How to Write a Project Coordinator CV (With Examples)

Writing a CV or resume might seem like a daunting task, especially for a role as pivotal as a Project Coordinator. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back! In this article, “How to Write a Project Coordinator CV / Resume (With Examples)”, we’re going to walk through a straightforward guide that will help you put your best foot forward. From showcasing your project management skills to highlighting your key achievements, we’ll explore practical tips and provide examples to help you craft a CV that not only reflects your capabilities but also catches the eye of hiring managers. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or stepping into the world of project coordination for the first time, this guide is designed to navigate you through creating a CV that stands out. So, let’s dive in and get started on paving the way to your next role!

Read The Job Description / Advert

The first step is, of course, to read the job description. We need to know what the firm is looking for so that we can properly highlight these characteristics in our CV. So read back over the job description and try to pinpoint the important points. A lot of times a firm will call things “required”; if you see this, you need to make sure you include that in your CV. Similarly, if certain things are repeated throughout the advert, this indicates they are of high importance, so we will want to make sure our CV shows that as well.

When performing this analysis, take care to copy the ‘exact’ words and phrases that are being used by the hiring manager. We will want to pepper these into our CV later.

Project Coordinator Job Description Example

Research The Company

Time to put on your detective hat and do some research on your target company. Look at their website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. You are looking for any piece of intel that will give you the leg up.

• Find out about recent work/projects they have undertaken or will be embarking on (highlight your experience in these areas on your CV)
• Find out what software/processes they use and make sure you include your proficiency in them in your CV
• Learn what interview questions you might expect should you make it that far

See if you know anyone who works there and/or connect (LinkedIn) with people ahead of the interview. A little nepotism could never hurt, and you might be able to glean more information about the role/hiring process in the meantime.

Find A Good CV Template

When selecting a CV template, it’s essential to opt for a simple design and structure. Not only are straightforward layouts more compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), but they also make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly identify and understand key details. A clutter-free and organized CV ensures that your most important information stands out, facilitating a smoother review process for potential employers.

This is the CV template that we recommend (click here)

Write 2 Or 3 Bullet Points As A ‘Professional Summary’

A handy approach is to craft three sentences: the first highlighting your qualifications and experience, the second showcasing your biggest professional achievement, and the third detailing your most recent experience.

Project Coordinator Professional Summary Example

Detail Your Employment History

Begin by listing your employment history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. This allows potential employers to see your recent experience upfront, which holds greater value. Keep in mind that brevity is key.

As you go further back in time, reduce the level of detail to ensure your CV doesn’t exceed two pages. Employers are less likely to read lengthy CVs.

When jotting down your responsibilities on your CV, especially for a Project Coordinator role, make sure they tell a story of your achievements. Instead of just mentioning your duties, like “Handled project scheduling”, try to add some impact to it. For example, you might say “Coordinated the schedules of 10+ projects simultaneously, ensuring 100% on-time delivery over a two-year period”. This way, you’re not just listing what you did, but also showing how well you did it. It tells your potential employer not only about your responsibilities but also about your capabilities and successes, making your CV stand out in a sea of applicants. Remember, it’s not just about what you did, but how well you did it and what the results were. So, always try to highlight your achievements alongside your responsibilities.

Detail Your Education History

Keep your CV concise, aiming for a two-page limit. The education section can often be streamlined.

Highlight the most relevant qualifications. For instance, if you have a degree, your A-levels become less significant. Similarly, if you’re in the U.S., having an MBA overshadows your high school GPA.

Unless an older educational milestone is crucial for the job or highly pertinent, focus on showcasing your Bachelor’s degree, post-graduate studies, or professional certifications. If you lack these, mention your latest qualifications. Remember, having a Master’s suggests you’ve finished school, so no need to state the obvious. Only include your educational background if it’s pertinent to the job.

CV Structure

Tactically structure your CV to the ‘most wanted’ attributes of the job description. For example, if the job description values “qualified”, then place your qualifications first; if they want someone with RECENT experience, put your last job up top. If they want multiple years of experience, highlight your tenure.

We always recommend that you have a Professional Summary up top (after your name/contact info), as it will be the first thing that anyone reads. As discussed earlier, this should be tailored towards the job advert and showcase your experience and skills in what the employer is looking for.

A fairly typical structure would go:

1. Name and contact info
2. Professional Summary
3. Current (or most recent employment)
4. Education & Professional Qualifications
5. Employment History

WHAT NOT TO DO

Now that we’ve discussed what you should be including in your CV, let’s look at some things that you should avoid doing.

• Do not include personal history or likes. Employers are not going to care about your hobbies, so unless you have some inside information that the hiring manager only hires people who play a particular sport, for example, then leave your extracurricular activities off your CV. This does not extend to things like volunteer or charity work. Definitely include that if you have the space.
• Do not list your skillset and the tools/applications you have experience with. It takes up valuable space and is often obvious (Skilled in Excel…?). Instead, include these in your achievements section (Example: “Used Asana to manage and coordinate tasks for a remote team of 25 members”).
• Do not include references or “references available on request”. If employers want a reference, they will ask you for them; otherwise, this is just wasted space on your CV.
• Do not include a photo of yourself unless specifically asked. In many countries, including the UK and US, you should not include a photo of yourself on your CV/resume. Companies don’t want you to do it, as it opens them up to liability, and there is absolutely nothing for you to gain by doing so – plus, you are making it easier for firms to discriminate against you, either implicitly or explicitly.
• Do not use any fancy graphic or artistic CV format. Most CVs come in a standard format, allowing Application Tracking Software, recruiters and hiring managers to easily pick out the key pieces of information they need quickly based on their experience. If you throw them a CV in an artistic format, they are more likely to get annoyed and throw your application away. This is not a situation where standing out is good. You want your skills/experience to be noted, not your CV format.
• Do not include your previous salaries. This will severely impact your negotiation abilities down the line.

Project Coordinator CV Tips – Recap

Highlight Your Achievements ?
Don’t just list your duties. Make sure to spotlight the outcomes of your actions in your role as a Project Coordinator. Mention specific projects, what actions you took, and the positive results that came from it, especially those that had a measurable impact on the company.

Use Relevant Keywords ?
Ensure that your CV is ATS-friendly by incorporating keywords relevant to project coordination. Look at the job description and use similar words or phrases, like “project scheduling” or “budget management”, to make sure your CV gets noticed.

Showcase Your Soft Skills ?
Project Coordinators need a mix of technical and soft skills. Don’t forget to highlight your communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, and provide examples of how these have been utilized in your previous roles.

Include Certifications ?
If you have certifications relevant to project management or the industry you’re working in, make sure they’re visible. This could be a PMP, PRINCE2, or any other relevant qualification that showcases your expertise in project coordination.

Tailor Your CV to the Job ?
Every job is different, so make sure your CV speaks to the specific role you’re applying for. Align your skills and experiences with the requirements of the job, ensuring that it’s clear why you’re a great fit for the position.

Use Quantifiable Data ?
Wherever possible, use numbers to illustrate your achievements. Mention the budgets you’ve managed, the number of projects you’ve overseen, or the percentage by which you’ve reduced costs or increased efficiency.

Keep It Concise ✂️
Ensure your CV is clear and to the point. Use bullet points and short paragraphs to make your CV easy to read, ensuring that hiring managers can quickly see your skills and achievements

Project Coordinator CV Sample

Below is an example CV from someone with a number of years experience in the field. For an editable .DOCX version, click here.

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