How To Get Hired As a Project Manager

In the ever-expanding business world, companies are starting and completing projects all the time. Well planned and executed projects are essential to growing and developing in the market. A technical project manager is the person responsible for managing all aspects of a company’s technical projects.  If you’re looking to get hired as a technical project manager, there are a few key steps you should check off your list first.

This article looks at the key responsibilities, qualifications and the companies you should know about if you’re interested in breaking into this field. We’ll also look at resume and interview tips for aspiring TPMs.

Responsibilities of a Technical Project Manager  

Technical project managers develop and execute projects in line with business or organizational objectives. They’re ultimately responsible for ensuring each project is completed within the time and budget specified by the company, making use of allocated resources. The various roles and responsibilities associated with technical project managers include:

• Designating tasks among team members
• Supervising the completion of each phase of the project
• Communicating with executives across different departments  
• Leading team members working towards achieving a common goal
• Sourcing and acquiring appropriate project resources

The Skills & Qualifications That Will Get You Hired

Certain skills and qualifications will help you pave the way to getting hired and working as a technical project manager. You don’t need to achieve each and every one of these, but acquiring a few of the below will certainly provide a boost to your resume:

Project Management Bootcamp

One of the fastest and most effective ways to kickstart a career in Technical Project Management is to enrol in a dedicated online bootcamp. With Thinkful’s Online Technical Project Management Bootcamp, you’ll learn to leverage the tools used by top employers in this full-time, online course. Working through a project-based course, you’ll build a portfolio with the support of industry experts, a rigorous curriculum, and paired workshops.

Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree in a technology-related stream, such as computer science or information technology, will help you to develop your knowledge of tech products and see how they’re developed in the current market.

Master’s Degree in Project Management

A master’s degree in project management, or any tech field, will provide you with in-depth expertise in project management and specialized knowledge of the various strategies that can be implemented while managing a project.

Leadership Skills
A project manager needs to have the skills required to become a good leader. This involves practical abilities like building a consensus within the team, assigning different tasks to team members according to their skillsets, and supervising them during the execution of tasks.

Organizational Skills
The most vital element of any project is organization. A good project manager should be able to coordinate between different departments and executives to complete a project in line with the objectives of the company.

Technical Knowledge
Having sound knowledge of technology and tech infrastructures will enable you to provide expert assistance to company executives and communicate efficiently. You'll need to be able to make appropriate use of both technical and non-technical terminology seamlessly as you deal with various stakeholders.

Negotiation
The two key elements that all projects have in common are resources and budget. Acquiring each of these can often require negotiation with different executives and departments. So good negotiation skills are necessary if you’re hoping to work as a technical project manager.

Ability to Plan and Predict
The ability to formulate a project plan and predict the challenges you might face while executing it will be crucial in your career as a technical project manager. This is a skill that comes into play in various roles and scenarios—so it’s  important to be able to identify how you’ve developed and nurtured this  skill.

Some of the softer skills mentioned above can be developed and nurtured in a wide variety of work experience situations, so you can use this to your advantage if you’re transitioning from another career into that of technical project manager. Try  to gain work experience in carrying out technical projects and leading a  team of professionals towards a particular goal before applying for the  job.

Top Companies Hiring Technical Project Managers

While there are innumerable companies that hire professionals for the job of technical project manager, it’s also worth keeping an eye out for opportunities from the top companies in the field. Some of the more noteworthy names hiring technical project managers include:

• Altran Americas
• ManTech International Corporation  
• Ace Technologies
• IBM
• Google
• Microsoft  

Technical Project Manager Resume

A great resume is essential to landing a job as a technical project manager. When drafting your resume, consider including the following:

Contact details: Your name, phone number and email address should be included at the top of the page. You can also provide a link address if you have a website, online portfolio or LinkedIn account.

Summary: A simple and succinct summary should provide the reader with an understanding of your current work situation and objective.

Education: This section includes your basic qualifications and any certifications that have been acquired in the field.

Skills: Highlight your areas of expertise with a brief section on your key skills.

Projects Completed: In this section, detail any projects you’ve previously completed that will be relevant to the position you’re going for.

Awards: Any awards or recognition you’ve received can help prove you’ll be an asset to your organization.  

Preparing for the Interview

Interviews can be challenging, even for the most experienced among us. The best thing you can do is dedicate some time to preparing for the big day. Follow these key steps to ensure you’ve got your best foot forward.

1. Gather information about the format of the interview and look for people who have been interviewed by the company in the past. The experience of others can help you predict the flow of the interview.
2. Understand the goals of the company you’re applying for and the type of services they expect you to deliver.
3. Remember to leave your ego at the door and demonstrate your interest in the role.

Interview Questions  

The following are some of the commonly asked questions in interviews for the job of a technical project manager. Take note of these and spend some time rehearsing your responses, so they’ll flow naturally during the real thing.

• Why do you want to work as a technical project manager?
• Why do you want to work for our company?
• Give me examples of scenarios where you have portrayed exceptional leadership skills.
• What do you think are the skills that give you an edge over other candidates applying for the same position?
• What are the challenges you think you would face while working as a technical project manager?
• What is your strategy to assess the feasibility of a project?
• How do you collaborate with employees from other departments?

Tips to Ace an Interview

The interview may be conducted online, so keep the following tips in mind while appearing for the interview:

1. Ensure your internet connection is stable, and a power backup is present in case of any issues.  
2. If you’re chatting over Zoom, make sure you’ve got a clutter-free, professional background. You can apply a built-in Zoom background if you need to.  
3. In an online interview, the recruiter has less insight into your body language. It’s still important, however, so ensure that you have good posture and make eye contact.
4. Speak confidently, as the recruiter will be focusing more on your voice than your appearance.

For bonus points, make sure you know about the latest developments in the field. Remain confident and calm during the interview. Remember to thank the interviewer afterward.

As the worlds of business and technology continue to merge and expand, demand for technical project managers will continue to rise. For more inspiration on this exciting field, check out our blog. If you’re ready to find out more about our Online Technical Project Management Bootcamp, we’re ready to help you find your path to a new career.