I've applied for close to 50 jobs in the last 6 weeks and not even getting a response. I have over 10 years as a PM, I have a PMP, PMI-ACP, 3 SAFe certifications and multi-industry experience. I've never seen the job market this bad. A few years ago I had recruiters contacting me. Will it ever recover?
Last week I met with two recruiters who approached me. The first one chased me. I had ignore him for a couple of weeks, but he insisted. I know I was a perfect for the role. I've done it, I know the job well, the vibes, the realities, etc. It's a Sr. Program Director role, leading a new BU, I'd be managing 2-3 other Program Directors, and a few Sr & Junior PMs. They had a range of $120K-$125K. Tf range is that. Recruiter apologized sheepishly, said he knew. Anyway, I told the recruiter that's not aligned with the responsibilities and I compared the salary to similar Director job postings at the same company in other disciplines, telling him the range should be the same as those, if not more, which was $160K. ha! I'd be in charge of Delivery after all. I know, but I felt inspired. To be honest, I did not want that job. It's a parallel move and I rather not unless they make it worth my while.
The second one required far more technical experience than my background. I was surprised they reached out to me. In-house recruiter acknowledged this, and said they are looking specifically for my experience because those with my career path succeed in their company. Cool. We had a great conversation and I could tell this company was a mess, with a lot of people management, juniors that need to be raised and I always take on. I've raised way too many juniors in my time. I asked for their range, they didn't want to give it, so I said ok $150K. I would have wanted that job, and would have negotiated down to $130K I think.
I've not heard from either, unsurprisingly. And while I know my numbers was high, I stand by them. I see that PM salaries are being brought down, and here I am going high, but I still demand my value. Day in and day out I see PMs maneuvering every aspect of a company to deliver the service/product, always behind the scenes. Seldom receiving appropriate compensation, or accolades. Frankly, $150-160K isn't as high as it sounds, cost of life considered, it's a lot less in real value. For the first company, I actually think I should have said $180-$200K!
I figured if some of us ask for too much, then most of you should get the right amount. Joke's aside, I hope you're all not selling your time for less than it's worth. I know we need jobs, but don't shoot your future self in the foot by lowering your worth, and take pride in your work. I'm often brought on when things have gone sideways, and 90% of the time it's because there was no Sr. PM m'ing the p.
Ps: this is for those with a good track record, of course. If you are constantly failing, well.. take what they offer you, and get better.
ETA: Canada, non-technical PM.
(There won't be a pt. 3)
Edit: I want to be clear I'm targeting Project Coordinator, APM, etc. type roles.
Thank you to everyone who commented the other day. There were quite a few things to fix in my Resume and Cover Letter, and your input was a tremendous help.
I removed the explanation for my work gap from the Cover Letter, and I've clarified my project experience in both the Cover Letter and Resume itself. (In the Resume, you'll see the most updates under the Merchandising Service Manager section.) The Resume is now 2 pages, but I'm not sure what I would cut to get it down to 1.
For the resume, I also added a Summary and fixed formatting issues.
If there is anything else you see that could be fixed/clarified/whatever, please let me know. I have thick skin and would rather hear feedback here than crickets from recruiters.
Thank you again for your help!
Link to first post: Coming from Retail, Feeling Woefully Inadequate Pivoting into PM : r/PMCareers
I’ve been a senior PM for about 5years now. Im well paid and work for a well known tech company. I think a lot about my career and im just not sure I want to be a manager. Looking at GPMs and Directors in company, their working life seems grim. They seem stressed and overworked, their diaries are horrendous and they work early and late all the time.
I quite like being a SPM. I work on challenging problems and I like testing and shipping stuff, but I do realise that I can’t be a SPM for the rest of my life and that for some reason that looks really bad on my CV. I realise that I will age out and have to become a manager at some stage - but do I really have to?
I’ll probably get accused of having a lack of ambition but it’s not that I just really like this role and all that it entails. Does anyone else feel the same.
I'm a recent accounting finance and economics graduate and recently a close family friend as put me on a seven week course to learn Primavera P6. I writing because I want to know how employable I woul be with a degree and a P6 certificate even though I have no experience in project managent, if I was to apply for project management roles after getting the certificate how succesful will my applications be.