Mid Career Women Transitioning into Program Management

“You’re fired.” That’s what Shilpi Mukerji heard during an interview – and it wasn’t a slip-up on her end. The interviewer misspoke. What he actually meant to say was, “You’re hired!” But not for the job she applied for. Instead, she was placed in PMO, a term she hadn’t heard before. That moment unexpectedly steered her career path, leading her to work on Microsoft Project Configuration, payroll systems, and frameworks with a strong focus on customer-centric solutions. But after a 4-year career gap, Shilpi is now ready to re-enter the workforce. To help her make that transition, we laid out a clear job search strategy that focuses on leveraging her skills and experiences, even during her time away. Here’s what we’re working on step by step: 1. Resume & LinkedIn Optimization: She was an communication coach during her gap. We’re showcasing that by highlighting quantifiable results, client achievements, and the impact of her work. This positions her entrepreneurial experience as transferable skills for a PMO role, demonstrating leadership, stakeholder management, and problem-solving. 2. AI Prompting & Project Management: In today’s job market, understanding AI tools and prompts isn’t just helpful – it’s essential. We’re making sure she can use AI for project management tasks and apply it to automate workflows, gather insights, and manage projects more efficiently. This gives her a distinct edge. 3. Learning PM Tools: I encouraged her to analyze job descriptions of PMO roles and create a list of key tools that consistently show up. From there, she’s taking the time to study and experiment with each tool, one by one. This gradual approach ensures she builds relevant skills over time. 4. Interview Preparation & Networking: We’re also crafting her narrative to confidently explain the gap, focusing on the skills she gained during her entrepreneurial journey. In addition, we’re ramping up her networking efforts to tap into opportunities beyond job boards. If you’ve taken a break from your career or pivoted into something new, let this be a reminder – what you did during that time matters. I’m holding one free 30-minute clarity call every Tuesday to help more people build their job search strategy. 👉 Let’s work on your next move – book your slot here: https://lnkd.in/ghfHgswC ♻ Repost and help Shilpi land her next opportunity! 📣 If you or someone in your network is hiring for PMO or project-related roles, reach out to her directly.  Shilpi Mukerji

Most mid-career women who land $200K–$500K offers have this one thing in common, and it’s not Ivy League degrees or big brand names. "They know what they want. And they don’t hesitate to ask for help." After working with 350+ women inside The Fearless Hire, I can say this confidently that women who crack $200K+ roles are not the ones with perfect resumes or 10/10 skills. They’re the ones who decided: "I’ve done good work, now it’s time to make sure it gets seen.” Here's how they did it, and you can do it too. 1. They got crystal clear on their next-level role Before updating their resume or LinkedIn, they stopped guessing. Instead of “I’ll take anything better than my current role,” They asked: What kind of work do I want to do more of? What role would challenge and grow me? What title and comp actually reflect my value? This clarity became the lens for everything else: messaging, targeting, outreach, and interviews. 2. They positioned themselves like decision-makers, not doers Most resumes sound like this: “Managed cross-functional meetings” “Worked with stakeholders to define requirements” The women who landed PM, TPM, and Sr. TPM roles rewrote them to show: Ownership, scale, and business outcomes. Example: “Led $12M product migration across 4 regions, improving platform performance by 48% and reducing churn by 22%.” That’s what decision-makers sound like. 3. They didn’t try to figure it out alone This part matters most. They didn’t spend 6 months tweaking bullet points in isolation or guessing what recruiters want. - They asked for help. - They invested in strategy. - And they showed up with consistency, even when things felt uncertain. If you’re sitting at $150K–$180K and know you’re meant for more, here’s your next move: Stop second-guessing whether you’re ready. Start preparing like someone who already is. P.S. If you want to learn the exact framework I use to help mid-career women land $200K–$500K offers? Register for my free masterclass, "Recession-Proof Your Career," and I'll show you how these women made it happen. (Link is in the comments.) You don’t have to figure it out alone.

Career transitions for project managers are one of the biggest tests of resilience you'll ever face. Because let's be honest... Moving to the next level in program management doesn't just test your technical skills; it tests your strategic thinking, your confidence, and sometimes your vision of what's possible. I know how challenging this journey can feel. The uncertainty. The shift from project execution to program strategy. The quiet mornings, wondering if your next opportunity will truly leverage your full potential. I've been there. And I see you. After leading major programs and coaching hundreds of project professionals, here's what I've learned: 1️⃣ You are not your project title. Your leadership and expertise transcend any single delivery. 2️⃣ Turn each setback into preparation. Refine your portfolio story, polish your strategic wins, and keep advancing. 3️⃣ Build capabilities while delivering. A PgMP certification, executive presence, or industry innovation can unlock senior roles. 4️⃣ Balance tactical AND strategic impact. Your project success shaped you, but your program vision defines you. 5️⃣ Each interview is feedback, not a final gate. Learn, adjust your approach, move forward. 6️⃣ Your network is your catalyst. Connect with program leaders, engage with industry councils. Share insights. Network. Follow up. Sometimes, the next big opportunity doesn't come from a job listing; it comes from a strategic conversation. Your breakthrough role is coming. Remember: You've managed complex projects. You've led through uncertainty. And you've got this. Follow Brian Ables, PMP, for practical tips and strategies to grow your career. ♻️ If this post helped you, repost it so others can benefit too.