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How can I get a Project Management Job? It's really hard :(

I’m a Management fresh graduate from one of the universities in Indonesia. I’ve been searching for a job as a Project Manager for over three months now, but I haven’t had much success. Even securing an internship has been challenging due to the high requirements—most positions ask for at least one year of professional work experience as a project manager.

It feels like a paradox: how am I supposed to gain experience if even getting an internship is so difficult? I’ve also tried looking for opportunities in other ASEAN countries through LinkedIn, but the results have been the same.

While I may not have professional experience as a Project Manager, I do have some relevant project management experience. I interned as a business consultant, where I managed several projects, and I also worked on project management tasks during my exchange program in Malaysia. Currently, I’m taking Google’s Project Management courses on Coursera to strengthen my skills.

If anyone has advice on what I can do to improve my chances of getting hired or knows of any internship/full-time opportunities for Junior Project Manager roles, I’d greatly appreciate your insights. Thank you!

+25 Karma if successful
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Subject: Career question for you

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Adit’s Answer

Breaking into project management as a fresh graduate is challenging but achievable. Focus on these steps:

Emphasize transferable skills: Highlight leadership, planning, and communication from your internship and exchange program.
Build a portfolio: Complete the Google Project Management certificate and showcase your projects. Volunteer or freelance to gain hands-on experience.
Start small: Look for roles like Project Coordinator or Business Analyst as stepping stones.
Network effectively: Connect with professionals on LinkedIn, join project management groups, and attend industry events to uncover hidden opportunities.

Stay persistent—your proactive efforts will pay off!
Thank you comment icon Hi Adit, While many companies provide project management opportunities to recent graduates, it is often easier to secure such positions after gaining a few years of experience in fields like coding, infrastructure, networks, hardware engineering, or even as a data analyst. In my opinion, having initial hands-on technical experience makes it easier to succeed in project management. I suggest completing a few courses for roles such as Scrum Master and obtaining basic certifications in the Agile framework. This will increase your chances of getting a project management job. Keep applying, and I wish you good luck. Anita Belwal
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Zoheb’s Answer

Instead of looking for PM role at first I think it would be best to start looking at roles at an Jr. Business Analysts. This will help you gain the practical skills to understand how a project is run. You need to see both the good and the bad. To be a good PM in my experience is no small task and folks out there looking to hire a PM take that role very seriously, as they should. Technical skills and certification are important but being apart of a project and getting actually project hours under your belt are far more valuable not only for your long term development but employers want to see. The responsibility of how the project is managed is vital to how a skilled PM can navigate ambiguity, overcome challenges, enable resources, and ultimately steer the whole ship to, (hopefully), project success. And to employers who are are out there looking for PM they entrust a lot of responsibility in that role but also invest a lot of money to ensure their primary goal which is a successful project.

In my current position over that last 7 years I have been in IT consulting. The meat of entire career as a consultant has been in project base work. I can tell you that I have seen both what good and bad looks like and it is critical to understand what bad looks like. You have to go through it. The ability to create trust, communicate risk, and genuinely display empathy is no small thing. The right combination of this will, and I find that these qualities are not immediately embodied because the role is hard and as a PM you are under a lot of pressure, will ultimately foster a successful. I've seen with folks just entering starting off as a BA, or equivalent junior role allows them to absorb the opportunity to gain this experience.

