“If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door." - Milton Berle, comedian

Introduction:

If you are a project manager looking for a new opportunity OR you are trying to get into project management, it might seem pretty impossible right now. All I hear is "we are in an employer's market."

It may surprise you that demand for project managers over the next 10 years is expected to skyrocket relative to other career paths. Yet, PMs report they are struggling to stand out in what they perceive to be a crowded field.

With that said, here are 7 ways you can stand out as a project manager applicant today! 👊

Improve your power skills

The Project Management Institute (PMI)  has “Power Skills” as 1 of 3 essential legs of their talent triangle. Power skills (Previously Leadership) are interpersonal skills including collaborative leadership, communication, an innovative mindset, for-purpose orientation, and empathy. Ensuring teams have these skills allows them to maintain influence with a variety of stakeholders - a critical component for making change.

Projects Teams led by people who display and model those skills are more likely to succeed. These are skills that are not typically learned in a book or classroom. You may be able to learn theory, but you have to go out and practice it to really begin to feel confident in these skills!

Standout on LinkedIn

Job Applicants With a ‘Comprehensive’ LinkedIn Profile 71% More Likely to Get Interviews, Study Says. Have you looked at your profile lately? Did you just add your last job update and never touched your profile again. That’s typical for 96% of LinkedIn users. Recruiters are using linkedin more than ever to search & find ideal candidates. If you are not refining your profile to include your skills, strengths, and results you may be missing out on a lot of opportunities. 

Leap Laterally

If we stay in the same place too long, we stop searching for or seeing new ideas, possibilities, and approaches. In the field of project management, we have the ability to make lateral moves to new industries without setting our career back. So, to move forwards, try moving sideways first. It could be just the shake-up you need to keep learning—not to mention, a powerful resume-builder that can help you later in a down market or industry disruption. 

Showcase your Reviews

When you purchase a product or service, one of the first things you do is read the reviews (not just look at the star rating). Now imagine that to read those reviews, you had to call Amazon and speak to the reviewer over the phone. Crazy, right?

So why do we just put reference names & phone numbers on our resumes? Add compelling, persuasive testimonials about what it’s like to work with (or for) you right on your resume. These can be requested on LinkedIn and copied into your resume. 

Publish Your Thought Leadership

Even just sharing three to five articles on your LinkedIn or Projectmanagement.com profile can be a great way to build public credibility, and gain exposure to people who may be willing to help you find your next role.

Flex into a Second Project-Oriented Role

Gaining experience as a Business Analyst or Scrum Master can broaden your perspective and create added value for the organization(s) you serve. For example, with BA training, you’ll be better able to identify when there are gaps in requirements, unaddressed business risks in the project management plan, and you’ll be better able to collaborate with and support the BA assigned to your project 

Growth Mindset 

Add the Word “Yet” to Something You Can’t Do - We all have natural abilities that make certain things easier to do than others. For example, some people love getting lost in spreadsheets for hours looking for trends and patterns. Others cringe at the very idea of plugging a formula into a spreadsheet. But, it doesn’t mean that person can’t learn. 

 If something is an important part of your job and you don’t know how to do it, reframe it as, “I’m not good with spreadsheets… yet.” The addition of “yet” allows you to sign up for courses, watch tutorials, or ask the resident spreadsheet expert. This principle applies to whatever skill you currently do not have but need, in order to grow in your position. 

The saying is true: to get exceptional results, you must take exceptional action. 

What actions will you take today to help you stand out?