The economy has taken some pretty heavy hits, but companies also know they need good project managers--and let's face it, the congress is a good place to find them. Now they have a place to meet: the PMI Career Center.
Several organizations spanning sectors have set-up shop in the center of the exhibit hall and are looking for capable project managers. While not all of the organizations have specific roles to fill, they are here to find top talent and to lead presentations covering different career-related topics.
"We value the capable project manager," says Kevin McDevitt, a senior program manager at Siemens and chairman of PM@Siemens USA Community.
"Sixty percent of our business is through managing customer projects. The better we do at that, the more of that money we get it keep. [Project management] is a core competency."
Some of the organizations in the Career Center are leading workshops as well. Consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton led one on talent management, for example.
Al Zeitoun, PhD, PMP, senior associate at Booz Allen Hamilton and former PMI Board member, says his company is on an ongoing search for the best in the field--at every level.
"We are a firm that hires because of capability. We're growing continuously," Dr. Zeitoun said.
Software developer CSC isn't messing around. If you meet the company's criteria, it will scan your congress identification card and send the information right to its human resources department.
Stewart Kidd, head of enterprise learning and talent development, Organizational Capability Center of Excellence, CSC, said the company is looking to put the right project manager on the right project.
He says potential candidates need to be able to describe their skills and experience in very real, very convincing terms.
If you're a project manager looking to make yourself more marketable to organizations, Mr. Kidd suggests a couple of tips:
• Be able to take your project management skills and transfer them from industry to industry
• Get involved in local chapters
• And network--who you know is almost as important as what you know.
Several organizations spanning sectors have set-up shop in the center of the exhibit hall and are looking for capable project managers. While not all of the organizations have specific roles to fill, they are here to find top talent and to lead presentations covering different career-related topics.
"We value the capable project manager," says Kevin McDevitt, a senior program manager at Siemens and chairman of PM@Siemens USA Community.
"Sixty percent of our business is through managing customer projects. The better we do at that, the more of that money we get it keep. [Project management] is a core competency."
Some of the organizations in the Career Center are leading workshops as well. Consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton led one on talent management, for example.
Al Zeitoun, PhD, PMP, senior associate at Booz Allen Hamilton and former PMI Board member, says his company is on an ongoing search for the best in the field--at every level.
"We are a firm that hires because of capability. We're growing continuously," Dr. Zeitoun said.
Software developer CSC isn't messing around. If you meet the company's criteria, it will scan your congress identification card and send the information right to its human resources department.
Stewart Kidd, head of enterprise learning and talent development, Organizational Capability Center of Excellence, CSC, said the company is looking to put the right project manager on the right project.
He says potential candidates need to be able to describe their skills and experience in very real, very convincing terms.
If you're a project manager looking to make yourself more marketable to organizations, Mr. Kidd suggests a couple of tips:
• Be able to take your project management skills and transfer them from industry to industry
• Get involved in local chapters
• And network--who you know is almost as important as what you know.
We have seen repeatedly that the business focus of project and program managers is an important criteria for success and credibility.
Technical skills do matter - but beyond a point - is is the skill to empathise and contribute to business - that sets apart good project and program managers from the excellent ones.
(S. Ramani is the Head of PM Practice in QAI - a leading Process consulting Company)