The paradox is a true reality but consider some of these options:
1. Instead of interning look at Non-Profits but as a freelancer or a portion of your time donated (or all) to help support them from a BA position. Most Nonprofits (small / medium) can't afford to hire a full time role but they definitely need the help in multiple internal or external projects on the go. What ends up happening is internal resources wear multiple hats and find themselves taxed on executing any kind of future growth or on going project.
2. Like I mentioned above look for roles outside of Project Management. As I mentioned above its a tall ask for employers to hire folks without project experience. Build yourself up in BA role or equivalent and within those opportunities look for "stretch" opportunities that allow you to showcase your ability to take on PM tasks. Document this and use this as your examples of history of experience.
3. Network. (I know I'm sure you've heard of this already) but its true! Expand who you know from a professional setting. With this come a hustle you have to see this as a require skill set to build trust with individuals and create a name and brand for yourself. Facebook groups, Linkedin Groups, etc. and thing thats happening in your local area you need to go and connect with folks. That is where you can hear of opportunities that might fit what you are looking for but also, and this is important, however it works out you need to find a career mentor. The value cannot be understated.
4. Consider startups. Look for smaller consulting firms willing to take a changes on folks. There defineltly out there and it'll take time to figure out where and what industry you want to get into. My recommendations is not to be too concerned on pay. I tell folks looking to get into project work weather you are technical, BA, QA, or PM, if you are just kicking off your career the money will come with time and truly in short order but for a couple of years invest in yourself from a career perspective no different than you going to university and paying for an education. You are building yourself up and creating a book of business that showcases your abilities. Your career is a journey so be patient with yourself and know that eventually if this is really want you want to do you'll get there and you'll be paid well for it.

I wish you luck Hafiz and all the best on your journey. If you have any questions I'm always happy to chat further on this.

Cheers,

-Z
Thank you comment icon Hi Mr. Zoheb. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my question and answered it for me. You even explained it in detail and personalized the response so I could understand it better. I really appreciate it! :) hafiz
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Jerome’s Answer

I personally found that volunteering gave me the experience I "lacked" to get roles I wanted. A sad reality that you can't get experience without having experience, but maybe you could give a couple hours per week to a local non-profit to fill in your experience a little.
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Savita’s Answer

Keep in mind that most people do not become project managers right away. They need to build their knowledge, experience, and professional skills first. No matter what job you start with, think about the knowledge, experience, and skills you want to gain from that role and work on building or growing them to the best of your ability. Consider expanding your search into areas you are interested in and applying for different roles in that field. Once you have landed the job in the area of interest, then apply some creative thinking to help you land your first project management role. A great way to get started is to volunteer to take on work for existing projects, asking to be assigned work projects, and speaking up when the opportunity to take on a team lead role arises. Be patient, persistent, and open to opportunities and something great will come your way.
Thank you comment icon Hi Ms. Savita. Yes, I understand that becoming a PM requires a lot of experience and knowledge. I used to think that even entry-level PM roles, such as junior PM, assistant PM, or project coordinator, had many strict requirements. However, based on all the answers I’ve received, I now realize there are many pathways to becoming a project manager, not just through entry-level PM positions. Thank you so much for your advice—I really appreciate it! :) hafiz
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Courtney’s Answer

So many great answers here already. When I was fresh out of college, networking was my biggest asset. I started with the approach of being open to anything and targeting a specific company, which in my case was selling shoes at Nordstrom. I quickly became an assistant manager on the shoe floor and used much of my time networking with resources in the corporate offices. I set up time to chat, asked questions about their career path, shared my goals, and always wrapped with asking if they had any recommendations of anyone else that would be worth me connecting with. Very quickly, that turned into a job as a financial planner within the corporate side.

Using similar methods and building relationships, the morphed to a finance and marketing coordinator role, which then become a project manager for the rewards program. Fast forward, I used the same approach (extensive networking efforts) to land a job as an associate project manager at an agency, which really built my skills quickly. That opened many doors.

Relationships are critical, especially as a project management. Establishing trust and maintaining it once built is what will bring you success. Most jobs I've had since those early days were the result of someone I worked with reaching out because they knew what a great PM I was and wanted to work with me again. Being open to the opportunities in front of you, even though they might not look exactly as you imagine your end game, will bring you closer.
Thank you comment icon Hi Ms. Courtney. Thank you so much for sharing your experience, providing examples, and offering advice on how to become a PM. I really enjoyed your explanation about the importance of networking and building relationships—it was incredibly insightful. I truly appreciate it! :) hafiz
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Anita’s Answer

Getting the project management job is considered tough because even if you feel ready for taking this up, getting an opportunity outside is difficult without a prior experience. My personal suggestion is always to get PJM job internally. Show your interest to you managers. Meanwhile complete the PMP certification. Along with that ask for a shadow project for PJM role.

