A Complete Guide to Securing a Job in a Project Management Office (PMO)

Project Management Office Jobs:
Your complete guide to securing a job in a PMO
Author: PM Majik
Copyright 2021. All rights reserved. www.pmmajik.com

Contents
1.0 Purpose of this presentation
2.0 Background
3.0 Job roles that match your PMO skills
4.0 Where to discover PMO jobs around the world
5.0 Using LinkedIn for your PMO job search
6.0 Writing a CV for your PMO job search
6.1 Using ResumeMaker.online to build your CV
6.2 Optimise your CV for application tracking software
7.0 Preparing for a PMO job interview
7.1 Prepping for a virtual job interview for a PMO job
8.0 Freelancing as a PMO
9.0 Summary

1.0 Purpose of this presentation
The purpose of this presentation is to provide you with a complete guide to finding a job
and building your career as a project management office (PMO) professional.
New entrants to the job market may find some elements of the job search difficult to
navigate, such as writing a CV or resume and how to answer interview questions.
Those who have been working in PMOs for years may not be aware of how the
industry has changed and how to harness the power of online job searches and what an
application tracking system is.
Whatever your challenges are in finding a PMO role, we’ve got the information you
need, plus further information available after each slide.
Additional Resource
https://www.pmmajik.com/how-to-secure-a-role-or-job-in-a-project-management-
office-pmo/

2.0 Background
• The employment market has changed dramatically in the last decade. The prevalence of
online search and the globalised nature of project management work has changed the
landscape of PMO jobs.
• There is a wealth of information about standard work-related information, such as:
• Where to find a job
• How to apply for a job
• What to do in a job interview
• Information that’s targeted at PMO professionals is less common. Lots of online searches
focus on project management rather than PMOs and there is a range of language used in job
titles.
• With the standard job search issues, plus the nature of PMO work, we believe it’s important
you have a guide that’s laser-focussed on the type of work you’re looking for.
• To that end, our guide will take you through all the steps you need to take from deciding the
roles you want, searching for them, applying, and preparing so that you can progress your
PMO career.

3.0 Job roles that match your PMO skills
Whilst you will find many jobs with the title of Project Management Officer or Project
Management Office Leader, there are other searches that will yield results in line with your
PMO skills.
Look out for:
• Change delivery as a keyword that will yield jobs with a remit to restructure a business
with a project-led approach
• Organisational transformation – look for “Head of” or “Director of” titles to work across
a whole business
In large organisations, you may find a hierarchy of offices controlling projects that looks like
this:
Additional Resource
https://www.pmmajik.com/job-roles-that-match-pmo-skills-laser-focus-your-job-
search/
Project managers
Project management office
Programme management office
Portfolio management office

4.0 Where to discover PMO jobs around the world
As much as the PMO landscape is truly global, with international employment opportunities,
every region has different places to search for roles.
Additional Resource
https://www.pmmajik.com/where-to-discover-pmo-jobs-around-the-world-
recruitment-sites-you-need-to-know-about/
The UK and Europe
• Technojobs
• CW Jobs
• Project Manager Jobs
• Arras People
The USA
• Project Management
Crossing
• The Project Management
Institute Jobs Board
• Lucas Group
• PMO Partners
Singapore and
South Asia
• Efinancial Careers
• Kingsforce
• BGC Group
Rest of the world
• Gulf Talent
• Headhunters in
Dubai

5.0 Using LinkedIn for your PMO job search
LinkedIn is the professional social network where recruiter go to look for potential
employees. You can also search job listings and get create job alerts.
Having a good profile will make you stand out from the crowd. Be sure to have:
• A professional profile and cover photo
• A well-written professional summary
• Accurate and detailed work history
• A broad network of people you’ve worked with
To find work, you can:
• Set your profile as “Open to Work”
• Use the “Jobs” tab on your profile to search
• Create alerts for job listing that match your skills
• Ask your network for job leads by making a post
Additional Resource
https://www.pmmajik.com/how-to-use-linkedin-to-find-your-next-project-
management-office-pmo-job/

6.0 Writing a CV for your PMO job search
Having a good CV – known as a resume in the US – is vital to your job search for a role
within a PMO.
The important elements that you need to be sure to include in your CV are:
• Personal details including contact information and LinkedIn profile
• A career summary – a brief couple of sentences about your key achievements to date
• Employment history – use reverse chronological order and focus on achievements
backed by facts
• Key skills and qualifications – make it task led including how your skills can add value
• Education – your degree subject, university, and dates should be sufficient
Additional Resource
https://www.pmmajik.com/how-to-write-a-great-cv-for-a-project-management-
office-pmo-job/

