How to Advance Your Career In Project Management

How many projects have you been a part of? If your existing project management experience is lacking, you may have difficulty advancing your career. When searching for a new project, you may find many employers are looking for experience and dedication to project management.

However, it can feel difficult, at best, to advance your project management career.  If you feel stuck in your current career in project management, try employing these four tactics. Each of these tactics is designed to give you additional experience.

Get Experience and Project Management

Experience in project management does not necessarily mean that you have to be the project manager. Gaining experience may vary from working on a project management team to managing several smaller projects, such as minor construction projects in an urban development. Sometimes, taking on multiple, small projects can speak volumes more about your skills as a project manager than a single, large project.

Work in Multiple Industries

Different industries come with different challenges, risks, and requirements of the project manager. Although staying in one industry may seem like the best solution, you should expand your experience by working across different industries.

For example, you may consider working in construction, the oil and gas industry, and retail management. Each of these different industries employs similar skills. However, the needs for each industry will vary. As a result, potential employers will be able to take advantage of your extensive skill set.

Create A Viable Reputation for Managing Risk and Stressful Events

Managing risk and addressing stressful events is not creating a harsh disciplinary program. When a problem arises, such as disagreements between your staff members, you need to show the ability to resolve these problems quickly and fairly.

Furthermore, your approaches to managing these problems should include unusual tactics, or “out of the box” thinking, and attempt to benefit all parties involved in the problem. This will help build trust among your employees, which is it beneficial factor in future opportunities as a project manager.

Get Your PMP Certification

Historically, project managers were hired on the basis of experience alone. However, today’s sponsors and corporations want a means of verifying a project manager’s skills. The PMP certification has rapidly grown to become one of the most iconic signs of a verified, well-versed the project manager. If you have not previously attempted the PMP certification, you need to start studying.Also, do not take this exam on a whim.

The exam is designed to challenge many different facets of project management, which include risk management, planning, and disciplinary actions for staff members. Furthermore, multiple solutions may exist to a given question, and you will be required to pick the best solution for the given problem. Basically, you need to be able to look beyond the problem and identify how to best approach it. As a general rule, study for the PMP examination for at least six to eight weeks prior to the examination date.

By following these four tips, you can advance your career in project management.

Key Takeaway

• Take any experience you can get.
• Work across many different industries.
• Demonstrate resolve in responding to stressful and difficult situations.
• Prepare for and obtain your PMP certification.