As the job market tightens again amid a big push from the media to talk ourselves back into recession there has been a number of enquiries from candidates both unemployed and employed looking to make a change in career. Due to a number of reasons such as a desire to work in a more varied role and wishing to take on more responsibility being key areas and also we have graduates who are keen to set off on the right track after dedicating a number of years to studying the subject of project management.
You can break through the cracks in the project management hiring world
Let me begin by stating that all the best project people, I know personally, “fell” into the PM domain, usually through getting involved in various projects and being noticed for all the right reasons within a business. This makes sense, you work in a business for a while and understand their “product” and start to get involved in changes being made in the organisation; as a subject matter expert you can add a great deal of value to the project and as such are likely to be picked to join the team. Once you have a few projects under your belt (whether supporting or delivering) you will find doors open internally for dedicated project roles but also you have strengthened your CV and are more attractive to external parties.
I don’t want to shatter the aspiring new project professionals’ dreams here – but a realistic view on starting a career path in project management is not an easy feat and often the misconception that taking a support role is the easy route also needs to be dispelled. The competition is tough and in a risk averse culture we see ourselves sat in, the employer is naturally going to pick candidates with some experience over those with none at all in a list of applications on their desk. Therefore a strategy needs to created with a clear career path timeline of where you want to be over the next 5 years.
A good start is to work with voluntary organisations such as charities where you can dedicate some spare time to assist on projects – not only are you giving back to a charity you will also gain some very valuable work experience and particularly with the project work you may find yourself working within some PPM structures which will enhance that PM qualification you paid for but have yet to use. You also demonstrate to employers just how far you are willing to go to gain the key experience required to get into the PM domain and your ability recognise your own skills gaps and be proactive in closing them.
Another area to focus on is taking the work experience you do have and breaking it down into what could be useful and may open doors for interviews – industry knowledge, if you work for a telecoms company in the call centre and are keen to progress into a project role but your supervisor is being less than helpful (and downright obstructive) then apply to major competitors. Even if you initially apply for a similar role to your own to get in through the door, then once in the interview be honest. Talk about your aspirations and let the hiring manager decide if they can accommodate your desire to progress.
For further advice please visit the dedicated repository on our website or alternately; book a clinic with me or one of our consultants who can give you bespoke advice on how succeed in the marketplace.