Its not difficult to get to PJM role, if you have supportive manager who belive in your skills and if there are vacancies in your organization. And once you are in, within 1 year or so, you can apply anywhere if you plan to change the job.

Getting the first opportunity is different and usually not given to freshers. But try to make the right connections so that your name pops up whenever there is a vacancies. Once of the key part of being a PJm is good communication and proactivity. Apply these and I wish you good luck to get the job.
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Abdul’s Answer

Breaking into project management as a fresh graduate can indeed be challenging, but you’re already taking great steps in the right direction. Here’s how you can improve your chances:
Leverage Your Existing Experience: Highlight the projects you managed during your internship and exchange program in your resume and LinkedIn profile. Focus on showcasing specific results, such as timelines met, budgets managed, or goals achieved. This demonstrates transferable skills even without a formal project management title.
Earn Certifications: Completing Google’s Project Management course is excellent. Pair it with recognized certifications like CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) from PMI, which is tailored for those with little experience.
Tailor Your Job Applications: Customize your resume and cover letter for each role. Use keywords from the job description and emphasize skills like communication, time management, and leadership.
Start Small: Apply for roles like Project Coordinator, Assistant Project Manager, or Operations Assistant. These roles often lead to Project Manager positions and don’t require as much prior experience.
Network Strategically: Use LinkedIn to connect with professionals in project management, especially those in Indonesia and ASEAN countries. Join project management groups, engage with posts, and politely request informational interviews to learn about opportunities and referrals.
Consider Freelance Projects: Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr often have small project management tasks. These can help you build your portfolio while showcasing real-world experience.
Persistence is key. Keep building your skills, networking, and applying. A well-crafted application and demonstrating initiative will eventually open doors. Good luck dear bro.
Regards
Abdul Bhai
Search on YouTube @abdulbhai
Thank you comment icon hi Mr. Abdul. Thanks for ur advice and input for me. I really appreciate it! :) hafiz
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Angel’s Answer

Hello Hafiz!

As everyone here already mention, companies mostly look for experienced people for a project manager role, but it is possible to become a project manager, keep it going

Check the 5 steps listed below.

1. Build the right skill set for project management such as leadership, good communication, decision making, trust building, risk management, and product handling, maybe you will need to take other positions before apply to the Project Manager Role, and have a good amount of experience it's always a good point.
2. Learn project management from well-experienced mentors and clear an appropriate project management certification. You can find the best project management courses from The Knowledge Academy. They provide professional online training for project management with certification.
3. Practice the essential tools and applications to create a schedule, project planning, task schedule, etc.
4.Build an attractive resume which contains all your skills. Work on live projects as an intern or freelancer.
5. Apply on Linkedin, Naukri, Indeed and other job portals. Search for referrals on Linkedin to join top companies.

Get a job as Project manager with no experience it's not impossible but I believe it will be easiest if you at least have a little more experience in other areas that help you to demonstrate that you know how the position works and what you have to do, Good Luck!
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Ashesh’s Answer

Great answers and advice by everyone, so I will not repeat on the most obvious points that everyone mentioned.
What I would like to emphasis on is that - Project Management is NOT just managing projects, but managing people working on the project and drive alignment which is a skill hard to learn and develop. Most of the project that are executed do not go by the books and face variety of challenges depending on the complexity of the project, its timelines and actual people working on the project, which no book or fundamental can document or control. And hence, experience is very important to become successful in this role. I am not talking about experience by years, but experience by what you actually did, type of challenges you faced and overcome, situations you handled to turn your project from red to yellow to green and similar operational risks, issues you dealt with over time will make your experience more stronger.
So when it comes to start as a fresher, highlight your people/behavioral skills where you can give a hypothetical scenarios and how you would handle the same if you were in that situation. Give some examples from your school projects, internships, etc. where you witnessed some challenges and how you thought out-of-the-box to handle those challenges. The idea here is to tell them that you have that skill to run a project end to end and deal with all the roughness that is witnessed in a real project which gives them confidence that you can handle and run a project.
Thank you comment icon Hi Mr. Ashesh. Thanks for your insight and perspective about what PM. I really appreciate ur advice :) hafiz
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Sandeep’s Answer

