With that in mind, here are our top ten tips for getting project management consulting work:
Tip #1
Contact previous clients, employers, and colleagues and ask them how they’re doing and if there’s anything you can help them with. There are many short-term project manager jobs available for experienced consultants, so it’s certainly worth letting people know that you’re available. You may call at just the right time — e.g., when projects are falling behind schedule or a key person in the team has resigned. Even if you don’t get a definite yes over the phone, don’t be surprised if you get called back later. Most people will mention to others within their organization that you called, and someone with decision-making power may well decide that it’d be a good idea to have your help.
Tip #2
Join business networks and community groups. Build relationships with colleagues, clients, and business partners, as well as people in the broader community with whom you could potentially do business in the future. You never know what opportunities could arise from developing positive social relationships with others. Always keep your business cards with you in a business card holder should anyone ask what you do, and make sure your card describes your services and provides a number where you can be reached.
Tip #3
Register as a contractor with consulting agencies and recruitment companies which provide temporary and contract staff. One of the easiest ways to get consulting work is through consulting or temporary/contract recruiting companies. Once you prove yourself to them and are accepted for work, whenever suitable consulting jobs come in to the firm, you’ll be contacted. Just because you’re offered a job does not mean you have to accept it, although it’s usually wise initially to undertake any work offered to you in order to establish a good reputation. This way, you’ll be trusted with important work and clients, and have your choice of more lucrative consulting jobs.
Tip #4
Create a professional online identity by establishing a website and blogs, and implement Internet marketing strategies to direct targeted traffic to your sites. Many people search for professional services online, so it could certainly be to your advantage to have an online presence. Developments in technology have made designing your own website relatively easy and inexpensive, and you can do this in your free time. Look at yourself as a product you’re bringing to market or as a brand you want your target market to recognize. A well-designed website along with a well run Internet marketing campaign can increase your consulting business at relatively low cost and bring in the sort of product band manager jobs you really want.
Tip #5
Market yourself directly to potential clients, particularly in those product areas with which you have experience. An experienced product manager knows a thing or two about packaging, presentation, and market demand, so isn’t it about time you packaged, presented, and marketed yourself for success? Look at companies which are actively involved in new product development and which regularly need short-term projects completed, and contact them directly. Be ready for an interview. It may surprise you to know that there are senior product manager jobs that are available on a contract or consulting basis.
Tip #6
A good resume is not enough; you also need a portfolio containing evidence of your achievements in product management. It’s critically important to demonstrate how you have conducted and completed projects for different clients. Bear in mind, however, that you may need client permission to release any details that might be considered confidential.
Tip #7
Browse online job sites every day. Request email notification when jobs are submitted that suit your criteria. The Internet has made the job-search process easier than ever before. Not only can you find jobs online, you can apply for them online as well, which makes any application immediate. Even if you’re currently employed in a consulting position, you should continue to look out for new opportunities. Otherwise, when one job ends, you may not have another to go to.
Tip #8
Read the employment sections of newspapers, and watch out for contract jobs. Don’t discount the old-fashioned method of finding employment via the classifieds. Contract consulting positions are often advertised in papers, and even if you’re not available, interested, or qualified for a particular position, take note of the company advertising it. Companies which advertise for consulting professionals are worth contacting directly about your services. You also never know when a great job will come along that’s only advertised traditionally and does not appear online.
Tip #9
Contact advertising agencies. Advertising agencies may well need the consulting skills of an experienced product manager in bringing new products to market. Your advice can help maximize the success of an ad campaign.
Tip #10
Contact marketing specialists. Marketing consulting companies are also worth contacting. Product management is not marketing, but it overlaps with some traditional marketing areas and can play a key role in the development and implementation of marketing strategies.
If you’re qualified and experienced in project management and implement these ten proven strategies, you should have absolutely no trouble being fully employed as a consultant. And best of all, you’ll be paid very well for your trouble!
