Starting a career as a Project Manager (PM) may seem challenging, especially if you have no prior experience. Yet, with the right strategy, training solutions, and perseverance, you could begin building a successful career in project management within a few months. We’ll provide you with as much insight as possible and will walk you through the essential steps, providing you with the links to resources you need to get started.
What does a Project Manager even do?
A Project Manager (PM) is responsible for overseeing projects from the planning stages to their successful completion. They ensure that projects are finished on time, within budget, and meet the required quality standards. This title can be tricky to understand and nail down, as your daily routine as a project manager can always change. Projects are not always the same either, possibly requiring you to use different methodologies to complete the project.
Let’s look at a real-world example in the United Kingdom, the Heathrow Terminal 5 project. A good example of a large scale project, needing to construct a new airport terminal to accommodate the growing numbers of passengers. This would have been a tremendous undertaking, requiring thousands of workers over several years, no just limited to project managers, to complete. Your job alongside many others could be part of the responsibility to plan, schedule, communicate, allocate resources, budget, problem solve and complete the closure phase.
What responsibilities could I have as a Project Manager?
As a project manager, you could hold a more junior or senior position in the team, meaning these responsibilities can change depending on your experience, organisation and other factors. Ultimately, your biggest responsibility at any level is to support the project and make sure you complete it on time, within budget and keep the stakeholders from throwing their toys out. Here are a few of the common tasks you may be involved with;
Planning — What’s the plan?
It will be part of your responsibility to define the project scope, make the objectives clear, and guide the project outcomes successfully. You are the person with the plan, deciding when things need to get done and by when, and making sure each step of the project is expected and achieved. Especially with methods like PRINCE2, each task can follow from another, meaning the project needs to flow according to the plan, to avoid holding up the next process and pushing back the deadline.
Resource management — Who’s doing what?
As you have one of the best “bird's-eye view“ of the project, you’ll know where resources need to go to support the processes. These could include things like personnel, budget, and materials required to keep the project moving smoothly. If resources are not available when people require them, then the project will have delays, and again you risk pushing back your deadline and overrunning budget with wasted worker time.
Team Coordination — Who’s in charge?
As the word manager may suggest, one of your responsibilities will be to lead or manage the project. When it comes to managing, you’ll be working with people who may need motivation and support through difficult or challenging tasks. Reinforcing the importance of deadlines and keeping everyone aligned to achieving task outcomes. Taking the lead is something project managers should enjoy, inspiring the people around them to collaborate and push productivity for the better of the project and team morale.
Risk Management — What do we do now?
Projects don’t always go according to plan, and it would be your responsibly to identify these risks before they happen and impact your success. This would link with your planning responsibility, drawing up contingency plans and risk assessments. Being well-prepared as a leader will help build confidence within your team and with your stakeholders, influencing the success of your project positively.
Communication — Nobody told me?
Good communication is one of your biggest skills, not only for project managers but for many management related roles, and should not be something you shy away from. Without clear instruction, regular meetings, updates, and feedback from team members, you could risk misunderstandings and a breakdown in the project schedule. Another reason communication is key, is that you will be required to share information with stakeholders about the progress of the project. Making sure you can communicate with confidence and clarity will help build trust in your ability to lead the project.
Monitoring and reporting — How is the project going?
Continuously documenting and reporting the performance to stakeholders is another of your responsibilities. Making sure you have the information ready when it’s asked about will again show you are on top of the project and build further confidence with stakeholders. Not only is this information for stakeholders, but it’s for you to keep yourself aligned to weaknesses and where you may need to spend more time supporting issues. Some examples of information you may share with stakeholders, could include;
- project achievements,
- challenges you are facing, and
- any necessary adjustments needed to the initial plan.
All the mentioned responsibilities play an important part in making the project a success, and where projects don’t always look the same, so could your approach to responsibility. With more experience, these skills should become easier for you, moulding you into a highly valuable project manager.
What traits should I have as a Project Manager?
A strong project manager has responsibilities they need to tackle, but what about personal traits? What personal traits could positively influence your effectiveness as a project manager?