6.1 Using ResumeMaker.online to build your CV
ResumeMaker.online is a simple but powerful tool to create an easy to read and accessible
CV.
Using the tool, you get to customise your:
• Colours
• Typography
• Text size
• Sections
You can also work through different sections and add and remove them depending on the
standards in the region you’re applying in:
• Profile and picture
• Personal information
• Contact
• Work experience
• Skills
• Additional info
Additional Resource
https://www.pmmajik.com/how-to-create-an-effective-project-management-office-
cv-using-resumemaker-online/

The majority of Fortune 500 companies use application tracking software (ATS) and it’s
becoming more common around the world.
It scans all the CVs received for a job for keywords and qualifications to make HR’s job
easier.
You need to know how to make your CV pass the software and get under the eyes of the
person recruiting for the PMO you want to work in.
Some useful tips to clear the ATS stage of your application include:
• Use simple formatting, such as with ResumeMaker.online featured on the previous slide
• Attach your CV in the right file format - .docx or .pdf
• Format your CV with headers and bullets
• Use standard, easy to scan fonts
• Match the key skills and responsibilities that are in the job listing
Additional Resource
https://www.pmmajik.com/application-tracking-software-how-to-use-an-ats-when-
job-seeking/
6.2 Optimise your CV for application tracking software

7.0 Preparing for a PMO job interview
Once your perfectly crafted CV has got you’re a job interview, you need to be ready for
what will come next.
There are three main types of questions you will likely come across in your job interview:
• Situational, testing your analytical skills and decision-making
• Competency-based questions help your interview understand how you approach
situations
• Behavioural questions look at your reactions to situations and how you handle
problems
Additional Resource
https://www.pmmajik.com/preparing-for-a-pmo-job-interview-advice-tips-and-
strategies/
A job interview should be a two-way conversation and you can ask questions
of your interviewer, too. Consider questions about the work environment, role
scope, and how to you’ll be assessed in the role.

7.1 Prepping for a virtual PMO job interview
As remote work and international recruitment become more common, so do remote or
virtual job interviews.
The questions that will come up will be the same, but you do need to prepare in a different
way.
Additional Resource
https://www.pmmajik.com/how-to-prepare-a-virtual-interview-for-a-project-
management-office-pmo-role/
The elements you need to consider are:
• Technology – get charged up and check your internet connection
• Clothing – check out the company LinkedIn to get a feel for their level of
formality
• Surroundings – prepare a quiet space with good lighting
Maintain your professionalism, even if you’re sat at your kitchen table or on your sofa!

8.0 Freelancing as a PMO
Moving from a corporate, salaried role to a freelance PMO can be refreshing change. You’ll
likely achieve higher salaries and take on the jobs that appeal to you.
To start as a freelance PMO, first you need to get certified. Consider:
• PMP, or Project Management Professional
• CAPM, or Certified Associate in Project Management
• PRINCE2 Practitioner, or Projects in Controlled Environments
Get your skills up to date and work on a killer CV – there is a lot of competition for freelance
PMO work and you need to really demonstrate the value you can offer.
Sites that host PMO freelance roles include:
• Freelancer
• Upwork
• Toptal
Additional Resource
https://www.pmmajik.com/where-and-how-to-find-a-freelance-project-
management-office-pmo-role/

5.0 Summary
In this presentation, we’ve covered the process of getting a job in a project management
office from searching to interview and how to get there.
Finding the
right role in the
right place
Using LinkedIn
to improve your
search prospects
Writing and
effective CV with
the right tools
Being prepared for
interviews online or
in-person
Making the move
into freelance PMO
work
Good luck with the job search!

6.0 FREE eBook
To help with the search and securing a new PMO role, I have created an eBook that can
be downloaded.
Click to download your copy today.

7.0 Resources
If you want more information, visit www.pmmajik.com where you will find lots of project
and PMO resources including the FREE guide, 7 Steps to Set-Up a PMO.
Visit http://www.pmmajik.com/set-pmo/
PM Majik Website
On the PM Majik website you will find over 400 articles that contain practical and
pragmatic tips and insights for designing, mobilising and managing a PMO. New
articles are added weekly. Topic requests are encouraged from the community.

A Complete Guide to Securing a Job in a Project Management Office (PMO)

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