How to Write a Scrum Master CV: Step-by-step Guide with Tips!

If you have a knack for leadership, keen problem-solving skills and a collaborative spirit, being a scrum master in the UK could be for you. As one of the hottest jobs around, crafting a strong, modern CV is your best chance to impress in this highly dynamic field.

In today's Agile-driven software developer landscape, scrum masters play an important role. Part operations manager and part product owner, this in-demand professional motivates development teams, manages project batches (called sprints), iterates cross-team development processes and reports to stakeholders.

In this article we show you how to write a good CV as a scrum master in the UK, using actionable tips, a ready-to-use CV template and real-world examples.

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Scrum master CV example 

Using the California template, Josie shows her 5+ years as a scrum master confidently and succinctly. Utilising the right-hand column she draws the eye to her skills and education, leaving plenty of room for a rich work history.

What to include in a scrum master CV? 

Scrum masters possess a unique profile blending project and team management skills with strong communication and technical abilities. Whether you’re entering the profession or looking to go further in your current role, showing your value in an accessible and impactful manner is key when writing your CV.

Similar to professions such as developer, UI/UX designer or computer scientist, you may make multiple applications for different positions whilst job hunting. To make sure these are consistent and you’re hitting key competencies time and again, begin the CV writing process by compiling a master CV. 

This starting point opens with an impressive (but concise) personal profile and contains all your relevant experience, technical skills, education, certificates and references. In this instance more is more, leaving plenty of opportunity to whittle down to the relevant components for job-specific applications later on.

How to write a scrum master CV in 5 steps 

1. Showcase key scrum master CV skills 

Similar to a data analyst or data scientist, your CV must artfully blend technical expertise, hard skills and soft, transferable abilities. To effectively showcase your skills on a CV, categorise them strategically in different sections.

Technical and hard skills deserve a dedicated section, spotlighting your proficiency in specific methodologies and tools. Conversely, embed sought-after soft skills within the work experience and personal profile sections.

5 key skills for a scrum master to excel in their role

1. Agile & Scrum methodologies: Expertise in applying Agile frameworks and Scrum practices to facilitate rapid and flexible project management.

2. Sprint planning & execution: Proficient in organising and managing sprints, including planning, daily stand-ups, reviews and retrospectives.

3. Backlog management: Skilled in prioritising and maintaining the product backlog to ensure alignment with project goals.

4. Agile coaching: Ability to mentor and guide teams in Agile practices, fostering a collaborative and efficient work environment.

5. Continuous improvement processes: Expertise in identifying and implementing process improvements to enhance team productivity and project outcomes.

Generic skills to avoid in a scrum master CV

Avoid broad and overused terms like 'team player' or 'hard worker'. Instead, opt for specific soft skills like 'emotional intelligence' or 'adaptability' that convey how you navigate complex team dynamics and evolving project challenges. These distinctions help paint a clearer picture of your unique value as a scrum master.

2. Include a compelling personal profile 

Writing an effective personal profile CV section serves as a concise introduction that sets the tone for the rest of the document. As a Scrum master, this space quickly establishes your qualifications, motivations and alignment with the role's requirements.

It's essential to craft a profile that not only grabs attention but also communicates your ability to fulfil the job's demands. Incorporating specific keywords and skill sets related to Agile and Scrum methodologies, project management and team leadership can significantly enhance the visibility and impact of your CV. 

Refer to our graduate CV example for more help wriitng your CV after graduation!

Refer to our career change CV example for more help navigating this process!

3. Add relevant work experience

To correctly include your work experience on a CV, begin with your most recent role and work backwards. For each position, include a brief description of your responsibilities. As a scrum master, focus more on achievements and the value you added to the team or project, concluding each work experience entry with quantifiable successes.

Incorporating keywords related to Scrum methodologies and Agile practices throughout your experience section is crucial. This not only helps your CV pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS) but aligns your experience with what hiring managers are looking for. Skills like ‘Agile workflow optimisation’, ‘cross-functional team leadership’, and ‘stakeholder communication’ should be woven into your descriptions.

