Project managers usually take on loads of responsibility in their everyday duties, for which they require excellent skills and expertise. This is why it is important that you know how to find an entry-level job – so that you can gain the necessary experience within the field and build your way up.

As you start researching jobs within the field, you have to make sure that you have the following:

  • The right qualifications/training
  • A well-drafted CV
  • The willingness to work hard, take on new challenges, and learn new things

Companies are always investing in new projects, and people with project management expertise are becoming more and more attractive to the business world. Without those three above-mentioned factors, however, it is unlikely that you will be able to find a job within the project management industry. So let’s break them down and talk about each of them individually:

The qualifications/training:

There are plenty of opportunities within the project management industry, especially when you are fully loaded with the right knowledge and educational background.

The right qualifications/training and experience can develop you from entry level right into senior managerial level if that is what you are aiming for. Even though qualifications do not replace experience in the field of project management, sometimes experience also cannot substitute the formal training that is needed.

For example, moving to another company without qualifications (even if you have relevant experience) might limit your choices, as your qualifications (or formal training background) will most likely get you noticed for an interview before you are able to demonstrate your experience. 

If you do not have any project management training behind your name just yet, then it would be advisable that you enrol for some training as soon as possible, as it will equip you with much of the knowledge and skills that you need in this field.

A well-drafted CV:

A well-drafted CV is important, as it is the medium that you will use to sell yourself as a potential employee. When hiring potential project managers, employers need to know that you are the right person to invest in.

It is therefore important that your CV highlights the ways in which you meet the key requirements of the job that you are applying for. So remember to update your CV on a regular basis, and to tailor it for each job application.

The willingness to work hard, take on new challenges, and learn new things:

If you want to land an entry-level job in project management, then you have to get involved in various projects, so that you can gain experience and get noticed. Volunteer to assist with various projects – whether it is at schools, at church, or in a working environment.

Start small if you do not know how to work in a project team: take minutes at meetings, get involved with planning and executing events, find roles that will help you develop your communication and writing skills, and so on. Your aim here is to help with projects that will eventually bring you into contact with business managers and potential investors. This is one way to get into project management.

Now that you have an idea of how you could get an entry-level job in project management, you might also be interested in the following: