If you are interested in pursuing a career in project management and don’t know where to start, here’s your go-to guide for salaries, skills, and interview questions.
By 2027, employers will need nearly 88 million professionals in project management-oriented roles globally, according to a report from the Project Management Institute (PMI). The profession is expected to grow by 33% between 2017 and 2027, the report found, adding 22 million new jobs. This is a great time for professionals to begin building the skills needed to enter this lucrative career field and help companies meet their strategic goals across every industry.
To help those interested in the field better understand how to break into a career in project management, we compiled the most important details and resources. This guide on how to become a project manager will be updated on a regular basis.
SEE: IT Hiring Kit: Project Manager (Tech Pro Research)
Demand for project managers far outstrips supply, according to the PMI report. This is because project managers play a critical role in helping organizations meet strategic goals, as TechRepublic contributing writer Moira Alexander wrote. These professionals ensure projects ranging from the release of a new product or service to the implementation of an in-house technology for employees make sense for a company to undertake, and then manage that project by setting and meeting goals and overseeing the overall execution.
As companies digitally transform and seek to innovate in their field, they need project managers to handle many of the details of doing so.
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Generally speaking, a project manager is the person in charge of a specific project within an organization, including the planning, budgeting, overseeing, and documenting for that project.
SEE: Job description: IT project manager (Tech Pro Research)
A project manager’s roles can be broken down by the five-phase project life cycle, according to PMI and described by Alexander.
1. Initiation
2. Planning
3. Executing
4. Monitoring and controlling
5. Closing
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SEE: All of TechRepublic’s cheat sheets and smart person’s guides
There are many paths to becoming a project manager, and no right or wrong way to approach the career, according to PMI. Similarly, no one project manager is the right fit for all of a company’s projects.
Generally speaking, project managers must have strong verbal and written communication skills, as prompt and honest communication immediately gives a project manager credibility, and increases the likelihood of a successful project. These professionals also must be able to interact with and manage members of cross-functional teams. Project managers must be highly organized, and be able to interpret data and disperse results to stakeholders. Soft skills, such as empathy and emotional intelligence, are also important to succeed in this role.
To increase earning potential and credibility, many project managers pursue one of eight project management credentials that are offered exclusively through PMI. These credentials are as follows:
PMI certifications are considered the gold standard by organizations and leaders around the globe in career advancement.
The PMP is the most globally recognized certification in project management. PMI recommends this certification for experienced project managers who handle all aspects of project delivery, leading and directing cross-functional teams.
SEE: Quick glossary: Project management (Tech Pro Research)
Other project management certifications to consider are CompTIA’s Project+, Certified ScrumMaster, PRINCE2 Foundation & Practitioner, and the IPMA Four-Level Certification (4-L-C) System.
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The median project manager salary in the US for those with a PMP certificate was $112,000 as of 2017, according to PMI data. The median salary for those without a PMP certificate in the US was $92,000.
Project management salaries vary depending on the position, the PMI data found. For example, in the US, a director of project management earns a median salary of $140,000, while a project manager I earns $87,426, and a project management consultant earns $115,000.
The average salary for project managers in the US was $115,761, according to PMI.
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Project managers earn the highest median salaries in Switzerland ($130,966), the US ($112,000), Australia ($108,593), Germany ($88,449), and the Netherlands ($86,292). In terms of growth of positions, the most new jobs for project talent are projected to arise in China (1.1 million annual jobs from 2017-2027), India (706,682 jobs), and the US (213,974 jobs), according to PMI data.
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Project managers can expect questions like these during a job interview:
SEE: More must-read IT project management coverage (TechRepublic Flipboard magazine)
While it’s important to prepare for the questions you might be asked by the employer as a project manager job candidate, it’s also key to know what questions you will ask them. Some questions might include:
Professionals can enter the project management career path from a number of other positions and experience levels; these professionals may come from a technical, customer service, or administrative background. Often, requirements for project manager positions vary depending on the individual company and industry.
The PMI and the International Project Management Association (IPMA) are two go-to resources for all things related to project management careers, including certifications, professional learning, and events.
In terms of education, project managers often hold bachelor’s degrees in management, business, or a related field. More than 800,000 project managers hold an active PMP certification, according to the PMI. Many colleges and universities now offer master’s degrees in project management as well.
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Alison DeNisco Rayome is a senior editor at CNET, leading a team covering software, apps and services. She was previously a senior editor at CNET's sister site TechRepublic.
