Looking to amplify your resume's impact and grab the attention of potential employers? We have a powerful strategy to help you demonstrate your achievements and stick out in a competitive job market.
Adding projects is one essential way to create a great resume and can significantly elevate your candidacy, providing concrete evidence of your skills and accomplishments. It’s more than just listing tasks; it's about shining a light on your unique contributions and the impact you've made.
Whether they're from work, school, or personal endeavors, presenting your projects offers a clear picture of your capabilities and fit for the role.
In this article, we explore the importance of featuring projects on your resume and provide expert tips and templates to help you do it effectively.
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Key takeaways
- Choose the right format: Decide between integrating projects into work history entries or creating a separate projects section.
- Create a project section: For multiple significant projects, dedicate a section to them for better emphasis.
- List academic projects in education: For recent graduates, show academic projects under your degree information to emphasize relevant skills.
- Consider a project-based resume for freelancers: Freelancers should focus on a project-based format to effectively showcase diverse project experience.
- Include important details: Provide a project title, description, dates, and results to give a clear picture of your contributions.
- Highlight achievements: Use quantified bullet points to emphasize the impact and success of your projects.
- Tailor descriptions: Customize project descriptions for each job application to illustrate relevant skills and results.
Let’s analyze the specifics.
Benefits of listing projects on your resume
Including projects on your resume offers several advantages that can boost your job application, for example:
- Showcase relevant skills: Highlight specific skills relevant to the job you're applying for.
- Demonstrate initiative: Prove that you take the initiative to work on significant tasks and see them through.
- Illustrate problem-solving abilities: Show your ability to tackle challenges and provide solutions.
- Provide tangible results: Offer concrete examples of your achievements and contributions.
- Enhance your experience: Complement your resume work history with practical experiences that demonstrate your versatility.
- Stand out to employers: Differentiate yourself from other candidates by providing evidence of your hands-on experience and impact.
Who should include projects on their resume?
Certain candidates will find adding projects to their resumes particularly beneficial.
- Recent graduates (entry-level): Lacking professional experience? Projects can demonstrate your knowledge and practical application of skills learned in school.
- Career changers: Show how your past projects are relevant to your new career path and focus on transferable skills.
- Freelancers and contractors: Display the variety and scope of your work, showcasing your adaptability and expertise in different areas.
- Professionals with gaps in employment: Use projects to fill employment gaps, illustrating continued skill development and engagement in your field.
- Anyone seeking to emphasize specific skills: Even experienced professionals can benefit from detailing projects to underline particular competencies or achievements.
Your resume should highlight projects that demonstrate your skills, creativity, and ability to deliver results.
Amanda Augustine, career advice expert and certified professional resume writer
Types of projects to list on your resume
Here are the types of projects you can include to enrich your resume.
- Work projects: Tasks or initiatives you've completed at your job that had a significant impact.
- Academic projects: Assignments or research from your studies that are relevant to the job.
- Personal projects: Independent ventures or hobbies that demonstrate relevant skills and dedication.
- Volunteer projects: Non-profit or community service work that focuses on your commitment and skills.
- Freelance work: Independent projects that show your ability to manage, execute, and complete tasks on your own.
- Side ventures: Any entrepreneurial efforts or side businesses that demonstrate initiative and business acumen.
By strategically including projects on your resume, you can effectively describe your skills, experiences, and accomplishments, making you a more compelling candidate to potential employers.
PRO TIP
Tailor each project description to the job you're applying for by emphasizing the skills and results most relevant to the role. Use quantifiable metrics whenever possible to demonstrate your impact and make your achievements stand out.
Now that you have the why, what, and for whom, let’s investigate the how.
How to list projects on a resume: A concise approach
When providing projects on your resume, it’s essential to choose the right format and placement to maximize their impact.
Here's how to organize and present your projects effectively:
Listing projects under job descriptions
Including projects as accomplishments under your resume job descriptions can emphasize your contributions. This method integrates your achievements within the context of your work history.
