Reblog from Ezine Article by Stephen Van Vreede
As I speak with IT project managers, IT program managers, and even PMO directors, I am amazed by how many think or know they do a great job but are unable to communicate it effectively. This is true with their resume, on their LinkedIn profile, in their cover letter, and in their face-to-face interviewing skills. Why is it such a struggle for PMs to talk about their successes?
The main reason that most PMs are unable to articulate why a company should hire them is that they lack a focused brand message. Wait! I know what you're probably thinking now. And, no, this doesn't need to be some highly complex process in which you need to do focus groups or polls to gain "customer insights." Creating a personal brand is relatively simple when approached with the proper mindset.
What you want to do is consider how your actions as an IT project manager impact the business. Obviously, the specific projects that you lead are intended to benefit the company in some way. So you've got to describe those projects on your IT resume. However, the focus of the discussion is not the project itself or the technology solution deployed. The key element has to be about value.
What do I mean by value? Think benefit. If the company did not benefit in some way by the project you led, what was the point? Benefits come in many different forms, including:
Listing these benefits is a great start, but they may be things that any project manager could have contributed to. To truly differentiate yourself in the job market, you've also got to communicate how you are distinct from other project managers...and not just because you have the PMP. Lots of project managers and program managers have the PMP certification. The real focus here should be on how you lead teams, transform projects, streamline project delivery, and get things done where others could not. Gearing your information in this manner will communicate the unique you and help you to avoid becoming just a commodity.
The final step is in creating a clear, consistent, and compelling message across all the job search forums. This includes the resume, the LinkedIn profile, the cover letter, your bio, your Twitter profile, Google+, and any other forum in which a prospective employer may find your information. Just use some caution here, as you don't want to simply paste the information from your resume into these other platforms. The style in which you communicate on LinkedIn is different than on Twitter or Google+.
IT Resumes for Project Managers
As I speak with IT project managers, IT program managers, and even PMO directors, I am amazed by how many think or know they do a great job but are unable to communicate it effectively. This is true with their resume, on their LinkedIn profile, in their cover letter, and in their face-to-face interviewing skills. Why is it such a struggle for PMs to talk about their successes?
Personal Branding for the IT Project Manager
The main reason that most PMs are unable to articulate why a company should hire them is that they lack a focused brand message. Wait! I know what you're probably thinking now. And, no, this doesn't need to be some highly complex process in which you need to do focus groups or polls to gain "customer insights." Creating a personal brand is relatively simple when approached with the proper mindset.
Think Business Value
What you want to do is consider how your actions as an IT project manager impact the business. Obviously, the specific projects that you lead are intended to benefit the company in some way. So you've got to describe those projects on your IT resume. However, the focus of the discussion is not the project itself or the technology solution deployed. The key element has to be about value.
What do I mean by value? Think benefit. If the company did not benefit in some way by the project you led, what was the point? Benefits come in many different forms, including:
- cost savings
- revenue growth
- process improvements
- system or application enhancements
How to Achieve Distinction
Listing these benefits is a great start, but they may be things that any project manager could have contributed to. To truly differentiate yourself in the job market, you've also got to communicate how you are distinct from other project managers...and not just because you have the PMP. Lots of project managers and program managers have the PMP certification. The real focus here should be on how you lead teams, transform projects, streamline project delivery, and get things done where others could not. Gearing your information in this manner will communicate the unique you and help you to avoid becoming just a commodity.
Creating a PM Package
The final step is in creating a clear, consistent, and compelling message across all the job search forums. This includes the resume, the LinkedIn profile, the cover letter, your bio, your Twitter profile, Google+, and any other forum in which a prospective employer may find your information. Just use some caution here, as you don't want to simply paste the information from your resume into these other platforms. The style in which you communicate on LinkedIn is different than on Twitter or Google+.
Stephen is the ITtechExec, a "Go To" Personal Branding Strategist for IT, engineering, manufacturing, telecommunications, call center, medical device, and other STEM/technical specialty professionals. By translating technical activities and leadership achievements into a clear, consistent message that's meaningful to business executives and recruiters, Stephen generates at least a 5x return on investment. The ITtechExec offers a proprietary career lifecycle management approach that includes resumes, cover letters, online profiles and bios,
interviewing preparation, job search strategy development, and online brand management. Contact Stephen today at (866) 755-9800, http://www.ittechexec.com, or stephen@ittechexec.com.
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Article Source:
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