Last time, I wrote a fantastic article on the A – Z guide of How to become a Counselor with the requirements needed to get started.
Today, I will share with you the most comprehensive guide on How to Become a Project Manager in 2023.
Being a Project Manager entails so many things, unlike becoming a Counselor.
Nevertheless, I will show you the available career path to becoming a project manager.
Many people who want to become a project manager but don’t know how to start keep asking questions like;
- Can anyone be a Project Manager?
- Can you be a Project Manager without a Degree?
- What are the steps to become a Project manager?
- How to become a Project Manager without a Degree?
- What qualifications do you need to become a Project Manager?
If you are among those asking any of these questions, worry no more! Here on this page, you will get to see the answers to all your questions.
Before we continue, let’s see what Project Manager is all about.
What is a Project Manager or Who is a Project Manager?
Project Manager(s) can be seen as an individual who can plan, lead teams, organize projects, and see the success or failure of any project.
They keep a project on time and within budget and are responsible for the outcome of the project.
Becoming a project manager takes little time and will require you to perform some tasks.
However, with this guide, you can quickly know how to build and grow yourself into becoming a certified project manager in due time.
Let’s quickly see the step-by-step guide on how to become a Project Manager and work as a Project Management Professional.
How to Become a Project Manager in 2023/2024 (6 Simple Steps)
Six simple steps on How to Become a Project Manager in 2023/2024.
1. Getting Started
Becoming a Project Manager requires you already got some organizational skills and leadership abilities.
If you have gotten the following listed above, you are on the move of becoming a Project Manager, thereby treating your career path as a project.
While treating your career as a project, you can use your skills to get them done as soon as possible.
In building your career, apply more by being hard-working, studying hard to get good grades and staying out of trouble.
With these done effectively, your journey to becoming a project manager just got started.
2. Gain Informal Experience
Gaining everyday experience in project management is another thing you need in knowing how to become a Project Manager.
You cannot just become a project manager overnight by handling projects on advertisement websites or opening a project management stall.
Instead, you become a project manager by managing major projects around you, which you can find everywhere.
This will help you gain the required experience and be ready to apply your skills in any situation.
You can manage projects in the fields of your interest, thereby allowing you to become a better project manager.
3. Work on Your Clients Skills
Knowing your client’s skills and working on them is what you must recognize as a Project Manager.
You can’t just decipher a successful project by regularly sitting on a computer to check out charts.
Hence, it would be best if you worked for hand in hand with your clients and other people involved in the project.
Thereby, please get to know your clients, coach and communicate with them while spending on the technical aspect of things.
By doing this, it will make your projects end up being successful always.
4. Make use of Project Management Tools
Learning how to use the tools for project management will be an excellent choice for you and an added advantage to your skill.
Working with these tools will help you show off your soft skills when landing your first project management job.
These tools are specially designed to help and assist you as a project manager, providing you with scheduling, collaborations and budgeting with your team.
Some of these tools include Atlassian, Basecamp, and Microsoft Project etc.
Project management software is another essential tool in the industry that helps organize and complete projects on time.
So, knowing how to make use of this tool will be an added advantage to your resume as a Project Manager.
However, aside from software and tools, you need to have the following skills as a project manager.
- Budgeting
- Communication
- Contract management
- Planning
- Risk management
- Scheduling
5. Get Certified
Being a certified project manager is a massive bonus in the project management community.
But, if you cannot get it, do not worry. It does not portray any harmful effect on your career.
To get certified, you can enroll for online project management courses and prepare yourself for the certification.
The best and highly recognized project management certification is the Project Management Professional (PMP).
This (PMP) is awarded to working project managers with lots of skills, knowledge, and experience.
However, those with less experience can go for Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).
6. Get Yourself to Work
Now that you have learned the above steps and methods, including your informal project management experience.
Alongside the interpersonal skills, making use of the project management tools and probably earned a certification.
Then, it is time to put yourself out there and get to work.
You can now apply for jobs and render services on project management if you can.
Once you are cleared with the above steps 1-5, you should be ready for work and be confident when landing your job.
Therefore, get your resume polished with great tips and be ready to land some job interviews.
Conclusion:
Since you wish to become a project manager, you must be agile, flexible, and adapt to any changes within the environment.
Modern project management is now built on these qualities and hence make sure to keep on with your career path.
Make sure to always align with your clients and team members to enhance your connections.
Know their weaknesses and proffer good time management, organizational skills and leadership qualities with them.
Knowing how to become a project manager is sure for you anytime, any day, with these done correctly.
So, take advantage of this today and see yourself becoming a better Project Manager and a Project Management Professional.
