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Project management is the art and discipline of managing a project and its components from inception to completion. While many project management jobs can only allow you to travel at some points of the project, a traveling project management job means traveling is your job. So, if you have a passion for traveling, delegation, organization, and communication, traveling project management might be your career. You’ll put those passions and strengths to good use—creating real change within your business or organization.
However, the above definition doesn’t capture the full scope of what project managers do. Project management cuts across many fields, from business and nonprofit work to technology and software development, construction management, healthcare and pharmaceutical research, and everything in between. The average annual salary for a traveling project manager is $110,000 per annum, and you can earn up to $150,000. What’s more? You can easily get the job of a traveling project manager on Jooble from the comfort of your room.
To enlighten you more about this profession, we have collaborated with experts from job aggregator Jooble to discuss the steps you need to take to become a traveling project manager. Also, we will be examining what project managers do.
How To Become A Traveling Project Manager
Being a traveling project manager is similar to being a normal project manager. Most project management jobs require that you travel at some point in the project. However, some project management jobs require you to travel more. So, the recruitment process is similar to getting a regular project management job, with tweaks.
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Research What The Profession Is About
The first step to success in anything you want to do is to gain knowledge about it before delving into it. This implies that you should learn about traveling project management and what is required to thrive in it before you pursue the career. It is also advisable to learn about the pay and job availability.
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Evaluate the Skills You Currently Have
You may already have some project management skills. For instance, if you are already in marketing, planning, or other related departments, you already possess some project management skills. Check out the necessary skills for project management and determine the ones you already have. Also, evaluate how good you are with the skills you currently possess.
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Develop More Skills
After knowing your skills, it is time to evaluate the ones you need to add to them. Also, consider improving on the ones you already have. For instance, hone your planning, budgeting, scheduling, and people coordination skills as they will be required to thrive in the profession.
Another smart move is to acquire various soft and technical skills courses online. You can take some of them up to your skill level. Taking a skill acquisition course will not only give you the skill, but it might also give you a certificate to back your claims of possessing the skills. However, you should note that skills are not usually graded on certificates but on how well you can demonstrate and use them.
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Take A Project Management Course And Get Certified
The best way to get into project management is by taking a course. It will put you in a better employability state and will also help you achieve your goals faster and better. The course will also help you communicate your professionalism to employers and improve your values. While searching for jobs, you will also gain a competitive edge over other candidates.
Also, some organizations will only employ people that are certified as project managers. Therefore, you need to take a project management course and get certified to join such companies. It is also worth noting that some certifications don’t require you to undergo any examination before taking them.
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Consider A Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree or any other higher education qualification is not a criterion for getting a project management job. However, you should consider it if you want to make a career in project management. Most multinationals and Fortune 500 companies will never employ a project manager without at least a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree will improve your value and give you an edge over other candidates when applying for jobs. It will also enable you to negotiate better pay.
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Gain Some Experience
Although there are entry-level project management jobs, it is not certain that they are all traveling jobs. Therefore, you must gain some experience to be qualified for the available traveling jobs. Gaining experience in project management is the basic nudge in the right direction. You can start building your portfolio by interning and volunteering for projects.
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Apply For Traveling Project Manager Jobs
Now that everything is in place, it is time to start applying for jobs. Create a great CV to send to potential employers. Also, take advantage of the internet and social media in your job search. Start by having a convincing LinkedIn profile and subscribe to a newsletter from job websites like Jooble. Also, be available for an interview whenever it is scheduled.
Travel Tips For Traveling Project Managers
Some project managers are always on the move. This makes it necessary for them to plan their lives alongside their movements. Knowing how to navigate your travels and traveling to your advantage will help you do your job better. In addition, it will also help you enjoy the traveling part of the job.
Below are some tips to help with your constant traveling as a project manager:
- Travel light — only pack the necessities when traveling; don’t forget to take everything you need for the job.
- Get a compact and segmented bag for your travel and arrange it well. Organizing your things well will help you access them and prevent loss.
- Use wheeled bags to get around easily
- Know where your passport is at all times. Do not risk losing it as you may not only have to pay more money but it may also affect your plans
- Only use your debit and credit cards at reputable merchants. If you are in doubt, pay cash
- Collect as many receipts as possible whenever you make a purchase
- Dress for your location and weather.
Conclusion
Traveling is fast becoming an integral part of project management. What is more, is that some project managers have to travel constantly. So, you can harness your love for traveling and project management and turn it into a profession. This article has discussed how you can become a travel project manager. We also discussed some tips for project managers who are always on the move.
