Subscriber Question: Practical Steps to Kickstart Your Project Management Career After Certification

Subscriber Question: Hello, I would like to know about how to practically kick start a career in PM after certification.

Congratulations on obtaining your project management certification! This achievement opens the door to a world of opportunities in the wide field of project management. To practically kickstart your career, you'll need to take a deliberate and strategic approach. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you on your journey:

1. Understand the Fundamentals: Before diving into the practical aspects of project management, make sure you have a solid understanding of the fundamental concepts. Revisit your certification course materials, textbooks, and any notes you've taken. Familiarise yourself with key project management frameworks, such as PMBOK or Agile, as they provide the foundation for your future work. This is key because companies will often assess your knowledge by asking you about fundamental concepts. This may be in interviews or after being employed. Being able to speak freely about technical terms will create trust in your skills.

2. Network and Connect: Effective project management often depends on collaboration and communication. Start building your professional network by attending industry events, joining project management associations (e.g., PMI or IPMA), and participating in online forums and LinkedIn groups. Networking can provide you with mentorship, job leads, and valuable insights. There are often ways to volunteer at events in order to attend them for free or for low cost. Apply to be part of your local project management chapter. You can also network online by dedicating time to reply to useful content published by other project managers on forums such as LinkedIn.

3. Update Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile: Revise your resume to highlight your certification and related skills. A well-optimised LinkedIn profile can be an essential tool for attracting job opportunities. Make sure to include keywords and phrases relevant to your certification and the industry. Highlight your certification by posting it to your feed. Also add a bio which describes you in positive terms. This will be seen by recruiters and other professionals.

4. Gain Practical Experience: Put your knowledge into practice. You can start by seeking internships, volunteer opportunities, or even taking on small freelance projects. Gaining hands-on experience will help you apply what you've learned in real-world scenarios and build a portfolio of successful projects. Project management isn’t just about large projects. You can lead projects for local charities or other non-profit organisations, sports teams or schools. All these opportunities will allow you to hone your skills while also adding to your CV. Employers will definitely be impressed by your dedication to helping others using your project management smarts.

5. Develop Soft Skills: In addition to your technical project management skills, work on your soft skills, which are equally important. Effective communication, leadership, problem-solving, and time management skills will set you apart as a well-rounded project manager. Project leadership is just as important as management.

6. Keep Learning: Project management is an ever-evolving field. Stay up to date with the latest trends, tools, and methodologies by attending workshops, webinars, and online courses. Consider pursuing advanced certifications or specialisations that align with your career goals. Not all education needs to be expensive. There are online short courses offered by organisations such as PMI. You may for example take a course in Artificial Intelligence. There are also ebooks and other courses offered by various online educators. Find one that you trust.

7. Seek a Mentor: A mentor can provide guidance, insights, and a valuable sounding board for your career decisions. Look for experienced project managers willing to share their wisdom and support your growth. Mentors can be found online or in person. Do not be afraid to reach out to project managers you respect. If you contact many, you will more than likely be successful in getting some meetings.

8. Create a Job Search Strategy: When you're ready to apply for project management roles, develop a targeted job search strategy. Identify your ideal roles, companies, and industries, and tailor your applications accordingly. Don't forget to send personalised cover letters with your resume. Apply in formal and informal ways. Recruiters, LinkedIn or job sites are more formal. However you can also simply visit companies who employ project managers. A friendly conversation with admin staff will often pave the way for an interview.

9. Prepare for Interviews: Practice common project management interview questions and scenarios. Be ready to discuss your experiences, both from your certification program and any practical work you've done. Showcase your problem-solving abilities and your ability to lead and work in teams. Potential employers are ready to accept project managers who make it clear that they have gone beyond what their peers are doing.

10. Stay Persistent: The journey to a successful project management career may include some rejections and setbacks. Stay persistent, learn from your experiences, and continuously improve. Each application and interview will bring you one step closer to your goal.

11. Build a Portfolio: As you work on more projects, compile a portfolio showcasing your achievements. Include project plans, documentation, before-and-after results, and any quantifiable improvements you've made. A strong portfolio can be a game-changer when seeking job opportunities. You may think that self-promotion is off limits, but do not hesitate to do so in a humble manner. Promote the projects rather than yourself. You will still be recognised at the project manager who led their successful implementation.

12. Take on Leadership Roles: Within your current job or volunteer opportunities, actively seek leadership roles on projects. This not only demonstrates your abilities but also offers valuable leadership experience. Conversely, also take on serving roles. Show that you are willing to work in roles that may be beneath your education level in order to learn and contribute.

13. Consider Further Education: Depending on your career goals, consider pursuing a master's degree in project management or a related field. Advanced education can open doors to more senior roles and increased earning potential. Do not be afraid to learn widely. When you learn about other industries and how they manage projects, you will find new lessons to apply to your industry.

14. Be Adaptable: The world of project management is versatile, with opportunities in various sectors. Don't limit yourself to one industry or type of project. Be adaptable and open to exploring different areas to diversify your experience. Even if you don’t particularly enjoy a certain industry, you will still learn valuable skills and make yourself more marketable to the sectors you are passionate about.

15. Stay Ethical and Professional: Maintain the highest ethical standards in your project management career. Uphold professional conduct, and build a reputation for reliability, trustworthiness, and integrity. Companies want to be sure that their project managers will act ethically and not create risks to the project or the brand.

16. Create Value and Efficiencies:

Create value for companies and projects by using your fresh perspective. As a new graduate you are at the cutting edge of project management thinking. Use software or artificial intelligence tools to create new ways of working and saving time and money on projects. This will endear you to employers.

17. Be a Personal Brand:

Without undue self-promotion, set yourself up as a personal brand. Write articles and post them online. Discuss your expertise with others. Become known in the industry as a knowledgeable and trustworthy project manager.

Kicking off your project management career after obtaining your certification requires dedication and a clear plan of action. The successful project manager will be the one who shows they are able to add value. By following these practical steps, you'll be well on your way to a successful and fulfilling career in project management. Keep learning, stay persistent, and remember that every experience is a valuable step towards your goals. Good luck!