What do you do if your project management skills aren't setting you apart in a competitive job market?

Certifications are a way to upskill and stand out. Having a PMP or CAPM shows commitment to Project Management. If you have the cert, maintain it (shows a growth mindset)! Finally, take time to keep up to date on the industry you are targeting. You don't need to fill your resume with buzzwords but instead be able to talk to trends.

Upskilling is essential, not just for the profession but also personally. The need to identify and understand new trends/technologies impacting the profession is key. You become an authority within the PM space, you ability to make smarter decisions can be attributed to it and it also benefits the organization who work for/with.

Upskill yourself based on your own passions and the needs of the market where you perform. Are you targeting to work at a car manufacturing company? Learn to personalize general knowledge to the specific needs of that industry.

As a business professional, networking creates access to business/job opportunities, professional connections, career advice, new ideas/valuable information. Networking also helps with personal and business growth, building relationships, and gaining a competitive edge in the industry. For me, prior to attending any networking event, I tend to ask myself 3 key questions? 1. What do I want to achieve from this event? 2. How will this improve me personally and impact the overall business 3. Who are the thought leaders and how can we continue to impact the profession

Networking with other experts in your field is equal to staying up to date with what works and what doesn't. Be open with likeminded fellow experts and open conversations about recurring problems in your industry. Solutions usually come from many experts coming together and building a solution that can benefit the whole.

Every expert who wants to stand out in their industry, especially among other experts who are targeting the same position, need to show expertise outside of the workplace. Show expertise but strategically. Do you want to work with a particular industry and client? Post valuable content for them.

Growing your personal brand is vital as you continue to develop within your profession as well as an individual. People must be able to align your personal brand to certain values/beliefs or else it becomes meaningless. For me, i have been able to position my brand within 7 key pillars 1. Purpose- what gives meaning to my life and brand 2. Values- my guiding principles 3. Clarity/authenticity: what stands me out 4.. Strength: Leveraging on my skill and talents 5. Passion: what resonates within me 6. Impact: To the organization i work for/with and the environment 7. Ownership: Take responsibility for my brand and actions

I'd highly recommend Person of Influence by Daniel Priestley as personal brand is so powerful across all professions, and providing your target audience with clear examples of your experience through linkedin and in person networking opportunities is hugely beneficial

Embracing change should be seen as an opportunity to learn. There is no project that is the same. The essence is to identify the challenges encountered, the opportunities and the key learnings. Drivers of change in project environments can stem from client demands, emerging technologies, regulatory shifts, or even global events. Understanding these drivers is crucial in navigating dynamic projects. Lastly, practice active listening especially as it relates to client demands or request

An opportunity to further learn and develop. Project Management skills differ from one project to another, which means that you will need to look into how you can step up the ball game.

Reflect, share, and teach others what mistakes to avoid on large projects, and what you did to improve and avoid loss of time, and resources.

Gathering feedback and support and reflecting on my personal and professional experiences has helped me gain confidence in the more tacit skillset that I bring to the table. This is what sets me apart from keyword matches and certifications. I have explicit skills and certs too, but where I have a competitive advantage is in my relational and communication skills. Finding ways to make that visible and available to engage with is what leads to all great opportunities.

If you're a project manager, you've done a lot more than manage projects! Highlight experience or skills outside of traditional project management that make you stand out. For example, a background in sales and marketing can be a huge asset in project communications and in cross-functional change management, even if you manage projects in another area.

Sponsorship and mentors are highly important to improving skills and helping grow your career. I always recommend having a mentor, but you should have more than one. I actually have several that specialize in different areas of mentorship. Mentors can become Sponsors, increase your network and help you build skills needed to progress no matter what level you are at in your career.