuable academic skills. By completing this course, I want to be a successful Project Manager or Project Coordinator at a higher level in well-reputed organizations in my home country. I believe this course will be the right choice for my career plans and objectives.

The brand of having a degree from the UK is highly respected by all over the developed countries such as mine – Nigeria. In Nigeria they believe that UK education builds proper professionals and there is a high expectation from applicants with such degrees. Where the educational system is in my home country is in assorted crises of infrastructural decay, neglect, waste of resources and sordid conditions of service. Thus in recent years, most reputed companies in Nigeria are emphasizing hiring civilian graduates with degrees from abroad. This has played a key part in my decision-making when choosing a study destination. Also, a recent Survey of International Graduate Outcomes 2019 by Universities UK International produce graduates shows that 82% of international graduates say that their UK degree is worth the financial investment and the same percentage say they are satisfied with their careers. 83% feel that a UK degree has helped them to get jobs that they would not get otherwise. So this is the reason to choose the UK over other education destinations. I can see myself thriving more in a world of knowledge and teaching methods I’m accustomed to.

The University of Bedfordshire is a public research university which is incredibly welcoming to international students. From the university website, I found that in 2014, the university achieved the fourth-largest improvement of 22 places in the REF Power Ranking in the sector with nearly half of its research considered to be internationally excellent and also coming eighth in the UK in the People and Planet University Green League in 2019 and received the Eco Campus Platinum award in 2020. Most importantly, as I lived before in the UK I know about this university that it is known to support the students, and they have invested heavily in their facilities to shape the physical and intellectual environment of learning. According to DLHE 2018, 91% of graduates are working and/or further studying within six months of graduation. In addition, the university has a well-equipped campus Tutors are high- qualified academics and most of them have received National Teaching Fellowship Awards. Conversely, I will have the opportunity to gain real-world knowledge and transferable skills that employers look for in graduate recruits. And I think it will be a great achievement for me if I get the opportunity to study at the University of Bedfordshire.

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Project Manager Personal Statement

• CV Templates & Advice

Have you found the perfect project manager job, but are struggling to write a great personal statement for your application?

Your personal statements is the perfect opportunity to show your potential employer who you are and where your strengths lie. We recommend using this short personal profile to promote your knowledge, key skills and work experience in project management.

Use this 100-150 word section at the beginning of your CV to provide examples of how you match the job specifications, and why you should be hired for this project manager role.

If you are seeking further useful information, then check out our tips on  how to write a personal statement .

What to include in your project manager personal statement

Why you are applying for the role.

• Refer to the knowledge you have of the industry and of the specific position to show awareness of the demands of the role.

Why you’re applying for the specific role

• What is it that attracted you to this specific role?
• Why do you want to work for this specific company?

Provide details about your education

• Provide a brief overview on your previous education (School/University/Higher Education Courses)

Your experience

• Where have you worked previously?
• What were you required to do in your last role?
• Did you have any additional responsibilities in your previous roles?

Your vision

• What are your career aspirations?
• What are you hoping to achieve in this role?

Example Project Manager Personal Statement

Highly motivated and respected project manager with a upper second class honours in Business Management from the University of Leicester, and eight years’ experience. I have excellent organisation and communication skills meaning that I excel at leading a team and ensuring all projects are completed on schedule. In my previous role I was responsible for managing the finance and sustainability strategy of a number of large scale projects and liaising directly with clients. I am looking to take on new challenges including managing multiple projects simultaneously and leading a bigger team. I am confident that, with my experience and expertise, I would be an asset to your team.

Find out how to become a Project Manager in our comprehensive guide.

Related links

• How to Become a Project Manager
• How to Write a Personal Statement
• How to Write a CV

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Sample Project Management Personal Statement (UT Austin)

by Talha Omer, MBA, M.Eng., Harvard & Cornell Grad

In personal statement samples by field.

The following essay was written by an applicant admitted to UT Austin’s Construction Engineering and Project Management program with 75% scholarship on tuition fee.

With over three years of work experience in a civil engineering and design firm, the applicant currently works with AECOM, a top infrastructure consulting firm. This essay will help you get some ideas on how to draft a great personal statement for a top graduate school like UT Austin.

Sample Personal Statement UT Austin in Project Management

I belong to a family of civil engineers. I have been observing the affiliation of my father and elder brother with construction activities since I was a kid, so it was only natural for me to get into this field. After completing my bachelor’s in civil engineering, I secured a job in the government sector. However, as I write this statement while concatenating my undergraduate studies with fifteen months of hands-on experience in construction management, I realize that the higher education system of my country lacks focus on academics and research in construction engineering and project management. Also, there are few or no opportunities to build a comprehensive skill set as a construction management professional. Therefore, I wish to pursue my higher studies in Construction Engineering and Project Management at the University of Texas at Austin.

My four years in undergraduate studies opened a whole new world to me, just as exciting as I had imagined. My favorite course was “Construction Management.” Through this course, I learned the fundamentals of how construction projects are managed top down during the feasibility, design, execution, and commissioning phases. I also learned how materials, manpower, and machinery are managed efficiently without compromising the quality, safety, and environment. However, because there were no faculty members with a doctorate in management studies, the research interests of my school were focused only on structures, geo-tech, and hydraulics. Therefore, I could not quench my curiosity to explore this domain beyond the course contents by pursuing my final year of research in construction management.

Soon after my graduation, my good grades and leadership experience enabled me to be in the top 5% of the graduating class. As a result, I received a job offer in a prestigious government department. In the government sector, I was hired by South Korean consultants for the project management of a state-of-the-art kidney and liver institute in the heart of the country. It is a 1500-bed hospital, research center, and medical university spread over 100 hectares. This opportunity of working with Korean colleagues enabled me to learn construction management from the viewpoint of two contrasting construction industries. My South Korean colleagues used to discuss with me at length how various practices are done differently and more efficiently in South Korea than in my country. As an assistant engineer, I worked on assignments ranging from scheduling, costing, safety, and quality control under the guidance of a veteran in hospital construction – Mr. B. H. Lee.

Working with the Project Management Consultants (P.M.C.), I had the opportunity to practice and learn project management skills in a true sense. I prepared the standard formats and operating procedures for collecting progress data from all stakeholders. I identified the Key Performance Indicators, which were understandable even for non-technical people. The compiled progress reports were, in turn, presented to the top management, including the Heads of the States. I also prepared a comprehensive documentation control guideline for the quality control of the project. Although I had no prior knowledge of all the types of documents that would ever be produced in the project, I managed to identify them by holding extensive meetings with the consultants, contractors, and stakeholders in the government.

The guidelines I prepared also included the documents’ standard formats and operating procedures. The Chief Operating Officer appreciated my achievements and gradually implemented the same systems on all succeeding projects. I also assisted the Korean head of the H.S.E. department in his motto of “planting the safety tree.” We conducted regular training and workshops and developed a proper system of punishment and reward as a motivation for labor to follow the H.S.E. rules. We also developed an environmental monitoring and mitigation program. Together we were able to complete 1 million safe man hours, which was unique in the construction practices of the country. During his monthly site visit, the Head of the State highly appreciated our H.S.E. team on this achievement.

Upon the yearly performance evaluation, I was handpicked and promoted by the Chief Operating Officer to work as Project Coordinator for Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital (RTEH) Expansion Project – a teaching hospital spread on 113 acres situated in a remote district of the state. Here, I worked closely with the Project Director to ensure proper coordination between more than 20 stakeholders of this project. These stakeholders included government departments, clients, consultants, contractors, and vendors. Initially, I had to face multiple challenges as the S.O.P.s for the flow of information were not clearly defined. Therefore, I used the skills I had learned in my previous project to streamline the flow of information between all stakeholders. While working on this project, I also learned contract administration. I was responsible for checking and processing interim payments, variation orders, extension of time requests, and descoping of a contract while ensuring compliance with the conditions of the contract.

