6 Ways to Advance Your Project Management Career Now

Are you looking to further advance your project management career? The key is to stand out from the crowd of people looking to accomplish the same thing. In an article for CIO.com, Jennifer Lonoff Schiff shares some tips for project managers on what you can do to advance your project management career. There are six things you can do now that will help you to build a better career for tomorrow.

1. Get certified: PMP/ PgMP/ PRINCE2, whichever it is, having more than one credential is the norm today. But certification enhances one's credential when applied appropriately. If you don't have any, there is a likely chance that you won't be taken seriously no matter what the rest of the resume says.

2. Experience matters: Without hands-on experience, certifications look unreal. Especially when it comes to Project Managers, organizations look for candidates with real-world experience. The more experience you have, the better your chances for advancement.

3. Speak the language of business, not just project management: Not all in the project are familiar with jargon like scope, cost and schedule. Communicate in a language they understand especially with business and non-pm personnel. Articulating the value, progress and estimates of your project in business terms (e.g., dollars, ROI, payback period, etc.) can be helpful for the advancement of your career. Also don't stubbornly cling to a specific methodology you are certified in when it is not the right approach in the given situation. As a PM, you should apply the right mix of project management tools for the individual project.

4. Accept Challenges: Don't shy away from complex projects. Step up, volunteer and be the go-to person for hardest projects in your organization. Never give up or blame others when projects get delayed. Instead, find solutions with your team and keep the project moving forward. Organizations need problem solvers and the ability to solve complex challenges gives you real-world experience.

5. Set your career goals: Knowing your career goals and discussing them with your managers actively can help you source ideas on how to accomplish them. If you are unclear about your career goals, you should hire a Career Coach who can help you identify your needs and values and ensure your goals are in alignment. Always find career coaches who have experience in IT project management, so that their advice is very much relevant to your work function.

6. Be Nice with others: You can be a technically strong project manager, but if you rub people on the wrong side, it may effect your team morale and ultimately the project deliverables. Remember project delivery is always a team effort.

Treat everyone with the same professionalism and your career shall flourish as you gain respect and build a network of people who will champion you and your career goals.