I would like to know if anyone has any contacts or how I can get my foot in the door as a project coordinator. I have my PMP certification. Many years of managing small projects and large tasks, heavy leadership roles in the utilities industry, and am someone who loves numbers and spreadsheets, and have a GREAT ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND QUALITY CONTROL.
I lived in the greater Seattle, WA area in 2019 and 2020. Temporarily moved back to Las Vegas, NV to spend time with family, but ready to move back to Washington. Washington is where my heart is.
Currently employed via contract by Robert Half Staffing - working for a bank in their Credit Department preparing SBA PPP Documentation, creating spreadsheets, auditing spreadsheet data.
If anyone can give me tips, insight, or any leads I would be greatly appreciated.
If you aren't already a member of the PMI Seattle chapter, I'd recommend joining and networking as actively as you can as it will really come down to getting your foot in the door somewhere via a warm introduction.
If you have a PMP and past leadership experience leading and supporting projects, then I wouldn't say you have no previous PM experience. I think what you need to do is customize your resume to individual submissions and align your past experience to the job postings.
That is more about describing the job functions you performed, than the type of business or job title. That could be building and managing schedules, tracking deliverable completion, building project performance dashboards, or whatever specific activities you think align with the potential job description. The key is don't just say you are skilled with numbers and spreadsheets, but instead describe the types of work you've done in that area specifically relating to project management.
FYI - When I see PM positions in the Seattle-land area, often they are looking more for the project admin type role, so bear that in mind while you search for and apply for openings. Saving Changes...
You provide great advice and I like the describing of job functions. I will focus on this more. Thanks for the tip on the project admin type roles in the Seattle area. I can totally manage these kinds of roles. I have heavy support admin experience mostly in the gas utilities which I can draw many key functions to incorporate into my resume.
I really appreciate your time and expertise! You have been extremely helpful!
Regards,
Caroline Butler Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Caroline
as I am in Germany, I am not in the position to recommend anything in your area. Though I love it.
Just think about that many jobs and relationships are remote now anyhow, and extend your view to the US/Canada and why not globally? Believe in yourself! Look out for opportunities.
Any tips on how to go about landing a virtual/remote job as a PM or Project Coordinator?
Caroline Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Hi Caroline,
wide field.
1. Make sure you present yourself to potential employers in a way that is meaningful and attractive to them. This includes your profiles on social media, your CV, your cover letters, photos, your research about them etc. - there are books and websites helping you with all of this.
2. Make sure you are confident enough not only to survive but lead a job interview. Some toastmaster groups offer specific activities for this, toastmasters extends your network, hones your speaking/discussion capabilities and may even lead to a leadership certificate. You are automatically a volunteer when joining. Again, chose a group with good offerings anywhere on the globe, it is virtual anyhow. Companies move towards hiring for attitude, not (only) skills.
3. look at job sites, set alerts, reply immediately. It may take 100 applications until you get an interview. So lower your expectations. There are sites that help you find suitable offerings. For example, I attend biweekly speed dating zoom calls for directors (VNXD) - and find 4-5 new connections each time.
4. extend your professional network, LinkedIn or PMI or else. Start helping others, like here, it is easy. It hones your empathy and builds a reputation.
"Imagine if every Thursday your shoes exploded if you tied them the usual way. This happens to us all the time with computers, and nobody thinks of complaining."