Although I garnered extensive knowledge related to construction engineering and project management in these projects, I had to improvise a lot because of a lack of proper background in project management and a lack of information on the international best practices and standards developed for these purposes. Through the Construction Engineering and Project Management program at the University of Texas at Austin, I will be able to overcome the shortcomings in my undergraduate studies and professional experience. The program offers diverse courses that would help me bridge the gap in my professional experience and the construction practices in the U.S.A. For example, the courses “Project Information Management Systems” and “Project Controls” would help me build on my knowledge. In addition, being a “Longhorn Engineer” will allow me to learn from the best in the business – the top industry practitioners and professors with numerous breakthroughs in research and patents.

UT Austin offers an opportunity to its student to gain research experience on real-life projects. Therefore, I will be able to learn not only technical aspects of construction engineering but also the much-in-demand project management skills. Also, I was a member of the debating club of my undergraduate school and won numerous accolades for my institute. Thus, my stay at UT Austin will be an opportunity for me to discover the multicultural American society and learn the values of tolerance and generosity. Moreover, I will avidly represent my country as a country full of colors and joys compared to what is reflected in the international media.

With its vibrant culture and sunny, temperate climate, Austin is among the most desirable cities. Studying at Austin would allow me to connect with and learn from construction industry leaders. UT Austin admits scholars from around the world. It provides its students with an opportunity for networking, professional learning, and exposure to the construction practices of various parts of the world. I will be able to learn not only from highly qualified professors but also from my peers coming from diverse backgrounds. UT Austin is rightly referred to as a “Public Ivy” because of the vast opportunities it provides to its students.

After completing my degree, I plan to work with my current employer. Being in the government department will enable me to enforce the international best practices learned from my graduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin. In addition, one of the General Managers at my organization has a Ph.D. in Structural Engineering from C.E.E., Stanford University. He has combined the knowledge gained from Stanford with the authority he was given as the head of the Engineering & Planning wing of a government department to revolutionize structure design practices. I wish to follow him in his footsteps and bring a change to the predominantly orthodox and outdated construction practices.

After all, “what starts at UT Austin changes the world.” I also dream of starting short courses in various construction engineering and project management skills for professionals. The best benefit of American education is that you get that entrepreneurial confidence in taking the initiative to apply what you have learned in your way. Therefore, in the long term, I wish to start an independent PMO (Project Management Office) for consultation with my father and elder brother. It will solve problems faced by construction projects throughout the country on demand. I am confident that a Master’s degree in Construction Engineering and Project Management from the University of Texas at Austin will fulfill my dreams and aspirations.

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• Ruth Gotian
• Ushma S. Neill

A few adjustments can get your application noticed.

Whether applying for a summer internship, a professional development opportunity, such as a Fulbright, an executive MBA program, or a senior leadership development course, a personal statement threads the ideas of your CV, and is longer and has a different tone and purpose than a traditional cover letter. A few adjustments to your personal statement can get your application noticed by the reviewer.

• Make sure you’re writing what they want to hear. Most organizations that offer a fellowship or internship are using the experience as a pipeline: It’s smart to spend 10 weeks and $15,000 on someone before committing five years and $300,000. Rarely are the organizations being charitable or altruistic, so align your stated goals with theirs
• Know when to bury the lead, and when to get to the point. It’s hard to paint a picture and explain your motivations in 200 words, but if you have two pages, give the reader a story arc or ease into your point by setting the scene.
• Recognize that the reviewer will be reading your statement subjectively, meaning you’re being assessed on unknowable criteria. Most people on evaluation committees are reading for whether or not you’re interesting. Stated differently, do they want to go out to dinner with you to hear more? Write it so that the person reading it wants to hear more.
• Address the elephant in the room (if there is one). Maybe your grades weren’t great in core courses, or perhaps you’ve never worked in the field you’re applying to. Make sure to address the deficiency rather than hoping the reader ignores it because they won’t. A few sentences suffice. Deficiencies do not need to be the cornerstone of the application.

At multiple points in your life, you will need to take action to transition from where you are to where you want to be. This process is layered and time-consuming, and getting yourself to stand out among the masses is an arduous but not impossible task. Having a polished resume that explains what you’ve done is the common first step. But, when an application asks for it, a personal statement can add color and depth to your list of accomplishments. It moves you from a one-dimensional indistinguishable candidate to someone with drive, interest, and nuance.

• Ruth Gotian is the chief learning officer and associate professor of education in anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, and the author of The Success Factor and Financial Times Guide to Mentoring . She was named the #1 emerging management thinker by Thinkers50. You can access her free list of conversation starters and test your mentoring impact . RuthGotian
• Ushma S. Neill is the Vice President, Scientific Education & Training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. She runs several summer internships and is involved with the NYC Marshall Scholar Selection Committee. ushmaneill

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Project Management Postgraduate Personal Statement

Example Project Management Postgraduate Personal Statement

Over the course of my professional life, I have become increasingly involved in project management roles. Doing so has made me aware of the many varied challenges that can face projects and the project managers who are charged with bringing them through to completion. The success or failure of projects, in whatever economic, political or social field, rests not just on the quality of the project’s goals, but also on the abilities of those involved in the project – and above all those who are managing it – to bring it to successful completion. To do this, project managers need to be equipped with a very wide range of skills, many of which are unrelated to the type of project itself. So, for example, a project manager of an engineering project must not only have engineering expertise and experience, but also possess management skills in areas such as budgeting and financial management, operations, personnel and information systems. In many cases, projects fail because they are led by people who lack these skills.

I have very much enjoyed the challenges of working in a project management position in the past, and intend to work in this area in the future. I am committed to developing my professional skills to allow me to work to the fullest of my potential, and as a consequence I am highly motivated to study for an MSc in Project Management. I believe that it is essential for project managers to be equipped with the skills that are necessary to allow ambitious projects to be completed on budget, on time, and according to their original specifications, and I believe that completing this master’s is the best way to acquire those skills.

To help me with my career goal of working in a project management position, I have already taken steps to boost my project management skills through self-study. I regularly read books on the subject of project management, and also like to read about the development of important projects in the news. During the course of working in project management roles in the past I attended short workshops and training courses to help me in my role. At present I am also studying towards the examination to obtain the Project Management Institute’s Project Management Professional status.

I am excited about the prospect of returning to higher education and completing a master’s to the best of my abilities. I enjoyed completing my BSc in Mechanical Engineering, and I believe that the results that I obtained in it demonstrate that I have the abilities and the drive that are necessary to succeed at university. Furthermore, in addition to learning as much as possible about project management prior to beginning the course, I have also been working hard to improve my level of English, and am currently taking an English course at Salford University.

I believe that my professional history demonstrates that I have a solid grasp of the demands of project management, and through working in a project management role in the past I have begun to develop many of the skills that are necessary for a project management role. After qualifying as a mechanical engineer, I held two different engineering-related positions in the Saudi armed forces, before moving on in 2005 to work as a project coordinator at the Alsalam Aircraft Company. In this role I was responsible for managing a range of construction projects carried out for the Royal Saudi Air Force, ranging from new building projects to the installation of sewage systems and water piping. I believe that being placed in this role brought out some of my best professional qualities, such as my ability to learn quickly, to deal with people honestly, to pay attention to details and to quickly formulate solutions to unforeseen problems. After holding this post for three years, my skills as a project manager were further developed in my next position, at the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities. This role was a step outside of the engineering field, and the fact that I was able to succeed in this role has given me faith in my adaptability. In this role I was responsible for projects that were designed to develop Saudi Arabia’s heritage sites and boost tourism to the country. During my two-and-a-half year tenure at the Commission I was involved in a range of projects that were completed successfully, such as the creation of a provincial tourism body for the Al-Jouf region. The quality of my performance in this role is also demonstrated by the fact that I received the Distinguished Employee of the Year Award for 2009.

