Between 2010 and 2020, the Project Management Institute estimates there will be 15.7 million project management positions globally and they will have an estimated $6.61 trillion in impact. This explosion in demand for qualified project managers will have an effect on the hiring experience. The modern technology business relies heavily on qualified managers to translate projects into success. The project manager is the heart of any successful project: Not only does she oversee every aspect of the deliverables, but she also manages the broad range of team personalities. While there are a number of approaches that can be successfully used to find a great project manager, a few key insights can support your search.
1. A team-builder—no matter where they (or their team) are. A project manager doesn’t simply check off tasks—they create a synergy with their teams and drive projects to completion by getting very different individuals to work together. However, modern businesses are leaner than their traditional counterparts, and freelancers are quickly becoming a key component of operations. A 2014 survey showed that around 53 million Americans are freelancing—many projects now include freelancers as well as in-house employees.
This changes the team dynamic considerably, since face-to-face contact may be limited. Looking for a team-builder involves asking the right questions and taking a careful look at the resume. What types of teams has the applicant managed? Has the candidate managed remote or temporary workers? If so, how was the experience? Some important attributes to look for are good listening skills, flexibility, the ability to understand others’ motivations, a commitment to leadership, and values that would fit in well at your organization.
2. A top-notch student—who’s always learning. While it can be a good sign that an applicant has a certification as a project manager, it’s not always necessary if the applicant brings a reasonable amount of experience to the table. Of course, that experience should include managing the whole life cycle of a project, including planning, testing, and implementation. Whole lifecycle management underpins the search to find the right project manager—but technology has a tremendous effect on the success of any project. Qualified project managers understand the need for continual improvement, not only in the area of managing others and understanding business, but also in the realm of technology.
Questions that may help with the hiring process include those that draw out the applicant’s strengths with the current technologies you use—as well as questions about technologies your company is considering implementing. How does the applicant feel about learning new technologies or management techniques? What has the applicant learned recently?
3. Former network admin? Ex-programmer?—leaders from the trenches. While some businesses prefer to choose applicants with only management backgrounds, they may be missing out on employees with considerable technology and project development insight. For example, former programmers understand how projects work from the inside-out because they were part of a team—and they have had the opportunity to work with development on a day-to-day basis. Since former developers typically have had the chance to engage with a variety of technologies on a granular level, they can quickly discern what can be actually be done (or not done) with those technologies.
The role of project manager is constantly evolving, so it may be difficult to find the exact fit for all of your company’s needs. However, by seeking out candidates with excellent soft skills, the willingness to learn (and a history of doing so), and a strong understanding of technology can help sort through the applicants. Do you have questions about the hiring process for project managers? Or do you need more assistance in finding a qualified individual? Please contact us for more information about how to hire a project manager for your team.
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