Before you start listing your skills, carefully review the job description for the security project manager role you're applying for. Look for specific skills, tools, and technologies that the employer is seeking. Then, make sure to include those relevant skills in your skills section.

For example, if the job description mentions expertise in Security Frameworks like NIST or ISO 27001, include those in your skills section:

• Security Frameworks: NIST, ISO 27001, COBIT
• Risk Assessment: Vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, threat modeling
• Project Management: Agile, Scrum, Jira, Trello

Avoid listing irrelevant or outdated skills that don't align with the job requirements. For instance, don't include skills like Windows XP or Internet Explorer unless the job specifically asks for them.

Grouping your skills into categories makes it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly find the information they're looking for. Common categories for a security project manager might include:

• Security Tools: Splunk, Wireshark, Nessus, Burp Suite
• Compliance: HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOX, GDPR
• Programming Languages: Python, Java, C++, Ruby
• Cloud Security: AWS, Azure, GCP, Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs)

Avoid lumping all your skills together in a single list, as it can be overwhelming and difficult to parse. Categorizing your skills demonstrates that you understand the different aspects of the security project manager role.

As a security professional, it's important to use the correct terminology when describing your skills. This shows that you're well-versed in the field and can communicate effectively with other security experts.

For example, use specific names of security tools, protocols, and frameworks rather than generic descriptions:

• Good: "Experienced with Nmap, Wireshark, and Metasploit for network scanning and penetration testing"
• Bad: "Experienced with security scanning tools"

Similarly, use industry-standard acronyms and abbreviations where appropriate, such as ISO, NIST, SIEM, and IAM. Just be sure to spell out any acronyms that may be unfamiliar to a non-technical recruiter.

When listing your skills, it's important to be honest about your level of proficiency. Don't claim to be an expert in a tool or technology that you've only used once or twice. Instead, use terms like "proficient," "experienced," or "familiar" to accurately reflect your level of expertise.

Here's an example of how you might list your skills with proficiency levels:

• Proficient: Splunk, Nessus, Wireshark, Python
• Experienced: ISO 27001, NIST, Agile, Jira
• Familiar: Metasploit, Burp Suite, COBIT

Be prepared to discuss your proficiency levels in more detail during an interview. If you claim to be an expert in a particular skill, the interviewer may ask you to demonstrate your knowledge or provide examples of how you've used that skill in past projects.

Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes before they reach a human recruiter. These systems scan your resume for specific keywords related to the job requirements. If your resume doesn't include enough of the right keywords, it may be automatically rejected.

To optimize your skills section for ATS, make sure to include relevant keywords from the job description. For example, if the job requires experience with "vulnerability management" and "penetration testing," include those exact phrases in your skills section:

• Vulnerability management
• Penetration testing
• Security information and event management (SIEM)
• Intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS)

Avoid using synonyms or variations of the keywords, as the ATS may not recognize them. Stick to the exact phrasing used in the job description where possible.