You need a good understanding of basic project management concepts, methods, and tools that will help you make a reliable project plan, identify the stakeholders of your project, or manage the project risks.

More and more universities now offer project management courses, but you can also learn the basics by enrolling in online courses, listening to podcasts on the subject, and watching related webinars to keep up-to-date on any new developments.

Reach out to project managers in your organization or those in your social circle for informational interviews.
You can ask:

• How did you train as a project manager?
• How do you keep your knowledge up to date? Are there specific courses you would recommend?
• What are the most important things to pay attention to as a first-time project manager?
• Do you have any other advice for me?

In this role, you will need to learn to communicate well, actively listen to your colleagues and stakeholders and motivate your team.

Some of the skills you would need:

• Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive your emotions and those of others.
• Critical thinking is rational, logical thinking. It helps you identify the root causes for any given problem.
• Decision-making is critical, too, as it can help you reason and select the best course of action.
• Influence is the ability to inspire or persuade other people.

You will also need to have a minimum understanding of the technical aspects involved in the project. For example, if you’re implementing a new HR application, you must take the time to comprehend some of the technical aspects of the software, like the phases of the development, the configuration tools, or how it is tested and integrated.

You don’t need to become an expert; a certain level of understanding will give you credibility with the team and the stakeholders.

You can find project management opportunities in all sorts of industries. But which one is good for you? Here are some questions you can ask during your interview to guide your decision:

• Do you provide training/certifications to help your project managers build new skills?
• Are project managers fully dedicated to projects, or does the role involve additional responsibilities?
• What type of projects will I be working/managing: strategic, technology, customers, internal?
• What is the usual scale of your projects — local, regional, global?
• What is the usual size of the teams and what are the budgets?