first step into Project Management

[Xenophon]

My experience regarding PM qualifications is much as WageSlave describes. They frankly are fairly pointless most of the time when it comes to performing a role, but recruiters do look for them. I have a number of PM qualifications, but have they ever been discussed when interviewed by a client? Nope. They want to know (quite rightly) what I have delivered, what sorts of projects I have managed and so on.

However, as WageSlave says "Get PRINCE and it’s simply one less reason for clients/agents to ding you." So its a useful thing to have to get past the agency sifting stage, but in my experience doesn't play a hugely siginificant part when managing a project.

I would expect you to be able to pick up a Project Co-ordinator role without any formal PM qualifications - some relevant experience ought to stand you in good stead.

[~Craig~]

Ok varying advice but all good none the less! thanks

[Xenophon]

Best way forward is to get out there on more projects as an analyst and just keep mopping up extra responsibilities on the way.

This is good advice. Its what I did and I have been running projects as a PM for 6 years now.

[WageSlave]

I truly find it hard to believe that it can be that difficult to land a project co-ordinator role, and from your pen portrait, it sounds as if you are more than qualified for such a position. I’ve seen co-ordinators with only one previous position to their name (and its connection to formal project management is tenuous). Obviously there are far more demanding clients, but these can be avoided for a while. Can you update an R&I log? Do you know how to use MS Project? Are you capable of sending out an e-mail requesting something? Can you understand a progress report? If so you should be fine.

Personally, I would advise you to obtain PRINCE certification. The certification is in itself completely useless and will not make anyone a good project manager. However, in my experience, clients are increasingly requesting this (along with PMI). Perhaps my experience differs from other accounts on this thread because I mainly work in the public sector (unfortunately). In government, hiring a contractor is largely about ticking certain boxes so that when HMT/Audit/OGC come sniffing because it’s all going wrong, the civil servant can say, “hey, not my fault, I hired an expert using OGC guidelines”. Get PRINCE and it’s simply one less reason for clients/agents to ding you.

Btw, the 80s - great time for a childhood

[zeitghost]

Nobody in their right mind would want to remember the 70s.... the decade that everything forgot.

[boredsenseless]

In the great anti-discriminatory society we live in obviously you'll never be overlooked just because of your age!!!

However you'll probably get told

if only you had 6 years experience
if only you had these qualifications (which take 3 years)

etc etc etc

Best way forward is to get out there on more projects as an analyst and just keep mopping up extra responsibilities on the way.

[~Craig~]

heh, could have been worse; If I was born in the 70's then I would have remembered most of the 80's

At least I was at just the right age to enjoy the 90's

[Lucifer Box]

Sorry, I can't relate to anyone born in the 80s, it just ain't natural.

[~Craig~]

well actually we do use an internal framework which is prince2, iso and god knows what accredited so that would probably work.

Hopefully when I get 2 years descent project experience under my belt(july ) I wont have any problems securing a descent co-ordinator role. But perhaps at 23 i'm rushing things a bit

[Lucifer Box]

You'll find a lot of recruiters say "must have Prince2" but when you get there no one's ever heard of it, never mind used it. Read the Prince2 manual yourself and leave it at that. It's a pile of cack anyway - something that weak PMs use to hide behind. If anyone says "have you got Prince2 experience?", just say something nondescript like "my previous client/employer placed a great deal of emphasis on it and it was in widespread use."

[~Craig~]

thanks Lucifer.

The only reason for I would chase Prince2 is if my current permie job paid for it. I gotta get something out of them as it certainly isn't a salary.

[Lucifer Box]

Experience is a zillion times more useful than qualifications. You could probably blag a co-ordination role off the back of some analysis experience then after a year or so of that blag a junior PM role. Don't waste time getting PM certifications unless you keep getting told "if only you had xyz certificate we'd've given you the gig".

In my experience, no one ever asks to see proof of your certificates anyway, so as long as you know what you're doing I see it mainly as a matter for your conscience (I've been doing PM gigs on and off for 10 years and I haven't got a PM qualification to my name).

[~Craig~]

thankfully I have avoided being a 'helpdesk monkey'

[Toad]

Don't even think about it Steve. Like I told you at lunchtime, there's no
demand for Project Managers any more. Stick to what you're best at.
Desktop Support is nothing to be ashamed of.

[~Craig~]

Hi,

I wondered if some of you oldies could give me some advice about getting into Project Management contracting.

I have been working for a blue chip outsourcing company (fond of the colour yellow) for just over a year now on project based requirements analysis, specifications, project co-ordination etc... and i have just completed my ITIL service management foundation. I am thinking that I really need to get Prince2 certified and more project management experience.

I guess what I'm really trying to find out is how much experience & qualifications I need before I am likley to get many of the Project Co-ordination roles? I guess after a couple of years i could work my way up to PM contacts?

I have had a good look at jobs on here : Project Manager Jobs, August 2020 I projectmanagerjobs.co.uk

Any advice is appreciated.