Hello, I graduated last year with a MS in Project Management. This is actually my second masters, the first being in Organizational Management. However, I really want to be in PM but did not realize it was so difficult to get my foot in the door. It seems virtually impossible to get in unless you have 10 or more years of experience. How can I better position myself to get into the field since I don't have a lot of experience? Would it even be worth taking the CAPM exam if I can't even get my foot in the door? This inquiring mind really needs to know. Saving Changes...
The CAPM is better than nothing, but you won't be learning anything new relative to what you would have already learned in your degree program.
Your best bet to break into the profession will be to look for a stepping stone role such a project administrator/control officer/controller supporting a senior PM on a large, complex program for at least a couple of years which would then position you well to compete for a PM role. Also, focus on a business domain or industry in which you already have experience or competency.
Finally, join the Houston PMI Chapter and network extensively!
Kiron, thanks so much for the reply. I am actually in the process of applying to positions that I think would be stepping stones. I just wasn't sure if I was going in the right direction or not but you confirmed that I am. It's been very slow moving but I will continue applying and see what happens. I will also network a lot more than I have been. Again, thank you for this information. Take care. Saving Changes...
Financial Management Specialist | US Peace CorpsYaounde, Centre, Cameroon
Hi Kim,
Don't mind taking up junior PM roles..... You'll grow form there....
Wishing you all the best Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
I agree with @Kwiyuh comment above. You need to start from the very begining to gain practical experience, no matter the academic title you have. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Kimberly
CAPM or any other certifications would be good and might put you ahead of the crowd for an interview but won’t secure a job for you. In your case, I highly recommend you look for a Project Coordinator role as a starter until you get your foot in the door amd gain some PM experience. Good Luck.
Good Morning and thanks for all of your replies. Perhaps I wasn't clear in my post. I have applied for many project coordinator and administrator jobs because I do realize that I have to gain the experience but I haven't gotten any hits. That's why I posted the question of why is it so hard to just get my foot in the door. I thought I would at least be able to start there (project coordinator, etc.) and work my way up from there but haven't had much success in that either. Although, Kiron did mention the control officer or controller position which I haven't applied to so maybe I will try that next.
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Oct 29, 2020 9:59 AM
Rami Kaibni
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I hear you Kimberly. I don’t know about the control officer but you can also apply for Project
The current COVID situation doesn’t help a lot so it might be that. Besides your local PMI chapter, I am sure you are using online Jon platforms. I find Zip Recruiter, Indeed and Career Builder to be good platforms
Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Kimberly,
reading your last post, I thought it may be your job search criteria are stopping you.
First, the term project does not need to be there, controller or administrator or assistant could be job roles nit directly derived from project management. But many jobs are project management related, even if they are called differently.
Second, make sure the job description requires flexibility, adaptability, over time - features you need to have when becoming or being a project manager. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Oct 29, 2020 9:28 AM
Replying to Kimberly Washington
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Good Morning and thanks for all of your replies. Perhaps I wasn't clear in my post. I have applied for many project coordinator and administrator jobs because I do realize that I have to gain the experience but I haven't gotten any hits. That's why I posted the question of why is it so hard to just get my foot in the door. I thought I would at least be able to start there (project coordinator, etc.) and work my way up from there but haven't had much success in that either. Although, Kiron did mention the control officer or controller position which I haven't applied to so maybe I will try that next.
I hear you Kimberly. I don’t know about the control officer but you can also apply for Project
The current COVID situation doesn’t help a lot so it might be that. Besides your local PMI chapter, I am sure you are using online Jon platforms. I find Zip Recruiter, Indeed and Career Builder to be good platforms Saving Changes...
Kimberly,
To get in the door, first you have to get through the preliminary screening process, so I would look carefully at your resume, and if at all possible have it reviewed by someone with experience on the hiring side of the interviewing table.
Often your resume must first go through the HR department before it ever gets to the PMO. They probably don't know anything about PM, but rather are looking for basic prerequisites and keywords. Knowing how to tailor your resume to the job application can help you pass that first hurdle.
Then you need to get on the short list of possible candidates. If they're looking for detailed knowledge in a field where you have no experience, you're probably out of luck. Often however they are looking for someone who is a good fit and able to learn, because they will have their own way of doing things.
To sell your experience, think of the PMI triangle (leadership, PM technical knowledge, and business knowledge). Tailor your resume to highlight those aspects of your previous jobs. The job titles often mean nothing. In fact many people think a PM is more of an admin role as an example of how you need to emphasize the skills used, rather than have them guess based on the title.
You may not know their tools, but show that you know some tools. You may not have built complex schedules from scratch, but you may have experience helping manage the plan. Team-building even outside your work experience can help illustrate your collaboration skills. Experience with suppliers, cost estimating, etc. may show your experience on the business side in addition to the product side.
Those are the sorts of things you should consider in your resume to show prospective employers that a) you may not have been a PM, but have been involved with the PM functions they need and b) you have the capability to quickly learn on the job to fit yourself into the required job role.
Good Luck!
Keith
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1 reply by Kimberly Washington
Oct 29, 2020 11:33 AM
Kimberly Washington
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Wow, that was invaluable information Kevin. Thank you so very much. I will work to restructure my resume to one that shows my experience with specific PM functions. I may even solicit the expertise of a resume writer to ensure that it captures all the relevant experience.
Kimberly,
To get in the door, first you have to get through the preliminary screening process, so I would look carefully at your resume, and if at all possible have it reviewed by someone with experience on the hiring side of the interviewing table.
Often your resume must first go through the HR department before it ever gets to the PMO. They probably don't know anything about PM, but rather are looking for basic prerequisites and keywords. Knowing how to tailor your resume to the job application can help you pass that first hurdle.
Then you need to get on the short list of possible candidates. If they're looking for detailed knowledge in a field where you have no experience, you're probably out of luck. Often however they are looking for someone who is a good fit and able to learn, because they will have their own way of doing things.
To sell your experience, think of the PMI triangle (leadership, PM technical knowledge, and business knowledge). Tailor your resume to highlight those aspects of your previous jobs. The job titles often mean nothing. In fact many people think a PM is more of an admin role as an example of how you need to emphasize the skills used, rather than have them guess based on the title.
You may not know their tools, but show that you know some tools. You may not have built complex schedules from scratch, but you may have experience helping manage the plan. Team-building even outside your work experience can help illustrate your collaboration skills. Experience with suppliers, cost estimating, etc. may show your experience on the business side in addition to the product side.
Those are the sorts of things you should consider in your resume to show prospective employers that a) you may not have been a PM, but have been involved with the PM functions they need and b) you have the capability to quickly learn on the job to fit yourself into the required job role.
Good Luck!
Keith
Wow, that was invaluable information Kevin. Thank you so very much. I will work to restructure my resume to one that shows my experience with specific PM functions. I may even solicit the expertise of a resume writer to ensure that it captures all the relevant experience. Saving Changes...
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