Taking the Next Step in Your Project Management Career

So, you've want to take your project management career to the next level? Great stuff!

Whether you're an entry-level project manager or someone with a few years already under your belt, moving up to your next step requires a clear plan, commitment, and a bit of strategic thinking and networking.

Here's are some of my tips for you:

Define Your Career Goal

First things first: what is your ideal next job? Perhaps you aspire to be a senior project manager, a project director, a program manager, head of a PMO, or even a Chief Project Officer (CPO). Defining your goal is crucial because it will guide every step you take. Visualize the job you want, understand the responsibilities, and picture yourself in that role. This clarity will fuel your motivation and help you map out the path to get there. Find someone already in the role you want and invite them for coffee and ask them how they got there and also what the role is really like.

Commit to Gaining Experience

Experience is the foundation of any career progression and it simply cannot be beaten. Look for opportunities to take on more responsibility in your current role. Seek out challenging projects that will stretch your skills and demonstrate your capability. If your current job doesn't offer these opportunities, consider volunteering for projects or roles outside of your immediate duties. Remember, experience isn't just about doing more work; it's about doing the right work that aligns with your career goals. And if you are reasonably intelligent you don’t need to stay for years in a role to get the experience. Most people get all the benefits on experience within the first 12 months in a role – anything after that is just reinforcing what they already know.

Get the Right Qualifications

Qualifications and certifications are often the keys that unlock higher-level positions. For project managers, this might mean pursuing certifications like PMP (Project Management Professional), PMI-CP, or Agile certifications. These certifications require an investment of time and money, but they are well worth it and increasingly a mandatory requirement to roles (particularly outside of New Zealand). Research the qualifications that are most respected in your target role and industry, and create a plan to achieve them. Balance your study schedule with your work commitments to ensure you're not overwhelmed.

Make Your Ambitions Known

Don't be shy about your career aspirations. Let your managers, mentors, and colleagues know that you're aiming for a higher role. This transparency can lead to new opportunities, random encounters, and support from people who can help you get there. If your organization has a formal mentorship or career development program, take advantage of it. Regularly check in with your superiors about your progress and seek their guidance. And yes, this means signing up for job sites as well to make sure you get notified of opportunities.

Network, Network, Network

Networking is essential, especially if your desired role is outside your current organization. Attend industry conferences, join professional associations, and participate in online forums and social media groups related to project management. Networking isn't just about collecting business cards; it's about building relationships with people who can offer advice, support, and opportunities. The more people who know your capabilities and aspirations, the more likely you are to hear about the perfect role before anyone else does when it becomes available, and you will already be known if you do put your hand up for the role.

Think Beyond the Next Step

It's important to have a vision not only for your next role but also for the one after that. Think of your career as a series of stepping stones. Each position you take should build your skills and experience towards your ultimate career goals. This long-term thinking will help you make better decisions about which opportunities to pursue and which to pass on. And sometimes its perfectly fine to take an intermediary role that gives you the skills, experiences and contacts to get you to the role you really want.

Advancing in your project management career takes clear goals, effort, the right qualifications, networking and time.

And as a final note, make sure your pat yourself on the back when you do get that perfect role in the future, and send a little ‘thank you’ to your past self for taking the steps and putting in the effort to get you where you are.