How to Get Your First Project Management Job | Video

Getting your first Project Management job is something of a ‘chicken and egg’ problem…

It’s hard to get a Project Management job without experience. But, how can you get experience, without a Project Management job?

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Break the Cycle

The first step in getting a Project Management job is to break the ‘chicken and egg’ cycle, by either getting:

• experience without getting a PM job, or
• getting a PM job, without experience

Easy Route

One of the soundest investments to make is experience. Volunteer for any role that will give you valuable experience for a future Project Management job.

Easier Route

Help out a struggling manager, and practice some of your Project Management skills. Help them with – planning – risk identification – status gathering – other aspects of project management

Easiest Route

Turn your current job into a Project Management job. Use project management tools and techniques to get things done. Talk about it as a project.

The Two Ways to Get Your First Project Management Job

1. An Internal First Project Management Job

Here are my Top Tactics:

1. Get to know people
2. Speak with Senior Managers
3. Start to think of yourself as a Project professional
4. Prepare a Pitch
5. Constantly buff up your CV

2. Going Outside: Applying for an External First Project Management Job

Start your search, while you are successful and secure in your current role so that you can:

• avoid feeling (and appearing) desperate
• take your time to find the right role
• invest resources in your search without feeling it’s too risky

Here are my Top Tactics for Getting that PM Job

1. Build an Answer Bank
2. Start small
3. Aim for the best fit
4. Let your passion show
5. Ask for feedback

More Preparation for Your First Project Management Job

There is lots more detail, plus six full case studies, at Can you Get a Project Management Job? (Here’s How).

And, if you get a PM Job Interview, this article will help you prepare: Essential Project Management Interview Questions.

Prepare by learning solid Project Management skills, with one of our Core Course Programs.

Check out our Kindle-exclusive: So You Want to Get a Project Management Job.

I also recommend that you constantly buff up your CV, to keep it relevant to each new job application.

Recommended Videos

Carefully curated video recommendations for you:

• Project Management Job Interview – How to Crack it!
• Don’t Get Fired: The Secret to Not Getting Fired
• Control Stress – or it will control you
• Leading without Authority: How to Manage and Lead People
• What are T Shaped People?

What Kit does a Project Manager Need?

I asked Project Managers in a couple of forums what material things you need to have, to do your job as a Project Manager. They responded magnificently. I compiled their answers into a Kit list. I added my own. 

Check out the Kit a Project Manager needs

Note that the links are affiliated.

Learn Still More

For more great Project Management videos, please subscribe to the OnlinePMCourses YouTube channel.

If you want basic Management Courses – free training hosted on YouTube, with 2 new management lessons a week, check out our sister channel, Management Courses.

For more of our Project Management videos in themed collections, join our Free Academy of Project Management.

For more of our videos in themed collections, join our Free Academy of Project Management.