In spite of past successes in a project management role, however, I refuse to be lulled into a sense of complacency. I am eager to learn as much as possible about project management to excel in this sector in the future. If accepted to the master’s programme, upon its completion I would like to continue to enhance and broaden my professional skillset through working as a project manager for a construction company, a sector in which I am interested in part as a result of my involvement with helping friends and relatives in the construction of their own homes.

We hope this example Project Management Postgraduate Personal Statement is useful as a guide to help you write an interesting personal statement.

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• How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

Published on February 12, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 3, 2023.

A personal statement is a short essay of around 500–1,000 words, in which you tell a compelling story about who you are, what drives you, and why you’re applying.

To write a successful personal statement for a graduate school application , don’t just summarize your experience; instead, craft a focused narrative in your own voice. Aim to demonstrate three things:

• Your personality: what are your interests, values, and motivations?
• Your talents: what can you bring to the program?
• Your goals: what do you hope the program will do for you?

This article guides you through some winning strategies to build a strong, well-structured personal statement for a master’s or PhD application. You can download the full examples below.

Urban Planning Psychology History

Table of contents

Getting started with your personal statement, the introduction: start with an attention-grabbing opening, the main body: craft your narrative, the conclusion: look ahead, revising, editing, and proofreading your personal statement, frequently asked questions, other interesting articles.

Before you start writing, the first step is to understand exactly what’s expected of you. If the application gives you a question or prompt for your personal statement, the most important thing is to respond to it directly.

For example, you might be asked to focus on the development of your personal identity; challenges you have faced in your life; or your career motivations. This will shape your focus and emphasis—but you still need to find your own unique approach to answering it.

There’s no universal template for a personal statement; it’s your chance to be creative and let your own voice shine through. But there are strategies you can use to build a compelling, well-structured story.

The first paragraph of your personal statement should set the tone and lead smoothly into the story you want to tell.

Strategy 1: Open with a concrete scene

An effective way to catch the reader’s attention is to set up a scene that illustrates something about your character and interests. If you’re stuck, try thinking about:

• A personal experience that changed your perspective
• A story from your family’s history
• A memorable teacher or learning experience
• An unusual or unexpected encounter

To write an effective scene, try to go beyond straightforward description; start with an intriguing sentence that pulls the reader in, and give concrete details to create a convincing atmosphere.

Strategy 2: Open with your motivations

To emphasize your enthusiasm and commitment, you can start by explaining your interest in the subject you want to study or the career path you want to follow.

Just stating that it interests you isn’t enough: first, you need to figure out why you’re interested in this field:

• Is it a longstanding passion or a recent discovery?
• Does it come naturally or have you had to work hard at it?
• How does it fit into the rest of your life?
• What do you think it contributes to society?

Tips for the introduction

• Don’t start on a cliche: avoid phrases like “Ever since I was a child…” or “For as long as I can remember…”
• Do save the introduction for last. If you’re struggling to come up with a strong opening, leave it aside, and note down any interesting ideas that occur to you as you write the rest of the personal statement.

Once you’ve set up the main themes of your personal statement, you’ll delve into more detail about your experiences and motivations.

To structure the body of your personal statement, there are various strategies you can use.

Strategy 1: Describe your development over time

One of the simplest strategies is to give a chronological overview of key experiences that have led you to apply for graduate school.

• What first sparked your interest in the field?
• Which classes, assignments, classmates, internships, or other activities helped you develop your knowledge and skills?
• Where do you want to go next? How does this program fit into your future plans?

Don’t try to include absolutely everything you’ve done—pick out highlights that are relevant to your application. Aim to craft a compelling narrative that shows how you’ve changed and actively developed yourself.

My interest in psychology was first sparked early in my high school career. Though somewhat scientifically inclined, I found that what interested me most was not the equations we learned about in physics and chemistry, but the motivations and perceptions of my fellow students, and the subtle social dynamics that I observed inside and outside the classroom. I wanted to learn how our identities, beliefs, and behaviours are shaped through our interactions with others, so I decided to major in Social Psychology. My undergraduate studies deepened my understanding of, and fascination with, the interplay between an individual mind and its social context.During my studies, I acquired a solid foundation of knowledge about concepts like social influence and group dynamics, but I also took classes on various topics not strictly related to my major. I was particularly interested in how other fields intersect with psychology—the classes I took on media studies, biology, and literature all enhanced my understanding of psychological concepts by providing different lenses through which to look at the issues involved.

Strategy 2: Own your challenges and obstacles

If your path to graduate school hasn’t been easy or straightforward, you can turn this into a strength, and structure your personal statement as a story of overcoming obstacles.

• Is your social, cultural or economic background underrepresented in the field? Show how your experiences will contribute a unique perspective.
• Do you have gaps in your resume or lower-than-ideal grades? Explain the challenges you faced and how you dealt with them.

Don’t focus too heavily on negatives, but use them to highlight your positive qualities. Resilience, resourcefulness and perseverance make you a promising graduate school candidate.

Growing up working class, urban decay becomes depressingly familiar. The sight of a row of abandoned houses does not surprise me, but it continues to bother me. Since high school, I have been determined to pursue a career in urban planning. While people of my background experience the consequences of urban planning decisions first-hand, we are underrepresented in the field itself. Ironically, given my motivation, my economic background has made my studies challenging. I was fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship for my undergraduate studies, but after graduation I took jobs in unrelated fields to help support my parents. In the three years since, I have not lost my ambition. Now I am keen to resume my studies, and I believe I can bring an invaluable perspective to the table: that of the people most impacted by the decisions of urban planners.

Strategy 3: Demonstrate your knowledge of the field

Especially if you’re applying for a PhD or another research-focused program, it’s a good idea to show your familiarity with the subject and the department. Your personal statement can focus on the area you want to specialize in and reflect on why it matters to you.

• Reflect on the topics or themes that you’ve focused on in your studies. What draws you to them?
• Discuss any academic achievements, influential teachers, or other highlights of your education.
• Talk about the questions you’d like to explore in your research and why you think they’re important.

The personal statement isn’t a research proposal , so don’t go overboard on detail—but it’s a great opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the field and your capacity for original thinking.

In applying for this research program, my intention is to build on the multidisciplinary approach I have taken in my studies so far, combining knowledge from disparate fields of study to better understand psychological concepts and issues. The Media Psychology program stands out to me as the perfect environment for this kind of research, given its researchers’ openness to collaboration across diverse fields. I am impressed by the department’s innovative interdisciplinary projects that focus on the shifting landscape of media and technology, and I hope that my own work can follow a similarly trailblazing approach. More specifically, I want to develop my understanding of the intersection of psychology and media studies, and explore how media psychology theories and methods might be applied to neurodivergent minds. I am interested not only in media psychology but also in psychological disorders, and how the two interact. This is something I touched on during my undergraduate studies and that I’m excited to delve into further.

Strategy 4: Discuss your professional ambitions

Especially if you’re applying for a more professionally-oriented program (such as an MBA), it’s a good idea to focus on concrete goals and how the program will help you achieve them.

• If your career is just getting started, show how your character is suited to the field, and explain how graduate school will help you develop your talents.
• If you have already worked in the profession, show what you’ve achieved so far, and explain how the program will allow you to take the next step.
• If you are planning a career change, explain what has driven this decision and how your existing experience will help you succeed.

Don’t just state the position you want to achieve. You should demonstrate that you’ve put plenty of thought into your career plans and show why you’re well-suited to this profession.