1. Start Small and Build Experience
Why it’s hard: Most project management roles ask for experience, but you can’t get experience without a job.
What to do: Begin with small roles that involve managing tasks or projects:
Volunteer to lead team events, organize school activities, or help manage nonprofit projects.
Apply for entry-level roles like Project Coordinator, which focus on assisting experienced Project Managers.
Highlight any relevant experience you already have, such as managing projects during your business consultant internship or your exchange program.

2. Boost Skills with Certifications
Why it matters: Certifications make you stand out and show employers you’re serious about project management.
What to do: Complete the Google Project Management Certificate on Coursera and list it on your resume. Later, consider entry-level certifications like CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management), which don’t require years of experience.
3. Apply Strategically and Network
Why this works: Smart applications and connections increase your chances of landing a role.
What to do:
Target entry-level roles like Project Assistant or Junior Project Manager and focus on industries that match your background.
Tailor your resume to emphasize project management skills, such as organizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and team collaboration.
Network on LinkedIn or in online groups to connect with professionals and ask about potential opportunities.
Thank you comment icon hi Mr. Sandeep. Thanks for the tips for me. I really appreciate it! :) hafiz
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Justin T.’s Answer

Have you tried taking Google's project management course? I would take that then take on some free projects. After you do that you will have a solid base to pitch why people should pay you. How? Once you've proven you gave value to others they will want to use that value to make them tons of money and bring the same value to thier company. Its the simple fact of any business but the hard part if obtaining value. At least now you now you have a template with which you can decide what to say yes and no to.

Just say no to career decisions that wont help you give value. Now you also know what to look for to reach your goal. Look for things that will help you bring value. Everyone Values Google. There are other companies people value. Find ways to work with them. etc etc.
Thank you comment icon Hi Mr. Justin. Yes, i have been trying to complete the Google's project management course. Thanks for your advice, i really appreciate it. :) hafiz
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Chinyere’s Answer

Hi Hafiz!


I understand your frustration—it's tough to break into a new field, especially when experience is a common requirement. Here are some suggestions to help you improve your chances of landing a project management job or internship:

1. Highlight Transferable Skills: Make sure your resume and LinkedIn profile emphasize the project management experience you gained during your business consultant internship and your exchange program in Malaysia. Showcase your relevant skills, such as leadership, organization, time management, and communication.

2. Network Actively: Networking is crucial. Reach out to professionals in the project management field through LinkedIn, attend virtual industry events, and join project management groups. Building connections can lead to potential job opportunities and valuable advice.

3. Gain Certifications: Completing the Google Project Management courses on Coursera is a great step. Consider also obtaining certifications like the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) from PMI, which is designed for those with less experience.

4. Volunteer for Projects: Look for volunteer opportunities or freelance projects that allow you to apply your project management skills. Non-profits and community organizations often need help with project coordination.

5. Tailored Applications: Customize your cover letter and resume for each application. Highlight how your background and skills make you a strong fit for the specific role you're applying for.

6. Informational Interviews: Request informational interviews with project managers to learn more about the industry, gather advice, and potentially discover job openings that haven't been advertised yet.

7. Leverage Online Platforms: Keep applying for positions on job boards like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed. Also, explore platforms like Upwork and Freelancer for short-term project management gigs.

8. Stay Persistent: The job search process can take time, especially in a competitive field. Stay positive, keep improving your skills, and continue applying.

