If your job search consists of going online and applying for any and every project or program posting, you just may be wasting your time. Many job seekers forget that positions have very unique requirements.  Recruiters want to understand how they can best help in positioning you for success in getting placement. Recruiters are looking to build solid relationships with job seekers to ensure that career goals are met and job matches offer satisfaction for all parties involved. While recruiters have always wanted to help others find jobs, placing job seekers has gotten “broadly’ specific over the last few years. Transferrable skills across various industries seem to be what hiring managers are demanding.  Hiring managers are looking for unique candidates who offer cross-functional and cross-discipline skills and business acumen. These are requirements and expectations of knowledge areas not easily communicated to potential job seekers during the job interview.  Strength in building relationships is the key soft skill that companies are looking for in their workforce.

Passe’ is the generic cover letter and resume submittal. Today, companies require resumes tailored to highlight specific key knowledge areas. Just like Google and Bing, hiring managers are doing word searches on resumes to filter through the hundreds of submittals.   If the term “specialized” skills lead job seekers to planning and managing a career like an ongoing project, then leveraging project management training for other opportunities will open more doors.  Realize that you are never going to stop learning and identify a career coach or mentor to help you succeed and elevate to the next level. Here are a few points that recruiters want all job seekers to keep in mind:

By: David Tennant, PE, PMP, MBA
2013 Chair, PMI Atlanta Chapter

What is Leadership?

There have been numerous studies done on leadership and dozens of books written on this topic.  But what does leadership really encompass?  And, how does a leader differ from a manager?

Leadership is a quality or skill that can be acquired, but many people are not sure how to do this.  Also, leaders exhibit certain qualities such that people are willing to follow them.  I define leadership as the ability to influence people to reach a common goal.  Additionally, successful leaders usually possess a certain amount of charisma, though this is not necessarily a requirement.

If we define charisma, it is the ability to create rapport with all kinds of people—from varied cultures and different generations as well as up, down, and across the business.  Many of our national and world figures have natural charisma.  But how do we obtain leadership skills?  Is there anything I can do to increase my leadership abilities?  The answer is “yes.” 

In my years of serving clients, doing research, and leading teams and companies, a clear picture has emerged on what are considered good leadership qualities.  If you are aware of these qualities, you can take steps to acquire them yourself.  Are you ready to start?  The following list should get you thinking and working on your personal plan to increase your leadership skills.

Register Today!

The PMI Atlanta Chapter invites chapter and non-chapter members who are in career transition or simply seeking to advance to the next level or another company to a special dinner and panel discussion on July 8th.  Typically, we host presentations, but we want to serve our project management community by holding this program of well-qualified professionals who understand today's marketplace.

Topics of discussion will be:
 - Trends in Project/Program management
 - Hot Industries - What are the top 3? Why?
 - Entry level opportunities and what is recommended for the entry level candidate
 - What is NEXT for the project and program manager?
 - How to leverage your PMP or Program Management Certification skills for other opportunities.

 Moderated By:  Marie Fratoni 
 Panelist: Cecile Francis – The Royak Group
 Panelist: Tami Squaire- Truebridge Resources
 Panelist: Cyndy Gay – Truebridge Resources
 Panelist: Bryan Schreiber – Jabian Consulting
 Panelist: Troy Woods – Luna Resource Group
 Panelist: Rachel LeClair - Matrix Resources
   
There will be 30 minutes of moderator-facilitated questions as well as ample time to receive key questions from the audience.  

Don't MISS OUT on this unique opportunity to network directly with recruiters and to gain additional insight from the EXPERTS!

by Kathi Middleton, MPM, PMP, Communications Committee

Project management can be a thankless job, where successes are rarely publicized and failures are harshly criticized! This was not the case at the June Dunwoody Dinner Meeting where a host of chapter members and guests gathered for the Annual PMI Atlanta Chapter Project of Year Awards.  For the past six years, the Atlanta Chapter has recognized local companies and individuals who have accomplished stellar achievements in project management.    Also in attendance were representatives from Kennesaw State University, University of Georgia and DeVry University to share about their growing project management programs. 

Each award winner and honorable mention provided an overview of their project highlighting key accomplishments, issues and lessons learned.  The POY award winners were:

• Retail: Home Depot – Joseph Call Center Project
• Service: SITA – Voyager Project; Honorable Mention: EPMD – PMO Balanced Scorecard Project
• Manufacturing: Primus Builders – Henry Clay Avenue Wharf Project
• Government: Georgia State Road and Toll way Authority – I-85 Express Lanes Project; Honorable Mention: DeKalb County – RFID Project