After 12 years at one company, I'm back on the market after a reorganization. In October, I got PMP-certified. Since then, my responses to applications have been limited to recruiters and no further progress. I've read up on all of tips and tricks - tried out different versions of my resume, spiffed up my LinkedIn profile, sent out "Pain Letters," contacted hiring managers directly, etc.
I've got several recommendations on LinkedIn, have a long list of people who will provide smashing references (including executive leadership).
Being in a small IT department, I've been a jack-of-all-trades from desktop support to technical infrastructure. There was little opportunity to become a full-time PM or otherwise advance (though I was able to get promoted twice), and there were no formal PM processes in place or methodologies in use. However, I managed several projects unofficially and was deeply involved in nearly all other projects.
Also, I didn't spend enough time on networking in the past twelve years, so most of my contacts are from my previous employer. So no strings to pull that I can find.
I know I'm awesome, but no luck. Resume attached. Can anyone provide suggestions?
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Elizabeth HarrinDirector| RebelsGuideToPM.comLondon, England, United Kingdom
Sorry, I don't have any ideas as you're not in the same country as me and I have no idea if hiring practices are different. Stick with it and keep networking. Something will turn up! Good luck with the job search. Saving Changes...
Jennifer, I think your resume is good, but I would like to share a few recommendations:
1) Clearly spell out the industry you feel most qualified to work in and describe why your experience qualifies you for a position.
2) Pick a few companies that you are interested in working for and read the job descriptions of the positions you are interested in to see if your experience is a good fit. If it is not, pursue some training opportunities to gain the experience needed and include it on your resume. Your resume has a broad base of IT experience so you could choose to pursue any of the areas you have experience in. Do you want to be a project manager? Do you want to be a network administrator, etc?
3) Always include a good, customized cover letter with your resume because it will help the recruiter understand why you are qualified for their particular position.
4) Network with your local PMI chapter because oftentimes, the members can tell you about openings in the companies they work for.
5) Volunteer with PMI or your local chapter to gain more project management experience to put on your resume. Because your experience has been in broad IT categories, it might be more helpful to add more PM experience to make your PM skills stand out more and allow you to network with your peers.
I hope these tips are helpful! Good luck on your search! Be patient and hang in there! Saving Changes...
Jennifer EricksonIT Project Manager, Senior Business Analyst, Technology Specialist| NATbd, Il, United States
Thanks for the feedback! Saving Changes...
Nicolle BourgetProject Manager| University of the Fraser ValleyAbbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
Hi! I've been a hiring manager in the past. When looking to hire PMs, I look to see what PM experience is highlighted and that the individual is an expert in that field.
Your resume is very impressive but it does not paint the picture of a project manager. Instead, I get the sense that PMing has been on the side of your desk - not the impression you want to make if you are looking at a project manager role. You may want to rewrite the sections with that in mind.
Expand on the project manager activities that you performed in the Experience section while playing down the IT roles. Strip down the skills, knowledge, abilities section to be tailored specifically to the role to which you are applying. Instead, tie the PM skills to the work experience piece - I would want to know how and when you used the skill.
My 2 cents!
Good luck! Saving Changes...
Al TaylorI.T. Contractor| IndependentWaterloo, Ontario, Canada
hey good luck! I am no expert but maybe expand on this material "Managed, supported, and participated in a range of IT projects. Provided business analysis; gathered and analyzed requirements. Planned and monitored project activities, schedules, and budgets. " by drilling down into one or two of the projects and discuss the budget, team size, and maybe how ur leadership helped to deliver the product...and maybe how u added value to the firm's PM practice...e.g.: implemented change control, defined communication models, improved risk management process, etc.... Saving Changes...
Jennifer EricksonIT Project Manager, Senior Business Analyst, Technology Specialist| NATbd, Il, United States
Thanks. That is part of the problem - I haven't been an official PM as a full-time role, and I come from a place with very loose PM processes (for example, project charters were typically created after projects completed, simply to meet compliance). Also, while there were enterprise wide projects, the budgets and teams were not large. So, I'm not an expert in the field of project management, despite my confidence in my abilities.
That being said, I am a seasoned IT professional, so I don't want anything too entry level (and want to avoid a huge paycut).
I have just started a volunteer assignment for my local PMI chapter, so I hope to make some connections there and learn more.
In the meantime, I'll try to revamp my resume to focus on the PM skills used. Saving Changes...
Al TaylorI.T. Contractor| IndependentWaterloo, Ontario, Canada
Jennifer....you got ur PMP...right?......so u are qualified !
Don't worry abt "PM processes" most have little meaning and are mainly about meeting audit points.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Anyone can define and follow a process.
In the end it is all about people....so....think of how u led ur teams and delivered products and value to ur customers....tell that story ! Saving Changes...
Gail KaufmanRetired (former project manager)CT, United States
I think all the advice above is excellent! I would add one other tip on resume writing. Check your target company's website to get a feel for their branding and core values. Integrate language into your resume that reflects you are aligned. Depending on a company's need, the ability to fit into the company culture may offset the need for a little training to bring a new hire up to speed.
"Life is to be lived. If you have to support yourself, you had bloody well better find some way that is going to be interesting. And you don't do that by sitting around wondering about yourself."
