Project Management 101
Answers to your most asked questions!
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Which certification or degree should I get to be successful as a project manager?
The answer to this question will be dependent on your experience, goals, and industry choice. For many, the path to project management involves a certification.
With that said, there are also plenty of successful project managers who do not have a certification or advanced degree. In fact, it’s common for project management hiring managers to be flexible here, but it’s also important to understand that having a certification will often put you at an advantage.
In general, if you are in the beginning stages of your path to project management, it is wise to at least consider certifications to help grow your knowledge and make you more marketable.
The most widely regarded project management certifications are offered through PMI. Certifications are offered with varying qualification requirements and specialties. A few of the most common certifications are: CAPM for entry-level project folks, CSM for those specializing in Scrum, and PMP for advanced project professionals. Of course, there are other certification sources that may be a better fit for you.
Start by researching the certifications available and understanding how those line up with your career goals. From there, make the choice that is right for you.
Which job titles should I target for project experience?
There are many jobs out there that involve some degree of project experience, but aren’t labeled “Project Manager.” Listed below are a few you can target. Often, you will have the opportunity to work side by side with an established project manager so you can learn the ropes while you work your way up to full-fledged project manager.
Remember: not all jobs with project experience need to have the word “project” in the title. Review the job descriptions and select positions which stand out as having adjacency or involvement in the project process.
Business Analyst
Change Manager
Delivery Manager
Implementation Specialist
Operations Analyst
Project Coordinator
Project Admin
Project Assistant
What is the best way for me to find a job in project management?
This answer is going to depend on what stage you are at in your career, the type of job you are searching for, and the type of industries and companies you are targeting.
In general, the best way to find a job is by using a strategic approach like this:
Figure out what you want to do and why. Get clear on this and why it’s a good direction for you, how you add value, and why someone would want to pay you to do this.
Network daily by posting, connecting and commenting on LinkedIn. Reach out to established project managers and ask for specific guidance.
Find a mentor or friend who can hold you accountable during your search. Schedule regular check-ins to discuss progress and new ideas.
Identify 1-2 industries where you would like to focus your search. Having direct experience in these industries is recommended.
Identify specific organizations that are in alignment with your above answers.
Research jobs at these organizations and learn which skills are required and what the organization values in their team members.
Refine your skills according to what you learn through the research above.
Create a resume and portfolio tailored to your preferred roles and organizations.
Apply to jobs, reaching out directly to the organization where possible and appropriate.
Adjust your approach based on learnings and feedback.
Keep going. It is not unusual for a job search to take up to 6 months or more.
Don’t give up, you will land!
Why is it so hard to find a project manager job?
Job searching in general is difficult. This is not a phenomenon specific to project management. There are systemic issues in the job search process that make the experience complicated for all parties involved. My hope is these issues will be resolved in the near future.
In the meantime, the absolute best things you can do for yourself are:
Take care of your mind and body.
Network, network, network.
Develop a strategic job search approach (see answered question above).
I have been searching for a project manager job for a while now with no luck, can you give me some tips?
See answers above.
Is project management the right career path for me?
That is a question only you can answer. It is important to understand modern day project management is an art, centering around the leadership of people. We leverage tools and technology to do this, but central to your work as a PM will be communication, leadership, strategic thinking, and problem solving. If this is the type of position you are seeking, consider the following questions to guide you farther:
Who do you want to be?
Why are you interested in project management?
What do you want to offer your project teams?
How did you get started in project management?
I was 10 years into my career before I discovered project management as a viable career path. At the time, I was working in software development as an Implementation Specialist. The job was essentially project management, but I didn’t know it until one day a client said to me “you are a great project manager!” The rest is history.
I began to study project management, had conversations with established project managers, and decided this was the next phase for my career. Since I had been working as a project manager for years before my discovery, much of it came naturally to me. The part I had to work on was learning the terminology and theory (as it applied to my work). I read books, watched YouTube videos, and took LinkedIn Learning courses to help grow my knowledge.
You will come to learn that many project managers are “accidental.” In fact, you may be one yourself!
Will you hire me to work for you?
I currently do not have any job openings.
Can I intern for you at no charge?
I do not offer an internship program.
Will you mentor me?
I currently do not have any mentorship slots available. I encourage you to follow me on LinkedIn and YouTube to receive regular content geared toward helping you navigate the project management experience.
Can you give me advice on my specific situation, or hop on a call with me so I can pick your brain?
I wish I could provide one on one services for each and every person who reached out to me, but I simply do not have the bandwidth to do so. I have a variety of free content available to everyone on the internet in an effort to provide resources to all.
I also offer paid 1:1 sessions to individuals who are ready to invest in themselves. To book now, visit here.