Scrum master CV work experience examples 

Agile Scrum Master | New Tech Solutions, Birmingham | 2020 - Present

Tasked with the leadership and guidance of Agile practices within a dynamic development team. Actively facilitate daily standups, sprint planning, reviews and retrospectives, ensuring adherence to the Agile framework and continuous improvement of processes. Champion the removal of project roadblocks and foster a collaborative environment for high productivity and iteration.

• Spearheaded the adoption of the Scrum framework, resulting in a 30% increase in project delivery speed and a significant improvement in cross-team communication.

• Facilitated a series of workshops that enhanced the team's Agile practices, leading to a 40% increase in sprint completion rates.

Senior Scrum Master | Advertastic Digital Advertisers, London | 2018 - 2022

Led multiple Scrum teams with a focus on optimising workflow and enhancing product development processes. Oversaw the strategic implementation of Agile methodologies across projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives. Engaged in high-level planning and provided mentorship to junior Scrum Masters and team members.

• Directed a cross-functional team in a large-scale Agile transformation, achieving a 50% improvement in overall project efficiency.

• Implemented a company-wide Agile coaching program, cultivating an environment that supports continuous learning and improvement.

Junior Scrum Master | Gun Show Games, Bristol | 2021 - Present

Support the Scrum team by facilitating daily scrum meetings, assisting with sprint planning and helping to manage the product backlog. Work closely with the Agile Scrum Master to learn and apply Scrum principles, practices and theory. Contribute to the identification and resolution of team impediments.

• Assisted in the successful completion of two major product launches by effectively managing sprint activities and coordinating with cross-functional teams.

• Played a key role in a project that delivered a new software feature, praised for enhancing user engagement by 20%.

Work experience example with little to no experience

If you are entering the profession with limited experience or from a different role, focus on transferable skills that can be applied to a scrum master role such as leadership or collaboration. Though these skills might not be specific to Agile methodologies, they can still be highly benefiical for you to succeed in this role.

Digital marketing coordinator | Humbug Media, Manchester | 2018 - 2023

Led digital marketing initiatives from conception through execution emphasising agile project management and continuous iteration based on performance metrics. Displayed a high level of cross-functional collaboration, requiring coordination with design, content and analytics teams to ensure projects align with strategic goals and adapt swiftly to market feedback.

• Introduced an iterative campaign development process to refine strategies in real-time, accelerating campaign optimisation cycles by 50%.

• Fostered a culture of continuous improvement and agile thinking within the marketing team, leading to dynamic and responsive marketing strategies able to pivot in response to new insights.

Take a look at the digital marketing or project manager CV examples to see how you can further leverage transferable skills to demonstrate how they can contribute to your effectiveness as a Scrum master.

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4. List your education on a scrum master CV 

While scrum master has been listed as a high-paying job not requiring a degree, most employers prefer candidates holding a bachelor degree in IT, business administration or a related field. According to a 2024 study 66% of scrum masters hold an undergraduate degree whilst more than a quarter hold a masters.

It seems showing you have the formal qualifications to take the job on is still a big box to tick for scrum masters. Make sure you’re correctly formatting the education section on your CV to underscore your value, starting with your most recent qualification first and working backwards.

How to format education on a CV

• Master of Science in Information Technologies, University of Central Lancashire, 2020

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, University of Manchester, 2016

5. Add your scrum master courses and certifications 

Iteration is a big part of the scrum master role, and your professional development should be improving all the time too. Including courses and certificates shows a commitment to the field and earmarks you as a candidate who is willing to learn and improve.

There are several industry recognised certifications to choose from:

• Scrum Master Certification: The Knowledge Academy 

• Certified Scrum Master: ScrumCenter 

• Scrum Master Certification: Knowledge Train

• Scrum Training: TheScrumMaster.co.uk 

How to format courses and certificates on a CV

Remember to list courses or certificates, as with your education section, in reverse chronological order, naming the certificate, awarding body and date of completion.

• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), The Knowledge Academy, 2018

• Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), The Knowledge Academy, 2017

How to write a scrum master cv with no experience 

Preparing a CV for a scrum master role with little to no experience requires some lateral thinking and a strategic approach. Focus on soft and transferable skills whilst underscoring a desire to make your mark in the industry. Here we break down the core CV sections and how to approach them with a limited work history in the field.

1. Showcase transferable skills in the personal profile

Start with a strong opening that reflects your interest in Agile and Scrum. Emphasise leadership, communication, and adaptability. Highlight any project management or teamwork experience, showing your readiness for Agile environments.

2. Align work experience entries with the job description

Detail roles where you've shown leadership or teamwork. Describe tasks and achievements that mirror Scrum Master capabilities, such as leading projects, facilitating meetings, or managing changes, to showcase your indirect experience.

3. Draw the eye to your most relevant skills

Split this section into transferable and hard Skills. For transferable skills, include communication, leadership, and problem-solving. In hard skills, mention any relevant training in Agile methodologies or tools like JIRA, even if your experience isn't extensive.

4. Get the most out of your education

Mention your education, focusing on any projects or courses related to technology, project management, or business. Highlight group projects or research that involved project management principles.

5. Show off any industry certificates including works-in-progress

List Agile or Scrum certifications, such as Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or Professional Scrum Master (PSM). These underline your commitment to mastering Scrum methodologies.

Key takeaways 

Here are the five key takeaways for crafting an exemplary UK scrum master CV:

1. Impactful personal profile: Start with an engaging profile that showcases your Agile passion, leadership skills, and why you’re suited for Scrum mastery.

2. Leverage work experience: Use previous roles to demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and project management skills relevant to Scrum practices.

3. Spotlight skills: Divide skills into transferable and hard categories, emphasising communication, leadership, and Agile tools knowledge.

4. Education and certification: Highlight relevant education and include Scrum or Agile certifications to underline your commitment and competency.

5. Strategic section approach: Tailor each CV section to reflect your suitability for Scrum Master roles, focusing on potential and applicable skills.

Next steps? 

Utilise our CV maker platform with 20+ CV templates and professional designs to choose from. To accompany your CV, discover our cover letter templates. If you don’t want to leave anything to chance, connect with our professional CV Writing Service. If you're ready with your application after following this step-by-step guide, read our tips to help you organise and track your job applications and how to send a CV via email.

FAQs

What is Scrum?

Scrum is the name given to a software product development process developed in the early 1990s. The process breaks work packages down into two-week to one-month blocks called sprints. The person tasked with overseeing these sprints is the scrum master. Scrum's approach to product development involves bringing decision-making authority to an operational level with a focus on iteration. Explore more jobs that didn't exist before the 2000s.

What does a scrum master do? 

A Scrum Master facilitates and guides Scrum teams, ensuring adherence to Scrum principles and practices. They focus on promoting collaboration, removing impediments, and supporting the adoption of Scrum to enhance team productivity and project delivery.

How much does scrum master certification cost in the UK?

The cost of Scrum Master certification in the UK ranges from £1000 to £1400, with the exam cost typically included in the course fee.

What is the salary of a scrum master in the UK? 

The average salary for a scrum master in the UK is between £45,000 and £65,000 annually. As one of the highest paying jobs that you can get in the UK without an official degree, it is becoming increasingly popular in the UK.

Are scrum masters in demand in the UK? 

Yes, scrum masters are in high demand in the UK as organisations continue to adopt Agile methodologies. The need for effective project management in dynamic business environments drives this demand​. Check out other jobs that are in demand in the UK.

Is scrum master a 9-5 job?

The scrum master role can vary in terms of hours and may not strictly adhere to a 9-5 schedule. It depends on the organisation's work culture, the project requirements, and the team's needs. Flexibility and adaptability are key aspects of Agile environments, which can influence working hours. Find out more about remote and hybrid work models that can apply to this type of job.