How to Become a Project Manager Without Prior Experience

Introduction

Project managers are in short supply, and the demand for them has never been higher. It’s estimated that by 2022, there will be a shortage of over one million project managers in the United States alone.

But if you’re unsure where to begin when finding your next career step, worry not, we’ve got you covered. We know that every project manager has a unique background and set of experiences that have shaped them into the person they are today. And we also know that everyone has had to start somewhere, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t follow this guide.

While there are no official requirements or certifications for becoming a project manager, you can do plenty of things before jumping into the industry full-time. We recommend exploring your options with an online PMP course that helps you prepare for the essential exam (PMP) in project management to accelerate your career. This can help train you to become a great project manager while also giving you valuable experience working side-by-side with other professionals.

What is the Job of a Project Manager?

A project manager is responsible for managing and coordinating the work of a project team, including all aspects of the work, such as planning, scheduling, budgeting, and monitoring. The role involves ensuring that all team members are motivated and working together toward common goals. The job also requires you to be able to communicate effectively with all members of your team for them to understand what’s expected of them during their work.

Project managers must have strong communication skills because they have to talk to many people daily. They also need to have good organizational and time management skills because they are essential for keeping projects on track. Without these qualities, it will be challenging to manage their workload effectively.

A person without experience can become a project manager by learning these skills through an online PMP course that teaches you the basics of project management. This course also teaches the advanced functions and tools required to nail your PMP exam and become certified in the field of project management.

How to Become a Project Manager Without Any Experience?

You’ll have to learn how to manage and lead projects as a project manager. These skills are also imparted in the online PMP course in-depth which will help you grow in the aspects of project management. There are six steps involved in becoming a project manager without any experience:

Learn the skills associated with project management.
Get certified in the field of project management.
Learn the tools related to project management.
Get a bachelor’s degree.
Build an exceptional resume.
Apply for entry positions in project management.

We have discussed each of the six steps in detail and how they can help you become a qualified project manager.

1. Learn the Skills Associated with Project Management

The first skill that you’ll need to learn is communication. As a project manager, it’s crucial to communicate effectively with your team, clients, and other stakeholders. You need to know what information you can give them without giving away critical details about the project, and you need to know how much detail will help them understand your plan.

Another vital skill is leadership. As a project manager, you make sure that everyone on your team works together toward a common goal, and that means being able to inspire others to do their best work and be willing to take on challenges when they arise.

Finally, decision-making skills are essential for any successful project manager. You’ll need them when deciding which tasks should be completed first or how long specific tasks should take.

These foundational skills can all be learned through an online PMP course that helps you prepare for reputed certification programs like the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the International Association of Project Managers (IAPM). If you’re interested in learning more about what it takes to become an effective project manager, you should enroll in the online PMP course.

2. Get Certified in the Field of Project Management

If you’re in a position where you need to manage projects, getting certified in project management is essential.

Why? Because the online PMP course is one of the most sought-after certifications in the world. It’s even more essential for those working on a project-based job. The PMP certification is a globally recognized program that provides individuals with a thorough education on how to lead and manage projects. It includes leadership, communication skills, risk management, and more coursework. PMP is a challenging exam, and passing it requires excellent preparation. An online PMP course helps you prepare for the PMP exam efficiently to nail it in a go. The course teaches all the fundamentals needed for the PMP exam too.

3. Learning the Tools Associated with Project Management

Project management is a critical skill to have in the workplace. It allows you to effectively manage the flow of tasks and ensure they are completed on time and within budget. With this in mind, we will dive into three tools to help you manage your projects: Asana, SmartDraw, and Google Workspace.

Asana is a tool for project management used in the workplace. It allows you to track tasks and projects, communicate with team members, and keep track of deadlines.

SmartDraw is another tool for project management. It’s a simple drawing tool that allows you to draw out your vision for your project. Ideally, it will help you visualize precisely what you want the final product to look like.

Google Workspace is a tool that can be used in conjunction with Asana or SmartDraw. It allows you to create folders for different aspects of your project and make notes about them as they are completed.

4. Get a Bachelor’s Degree

Many hiring managers prefer to hire project managers with a bachelor’s degree, though it is not a requirement. By earning a bachelor’s degree, you can also have the same basic qualifications as other applicants, since current project managers usually have at least a bachelor’s degree. Take business, psychology, communication, and finance courses, and sign up for leadership opportunities to gain experience while in school.

5. Build an Exceptional Resume

Properly presenting yourself is one of the essential factors in choosing you as a project manager. You cannot demonstrate how you are better than other applicants through your resume. Data collected by recruiters indicate that it takes six seconds to evaluate a candidate’s viability, even though over 250 resumes are submitted daily for corporate-level positions. Your resume should be enhanced and give an excellent first impression, which is why providing a good first impression is crucial.

If you don’t have formal experience in project management, your resume should highlight your soft skills. Taking on new projects and excelling will demonstrate your enthusiasm. Every company seeks hardworking and dedicated employees. Additionally, you should mention your previous employment and volunteer experience, regardless of the field. If you don’t have experience in project management, you should follow these general tips:

Make sure you highlight your formal education and volunteer/internship experience.
To demonstrate your passion for project management, separate soft and hard skills sections.
If you are applying to a specific industry and have only a few keywords, use keywords related to project management.
Resumes should not exceed one page, with links to portfolios and work samples.
Ensure your resume is error-free by editing and formatting it.
Your cover letter should explain your career goals and willingness to learn.

You can demonstrate to employers that you have carefully considered project management as a career path if you have been working and achieving results.

6. Apply for Entry Positions in Project Management

If you’re interested in applying for entry-level jobs in project management, you’ll need to start by finding the job listing. You can search for “entry-level” or “entry-level project manager” on various job sites.

Next, you’ll want to research the company and its mission. It would help if you also looked at the company’s social media presence to understand its culture and values. When you’ve found an entry-level job that appeals to your qualifications and interests, take some time creating a resume and cover letter that highlights your skills and experience. You can also apply through an online application process if there is one available.

Conclusion

You’re responsible for managing projects from start to finish as a project manager. It’s a complex job that requires both technical expertise and interpersonal skills. You’ll need to work closely with different people, including your managers and clients, and you’ll have to keep track of multiple deadlines and tasks.

You can prepare for this role by taking an online PMP course on project management and preparing for a PMP exam. This course will teach you the ins and outs of managing projects, from communicating effectively with clients to prioritizing tasks. It will also teach you how to use tools like Microsoft Project, which is essential for any project manager.

FAQs

Q1. Can I become a project manager without experience?

Taking your training seriously is essential if you want to become a project manager without formal qualifications or experience. The IT, construction, and finance industries are prone to finding project managers without traditional degrees or experience.

Q2. Can an entry-level worker be a project manager?

A Bachelor’s degree in business is the minimum requirement for an entry-level project manager position. Although on-the-job training will help you develop your management skills. It is essential to have previous management experience, even at the entry-level.

Q3. What do project managers do all day?

Planning, procuring, executing, and completing a project are the responsibilities of a Project Manager. In addition to managing the project’s scope and team, the project manager is also responsible for assigning resources to the project.