Few professions remain in demand like project managers. The global economy needs more than 25 million project managers to meet current demand. This means that the career field needs to draw 2.3 million new recruits each year to meet demand.
Meeting this supply will be a daunting task. The result for prospective project managers will be high pay and benefits. It is a good time to get into this career field and start honing your skills.
Read on to learn 5 essential skills for an entry-level project manager job. Explore topics such as handling a large project management portfolio.
1. Problem-solving
Project managers face many challenges in their roles. Problem-solving is critical to overcoming these challenges and keeping projects on time and under budget.
Project management courses develop these skills in a classroom setting. They will focus on common issues that project managers see and how to fix them.
2. Software
The best project managers optimize processes to reduce resource usage and increase productivity. Using project management software is one way that they meet their goals.
The right project management tools can organize a team and prioritize critical tasks. These tools can track project risks, plans, schedules, and more.
3. Communication
A good program manager can effectively communicate with all stakeholders. With their team, project managers set clear expectations.
They give plain and easy-to-understand instructions for completing work. They also set firm deadlines and track them to make sure they are met.
Communication skills come in several different forms. Public speaking is a skill that project managers should develop. They should also work on presentation skills, including using PowerPoint slides and other tools.
4. Interpersonal Skills
Many stakeholders can be involved in a project. The project manager needs to maintain positive, working relationships with many different personalities.
This involves assessing a coworker or customer’s personality. Also, craft your approach to this person in a manner that works best for the project.
Also, you must build trust and rapport with people. This fosters an environment where people can work hard and with passion to support their collective goals.
Building a professional network is also important for project managers. They may need to quickly reach out to these individuals as part of a problem-solving effort.
5. Organization
An unorganized project manager will not last long in the profession. A project manager needs to track so many different elements.
They need a structured calendar to complete tasks on time. Also, project managers need a detailed budget that breaks down costs by resource. They will rely on this information and need to pull it up quickly when requested by upper-level management.
Your Guide to an Entry-Level Project Manager Job
You are now ready to develop the skills for an entry-level project manager job. Some skills can be acquired in the classroom, while others rely on tools and on-the-job training.
Communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills are just three of the essential skills that a project manager needs. If you enjoyed this article about essential skills for an entry-level project manager job, check out our blog for more great content.
