{"id":6003,"date":"2011-02-23T06:07:27","date_gmt":"2011-02-23T13:07:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/svapm.org\/?p=6003"},"modified":"2011-02-20T11:15:28","modified_gmt":"2011-02-20T18:15:28","slug":"15-ways-to-hook-a-gig-as-a-project-manager","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/svapm.org\/?p=6003","title":{"rendered":"15 Ways to Hook a Gig as a Project Manager"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Fifteen\"<\/a>Mike Clayton recently responded to a question he receives often from his audience, \u201chow do I get into project management?\u201d<\/p>\n

I really liked what Mike had to say, and so this is my evil riff on his ideas.<\/p>\n

1. \u00a0Seize opportunities \u2013 any opportunities. Take any chance you can to get involved in a project and then look for a chance to take more responsibility<\/strong><\/p>\n

Absolutely Mike.\u00a0 I was recently coaching someone through this process, and you can see what happened and the actions they took in this\u00a0project management career case study<\/a>. \u00a0It’s baby steps toward taking over the world.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

2. \u00a0At the end of every project, reflect on what you have learned<\/strong><\/p>\n

Definitely.\u00a0 A\u00a0lessons learned<\/a> file is important both professionally and personally.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

3. \u00a0Keep a notebook of useful things you learn \u2013 tips, ideas, tools, insights \u2013 and keep it with you<\/strong><\/p>\n

This probably works for many people.\u00a0 I\u2019m not much of a fan of carrying around notebooks though.\u00a0 For me, blogging is a key method for helping me retain important information and think through it carefully.\u00a0 That, and responding to forum questions and posing my own.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

4. \u00a0Get training \u2013 not just in project management, but in any business, management, communications, or personal skills \u2013 make notes about what you really learn in your notebook.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Training is so vital, and something that unfortunately, most organizations seem to undervalue.\u00a0 Shim wrote a post on\u00a0The Importance of Training and Coaching to Organizational Growth<\/a> that I left a comment on.\u00a0 Too bad most companies can\u2019t see the need for training like the military does.<\/p>\n

5. \u00a0Get qualifications. No amount of formal training and exams will make you a great PM, but they will do two things: they will stretch your thinking, and give you a badge that people will recognise<\/strong><\/p>\n

True.\u00a0 In\u00a0How and Why I Passed the PMP Exam<\/a> I discuss my reasons for certification, even though I completely agree that no amount of test-taking is going to make you a good PM.<\/p>\n

Additionally, you need to approach these certifications with the right mindset.\u00a0 I answered an email from someone yesterday who was thinking about paying thousands for a CAPM training course.\u00a0 NO!\u00a0 This is why I hate boot camps of any kind, they only teach to you to memorize and pass a test.\u00a0 If you\u2019re OK with that, you\u2019re doing it for the wrong reasons.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

6. \u00a0Read insatiably. Particularly useful are Project Management magazines, like the APM\u2019s Project, or Project Manager Today, but these days, there is a mass of comment, information, ideas, and formal learning available on websites and blogs.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Absolutely.\u00a0 And besides print and online reading materials, there are YouTube channels<\/a> out there dedicated to project management, podcasts, and so much more.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

7. \u00a0Connect people together. By linking people up, you become a valuable team member who is able to get problems solved.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Absolutely critical Mike.\u00a0\u00a0Leadership<\/a> is about facilitation and bridging the gap between people to establish and maintain good communication.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t mean you are the most important part of the system; you should be the grease that makes the system run well.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

8. \u00a0Don\u2019t be a prima donna. If there is a dull, simple task; take it on with the relish of a major challenge and do it remarkably well. Get known as someone who can and will do anything to get things done.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When looking for a mentor in your organization, go find a project manager and ask them if you can take over these dull, simple tasks of theirs for them.\u00a0 They may be dull and simple for them, but you can\u00a0gain a lot of experience<\/a> and insight by taking these things over.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

9. \u00a0Talk to people and ask their opinions. This will build your people skills and grow your store of ideas and knowledge.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is great advice and I have found that this is one thing social media in general is really great for.\u00a0 Leaving comments on blogs, interacting with people on LinkedIn, and so many other resources are out there.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

10. \u00a0Observe what makes the best of the people you work with great, and what makes the worst so bad. Model yourself accordingly.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Empathy<\/a> and the ability to alter your perspective and look from outside your head is so important.\u00a0 Self-absorbed people who only see the world from their own myopic viewpoint never get too far from what I\u2019ve seen.\u00a0 Treat the stage of your organization as a science lab, and you are an observer.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

11. \u00a0Be curious \u2013 investigate the environment you are working in and learn whatever you can.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When I\u00a0started my current role<\/a> I spent many hours over the weekend pouring through design documents, operations concepts, etc.\u00a0 I spent a long time being a newbie and proud of it, not caring that I may be asking stupid questions.\u00a0 In fact, I preface many of my questions with \u201clet me ask you a stupid question\u201d \u2013 just so they know it\u2019s coming.\u00a0 It brings defenses down and makes people more willing to share with you.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

12. \u00a0Review your CV. A lot of what you have done has contributed to projects, so bring that aspect front and centre.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Absolutely.\u00a0\u00a0Projectize your resume<\/a> and\u00a0enhance it even more<\/a>.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

13. \u00a0Volunteer for teams, task forces and working groups at work and in your social life.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Volunteer at work, in non-profit organizations, online, wherever.\u00a0\u00a0Volunteer<\/a> and over-deliver.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

14. \u00a0Become an expert. Get known as an expert in something, no matter how detailed. Once people get in the habit of going to you for one thing, they will want your perspectives on other things.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Be careful about this one.\u00a0 Choose the \u2018thing\u2019 you will be an expert in carefully.\u00a0 People can tend to pigeon-hole you too, so that whatever you are recognized for can become a burden if you want to branch out.\u00a0 So you may be a great programmer, but if you are only known for your\u00a0technical skills<\/a> there, people may not even think of your name when an opportunity for a new project manager comes around.<\/p>\n

Instead, I advise that you are known as being interested in whatever your goal is.\u00a0 If you want to be a project manger, make sure everyone and their mother knows it.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

15. \u00a0Focus on quality. Present your work really well, so that it gets noticed for the right reasons. People are like moths \u2013 we are attracted to the brightest flames.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Over-deliver, over-deliver, over-deliver<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Thanks Mike, good stuff!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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