If you are new to the world of PMO or thinking about starting a career in PMO, we’ve got you covered. This article will give you practical ideas and tips to make that jump into the exciting world of PMO.

Firstly, we should take the time to appreciate how far the PMO has advanced and developed. From its’ early inception in the 1950s, the PMO has moved from an administrative function into a much more dynamic strategic business partner. This is due, at least in part, to advancing technologies and AI. As we have seen this shift, we have seen a shift in terms of the calibre of candidates wanting to work in and lead PMOs.

Secondly, let’s be clear that there is no one clear and defined path into PMO. If you speak to any person working within a PMO, they’ll all have very different backgrounds and experiences; no pathway will be the same. Make sure you understand your own personal career path. There are many roles within a PMO – make sure you understand these roles, and which one will best suit your personality, interests and skills.

Words used to describe a PMO

There are many and varied roles within the PMO team, from Risk Manager, Planner through to PMO Analyst and PMO Leader. You need to consider which role(s) you would like to visit on your career path and where you would like your journey to ultimately conclude.

Various career theories have clear learnings in terms of how to achieve career fulfilment:

The theory of work adjustment

- The satisfaction of individuals with the work environment, and vice versa
- KEY TAKEAWAY: Make sure a company’s culture + values are aligned to yours…and vice versa
The self-concept theory
- How do you think and see yourself? A person’s existence depends on how s/he perceives themselves
- Self-concept is learned, organised + dynamic
- KEY TAKEAWAY: Change the way you see yourself to move forward in your career

The theory of circumscription and compromise

- We build a cognitive map of occupations by picking up occupational stereotypes from those around us. Then compromise our career choices based on this.
- KEY TAKEAWAY: Stereotypes are not static and are sometimes misconceptions. Minimise unnecessary compromise by optimizing self-investment

Career-chasers must constantly adapt, evolve, and proliferate to survive against ever-changing opposing species. You can do this by:

Being proactive and indispensable
Moving up sideways or out
Thinking of the value and not the cost
Saying yes to opportunities
Having a ‘can-do’ attitude – and if you can’t then learn

Recommended Books for PMO professionals

Delivering Successful PMOs: How to Design and Deliver the Best Project Management Office for your Business – By Peter Taylor
The DNA of Strategy Execution: Next Generation Project Management and PMO – By Jack Duggal
Level up your PMO: 6 tips to make your PMO a success (PMO Synergy Book 1) – By Lisa Nash
The IT PMO Career: A Roadmap Through To Management Paperback – By Mark Readman
The Squiggly career – by Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis
What Color Is Your Parachute? – by Richard N.Bolles

Investing time to network is also crucial when it comes to advancing your PMO career. 61% of professionals agree there are opportunities to be found through regular online communication . See more about networking tips here.

Make sure that you invest in some qualifications, too.

And finally, don’t be a ROG! Take away actions:

Have a vision
Create a PDP Action Plan
Be a ‘Goal-Digger’ (weekly/monthly/yearly + 5yr plan)
Get a career squad (coach/mentor)
Create a list of achievements
Create a list of PMO transferable skills
Define what ‘success’ looks like to you

Opportunities don’t happen, you create them

Change your mindset and you can change your world. Make sure you are always proactive in managing your career path. A job won’t just drop in your lap, you need to put in the hard work to make it happen.

Networking is really important in obtaining your dream job in PMO, especially in the early stages of your career. If you can get access to a mentor, then make the most of this. Mentors are those in a similar disciple who has a wealth of experience and can really help shape your career path. They can also help open many doors for you as they will usually have a fantastic network themselves which they can hopefully give you access to.

Make sure you research into what is required to work in a PMO. Review job applications and CVs/LinkedIn profiles for those who have the job you want. What skills do they have? What qualifications? What experience? Which of these do you already have? You will have already have transferable skills that are required by a PMO role; highly organised, multitasking, building solid working relationships, strategic thinking, IT skills…the list goes on! Compile a list of your qualities and skillset and have real-life examples of where you have successfully used these.

Make yourself well-known to recruitment agencies, especially those within the field of project management and PMO. Contact these recruiters directly. Phone them. Add them on Linked In. If you can liaise with the Hiring Manager directly that can potentially make your application stand out above the rest.

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body

There are so many books out there telling us how to start or change careers and how to project manage. The list below are some of my favourites and apply specifically to PMOs: