Cynthia TedderSr. Project Controls Administrator| Haley & Aldrich, IncBensalem, Pa, United States
Hi all. I am pretty green to the project management role, I've worked on project teams before just not with any official-ness to it.
Quick backstory - my career of the last 25+ years is in the administrative profession. I am currently an office manager and am in the process of completing my PM degree (5 classes to go, yay!). I have several PM certifications that include Six Sigma Black Belt and Continuous Improvement, and I am studying for the CAPM.
Now, fast forward to present. My organization is restructuring and I fear I may soon be on the chopping block. And, rather than go back into another administrative job (should the inevitable happen), I would like some of your professional guidance on advancing into a project team role - coordinator and such. It seems that all recruiters see on my resume is "administrative" and turn the other way.
My experience on project teams includes office build-outs, construction team management, timeline management, cost/budget analysis, and more. This is all spelled out on my resume. I just don't understand why I cannot get ahead of the 'administrative' title ball & chain.
Andrew SoswaTechnology leader| Leading global financial institutionElk Grove Village, Il, United States
Susan (point # 1 - I call it "projectizing" your resume) and Aaron summed it up.
Take it a step further.
- based on your past experience, you have expertise in a certain industry. Target this industry in your LinkedIn profile - so that it is general enough to catch recruiter eyes (obviously, while everything is ethical)
- search for PM positions in your targeted industry. Based on your results, rewrite every resume to target each specific job you are applying to (as long, again, it is ethical) Saving Changes...
Cynthia - Between school and your 25 years, are you sure you don't have enough hours for the PMP? The PMP is more desirable from an employer's perspective. Saving Changes...
Milena IlievaProgram Manager Global accounts| VMWareVienna, Austria
I agree with Sergio, people often do not understand what is project management, unless it is specifically stated in the job title.
I would advise that you include in the summary of your resume, that you have experience in projects and project management - you managed teams, looks like you managed project budget/costs. May be you managed sub-projects or small projects, and you even did not realise it. Check the definition of a project per PMI.
List the projects you took part in - this will also underline your project experience. It is a matter of structuring of your resume. If you can find somebody with project management experience to review your resume and give you some hints would be very helpful.
You can join the local PMI Chapter, if you have one, and join the mentoring program if there is such. A mentor will be very helpful in this situation, and he/she can give you good advises on the next steps in project management career.
Good luck! Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Cynthia,
agree with Sergio, Bob and Milena.
Reading about your 25 years of experience, having led teams and managed schedules and budgets, you are a project manager, even if you never had the title.
Why do you not go directly for the PMP, which would have more relevance on your CV.
Do not think you have to be perfect before daring something and limit your options.
And get a mentor. The future is ours. Saving Changes...