One thing that fascinated me about the field during my undergraduate studies was the sheer number of different elements whose interactions constitute a person’s experience of an urban environment. Any number of factors could transform the scene I described at the beginning: What if there were no bus route? Better community outreach in the neighborhood? Worse law enforcement? More or fewer jobs available in the area? Some of these factors are out of the hands of an urban planner, but without taking them all into consideration, the planner has an incomplete picture of their task. Through further study I hope to develop my understanding of how these disparate elements combine and interact to create the urban environment. I am interested in the social, psychological and political effects our surroundings have on our lives. My studies will allow me to work on projects directly affecting the kinds of working-class urban communities I know well. I believe I can bring my own experiences, as well as my education, to bear upon the problem of improving infrastructure and quality of life in these communities.

Tips for the main body

• Don’t rehash your resume by trying to summarize everything you’ve done so far; the personal statement isn’t about listing your academic or professional experience, but about reflecting, evaluating, and relating it to broader themes.
• Do make your statements into stories: Instead of saying you’re hard-working and self-motivated, write about your internship where you took the initiative to start a new project. Instead of saying you’ve always loved reading, reflect on a novel or poem that changed your perspective.

Your conclusion should bring the focus back to the program and what you hope to get out of it, whether that’s developing practical skills, exploring intellectual questions, or both.

Emphasize the fit with your specific interests, showing why this program would be the best way to achieve your aims.

Strategy 1: What do you want to know?

If you’re applying for a more academic or research-focused program, end on a note of curiosity: what do you hope to learn, and why do you think this is the best place to learn it?

If there are specific classes or faculty members that you’re excited to learn from, this is the place to express your enthusiasm.

Strategy 2: What do you want to do?

If you’re applying for a program that focuses more on professional training, your conclusion can look to your career aspirations: what role do you want to play in society, and why is this program the best choice to help you get there?

Tips for the conclusion

• Don’t summarize what you’ve already said. You have limited space in a personal statement, so use it wisely!
• Do think bigger than yourself: try to express how your individual aspirations relate to your local community, your academic field, or society more broadly. It’s not just about what you’ll get out of graduate school, but about what you’ll be able to give back.

You’ll be expected to do a lot of writing in graduate school, so make a good first impression: leave yourself plenty of time to revise and polish the text.

Your style doesn’t have to be as formal as other kinds of academic writing, but it should be clear, direct and coherent. Make sure that each paragraph flows smoothly from the last, using topic sentences and transitions to create clear connections between each part.

Don’t be afraid to rewrite and restructure as much as necessary. Since you have a lot of freedom in the structure of a personal statement, you can experiment and move information around to see what works best.

Finally, it’s essential to carefully proofread your personal statement and fix any language errors. Before you submit your application, consider investing in professional personal statement editing . For $150, you have the peace of mind that your personal statement is grammatically correct, strong in term of your arguments, and free of awkward mistakes.

A statement of purpose is usually more formal, focusing on your academic or professional goals. It shouldn’t include anything that isn’t directly relevant to the application.

A personal statement can often be more creative. It might tell a story that isn’t directly related to the application, but that shows something about your personality, values, and motivations.

However, both types of document have the same overall goal: to demonstrate your potential as a graduate student and s how why you’re a great match for the program.

The typical length of a personal statement for graduate school applications is between 500 and 1,000 words.

Different programs have different requirements, so always check if there’s a minimum or maximum length and stick to the guidelines. If there is no recommended word count, aim for no more than 1-2 pages.

If you’re applying to multiple graduate school programs, you should tailor your personal statement to each application.

Some applications provide a prompt or question. In this case, you might have to write a new personal statement from scratch: the most important task is to respond to what you have been asked.

If there’s no prompt or guidelines, you can re-use the same idea for your personal statement – but change the details wherever relevant, making sure to emphasize why you’re applying to this specific program.

If the application also includes other essays, such as a statement of purpose , you might have to revise your personal statement to avoid repeating the same information.

If you want to know more about college essays , academic writing , and AI tools , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

College essays

• College essay examples
• College essay format
• College essay style
• College essay length
• Diversity essays
• Scholarship essays

Academic writing

• Writing process
• Avoiding repetition
• Literature review
• Conceptual framework
• Dissertation outline
• Thesis acknowledgements
• Burned or burnt
• Canceled or cancelled
• Dreamt or dreamed
• Gray or grey
• Theater vs theatre

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How to Write a Top MBA Personal Statement (With Examples)

Working on your MBA application? You aren’t alone. In 2021, over 200,000 students graduated with an MBA degree making it the number one choice for graduate students for the 10th year in a row. And there’s good reason for this. According to the National Center for Education Statistics , post-MBA, grads can earn significantly more at work—experts estimate an additional $20,000 each year depending on the industry. 

During the application process, you’ll want to stand out. A well-crafted personal statement will help distinguish you from other applicants. It serves as a powerful tool to showcase your unique experiences, skills, and aspirations to admissions committees. To make a lasting impression, tailor your personal statement to each MBA program you’re applying to, highlighting how your background aligns with their values and goals. For additional support, keep reading for some MBA personal statement examples and guidance. 

Understanding the Foundations – Word Count, Templates, and Pricing

When you start your personal statement, keep the word count in mind. Make sure to write your statement succinctly. Templates can give crucial structure to a first draft and make sure you hit necessary points. Finally: is it worth it to hire a professional proofreader? We break down the pros and cons. 

Word Count Considerations

A well-written personal statement is often the deciding factor in the business school admissions process. Conveying your thoughts concisely is a crucial skill in the business world, and future peers will be grateful for your brevity.

One strategy is to start with a longer draft and edit it down when revising. Remove unnecessary details and tighten wordy language. Focus on improving the quality of your content over meeting the maximum word count. 

Templates as a Starting Point

Templates can help to organize your thoughts. Use them to provide structure and give your writing direction. By planning ahead, you can decide how much space you want to dedicate to each element—this can also help you meet the word count.

Remember: popular templates are popular for a reason, and following them too strictly can make your statement feel rigid and unoriginal. To avoid that pitfall, personalization is key. Your individual experiences, goals, and perspectives are all unique. What would a Master’s in Business Administration mean to you? Don’t be afraid to customize any template to fit your voice. 

Professional Proofreading

Graduate schools know what a well-written personal statement looks like—and so do professional proofreaders. Experts can help catch small grammatical errors and improve clarity in your writing. It can be challenging to review personal writing from an objective standpoint. A good proofreader will streamline your writing and ensure overall coherence, improving your odds with your preferred school of business. 

Unfortunately, this can be expensive. Pricing for these services can easily cost hundreds of dollars. If hiring one isn’t in the budget, here are some alternatives: 

• Find writing groups online or in person. Not only will you receive feedback, you’ll get a better idea of what other personal statements look like. Be prepared to help edit other statements.
• Reach out to peers and mentors. Turn to people who know your voice and can tell when your writing is authentic. Make sure they aren’t afraid to give negative feedback.
• Utilize free online resources. Writing tools like Grammarly or Hemingway help check grammar and sentence structure. They won’t help with essay format and aren’t infallible; double-check any changes they might suggest.
• Read your statement out loud. This can help make sure your statement has a good rhythm and flows naturally.
• Take breaks. Be your own set of fresh eyes. When you’re in the thick of writing, you might glaze over easy-to-spot details while you’re thinking of the big picture. Allow yourself to recharge and clear your head before you get back to it. 

Tailoring Your Personal Statement to Top MBA Programs

Make sure to personalize your essays to specific MBA programs . Include details about specific classes and faculty, unique opportunities, and the strengths that make this program stand out. 

Then, tie yourself into the narrative. What role would you fill as a graduate student or an alumnus? Consider your own strengths and where they align with this specific program. What career goals could this opportunity help you achieve? 

Remember to mention your soft skills and other details that may not show up elsewhere on your application. Finally, shine a spotlight on your unique contributions in past roles. 

