Career Advice for a Project Manager

Project managers oversee the implementation of business plans and projects. They manage and organise team members, resources, and tasks to reach the ultimate goal of a project. Project managers work to ensure all jobs and completed projects finish on time and to the set budgets.

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How to Become a Project Manager

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Project Manager

Should you wish to work as a Project Manager you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Project Manager

  • 2 or 3 A Levels
  • Degree in Project or Business Management
  • Project Management Apprenticeship

Key Responsibilities for a Project Manager

  • Collaborating with team members to determine project schedules and requirements
  • Submitting project reports and procedures to adhere to safety and quality standards
  • Working with the project team to identify and resolve possible issues
  • Preparing ongoing project status reports
  • Creating project communication channels to ensure effective execution
  • Carrying out requests for changes and informing relevant parties
  • Identifying new opportunities and developing client relationships
  • Ensuring customer satisfaction and accepting of projects
  • Evaluating projects upon completion
  • Reporting to senior management on project outcomes

What to expect as a Project Manager

Project managers are responsible for handling company projects by working with team members to ensure all requirements are met. They monitor people, resources, and project tasks to ensure each project is completed on time and within a specified budget. Project Managers prepare reports, consult with clients and work with multiple people on each project. To be successful, you will need excellent communication skills and lead teams of all sizes.

Recommended Project Manager Jobs

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How to get Project Manager Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Project Manager job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Project Manager application. If you have not held a Project Manager position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Project Manager role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Project Manager CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Project Manager application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Project Manager in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Project Manager 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Project Manager and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Project Manager experience.

How to get Project Manager Experience

What does it take to be a Project Manager? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Project Manager jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Project Manager through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Project Manager Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Project Manager part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Project Manager or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Project Manager freelance work

If you have impressive Project Manager qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.