What Are Employers Looking For In A Project Manager?

“I’m an IT expert specializing in Network Security but would like to make a career switch to project management. I don’t like my job anymore and I feel stressed and anxious just thinking about it. I want to quit and pursue my passion of being a project manager. But I’m not sure where to start. I have been applying for jobs here and there without much success. What skills do employers look for in project managers? Any ideas? Your assistance will be highly appreciated”

This is part of an email I received from George, a concerned job seeker who was looking to make a career switch from IT to Project Management, but was having a hard time navigating the whole process. Making a career switch is no easy thing especially if you don’t have the skills and experience needed in that field.

Project management is one of those fields. It is complex and competitive but it doesn’t mean that you can’t find your way around it. A good starting point is finding out what employers want. Putting yourself in their shoes and figuring out the skills they are looking for.

This is something I emphasized on when sending my response to George’s email.

Keep reading, if you share the same concerns as him. What are employers really looking for?

PMI Certification

PMI certification is the most valuable certificate programme. Employers looking to fill in a position of a project manager understand this.

Problem Solving

Many times, a project is filled with struggle and uneasiness among other things. The best way to look at every tough situation is to consider it as a challenge that will help you grow. Employers want a project manager who can handle any challenge and look for the best solutions using every angle that exists.

This is a transferable skill as well. No matter what industry you are in, you need problem solving skills to handle different challenging tasks. As an IT expert, George handles duties that require him to think quickly and find solutions that work, this is something that can make him easily adjust in the project management environment.

Leadership 

You need to have great leadership skills. Employers look for a project manager who can successfully lead a team, keeps them on task, motivates them and supports them through any challenge that may arise.

Prioritization

What is the ultimate goal of the project you are handling?

A good project manager knows how to look at a list of tasks and prioritize them in order of importance and timeliness.

Risk Management

Projects are subject to risks, things can go wrong at any time and for that you need to be prepared. Your employer expects you to foresee this risks and effectively respond to them in good time.

As a skilled project manager, you need to assess the situation and find quick and effective solutions before things go out of hand.

If you are just as anxious as George is about making a career switch, then consider taking up a short course in project management. You will get to understand the field, acquire skills, gain new knowledge and so on.

So if you are ready to be that project manager who gets hired at the first interview then sign up for this Project Management Training to have a successful and fulfilling project management career.

See you there!