Write a Captivating Introduction

A beautiful personal statement will be overlooked unless the introduction captivates the audience. You can begin with compelling anecdotes, personal stories, or influential quotes. Tie this introduction into your reason for pursuing an MBA. Make the reader care before launching into your achievements. Then, clearly state why you’re pursuing an MBA. Example: “From the dynamic intersections of global markets to the intricate strategies driving corporate success, the realm of business has always beckoned to me as a realm of boundless opportunity and perpetual evolution..” 

Discuss Academic and Professional Background

Now it’s time to discuss what you’re bringing to the table. It’s okay to brag! Think about any key achievements or acquired skills that are transferable to an MBA program. What motivated you to apply? Example : “As a project manager at XYZ Corp, I navigated intricate challenges, demonstrating resilience and strategic thinking – skills I am eager to refine in a top-tier MBA program.” 

Answer the Questions: Why an MBA? Why Now? 

What does an MBA mean for your career goals ? Break down your short and long-term goals to answer this essay question. How do the skills you gain from earning an MBA connect to your plan? Research the program you’re applying for and use examples from the curriculum. Example : “My immediate goal is to transition from project management to strategic consulting, and Crummer’s MBA program’s focus on experiential learning and global business strategy perfectly complements my aspirations.” 

Emphasize Soft Skills

Think about moments you demonstrated personal growth or teamwork. Are there any moments you stepped up to lead a project or team? Your past experiences will influence your habits in a graduate school setting. Example :  “Leading a cross-functional team on a high-stakes project not only honed my leadership skills but also taught me the importance of collaborative problem-solving, a cornerstone of Crummer’s MBA program. “

Spotlight Unique Contributions

What sets you apart from other applicants? Moreover, what impact will your unique perspective bring to the MBA cohort? Explain how your background will enrich the learning environment. Detail personal qualities and experiences that showcase your value. 

Key Elements for a Powerful Personal Statement

Take a holistic approach to strike the right chord in your personal statement. Give admissions committees a more concrete impression of you. Weave in your qualifications, experiences, and aspirations. Don’t just mention your professional achievements—detail all of your positive qualities. 

Showcase Work Experience 

Be strategic when discussing your real-world work experience. If you can, including measurable results is a great way to show your professional impact. Earnings numbers, statistics, and other metrics will show off your professional experiences. 

Articulate Career Goals and Aspirations

When discussing career goals for an MBA application, detail your short and long-term objectives clearly. Ambiguity can weaken your statement’s impact. Whether you’re joining a family business, starting your own business, or looking to go abroad for international business you should discuss how you see yourself navigating the business world. Connect these career aspirations to the MBA program. 

Incorporate Extracurricular and Real-World Experiences

Touch on any extracurricular experiences like internships or entrepreneurship. Explain how these real-world experiences impacted your analytical skills, business acumen, and decision-making. If you’re an entrepreneur, touch on your journey or discuss the vision for your next startup. 

You can also talk about moments where you demonstrated leadership and communication skills. Teamwork is critical to business leaders. Reflect on your leadership experience—the successes you’ve won and the lessons you learned. 

Maintain Authenticity

Write authentically. Admissions officers want genuine stories. Give readers a reason to empathize with you. Overly formal and generic language can depersonalize your statement and keep readers at arm’s length. 

Also, use conversational language. If something sounds clunky or unnatural, it probably also reads that way. Plus, the way you speak naturally showcases your personality. While you should always use proper grammar, don’t suck the life out of your statement in the name of sounding more “academic.” Use this opportunity to demonstrate your communication skills. 

Navigating Common Challenges

Crafting your personal statements can be challenging! Let’s answer some FAQs. 

How Do I Balance the Personal and Professional Aspects?

Be intentional about what you choose to mention from your personal life. Use elements that either contrast or emphasize your professional experience. How does your background influence your business philosophy? Make sure to keep a professional tone and align your statement with the admissions committee’s expectations and be prepared for any questions the interviewer could ask.

How Do I Handle Sensitive Topics?

If you’re writing about a sensitive topic, do so thoughtfully. You don’t know what type of people will be reading your statement, so be considerate and intentional about any details you choose to share. 

However, your application essay should be a reflection of you. Sensitive subjects often play a major role in personal growth and development. Discuss what you learned from this challenging experience and how it influenced you. 

How Do I Make My Writing Stand Out? 

We’ve touched on all of the story elements you need—now trim the fat. Avoid common clichés and generic statements. Common phrases will dilute the unique perspectives in your personal statement. Make sure the language aligns with you. Avoid language that could apply to everyone when possible. 

Other MBA Application Process Essentials – GMAT Score, GPA, and Statement of Purpose

The MBA application process is multifaceted and holistic. Alongside your statement, admissions committees also consider your GMAT scores and GPA. GMAT scores are used to gauge applicants’ aptitude for business studies, while GPA showcases your readiness for MBA rigor. If you have a lower score in either category, address these challenges by highlighting your other strengths, relevant experience, and resiliency. Remember: committees consider the entire application, not just scores. 

The other factor in the application process is your Statement of Purpose or SOP. This will complement your personal statement. Make sure your SOP articulates your academic and career goals without echoing your other application essay. Avoid redundancy. Focus on the future: link the MBA program to your long-term plan. Take a forward-looking perspective and demonstrate how the MBA will work as a natural progression in your life. 

Your personal statement should be as unique as you are. Start with a compelling narrative and a plan. Proofread your essay, and don’t be afraid to seek help from peers or professionals. Explain how your personal and professional life gives you the necessary skills to thrive at your desired program and be specific about what you want to do there. This is your chance to differentiate yourself from other applicants—take advantage!

Crummer is the #1 ranked MBA program in Florida. You can learn more about what we offer and when you’re ready, start working on your application . 

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Project Manager CV examples

Landing the most exciting and high-paid project manager jobs, requires an attractive project manager CV.

Here you’ll find 7 real-life project manager CV examples, followed by an in-depth guide on how to write your own interview-winning CV.

No matter what your industry or experience-level, this guide will arm you with everything you need to impress recruiters and bag the project manager job you’ve always wanted.

CV templates 

Project manager CV example

    Top tips for writing a project manager CV

• Head your CV with an eye-catching headline that outlines the types of projects you manage, including size, monetary value and industry – think of it as an “elevator pitch”
• Throughout the CV, highlight quantified results you have achieved on projects, such as saving time and money, or improving a process
• Keep our CV under 2 pages and break text up as much as possible to ensure a quick and easy reading experience for busy recruiters.

Construction project manager CV

    Top tips for writing a construction project manager CV

• Ensure that your CV is divided up into clear logical sections with bold headings, so that hiring managers can navigate it easily
• In your CV profile and throughout your work experience, be sure to highlight the areas of construction that you specialise in (e.g. residential, commercial, electrical etc.) and demonstrate your expertise
• Describe how your input has helped employers to deliver important construction deliverables such as getting buildings completed on time and meeting health and safety regulations

ERP project manager CV

    Top tips for writing an ERP project manager CV

• Keep your CV brief and use a simple format and structure – this will make it easy for ERP hiring managers to find the info they need
• Research your target roles thoroughly and ensure you highlight your most in-demand skills in the top quarter of your CV – this will make a big impact when recruiters open your CV
• Highlight important metrics that you have contributed to, such as cost savings for clients, process improvement and successful delivery

Graduate project manager CV

    Top tips for writing a graduate project manager CV

• To compensate for you lack of experience, be sure to write detailed descriptions of any Uni work placements , projects or volunteer positions you have completed
• Decide on an industry you would like to enter, research it thoroughly and build your CV around your findings, to ensure you are including relevant info for your target employers
• Provide plenty of detail around core project management skills you learnt in your degree, such as planning, scheduling, organisation , and risk management

IT project manager CV

    Top tips for writing an IT project manager CV

• Use your CV profile and core skills to provide a high-level overview of your IT expertise and the types of projects you deliver
• Focus your CV around the business benefits your IT projects and expertise deliver- e.g. A system implementation that saves your employer time and resources
• In your role descriptions, provide overview of your projects including metrics like size, monetary value and time scales

SAP project manager CV

    Top tips for writing a SAP project manager CV

• Head your CV with an eye-catching profile that outline the types of SAP projects you manage, including size, monetary value and industry – try to capture recruiters’ attention in a few seconds
• Highlight quantified project results such as successful delivery metrics, user acceptance, process improvement and financial savings
• Break text up and use bullet points to provide an easy reading experience for busy recruiters and hiring managers

Technical project manager CV

How to write a project manager CV

Once you’ve checked out the above project manager CV examples for inspiration and guidance, it’s time to start writing your own interview-winning CV.