Enjoy Communicating With People
We’re going to start with communication, without good communication, the rest falls apart. This would mean having good verbal as well as written skills. The ability to convey information clearly without spelling mistakes, as an example, will be critical with stakeholder confidence.
Be An Organised Person
Being organised is essential, knowing when, where and how is going to greatly influence the outcomes and your credibility for that matter.
Have A Keen Eye for Detail
Another important skill, as the project manager and leader, you're the person who should know the details and have the answers above anyone. Things can’t be overlooked, missing something could lead to confusion and unnecessary project changes. You're the skilled problem solver who has a plan and is prepared for the details everyone missed.
Finally, decisiveness is critical. Project managers must have the confidence to make prompt and effective decisions. These traits together form the foundation of a successful project manager. They enable them to navigate complex projects and lead their teams to success.
Two Project Management Methods You Will Definitely Come Across
Project management methods, in a nutshell, are the way you do things, the process or approach your project would need to follow. Depending on industry and organisation, these methods may change in popularity and which is more necessary. However, if you analyse project manager listed jobs from job board data (itjobswatch.co.uk), you’ll always find PRINCE2 and AgilePM near the top in the UK.
Agile Project Management (AgilePM)
Sometimes projects need to move and change, be flexible, with a focus on delivering value first. An example could be a website that requires creating, we’re looking to deliver value to the customer as quick as possible. Not like waterfall approaches such as PRINCE2 where we are waiting for the finished website, we want to get something out sooner. Agile is a little like getting the website home and contact page live before all the other pages are completed. The stakeholder starts receiving value from new online visitors sooner than had they waited for the entire project to be completed. Agile would then allow us to change the other pages in what’s called sprints based on the stakeholder feedback we receive from the initial launch.
PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments)
A process-based methodology providing a structured framework for project management. It is commonly used in government and public sector projects, and was used in our Heathrow project example mentioned earlier. Think of water running down steps, after it runs over one, it runs over the next below it. This approach is sequential, a little like building a home, we complete tasks in an order. This method is commonly used in sectors like construction and manufacturing, where things need to follow the same process and are quite rigid in their needs.
Foundation Level Courses to Consider as a Beginner in Project Management
Choosing the right courses can be easier than you think, don’t overthink it. Did you know that the online PRINCE2 Foundation or Agile Foundation course can be completed in around 30 hours? Allocate 1 hour a night, and you could complete your learning in a month or sooner.
Our recommended courses for beginners are below, although according to what hiring managers are currently asking for, we would start with AgilePM and PRINCE2 courses. To improve our chances of employment, we’d consider tackling the two most popular methods, giving us more job opportunities to apply for.
AgilePM Foundation
The AgilePM Foundation course provides the theoretical knowledge needed to understand the Agile Project Management method. It covers the principles and practices of Agile. It is suitable for those looking to work in IT, software development, and other dynamic industries. Looking at the job boards, again, AgilePM is above PRINCE2 in terms of the frequency of skills listed.
PRINCE2 Foundation
The PRINCE2 Foundation course provides the theoretical knowledge of the PRINCE2 methodology, including its principles, themes, and processes. It is ideal for those interested in government, public sector, and large-scale projects. PRINCE2 was developed in the UK, so definitely something you’ll come across in your career.
Change Management Foundation
This course covers the fundamentals of change management. This programme includes training on how to manage and support change within an organisation. It is suitable for those looking to work in business transformation and organisational change projects.
Depending on the size of the organisation, you may need to support the change that comes along with the project you are implementing. If your project outcomes are not adopted by the end users, this will cause issues for the stakeholders and the project success could be at risk.
PRINCE2 Agile Foundation
PRINCE2 and Agile methodologies are combined to bring aspiring PM's a hybrid approach to project management. PRINCE2 Agile Foundation is ideal for those looking to work in environments that require a blend of structured and flexible project management techniques.
