How to become a project manager

By 2027, the global economy will demand an estimated 87.7 million project management roles across various sectors. In the United States, the need for project managers is also on the rise, with significant growth in areas such as construction, finance, and business. Despite this increase, there remains a notable talent shortage. Agile project management is becoming increasingly popular, with 71% of U.S. organizations now using this framework. This trend highlights a shift towards greater efficiency and adaptability in managing projects. 

For those considering a career in project management, this dynamic field offers numerous opportunities across diverse industries. 

This demand is nothing new in tech, which is why project manager jobs feature regularly in our lists of the hottest permanent and contractor positions worldwide. It's also something we’ll continue to see as new technology continues to evolve. For example, AI adoption will require updating technology stacks, security policies and data management – which will create a whole raft of other projects beyond to ensure organisations are AI ready.

This means that there are certainly plenty of opportunities for people interested in moving into this field. In this blog, I’ll explore the project manager role in more detail, what employers are looking for and the skills you’ll need to become successful in technology. 

What does a project manager do?

The reality is that, in the tech space, it’s a role that varies massively. There’s no one-size-fits-all project manager, since they might be working in infrastructure, ERP, cyber security or data, for example. It’s a role that can have broad scope or be focused on specific parts of the organisation’s technology, so it can suit generalists or specialists. 

Nonetheless, the role of a project manager will have a consistent level of approach where you’ll play a key role in organising, managing and coordinating a breadth of deliverables, from establishing workflows to working closely with stakeholders to drive outcomes. Success entails ensuring projects stay on track and are delivered on time and to budget, while adapting to identify and overcome any obstacles on the roadmap. 

Different types of project management

In recent years, we’ve seen a massive shift in tech from traditional project management to the agile methodology. This is because organisations need to be fluid in their processes and agile project management enables a more flexible, iterative approach which can achieve better outcomes. Agile project managers organise and oversee work processes, referred to as “sprints”, which allows the team to adapt smoothly to changes or feedback.

Agile project management tends to be better suited to business change and system-based projects, where user design and experience is key but doesn’t align as well to infrastructure upgrades. As a result, a strong candidate will be able to offer a balance of the two to organisations to enable the smooth delivery of a variety of projects.

Meanwhile, scrum-based management revolves around daily meetings for a small project team. This approach ensures near-constant communication with the project lead, which minimises risks and misunderstanding.

What are employers looking for when hiring project managers?

There’s no one route into this role. Ultimately, employers often want somebody who can take their organisation through change and navigate the challenges. That could be somebody who’s lived and breathed a similar project, but not necessarily in a management role.

For example, experience in systems can cross over into a project manager role. Alternatively, the right soft skills will be transferable, as will an understanding of a project’s benefits and the purpose behind it. In recent years, there’s also a greater mandate around delivery on time and to budget.

As such, a strong candidate will have:

1. Soft skills: The project manager skillset has evolved over the last ten years. Whereas historically it would be maybe more technically focused, the role is now much more people-orientated and so relies more on softer skills.
2. Technical knowledge: While soft skills are hugely important, anybody working on a specific stack or business focus will benefit enormously from understanding the technology involved, such as cloud, data or cyber security.
3. Experience with tools and software: Familiarity with project management platforms such as Jira, Asana or Trello can be a huge bonus.
4. Methodology knowledge: Companies may favour candidates with expertise in the aforementioned project management methodologies such as agile, scrum, or waterfall.
5. A proactive mindset: An overlooked but important trait is a can-do attitude. It’s a role that suits people who are strong in project planning and want to get things done.

Transferable skills to become a project manager  

Change

Managing change has become a key part of projects, along with technology adoption. Having this skill can help organisations not only implement the technology but start to realise benefits. It’s one of the core soft skills organisations are looking for. It’ll help in navigating transitions that are often inevitable during projects, while maintaining productivity and ensuring minimal disruption. 

Organisation

Project managers are responsible for keeping track of timelines, resources, and progress. Candidates with experience in planning, ordering and managing tasks already have the right foundations to help organisations plan and deliver more effectively.  

Communication and stakeholder management

Most of your time will be spent managing different stakeholders across different business areas and differing levels of expertise. Your role in supporting and guiding them can often determine the success or failure of a project. Strong communication skills make it easier to clarify project requirements and resolve any issues efficiently. You’ll need to tailor your communication depending on whether you’re engaging with tech professionals, senior leaders or even external stakeholders. 

Leadership

Leadership skills are essential for motivating the project team, which can be made up of both business experts and end users from around the organisation that may not have worked together previously. Bringing the team together with clear shared goals and ability to keep focused is important towards project goals. Experience in leading projects or mentoring colleagues can prove your skills to an employer. 

Problem solving

You’ll inevitably encounter unexpected challenges, so it’s best to have experience in creating solutions under pressure or finding alternative approaches. By being confident to solve problems, you’ll be able to manage obstacles that might pop up during a project lifecycle. 

Learn more about how to showcase your transferable soft skills when applying for jobs. 

How can you prepare for a project manager job?

The best way to prepare is through hands-on experience. Having practical knowledge is really the best way to go, so you need to be creative if you haven’t been in the role already. 

Many people begin in this role by taking on smaller projects that require planning and coordination. It may not be labelled as “project management” officially, but the experience still counts. If you’re already in a technical role, be proactive in working on any projects and processes and think about what’s being implemented in your organisation. All of these provide valuable examples to mention during interviews. 

Employers do still look at certifications such as PRINCE2, which is globally recognised, and it can help project managers to have an Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) or Certified ScrumMaster (CSM). However, it’s not the be all and end all and shouldn’t take priority over the above. 

Secure the right role for you with Hays

Ready to take the next steps in your project management career? As a global leader in recruitment, Hays can support you in your search. Discover how you can excel in one of the most sought-after tech roles on the market.  

Read more on popular roles in the technology industry and submit your resume today!