The following step-by-step will walk you through the process of researching, structuring and writing a CV that will get you noticed by recruiters and land you plenty of interviews with leading project management employers.

Guide overview

• Pick your project management niche

Project manager skills

• Format & structure your CV
• Work experience 
• Qualifications
• Hobbies & interests

Pick your project management CV niche

For your CV to have maximum impact, you should give it a narrow focus to appeal solely to the employers you are trying to attract.

Too many candidates make the mistake of thinking that if they include a hugely broad range of skills in their CV , then they will attract everyone – this method is rarely successful.

If you make your CV too broad, you will not appear as an an expert in any particular field, which will weaken your CV’s effectiveness.

To give a non-work example of this: Say you were looking for really great steak for an evening meal and were presented with these two options:

• A steak house with only steaks on the menu
• A gastro-pub with a huge range of meals and 2 steaks on the menu

Which would you choose?

Probably the steak house because their offering focuses entirely on your main requirement. They do one thing and they do it well.

The same mindset is true of recruiters and hiring managers when they are looking to find a candidate. They will often have a very specific brief and they will want to hire somebody who matches it as closely as possible.

As a project manager, you may have worked across many different types of projects and multiple industries, so focusing your CV can sometimes be tricky – but try to give it as narrow focus as possible and remember that it’s OK to have multiple CVs that are targeted to different areas if need be.

Becoming a specialist in this way, is often the best route to landing the highest paying jobs .

For project managers, there are 2 levels of CV focus:

This is the actual type of projects that you lead which could be anything from IT infrastructure or construction, to business change or client onboarding.

If you’ve worked predominantly or exclusively within one industry then it would be wise to add this as a second level of focus to your CV – although it’s not compulsory as many project managers work cross-industry.

This way you can give yourself a dedicated focus and even a professional title to build your CV around.

For example

• Investment banking systems implementation programme manager
• Pharma HR transformation project manager
• Retail digital marketing  project manager
• Business change management consultant
• Consulting PMO manager

Once you’ve decided upon a focus for your CV, you can start doing your research.

Do some solid research

You wouldn’t start a project without fully understanding your client or stakeholders’ needs as it would likely lead to a disaster.

And you shouldn’t start writing your CV without understanding your target employers’ requirements for the same reason.

Many project managers write their CV based on what skills and experience they think are important. But this is a big mistake that will set you up to fail.

Before you start writing your CV, you need to know exactly what your target employers want from a candidate, so that you can fill your CV with compelling content and reduce or omit the less relevant details.

There are a number of ways to do this:

Hit the job boards

One of the easiest ways to find out which of your skills are most in demand is to browse through lots of relevant job adverts and make a list of the most frequently appearing requirements.

This will also give you an idea of the terminology expected by recruiters and which aspects of your work may not be so interesting to them.

Browse LinkedIn

A global people search for project managers on LinkedIn returns over 7 million results, so you should be able to find some inspiration there.

If you’re already on LinkedIn, (which you really should be as a project manager) then you will probably already have a solid network of project manager profiles to scan through. Focus on individuals who work in the types of role you want to work in and take note of the skills they include and how their profile is written.

If you’re not already on LinkedIn, then sign up and start connecting with colleagues.

Pick up the phone

It may seem a bit old fashioned, but speaking to recruiters is an excellent way to get a feel for which skills are in demand in the market.

So if you’ve got some recruitment contacts from previous job searches, give them a call, tell them you are on the market and ask what’s out there.

You might get some cold responses but if you can have a good chat with just one or two good recruiters, that’s all you need to get some insider knowledge on current market demands – and it’s also a great way to get yourself back on a few radars and build relationships.

Once you’ve done a decent amount of research, you will know exactly what skills and knowledge your target employers are looking for. Now you can start writing your project management CV with a huge head start over most other candidates on the market.

The infographic below shows some skills that are important for most project managers and should work as a good starting point – although your individual situation will have its own unique skills required.

Project management requires a broad range of technical and interpersonal skills to deliver projects successfully.

How to format and structure your Project manager CV

In this section, I will run through how to structure and format your CV to create a professional outlook and ensure your CV is easy to read.

I will not go into much detail on each section here, but just provide an overview of each one – the detail will come in the profile , roles and education chapters.

Overall format and structure

The main point to bear in mind when writing your CV is that it is the very first impression you will make on a potential employer, so it needs to look slick. It’s like your marketing material  for your services or your shop window,  so any mistakes or flaws in presentation will hurt your chances of landing interviews .

Secondly, recruiters and hiring managers are usually very short on time, so your formatting and structure must allow them to read your CV with ease and speed whilst highlighting the most important aspects.

This diagram gives a high level explanation of how to structure your CV.

Quick tip:  To get a head start on creating your own interview-winning CV, use one of our professional CV templates .

I advise you to make your CV around 2 pages  long but that is not a set-in-stone rule – it’s just a guideline to help you hold readers’ attention. Your CV will not be automatically rejected if you stray on to the third page a little.

Project managers (especially in the contract market ) can often have long and varied career histories so sometimes it’s impossible to squeeze it all on to 2 pages. Try not to go onto the 4 th though as it’s unlikely employers will want to read that far.

CV formatting

Simplicity is key when formatting your CV – there’s no need to complicate it. Just use a clean simple font and break the text up as much as possible to ensure the CV is easily read and navigated.

Writing your CV profile

Your CV profile is a short introductory paragraph that summarises your experience and the benefits of hiring you.

Sitting at the very top of your CV, the profile plays a very important role. It needs to grab readers’ attention and ensure they read the rest of your CV. If your profile doesn’t contain the information that relevant recruiters want to see, they may just shut your CV straight down and move onto the next one in their inbox.

You need to make your CV profile count.

The idea is to give readers a well-rounded summary of what you do and the benefits of employing you as a project manager. It needs to be short, sharp and punchy – delivering just enough information to entice the reader in and instantly make them think you could be the right candidate for the job.

As a project manager, your profile should ideally include some of the following details:

• Type of projects or programmes you lead
• Industries worked in
• Size and scale of projects (typical budgets, users affected, locations etc.)
• Impact of your projects
• Methodologies & tools
• Technology knowledge
• Specialisms within project management e.g. planning, leading workshops etc.

Here is an example of a typical project manager profile – try and keep yours around the same length and keep it very high level.

Do not write your reasons for applying to roles in your CV profile – save them for your cover letter.

See also: Project manager cover letter guide

Core skills

A core skills section is a very simple but effective section you can add to the bottom of your profile.

It’s essentially a bullet pointed list of attributes which ideally should relate directly to the requirements that your employers are looking for. Some good things to include would be methodologies , technical skills and specialisms.

The effect is that each point jumps out of the page at the reader and shows them that you are a good fit for the role, just from glancing at your CV. This helps you to create that big instant impression that you need to get a response from your job applications.

You can also quickly switch these points around when applying for different roles in order to tailor your CV without spending too much time on each application.