Remember, perseverance and networking can make a significant difference. Keep pushing forward, and you'll find the right opportunity.

Best wishes!
Thank you comment icon hi Ms. Chinyere. thanks for the tips and advice for me. I really appreciate it! :) hafiz
Thank you comment icon You're welcome! Chinyere Okafor
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James Constantine’s Answer

Good Day Hafiz!

How to Get a Remote Job with No Experience

Transitioning from retail or service jobs to remote work without a degree or prior experience can be challenging, but it is certainly possible. Here are the steps you can take to improve your chances of landing a remote job:

1. Identify Transferable Skills

Even if you haven’t worked in a remote position before, many skills gained in retail and service jobs are transferable. Skills such as customer service, communication, problem-solving, time management, and teamwork are highly valued in remote roles. Take inventory of your experiences and identify how these skills can apply to potential remote positions.

2. Research Remote Job Opportunities

Start by researching industries that commonly offer remote positions. Fields such as customer support, data entry, virtual assistance, content writing, social media management, and sales often have entry-level roles that do not require extensive experience or degrees. Websites like Remote.co, We Work Remotely, and FlexJobs specialize in listing remote job opportunities.

3. Build an Online Presence

Creating a professional online presence can significantly enhance your job search. Consider setting up profiles on platforms like LinkedIn where you can showcase your skills and experiences. Join relevant groups related to your desired field and engage with others to expand your network.

4. Gain Relevant Experience

While you may not have direct remote work experience, consider taking on freelance projects or internships that allow you to work remotely. Websites like Upwork or Fiverr offer opportunities for freelancers to gain experience while working from home.

5. Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter

When applying for jobs, tailor your resume and cover letter for each position. Highlight your transferable skills and any relevant experiences that demonstrate your ability to work independently and manage tasks remotely. Use keywords from the job description to ensure that your application stands out.

6. Prepare for Remote Interviews

If you land an interview, be prepared to discuss how you would handle the unique challenges of remote work, such as communication barriers or time zone differences. Familiarize yourself with common tools used in remote work environments (e.g., Zoom for meetings, Slack for communication) so you can speak confidently about them during interviews.

7. Be Persistent and Open-Minded

Finding a remote job without prior experience may take time; therefore, persistence is key. Be open-minded about the types of roles you apply for—entry-level positions may lead to more advanced opportunities down the line.

By following these steps and remaining proactive in your search, you increase your chances of securing a remote job despite lacking formal experience or a degree.

Probability the answer is correct: 95%

Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:

1. Remote.co Remote.co provides resources specifically focused on remote work opportunities across various industries and offers insights into best practices for finding remote jobs.

2. We Work Remotely We Work Remotely is one of the largest communities dedicated solely to remote job listings across multiple sectors, making it an excellent resource for job seekers looking for flexible employment options.

3. FlexJobs FlexJobs specializes in vetted telecommuting jobs that offer flexibility; their platform includes resources on how to find legitimate remote work opportunities without requiring extensive qualifications or experience.

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Thank you comment icon hi Mr. James. thanks for the tips especially the web reference to search remote job. hafiz
Thank you comment icon No Worries At All Hafiz! That Is What We Are Here For! James Constantine Frangos
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Nisha’s Answer

Your approach is already strong, but you can improve your chances by:

Broadening Your Job Search – Apply for roles like Project Coordinator, Business Analyst, or Operations Associate, which can lead to a PM role.
Highlighting Transferable Experience – Emphasize your project management skills from internships and exchange programs in your resume and applications.
Networking & Referrals – Engage with industry professionals on LinkedIn, join PM communities, and request informational interviews.
Gaining Hands-on Experience – Volunteer for projects, contribute to open-source initiatives, or freelance to build a portfolio.
Certifications & Skill Development – Continue with Google’s PM course and consider CAPM or PRINCE2 to strengthen your qualifications.
Stay persistent, tailor your applications, and leverage connections. Best of luck! 🚀
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