- Showcase what you accomplished in each of your previous roles.
- Provide a project title, description, dates, and key results.
National Operations Manager, Redbridge Systems
August 2021 - September 2023
- Spearheaded a cost-cutting project achieving a $50,000 annual saving by replacing paper towels with hand dryers in all bathroom facilities.
Creating a separate projects section
A dedicated resume section for projects can highlight significant work that may not fit neatly under job descriptions. This approach is especially effective if you have multiple projects or freelance experience.
- List the project name, your role, and dates.
- Use bullet points to detail your responsibilities and achievements, emphasizing measurable results.
02/2018 - 11/2019 
- •Spearheaded a major pricing restructure by redirecting focus on consumer willingness to pay, increasing average sales by 35% and margins by 12%.
Academic projects in the education section
For recent graduates or current students, including academic projects in the education section can effectively demonstrate relevant skills and knowledge.
- List academic projects under your degree information.
- Provide a brief description, paying attention to skills and outcomes.
2020 - •Capstone Project: “Voices Missing From the 19th-Century Literary Canon” - presented research findings at the Nineteenth-Century Studies Association 2021 Conference.
Project-based resumes for freelancers
Freelancers often benefit from a project-based resume format, emphasizing specific projects over a traditional chronological work history.
- The resume format remains the same as a traditional chronological one, however, you need to replace the work experience section with a projects section.
- Include detailed descriptions for each project, focusing on scope, timeline, and achievements.
02/2017 - present - •Project 1: Selected Projects Growth Strategy for Travel Agency - Spearheaded a pricing restructure, increasing average sale by 35% and margin by 12%.
- •Project 2: Website Overhaul for Tech Startup - Redesigned the user interface for a tech startup’s website, resulting in a 40% increase in user engagement and a 25% reduction in bounce rate.
- •Project 3: SEO Optimization for E-commerce Site - Conducted a comprehensive SEO audit and implemented changes that led to a 50% increase in organic search traffic over six months.
- •Project 4: Social Media Campaign for Non-Profit - Developed and managed a social media campaign that increased the non-profit’s follower base by 30% and boosted online donations by 20%.
Additional tips for listing projects
Regardless of where you detail your projects, these general tips can enhance their effectiveness:
- Include important details: Provide a project title, description, dates, and results.
- Focus on achievements: Underline the impact of your work using quantified bullet points.
- Tailor descriptions: Customize project descriptions for each job application, emphasizing relevant skills and results.
- Add links: When possible, link to your online portfolio or project samples to provide additional context and evidence of your work.
Talking about confidential projects
When discussing confidential projects on your resume, exercise caution to avoid sharing sensitive information. It's crucial to describe your role and the skills you used without revealing specifics that could breach confidentiality agreements.
- Generalize your description: Show the skills and outcomes without giving away sensitive details. For example, mention "Developed a new marketing strategy for a leading tech company" instead of naming the company or project specifics.
- Highlight public aspects: If parts of the project have been publicly disclosed, you can refer to those aspects while keeping the confidential details private.
Selecting the right number of projects
Choosing the number of projects to include on your resume is essential for maintaining a concise and impactful presentation.
- Quality over quantity: Focus on listing a few key projects that best demonstrate your relevant skills and achievements.
- Use an online portfolio: If you have numerous projects, consider including a link to an online portfolio where recruiters can explore your work in greater detail.
By thoughtfully organizing and detailing your projects, you can demonstrate your skills and achievements effectively, making your resume stand out to potential employers.
The only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.
Michelle Obama
In conclusion
Including projects on your resume can be a game-changer, showcasing your unique contributions and the skills you've honed. By underlining your projects, you provide tangible evidence of your abilities, making your application a powerful tool in your job hunt.
Remember to tailor each project to the job you're applying for, focusing on the most relevant skills and achievements. With these tips, you can create a resume that appeals to potential employers and opens doors to exciting new opportunities.
Make one that's truly you.