Project manager CV work experience

Your role descriptions give you a great opportunity to showcase your skills and more importantly, describe the impact you make.

As a project manager, your CV needs to show employers the change that you have driven, and how you did it.

Role structures

How you structure each role will depend on which of the following 2 categories it falls into

i) Multi-project roles: Managing a number of successive projects over a long period of time (usually permanent roles)

ii) Single project roles: Manging a single project for the duration of the entire role (usually contract roles)

i) Structuring Multi-project roles

If you’ve managed several projects across the duration of one role, then you should head the role up with an outline that describes who you work for, where you sit within the organisation, the type of projects you are responsible for and how your ongoing work benefits your employer.

Then use bullet points to detail your activities, showing both input and output where possible.

See our professional CV templates

Then add a Key Projects and Achievements section to demonstrate the projects you have delivered during your role. Be selective about the projects you choose to include because adding too many projects may waste space and adding projects that are irrelevant to the jobs you are applying to will not be of any value.

If you are running short on space, only include the most relevant and impressive projects.

ii) Structuring Single project roles

If the role involved the delivery of just one project from start to finish (such as a contract role) then head the description up with an outline that describes the employer and high level overview of the project you were responsible for.

Then detail your responsibilities in short sharp bullet points and try to demonstrate the impact of your actions where possible.

Round the role off by including some major achievements made on the project.

See our  best CV templates  for more examples of role structures.

Role content

The content of role descriptions will obviously vary depending on each candidate and role, but broadly speaking you need to show how your own personal actions have driven the project forward. Be careful not to talk about the overall movements of the project without making it clear what your contributions were.

So daily/weekly tasks such as planning, reporting , leading workshops etc. need to be described in a way that shows how you interact with colleagues and stakeholders whilst driving the project towards completion.

Quick tip:  If you struggle to write professionally, or English isn’t your first language, I would recommend using our quick-and-easy CV Builder – It highlights your mistakes and provides suggestions for corrections.

The importance of numbers

Metrics are very valuable in project management so they should feature heavily in your CV.

Throughout your CV and especially in your role descriptions, numbers are an extremely helpful tool for demonstrating how much impact you have made.

When a recruiter or hiring manager reads your CV, providing them with some solid facts and figures allows them to quantify your value and benchmark you against other candidates.

For example, you may want to include stats like:

• Size of budget managed
• Number of people/teams led
• Costs saved
• Revenue generated
• Number of locations (e.g. global rollout for 10 offices)
• Number of people affected by project

Businesses are very interested in these types of figures and including them shows employers exactly what sort of return on investment they can expect from employing you.

Education and qualifications

Generally speaking your education should be listed at the bottom of your CV (especially if you are an experienced candidate) – however, you should mention important qualifications at the top of your CV, in your profile and core skills section to ensure they are noticed.

So, what are the most important qualifications for a project manager’s CV?

Project manager qualifications

Certifications play an important role in your project management CV, and provide an excellent method of proving your competence to would-be employers.

As somebody who has recruited extensively within project management myself, I’ll walk you through the qualifications that really carry clout in the industry, and will help you to land better roles.

Prince2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is the most widely recognised and sought-after project management certification in the UK , Europe and Australia.

Prince2 provides a high-level framework for project delivery using a structured approach with defined plans and stages.

Not only does it look great on your CV, it will also help you to become a better project manager.

So, what are the benefits of obtaining a Prince2 certification?

• Boost your CV – Prince2 is the most widely used project framework globally , so employers are always keen to hire project staff who have an in-depth understanding of it.
• Earn more – The average salary for roles requiring Prince2 certification is £50,000 – which represents a 15% increase on non-qualified PM roles .
• Transition into new roles quickly – Prince2 provides a robust framework to help you deliver projects across all industries, so you can hit the ground running in any new role.
• There are no prerequisites – Unlike some other PM certifications, you don’t need to have any prior qualifications or experience to start an entry-level Prince2 training course

Prince2 Foundation or Prince2 Practitioner?

Prince2 offer 2 levels of certification – Foundation and Practitioner

Broadly speaking, Foundation is the entry-level qualification, and practitioner is the more advanced training.

This table gives an overview of the differences between the two.

You must hold Prince2 Foundation before you are able to enrol on Practitioner training.

Do you need Prince2?

In my opinion, Prince2 certification is vital for a project manager’s CV, because employers love to see it, and recruiters are trained to look for it.

If you don’t have Prince2, and you’re competing for roles with candidates of similar experience who do have the certification – you’re putting yourself at a big disadvantage.

Simply put; having Prince2 on your CV will open more doors for you and allow you to earn more money.

How to obtain Prince2 qualifications

Becoming Prince2 certified requires a short period of training, followed by an exam which you must pass.

Prince2 courses can be taken via numerous training providers and learning can be done through online materials, online lessons, or even classroom sessions.

The exams can also be carried out online or in classrooms.

Most people can complete the training within a matter of weeks – but it will of course depend on your other commitments.

Other project management qualifications

Whilst Prince2 is the largely considered to be the most essential qualification for project managers cross-industry in the UK, Europe and Australia – there are some other globally recognised accreditations to consider.

PMP (Project Management Professional) – More widely recognised outside of Europe and considered by some to be a step up from Prince2 – PMP certifies your ability as a project manager as opposed to teaching you a framework like Prince2. You must have several thousand hours of project experience and some formal qualifications before you can enrol on a PMP course.

Agile – Used predominantly within the software industry, The Agile framework is designed to manage projects that deliver development of products or services.

Interest and hobbies

I’ve personally never seen a candidate’s interests and hobbies have any affect (positive or negative) on their application for a project manager role, so it’s entirely up to you as to whether you include them or not.

If you do choose to include them, keep it brief and focus on constructive or impressive achievements such as organising charity fund raisers or running marathons.

Hopefully, this guide and example CV has given you a good idea of how to write you own project management CV that will allow you to quickly communicate your value to recruiters.

Once you’ve perfected your CV, work tirelessly to market yourself and ensure you land the best offer you can achieve.

You can also check out our business analyst CV example .

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Personal Statement for Masters in Management: Sample & Tips

Table of Contents

A personal statement highlights why a candidate is applying to a particular program. A personal statement for master’s in management sample is a great way to learn the best practices for crafting your statement.

The admissions committee for your Master’s program will base their decision on the personal statement you provide. Read on to learn the components of an excellent personal statement and how you can put it together to make the best possible impression.

What is a Personal Statement for a Master in Management?

The personal statement is a crucial element of the application process. As part of your application to the postgraduate school, you are required to provide a personal statement of purpose.

It’s your first chance to wow the admissions committee and shows the university you’re the most excellent fit .

When applying to a graduate program, your personal statement must be written specifically for that program. Use this opportunity to show the admissions committee your academic interests and skills.

Admissions officers are always keen to see enthusiasm, interest, and passion for the subject.

What to Include in a Personal Statement for a Masters in Management

The program’s requirements decide your personal statement’s content. On the whole, you should focus your writing on the following:

• Justification for your application and why you should be accepted into the program over other applicants.
• Elaborate on your academic interests, career goals, and the renown of the university and the department.
• Prove that you have the drive, interest, and experience to succeed in graduate school.
• Highlight your dissertation and favorite subjects to show how your undergraduate education prepared you for graduate school.
• Provide concrete examples of your expertise in information technology, mathematics, organization, communication, time management, and critical thinking. It will demonstrate your potential to have a positive influence on the department.
• Discuss your academic achievements, accolades, work experience, supplemental studies, and conference attendance in relation to graduate school readiness.

What do you accomplish by taking this course and detailing your career goals? Explain how you plan to use the skills you learn in your chosen program to achieve your long-term goals and advance your career.

