Get more from your PMI membership with PMI® Global Congress 2009—North America, 10-13 October, in Orlando, Florida, USA.
When you attend congress you can:
- Sharpen and update your skills,
- Network with people who may impact your career,
- Get inspired by keynote speaker T. Boone Pickens, and
- Earn PDUs.
This year, you can customize your congress experience to meet your budget and schedule. Chose a one-day, weekend, or full four-day attendance package. Need to renew your PMI membership? Click here.
Try These Tips to Refresh Your Job Search
New strategies can re-energize your quest and help you to find a job quicker.
Hilaire Ngameni, PMP, of Douala, Cameroon, was a team leader in the production department of a company whose revenue was decreasing every day. Things were so bad, the company decided to reduce the production team by half. Aware that he was going to lose his job, Mr. Ngameni began his search for a new one.
This story is not unique considering that unemployment rates average between 8-9 percent in many countries.
Mr. Ngameni developed a job research strategy that included reading job postings in newspapers and online, looking for jobs in another industry and posting his CV at every potential company in which he was interested.
Mr. Ngameni found a new job immediately. Not everyone is so fortunate.
While some job-search methods still work, a number of Project Management Professional (PMP)® credential holders offer you their unique approaches and advice to help you navigate this competitive job market.
Revamp Your Résumé
The first step in every job search is to equip yourself with the one device that sells you, your skills and abilities — your résumé.
While there are many resources dedicated to this topic and there seems to be no single correct approach, at least remember to include your PMP® credential designation on your CV, résumé, business cards and e-mail signature line to help you stand out from other candidates.
Become a Consultant, or Switch Industries
Although a down economy seems an unlikely time to go into business for yourself, several PMP credential holders find success in this approach.
“Offering your services as a consultant is a good way to find work or make new contacts for future job leads,” says Maurício Andrade, PMP, São Paulo, Brazil.
Mr. Andrade recommends you choose an area of project management like scheduling or IT in which to be a subject matter expert, and then offer your specialized project management services.
Further, project practitioners are poised to transition industries. That is exactly what Anand Kumar, PMP, of Cincinatti, Ohio, USA, advises his friends, colleagues and other contacts to do.
“Research the industry sectors like healthcare, government, or energy, that have not felt such great affects from the down economy. Consider transferring to these industries where job openings are present,” he says.
Find New Ways to Network
Social media goes way beyond socializing. Some sites like LinkedIn are business-oriented and designed for professional networking.
These professional sites not only have a number of project management groups that you can join to broaden your network but also provide a virtual place for you to post your job needs. Companies post open positions as well.
If you already use social media, supplement those efforts with traditional face-to-face networking. However, there are some pitfalls to avoid.
“Attending the same events and networking with the same people is not much help,” says Mr. Kumar. “Try to attend one new networking event every week and then follow up immediately with new contacts.”
Maintain a Positive Attitude
Even though looking for a new job is a big challenge and the prospects seem bleak sometimes, a positive attitude will seep into your communications and can help you stay energized.
“A challenge like losing your job could lead to new opportunities,” says Yeong-HanYun, PMP, of Seoul, South Korea. “Always consider positively everything with smile. If you lost your job, it could be another chance to develop yourself or change your field.”
“Your positive mind affects everything around you, which is fundamental factor to change your current standing,” he says.
Use Your PMI Resources
PMI’s Career Headquarters is an extensive job database where you can search for jobs, promote your résumé online and get help from our virtual career coach. Many services are open to both PMI members and non-members.
If you plan to attend PMI® Global Congress 2009—North America in October, check out the presentation “From Job Search to Job Creation: Solutions for Project Management Professionals” and be sure to network with other congress attendees! Also, visit the career center in the exhibit hall, where several large organizations will have staff on-site to conduct interviews and discuss their project management career opportunities.
Volunteering is a way to develop new contacts and expand your leadership skills — both of which can give you an edge in the job market. Look for volunteer opportunities with PMI.
Read “Looking for a Job? Highlight your PMI Credential,” a recent, related article published in PMI’s Community Post, 10 April.
Do you have a comment about this article or would you like to offer more advice or tips for conducting a successful job search? E-mail the PMP Passport Editor. PMI would like to hear from you and may consider your response for future publications.
The topic of this article was inspired by Mohammad Aamir, PMP, of Sydney, Australia, who made the suggestion to PMI’s Community Post newsletter.
