The job market is filled with crazy job experience demands, and the project management industry is no different. Employers will ask for it, certifications will assume it, and job descriptions will even make you feel like you are underqualified. But here’s the catch: you need experience to get the job, yet you can’t get the experience without the role.
No need to worry, however, since project management experience isn’t confined to a job title. You can still build credible project management experience even without being a formal project manager, and here’s how.
1. Tackle Projects At your Workplace
If you have planned, led, or executed projects at your organisation, you have some project management experience, even without the “project manager” title. You are also experienced if you have worked with project management software, tools, and artificial intelligence.
So, if you haven’t already, find opportunities that allow you to plan projects, showcase your time management and budget capabilities, and even flex your power skills like stakeholder management. Also, try your hand at entry-level project management roles that help you get your foot in the door.
2. Get Certified
We can’t mention this enough: certification is one of the most powerful ways to validate your experience and open up new opportunities. Besides, 51% of organisations want project professionals to have some sort of certification. We’d recommend getting the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Certification for a strong start.
You can always take project management certification preparation courses from top providers like RocketCert to simplify your certification process. The main aim of getting certified is to build skills, fill your knowledge gaps, and boost your confidence. However, being certified also shows you are hardworking and disciplined enough, which helps you stand out as a job applicant.
3. Volunteer for Project Roles
Potential project managers often underrate the importance of volunteering in establishing their careers. Though working as a volunteer on initiatives for nonprofits and community groups doesn’t sound like the most fun thing to do, it helps you build valuable skills and experience. The cherry on the cake is that you will not just earn management skills that you can use anywhere, but also boost your resume a great deal.
4. Use Side Projects Strategically
Side projects can be quite powerful, but only when you are intentional in how you use them. The best way to get the most out of them is to avoid taking on something purely out of interest. Instead, go for the projects that allow you to practise:
- Planning and scheduling
- Documentation and reporting
- Budgeting or resource allocation
- Risk identification and mitigation
The best part is that these projects aren’t even as complicated as you would want to believe. They can be something like organising an event, coordinating a community initiative, launching a small product, or even leading a volunteer programme.
What matters is approaching this like a project manager, not just a participant. So, make sure you document what you do, track outcomes, and reflect on the lessons you’ve learned. This is how experience becomes transferable.
Get Started Today
As you can see, there is a lot you can do to gain project management experience even if you aren’t in this role yet. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are other tips like learning the language of project management, supporting an experienced project manager, and others we haven’t mentioned.
The most important part to us, however, is getting started. And what better way than to take an expertly written pre-certification course so you can start your journey being quite knowledgeable? So, head over to rockercert today to start on a solid footing.
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