Take steps to improve any glaring flaws, such as failing to complete a required undergraduate course or a lack of a continuous academic record. The college should be informed, so frame your explanation well. Find the silver lining in the cloudy situation. Discuss what has been done to address these issues and how your planned graduate study will differ.

Points to Note When Writing a Personal Statement for Masters in Management

These tips should guide you through the entire process of writing a personal statement for management . Before enrolling, read the rules, check the admissions requirements, and research the program or institution. Other points include:

• Don’t feel pressed with time; give yourself plenty of lead-ins. Your application’s success depends on a well-written personal statement.
• The most effective personal statements are presented upbeat, passionately, and expertly. It is usually concise and straightforward. To keep things simple, stay away from flowery language.
• Unless otherwise specified, all postgraduate admissions essays must be written in English, and you must use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation throughout.
• Avoid recycling the same justification in several statements. Admissions counselors can detect plagiarism. Generic applications show that you have yet to fully grasp the class material.
• Master’s level personal statements that fail to demonstrate originality and tailoring to the given subject and institution will not stand a chance.
• Rewrite your statement till you’re satisfied with it. Then, have a trusted confidante, relative, or career counselor look it through for you.
• Errors can be avoided with careful proofreading. Be sure to memorize your written responses before attending any interviews.

Personal Statement for Masters in Management Sample

This INK example is excellent, though it may not be ideal for your situation. Evaluate and see what you can learn from it.

I want to further my professional growth by enrolling in the Master of Science in Management program. Combining my experience and superior academic credential, I want to make a difference in any corporate setting, thanks to my extensive industry involvement.

Since adolescence, I have been involved in small firms, which gave me strategic acumen.

This experiential learning allowed me to deploy innovative methods in many areas and think critically and creatively about solving everyday challenges.

My intellectual curiosity has given me the perseverance to chase opportunities and solve complex problems—skills I believe all leaders need.

The greatest assets of an organization are its people. Therefore, I strive to provide managerial support that enhances individual performance and growth potential within teams. Collaboration, communication, and respect are crucial to a successful working relationship, and I try to foster them wherever possible.

I bring passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm to the Masters in Management program. I am dedicated to improving my leadership aptitude while contributing positively to your esteemed institution.

Final Words

The personal statement for the masters in management sample above is a fantastic example of a personal statement. If you need further help crafting your statement, feel free to use INK .

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Sample Statement of Purpose – MSc with Project Management

Sample Statement of Purpose (SoP) for MSc in Project Management in the UK

Here is a sample statement of Purpose (SoP) for MSc in Project Management at the  BPP University from a Bangladeshi student. You might consider using this free statement of purpose template to create your own SoP for your desired UK university admission application.

I am Mr XX, and I have chosen to study MSc Management with Project Management programme offered by the BPP University . This MSc programme will help me to explore myself in the practical business area. This Degree will give me a chance to gain more knowledge about business management practical and technical competencies in the real world.

MSc in Project Management Programme involves Operations Management and Service Excellence, Financial Decision Making, Leading Business Organisations, Knowledge Management and Information Systems, Business Research Plan modules. This programme is addressing the current business management issues in the concept of business strategy. Studying in the MSc Project Management course will be a great opportunity for my learning business tools which I can apply in my practical job market and gain all-around expertise in the business management area. I can build my interpersonal skill so as I can be able to interact effectively with a range of specialists and to implement agreed solutions effectively and efficiently.

Basically, I have completed BSC (Hons) in Computer Science from East London University (Dhaka) and I have decided to do my post-graduate degree that is related to the business sector because I believe that along with my current qualification and this MSC Project Management course will help me to achieve my career goal. My desire career goal is to become a database manager in the renowned company and MSc Project Management course will help me to enter the currently growing competitive job market in Bangladesh. This programme also includes internship skills; it will give me a better chance to learn professional work experience. Internship module will be developing my soft-skill and transferable skills and it is including self-management, team working, problem-solving, communication skill, cultural awareness, presentational skills, personal development planning, customer awareness, work experience placement support and applying theory into practice.

I chose BPP university because of its great reputation, its renowned academic excellence, and good industry links as well as flexible postgraduate schemes. I firmly believe that the right education in the right school will open doors of advancement in my chosen field of study. I am applying after carefully reviewing the course curriculum. Since the research focus and facilities available in your university complement my research interests and requirements, I believe that being a student in your University would not only empower my career development but would give me the framework to utilize my full potentials. My interest is, first of all, to get a UK qualification.

The United Kingdom has the reputation of offering high-quality education and receiving students world internationally over for many years. Qualification obtained from the United Kingdom is valued worldwide and most especially in my country. Employer’s value graduates from the United Kingdom. Experience has shown that these graduate are well trained, have the required skills and deliver great results. This is why I choose to further my studies in the UK to become more valuable in the job market, which will enable me to reach my future goal.

I hope that after gaining this MSC Project Management qualification, it would be a great educational achievement for building my professional career and its development.

If you are planning to study in the UK from Bangladesh, and need help with your Statement of Purpose (SoP), contact us today for a free consultation.

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Management personal statement example 5.

To me being an ordinary employee is not satisfying. I believe I can get my hands fully into the projects and have a major influence on how they are implemented. Although I have a short but rewarding period of work experience, from the beginning I had my mind set to reach higher positions within industry and to be able to pursue this dream I am applying for the MSc Management course. Please accept this letter and the accompanying CV as an expression of my interest in MSc Management course.

As my CV indicates, in June 2007, I was graduated with MEng in Mechanical Engineering. I was initially introduced to mechanical engineering by working in my father's Engineering and Construction Company involved with projects in Oil and Gas fields in south Iran. I demonstrated a commitment to continued education and improvement by applying for a degree in mechanical engineering in the following year. My father is the managing director of his own company and I was always encouraged by him to run his business alongside him at some point after I completed my studies. Recently, from various discussions with my father regarding his business I realized that the global economy plays a significant role in businesses' failure/success in Iran. With regards to the current political and economical sanctions, proper leadership and management can prevent any company from going bankrupt and failing in this country. This has convinced me to confirm my decision to study management in addition to my previous degree.

I also took a summer job in the Sales Department of a Stone Manufacturing Company and I was privileged to have the chance to take up some of the marketing and sales strategy tasks. I learnt the necessity of having efficient communication skills and dealing with different people.

I am currently working in M & E sector of Jacobs Engineering. During this time I have acquired a sound overall knowledge of leading edge engineering principle, tools and practices with emphasis on designing mechanical systems. However I feel the need to supplement my engineering skills with managerial expertise in order to achieve higher positions through out my career path.

Working on different projects such as being involved with design of a Baggage Transfer facility within Heathrow Airport (London) has given me the insight to how projects are executed. This particular project consists of different design teams from various sectors and companies incorporating different aspects of the project and liaising with each other. I worked very closely with the Project Lead, and in fact, I was challenged with some project management tasks. This has proven to me that I have managerial skills, although training and direction is essential in order to apply them appropriately.

My personal attributes include leadership and creativity as well as analytical and problem solving skills. I interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. Through out my degree and employment I have always managed to achieve project goals and I have brought quality work into timely and productive completion both in individual and teamwork assignments.

Determined to obtain recognition as a Chartered Professional Engineer, I am also very keen to express my interest in the Management (CEMS) Program. Being employed in a multi disciplinary company I have always wanted to be involved with the work within the Project Management sector. I am amazed that how easy some projects can lead into failure by dreadful project management. I learned from experience that project managers require having both technical knowledge and managerial skills to implement projects with high standards. I am confident that I could make significant contribution to any organization following my studies. I would bring preparation and experience as well as commitment in this course.

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This personal statement was written by mary.pary for application in 2009.

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Mon, 13/02/2012 - 14:40

Of course, I understand a little about this post but will try cope with it!!....

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