Steps to Becoming a Project Manager with No Experience
If you want to become a project manager in the UK with no experience, follow these steps:
1. Understand Project Management
Familiarise yourself with the basic concepts, tools, and methodologies of project management. Our analogy here is, understand what the cookbook is about before you start perfecting recipes. A great online course that covers project management fundamentals rather than specific methods is the APM PFQ course, this is perfect for entry-level learners. You can watch our “What is a Project?” for free on our LMS APM Project Fundamental Qualification (PFQ) page. Futhermore, always be proactive in reading online resources, blogs, and introductory courses that can provide a solid foundation.
2. Take the Relevant Courses and Earn Certifications
Take the relevant courses and work towards your official certification. We'd recommend using accredited courses, this will make sure your learning material is best aligned to what the accrediting body requires in the exam. Again, AgilePM and PRINCE2 would be a popular starting point according to the data. You can then look to build on that knowledge with things like change management and PRINCE2 Agile.
3. Get Hands-On Experience
Look for opportunities to gain practical experience, even if it means starting with small projects or volunteer work. Offer to assist with projects in your current role, or volunteer for non-profit organisations to build your portfolio. We have an excellent tool for our learners looking to gain some practical experience insight, our 3D Simulated Project Assignment course. You will assume the role of a project manager, and you take on activities in a PRINCE2 simulated project environment.
4. Build a Strong Network
Networking is crucial in project management, not only for learning but for unravelling new job opportunities before they get publicly listed. Join professional organisations, attend industry events such as the APM events, and connect with experienced project managers or project management communities on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors to new career opportunities and provide valuable insights.
5. Develop Your Soft Skills
Soft skills are essential for a successful project manager. Focus on improving your communication as a primary, leadership, problem-solving, and negotiation skills. These abilities will help you:
- manage teams
- resolve conflicts, and
- effectively communicate with stakeholders.
6. Learn Popular Project Management Tools
Familiarise yourself with common project management tools like Microsoft Project, Trello, Asana, and JIRA. When joining a company or team, they may already have their preference on which tools work for them best. Knowing how to use them before you start your role will always make things easier for your employer, and help you demonstrate your commitment as a professional.
7. Seek Mentorship
Find a project management mentor who can guide and support you through your career journey. A mentor with experience in project management can provide valuable advice, share industry insights, and help you navigate challenges.
8. Apply for Entry-Level Jobs
Look for entry-level project management roles or positions that involve project coordination or assistance. These roles can provide you with hands-on experience and help you build your skills and confidence. Try avoiding any project management programmes that require training and upfront costs, here are some of the more common job boards in the UK thet you can make your applications through;
- Indeed: https://www.indeed.co.uk
- Totaljobs: https://www.totaljobs.com
- Reed: https://www.reed.co.uk
- CV-Library: https://www.cv-library.co.uk
- Monster: https://www.monster.co.uk
- Adzuna: https://www.adzuna.co.uk
- LinkedIn Jobs: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs
- Glassdoor: https://www.glassdoor.co.uk
- Jobsite: https://www.jobsite.co.uk
- Guardian Jobs: https://jobs.theguardian.com
Tailor your CV applications to each job, emphasising how your skills align with the specific requirements of the listed role. Don't just hit apply and wait, do some further reading on a strategy for job applications.
9. Continuous Learning and Improvement
Stay updated with the latest trends, methodologies, and best practices. Consider pursuing advanced certifications, like the PRINCE2 and AgilePM Practitioner level certifications we have not mentioned, as you gain experience.
To recap briefly, start by understanding the basics, gaining relevant skills, and seeking hands-on experience. This allows you to build a successful career in project management. Start with foundational courses like AgilePM Foundation, PRINCE2 Foundation, PRINCE2 Agile Foundation, or Change Management Foundation. This will equip you with the most popular knowledge and credentials to becoming a project manager with no experience.
With dedication and perseverance, you can easily navigate the path to becoming a proficient project manager and make a significant impact in any industry. If our more experienced project management readers have any new ideas to becoming a project manager that we can add to benefit our readers, please leave a comment below.
Visit our Project Manager Job Programme page to learn more about how we can help you find your first job.