I'm hoping to change jobs later this year but am not ready to begin applying for positions. How should I prepare in the meantime?
Like every good project professional, you need to plan. The first step should be obvious: Update your résumé and LinkedIn profile. Next, you need to think about what kind of opportunities you're looking for. Start by researching what is happening in the marketplace. Which organizations are growing? Which are sharing promising new strategies and innovations? You need to understand where changes are happening in businesses and their programs, because that's where projects likely will be happening and where you can seize an opportunity.
Do not overlook the power of your network: It will be instrumental in helping you find your next role.
Once you have some targets in mind, think carefully about how you want to navigate various job search channels. These include job advertisements published online or in print, recruitment agencies and social media. And do not overlook the power of your network: It will be instrumental in helping you find your next role. Attend project management-related events to strengthen your connections and understand what employers are looking for and where the opportunities are.
Ramping up for a job search takes up a lot of time. But failing to plan is planning to fail.
I'm in the process of making a career shift into project management. I've earned a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification but don't have any formal experience. How can I accelerate my transition?
First, consider how you might use your new project management knowledge in your current position or elsewhere in your current organization. There are always ways to leverage project management skills in non-project-management positions. For example, these skills could help you better plan a piece of work, create a budget or improve how you report to a manager what you're doing. I'd suggest exploring these possibilities before deciding to look externally. There also might be opportunities in another more project-based part of the business. Explore this by talking to your human resources department and colleagues in other departments.
If you decide to look externally for ways to jumpstart your new project management career, keep in mind that the market for project administrator/ coordinator-level positions is competitive. Successfully landing one of these jobs comes down to your prior experience and what skills you can bring to the organization on day one. However, many organizations will understand that you can grow into a role with some on-the-job support and training.
Certain business-based roles make good stepping stones toward coordinator-level roles. For example, consider roles requiring excellent organizational and administration skills; roles where supporting a team of people is prominent; and positions that require analytical skills such as planning and finance. These experiences, plus the CAPM® certification (congratulations!), can help steer you to that first project-based position.
But of course, you'll still need to understand the core competencies demanded by any position you apply for and the main tasks you'd be performing. Based on what I've seen while recruiting for coordinator-level positions during the last 15 years, the five top competency areas are planning, reporting, delivery methodology, issues/risks/change and administrative/secretarial duties. If you understand the core competencies, you will be more able to demonstrate transferable skills gained from your current role.
You'll also need a solid understanding of the tools a project coordinator uses. Advanced spreadsheet software skills are always welcome, plus knowledge of Gantt chart planning tools. Mastering these tools now will only help you become more marketable as you embark on a new path.
What's the best way to approach writing my LinkedIn profile's headline?
Your name and headline occupy your profile's most valuable real estate. It's what people see first in searches, in group comments and if you're using LinkedIn to apply for a job. You have 120 characters to make the right impression—use them wisely.
But don't just include your job title in the headline space. Add other keywords that summarize who you are—something like “Project Manager, Business Transformation | IT & Consultancy Services.” And if you're not using LinkedIn to find work, something like “Project Manager at ABC Consulting” is fine. If you're a freelancer or contractor, LinkedIn is a good networking tool for finding new opportunities. But advertising that you're looking for a new role is tricky. A profile with “Project Manager—looking for new opportunities” gives off a negative and desperate vibe—why aren't you working? A better approach is “Project Manager—Contract/Freelance | IT Services | Available <month>, <year>.”
And one more thing: Use no more than three post-nominals. Any more than that and your headline will look cluttered and difficult to scan. Include your highest-level degree first and then any PMI certifications if you have them. PM
Lindsay Scott is the director of program and project management recruitment at Arras People in London, England.
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