How to become a project manager without experience

What does a project manager do?
How to become a project manager with no experience?
Concluding thoughts

You want a project manager role. I think this is your dream job, and that’s why you are here. But the main problem is you lack experience. No problem.

This writing, “how to become a project manager without experience,” will guide you to get a project manager job with ZERO skills.

Don’t believe it?

Then you should read the entire article to learn how to be a project manager.

Let’s dive into the article.

May I request you one thing? Please do not skip a single line. The line may be crucial, but you have overlooked that. I hope you have got the point. Thank you.

Let’s get started.

What does a project manager do?

Since you have no experience, and that’s why you are here, before going deep, it is essential to know what a project manager does.

The planning, procurement, execution, and completion of a project are all the responsibilities of a Project Manager.

He is in charge of an entire project. He handles everything that is involved in a project. For example, managing the project team, project scope, budgeting, planning etc.

Mainly a project manager is responsible for the success and failure of a project. He is involved in numerous aspects of the project from start to finish.

I think now it’s pretty clear to you what a project manager does.

How to become a project manager with no experience?

Now you have come to your dream part of this article, where I’ll discuss how to become a project manager without experience.

Are you happy, my dear?

Hmm, I think yes. Please consider the following steps.

Display your fundamental skills:

A project manager requires some soft skills, and a recruiter searches those on the resumes and during the interview process.

So you should showcase some foundational soft skills on your resume. You may consider highlighting the following skills:

Leadership:

Any team dedicated to achieving goals should have its leader. It is just as the strongest army has its commander.

Being a leader is not just limited to motivating employees. It’s more than that. Project management positions require effective leadership. It’s crucial.

A strong project leader means he can set a vision, manage projects and teams, and motivate team members to complete tasks on time and above all, he is a great coach.

That’s the reason to have leadership skills on your resume.

If you can inspire others, resolve conflicts, and be open-minded to learn new things and disciplined enough, you have the qualities of a good leader.

Then why not mention it on your resume since it is essential for a project manager role?

Communication:

People in project management need to communicate effectively, comprehend and be understood.

Why am I writing this? The cornerstone to any relationship's success is effective communication – the communication skill of a project manager on the team, customers, and all. Otherwise, it is pretty impossible to manage projects.

Sometimes you need to lead such team members that you have not worked with before. Only excellent communication can feel them comfortable working with you.

This is the power of communication skills.

So, this soft skill should have on your resume.

Organization:

As a project manager, you must handle various components in most projects. A high level of organization and attention to detail is required. So, include this skill on your resume.

Influencing:

The more you have influencing power, the more easily the project will be done. But please don’t mix up the word with “manipulation”. There is a difference.

Your influencing power will help you operate more efficiently and gain respect, which is crucial for any project management.

Conflict management:

If you want to be a project manager, you need to have conflict management skills.

In a project, many types of conflict may arise: from communication gaps, competition, unclear requirements etc.

If you have conflict management skills, you will be able to bring people together and make them more focused.

So, mention this on your resume.

Dear reader, this is not necessary; you need work experience to have these skills. You may develop these from your student life. I know you are already bearing those skills; why not mention those on your resume? These soft skills are required for a project management job.

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM):

The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is designed for those who are less experienced. It’s an entry-level certification.

This certification may not be necessary to the hiring manager, but this will be an added qualification for the job. After completing this course, include it on your resume. Your hiring manager may think you are serious about the project management career.

So, this project management education will help you become a project manager.

Sign up with a mentor:

Still thinking about how to become a project manager without experience? You can join a professional association.

This association can help you to find a mentor for you. A mentor with experience as a project manager can guide you through your career. Signing up with a mentor means he can help you in the following ways:

Learn the various project management methodologies.
You can ask the question to your mentor if you don’t understand anything regarding project management.
You will be able to study best practices for project management.

There is another way.

Is there any project manager in your present company? If yes, you can take help from them and ask them to serve as a mentor.

Dear reader, we have already covered many things on how to become a project manager without experience. There are some more to cover. Please have patience a little more and read on.

Look for the training program:

As your career goal is to be a project manager, you should polish yourself by participating in various project management related training programs.

Since you have no experience, project management training may help you. For example:

You can learn and get a deep insight about the role of a project manager.
You can know the name of various project management software and their uses.
You will understand different types of project management methodologies and more.

I think by this time, you have understood the benefits of training for your career goal.

I want to add some more. You may consider purchasing some project manager online courses from any reputed online course platform. Udemy (an online course platform) is highly recommended for buying any online course.

Obtain a bachelor's degree:

While a bachelor's degree in business management isn't required to work as a project manager, but it is recommended. Many hiring managers may require it. So, earn at least a bachelor’s degree.

Consider taking business, psychology, communications, and finance courses while you’re in school.

Sign up for leadership opportunities. It will help you to gain experience. Start to prepare yourself this way for becoming a project manager.

Gaining experience:

I know you have never been a project manager before. That’s why you don’t have experience as a project manager.

But my friend, your previous other work experience may still qualify you for the project manager position.

You may discover that you have already managed a project indirectly through your prior work experience!

There are a variety of jobs that can help you transition to a project manager job., ranging from web designer to personal assistant.

Learn how to use software and tools:

With soft skills, you should prepare yourself with some hard skills since they are required for a project manager role.

For example, you should know the use of Microsoft Office, different goal management tools, team tracking tools and different email services.

Knowing the usage of these tools is essential in this field. So, why not learn them?

Concluding thoughts:

No knowledge, no worries. You already know how to become a project manager without experience.

No one can stop you from fulfilling your dream. Mention the soft skills like leadership, communication etc., on your resume. The Project manager role requires those skills.

Achieve certified as a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). This will add extra value to your resume. Besides this, you may sign up with a mentor who will guide you through your career.

Obtain a bachelor degree, take project manager related online courses and sign up for leadership opportunities.

So, no experience, no problem. Nothing can stop you from becoming a project manager with no experience. Follow the steps that I have shown you through this article. Now it’s time to search for a project manager job.

I wish you the best of luck.

December 08, 2021