Managing any kind of business is tough, but managing a project for a business can be really tricky. If you manage a project then you onus is on you, you’re burdened with the success of the project for the business in question. There will always be a steep learning curve to any project you undertake as you won’t know it inside out. However, project management can be extremely lucrative if you can set your business up and get your foot in the door you’ve got a great chance of succeeding.
Be Qualified
Think about it. No one is going to hire someone without the qualifications when there are hundreds of companies and individuals out there who do have the right qualifications. You need to be qualified. It shows you know what you’re doing and you have the right grounding in project management. There are university options available for you, but a capm course can also be good for you and make you stand out from the rest. You can compare the capm courses to see which offers the better service. It is an industry recognised qualification and can mean the difference between getting a job and being passed over.
Spend Time On Your Website
Your website is like your shop front. It needs to be attractive and have a air of professionalism. Get an expert to develop it if you have the funds. You don’t want it to appear amateurish especially when you competitors’ websites look great. You need to outline your services clearly and be specific in what you offer. Then, try to ask every business you’ve worked with in the past as part of work experience or with someone else’s company for a review or testimonial. Post these on your website under a testimonial section. This shows businesses that you have had success in the past and that hiring you wouldn’t be a complete gamble.
You Can’t Know It All
Although you may have a specific skill set that matches a certain type of projects you may end up taking on different ones that you know nothing about. Be careful, because if you take on a project you know nothing about you may end up making a fool of yourself. It is understandable, you’re eager to start work and make a name for your business. But don’t take projects you think will ruin your reputation through mistake and error. Word gets around quickly, and you may find your business hamstrung before it has really got off the ground. Don’t be overly picky, as you’ll need the work. But don’t choose something that is beyond you.
Hone Your Management Skills
Being a project manager is seeing a project through to completion, but it is also being able to manage a new group of people each time. Sometimes these people will resent you, they may know a lot more about the intricacies of the project than you. But remember, you’re there to manage the overall process of the process including those involved. Managing people can be tough, you need to be respected and liked in equal measure to be successful. The key is not to take anything personally and remember that everything you do is under the microscope. Stay professional and appear like you know what you are doing and you’ll be fine. You can find more on managing a team here.
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