Forty-two percent of people polled think it would be "very difficult" to find a new job in today's economy, according to a survey of more than 2,5000 LinkedIn users by Right Management, the talent and career management arm of Manpower.
With those kinds of numbers, it's no surprise that the job market seems to be top of mind with just about everyone these days. Whenever I interview people for stories (or even when I'm just having a casual conversation with project managers), the topic seems to weave its way into the discussion.
It was a subject that came up a lot at the PMI global congress a couple of weeks ago. At one point I was talking to Al Zeitoun, PhD, who was representing his organizations Booz Allen Hamilton in the PMI Career Center.
He told me project managers looking for work need to make themselves relevant--to the work they're doing and the industries they're serving.
But what does that mean and how do you do it?
Mr. Zeitoun went on to explain that your experience and background have a lot to do with it, but it's also about being able to relay these experiences in an interview, to an executive, etc.
I didn't really give this second point too much thought until I started talking with Stewart Kidd from CSC and he said something very similar. He told me project managers have to be able to describe their experiences and skills--from the basic information (the number of direct reports you've had, the industries you've served) to the more thoughtful (how you've overcome challenges).
That got me wondering: How are people keeping relevant in today's job market? And then, what are some good tips for selling yourself and your experience as a project manager?
With those kinds of numbers, it's no surprise that the job market seems to be top of mind with just about everyone these days. Whenever I interview people for stories (or even when I'm just having a casual conversation with project managers), the topic seems to weave its way into the discussion.
It was a subject that came up a lot at the PMI global congress a couple of weeks ago. At one point I was talking to Al Zeitoun, PhD, who was representing his organizations Booz Allen Hamilton in the PMI Career Center.
He told me project managers looking for work need to make themselves relevant--to the work they're doing and the industries they're serving.
But what does that mean and how do you do it?
Mr. Zeitoun went on to explain that your experience and background have a lot to do with it, but it's also about being able to relay these experiences in an interview, to an executive, etc.
I didn't really give this second point too much thought until I started talking with Stewart Kidd from CSC and he said something very similar. He told me project managers have to be able to describe their experiences and skills--from the basic information (the number of direct reports you've had, the industries you've served) to the more thoughtful (how you've overcome challenges).
That got me wondering: How are people keeping relevant in today's job market? And then, what are some good tips for selling yourself and your experience as a project manager?
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