How to Advance as a Project Manager

I was rejected from 90+% of the project management jobs I applied for Here's how I landed (and thrived) in a Senior PM role. Rejection sucks. When I was trying to level-up in my PM career, I applied for dozens and dozens of jobs. I got ghosted, rejected, or "we've decided to move forward with other candidates" on 90% of them. At first I took it personally. Maybe I wasn't qualified. Maybe I wasn't good enough. But I was wrong. Getting rejected isn't failure. Stopping is. Here's what I learned and leveraged toward a dream PM role: ☝ Stop applying for jobs, start applying for the RIGHT ones At first I sent out a flood of applications. Anything with a PM title, hoping something would stick. Nothing did. So I got strategic. → Evaluated where I was deficient → I tailored my resume → Focused on roles that aligned with my strengths/experience → Spoke directly to the job descriptions of those aligned roles ✌ I turned interviews into case studies Instead of just answering questions, I came prepared with examples. → How I turned around a failing project → How I influenced a difficult stakeholder → How I aligned a siloed team (This became my 3 Projects Framework - check it out in my PM Power Moves newsletter) Hiring managers don't want to hear what you would do. They want proof of what you HAVE done. 🤟 I got comfortable with rejection and used it to improve After every rejection, I did 2 things. Asked for feedback (when possible). And adjusted my approach for the next opportunity. → Refine your stories → Strengthen your positioning → Learn to sell yourself as THE solution to their problems 🖖 Network like it's your job A big shift was when I stopped waiting for job boards to work. Instead, I started connecting with people in the industry. → I got a coach. → I engaged in PM communities. → And reached out to hiring managers for conversations (not jobs). These conversations and relationships lead to real opportunities. 🖐 Play the long game I didn't need every job to say yes. I just needed the RIGHT one. When the right opportunity came, I was ready. (That opportunity came with 2 other offers too). → I landed the role. → I stepped into the challenge. → And I thrived, by leaning on my specific skillset and experience. Rejection isn't the end. It's part of the path to the right opportunity. If you're facing job search frustration as a PM/aspiring one, keep going. Keep refining. Keep showing up. I promise, you'll win. 🤙

I used these 8 tips to land my new Project Management role. Breaking into or leveling up in project management can be challenging—but with the right strategy, it’s achievable. Here are 8 tips to make sure you stand out and get hired: 1/ Own Your PM Skillset: ↳ Highlight hard and soft skills to show you’re more than just a task manager. ↳ Showcase your expertise in project tools, budgeting, team leadership, and stakeholder communication. 2/ Showcase Results, Not Just Tasks: ↳ Employers want to see the outcomes of your projects, not just a list of duties. ↳ Focus on how you’ve delivered value, saved costs, or improved processes. 3/ Nail Your Resume & LinkedIn: ↳ Make sure your experience is clear, concise, and results-driven. ↳ Tailor your profile to match the language of the roles you’re applying for, emphasizing keywords like “stakeholder management” and “cross-functional teams.” 4/ Build a Network of PMs: ↳ Networking isn’t just for finding jobs; it’s for getting advice, recommendations, and insights into open positions. ↳ Attend industry events, join PM groups on LinkedIn, and reach out to PMs already in roles you want. 5/ Leverage Certifications: ↳ PMP, Agile, Scrum—these certifications show you’re serious about your craft and equipped for complex projects. ↳ If you don’t have them, now’s the time to start. It can make all the difference. 6/ Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills: ↳ Don’t just discuss your skills—illustrate how you’ve solved complex issues in previous roles. ↳ Show how you’ve managed risks, turned around underperforming projects, or streamlined processes to achieve better results. 7/ Prepare to Discuss Leadership: ↳ Employers want to hear how you lead, whether leading teams, managing conflicts, or driving results. ↳ Share concrete examples of your leadership style and impact in interviews. 8/ Be Ready to Learn: ↳ PMs need to be adaptable. Highlight your growth mindset and willingness to learn continuously. ↳ Talk about how you’ve evolved in previous roles and your strategies for staying current with industry trends. With these strategies, you can land your next PM role and accelerate your career. What’s one tip you would add?

I've trained 600+ project managers over the last 3 years. From budding teams in start-ups to large-scale projects in multinational corporations. Hre are 9 challenges and recommendations frequently shared. 1) Scope Creep Management It's daunting when project deliverables keep changing. Without clear boundaries and pushback, projects will derail. Highly recommend reading "Scope and Requirements Management" and "Effective PM and BA Role Collaboration" to solidify your scope management strategies. 2) Time Management Effective PMs understand that every minute counts. Design an “Ideal Project Week” and schedule critical tasks. Risk assessment? Schedule it. Stakeholder meeting? Schedule it. Documentation review? Schedule it. 3) Stakeholder Engagement Project Managers need to skillfully manage stakeholder expectations. Instead of just updating on progress, send out agendas ahead of stakeholder meetings. Focus on critical discussion points, and be prepared to address the top concerns. 4) Resource Allocation It's tempting to bring in the best talents, but ensure they align with the project's current needs. Don’t bring in a high-level consultant when you need hands-on expertise on the ground. 5) Driving Team Accountability Inconsistent team updates and feedback loops can hurt a project's momentum. As the PM authority, establish regular checkpoints. Embrace the mantra: “Consistency is the heartbeat of projects.” 6) Clear Project Objectives If stakeholders or team members can't quickly summarize the project's goal and outcomes, there’s a clarity issue. Consider methodologies like SMART goals to crystallize your objectives. 7) Handling Conflicts Project disputes, if not addressed promptly, can escalate and impact delivery. Address conflicts head-on. Familiarize yourself with techniques from "Crucial Conversations" for effective resolution. 8) Budgeting Managing finances is critical. A well-told narrative about your project’s ROI and value proposition is invaluable. Understand your budget's narrative, including how resources are allocated, potential ROI, and long-term project benefits. This narrative informs future budgeting decisions. 9) Project Strategy Many project managers grapple with succinctly defining their approach. A clearly articulated strategy not only provides direction but aids in stakeholder buy-in. I highly recommend diving into the "Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)" to sharpen your strategic skills. How do you prioritize and balance stakeholder engagement with ensuring timely project delivery, especially when faced with conflicting interests?