You're searching for entry-level Program Managers. What qualities should you prioritize?

Here is my perspective: 1- Ability to coach, mentor team members 2- Ability to really explain various aspects of program management 3- Ability to delegate but able to get in and assist team members 4- Ability to communicate tersely 5- Ability to explain program risks with mitigations

Look for individuals who demonstrate strong organizational skills, as they will need to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively. Effective communication skills are also crucial, as they facilitate clear and concise interactions with team members, stakeholders, and clients. Additionally, prioritize candidates who show initiative and a willingness to learn, as these qualities contribute to adaptability and growth within the role. Lastly, look for candidates who exhibit problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to resolving challenges, ensuring they can navigate complexities and contribute to the success of the program from the outset.

When hiring entry-level Program Managers, prioritize strong communication skills to effectively relay goals and feedback. Look for adaptability to navigate the dynamic nature of projects and problem-solving skills to address challenges creatively. Seek candidates with a collaborative mindset and the ability to work well in team settings. Leadership potential, eagerness to learn, and a positive, can-do attitude are also key. These qualities lay a foundation for growth and success in the role.

1. Strong foundation: Prioritize candidates with organizational skills, communication skills, and proficiency in project management tools. 2. Problem-solving: Look for critical thinkers who can analyze situations, identify issues, and develop solutions. 3. Adaptability: The ability to adjust plans and manage unexpected changes is crucial in a dynamic environment. 4. Team player: Find individuals who can collaborate effectively, delegate tasks, and inspire a positive team culture. 5. Learning agility: Being a fast learner with a desire to grow in the PM field is a valuable asset.

When searching for entry-level Program Managers, prioritize key traits that will help them succeed. Look for strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines. Effective communication skills are crucial for coordinating with teams and stakeholders. Prioritize candidates with a proactive attitude and a willingness to learn and adapt. Leadership potential is important, as they will need to motivate and guide their teams. Problem-solving abilities and a strategic mindset will help them navigate challenges. Finally, seek candidates who demonstrate a collaborative spirit and can work well within diverse teams. #TalentAcquisition #ProgramManagement

As a former Program Manager, I can never underestimate the power of communication skills. In my experience, 90% of issues can be prevented through timely, effective, and transparent communication. Therefore, communication skills are a must-have. Entry-level Program Managers may lack extensive experience, so they must bridge that gap with strong communication skills, the ability to listen to understand and help. Effective communication also fosters trust and collaboration within the team, aligning everyone towards common goals. It's not just about speaking well, but about engaging with empathy and adapting to diverse audiences. Prioritizing candidates who excel in these areas will set the foundation for successful program management.

Effective communication is crucial for program managers. Prioritize candidates who can clearly articulate ideas, listen actively, and engage in meaningful dialogue. Strong communicators can bridge gaps between teams, stakeholders, and clients, ensuring everyone is aligned and informed. Look for those who can write concisely and speak persuasively, as these skills are essential for conveying project goals, expectations, and feedback.

As it is a common saying that 90% of project success depends upon communication, and I truly agree with it. Be it any kind of framework, but for the outcome to be good, the team needs to have a common goal and understanding of the progress, which comes with good communication and follow ups. Clear communication minimizes the gap of misinformation and delays. Being a project manager one needs to understand the different communication technology and the mediums to use according to urgency, so that the knowledge gap bridge can be minimized amongst the team members and stakeholders.

The engineering is the easy stuff. The complications usually come from stakeholder management and to successfully manage stakeholders, they need good communication skills. They need to be able to clearly articulate their messages for a range of stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds to keep them on board. But more importantly, they need to be able to listen to stakeholders and understand where they're coming from.

An entry-level program manager must have excellent organizational skills. This includes the ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and maintain meticulous records. Candidates should demonstrate their capability to develop and follow structured plans, coordinate schedules, and manage resources efficiently. Organizational acumen ensures that projects stay on track and deadlines are met consistently.

The candidate needs good organizational skills to maximize efficiencies and gain synergies across the projects in the program. That's what Program Management is all about, otherwise you just have a collection of projects.

The ability to identify emerging problems and solve them quickly is crucial. As a program manager, you are balancing the needs of the customer, your employees, and the company - and these are often not perfectly aligned.

Having a team of problem solvers is a total game changer. In my experience, it’s what sets the most effective teams apart. Employees who take initiative not only save time but also build confidence and gain independence in their work. ???????????? My boss once gave me advice that I often repeat to our growing team: "Google is our best friend." It's incredible how much we can achieve by tapping into the vast pool of knowledge at our fingertips - and we are often better because of it!

Prioritize candidates with strong problem-solving skills. They should be able to analyze situations, identify issues, and develop effective solutions. Look for those who can think critically and creatively under pressure. Problem solvers are adept at navigating obstacles and finding ways to keep projects moving forward, making them invaluable in dynamic environments where challenges are common.

As an entry level one might face a lot of challenges which he/she might not have faced before like a sudden delay in schedule, budget issues, resources, etc to adapt that one need to have a positive mindset and problem solving ability to accept the challenges, and to maintain transparency with stakeholder and collaborate with team to solve it. As an entry level one might be having no experience in project management related risks, but based on past experiences and challenges and the ability to tackle it one can utilise it to improve faster and adapt to new challenges.

While not always necessary, a basic technical understanding relevant to your industry can be a significant advantage. Candidates should demonstrate familiarity with the tools and technologies commonly used in program management, such as project management software, data analysis tools, or industry-specific applications. This knowledge helps them better understand project requirements and collaborate with technical teams.

If the candidate has only basic technical understanding, then it's crucial that they are comfortable with admitting when they don't understand a concept and asking for help or an explanation. My personal experience is that sometimes it's beneficial to not have deep technical knowledge. When the team has a problem, they have to explain it more thoroughly to you and that process often leads them to figure out the solution without you telling them what to do. (I've been on both sides of this scenario.)

"The only constant in life is change." - Heraclitus of Ephesus This timeless wisdom reminds us that to thrive in an ever-changing world, we must stay adaptable, curious, and flexible. ?? When we embrace these qualities, we can better navigate life's twists and turns, avoid stress and overwhelm, and keep growing. It's all part of the journey and helps us stay in tune with the natural flow of life.

In today’s fast-paced work environment, adaptability is key. Entry-level program managers should be open to change and able to adjust quickly to new situations. They should exhibit curiosity and a desire to continuously learn and improve. This mindset enables them to stay current with industry trends, adopt new methodologies, and innovate within their roles, contributing to the overall success of the program.

Adaptability, curiosity and problem solving ability will matter most to be because you an adaptable individual can make the most leader because they are open to learning new and effective ways of doing things or business, their curiosity will propel them to explore where there's a head way and this could birth mind blowing innovations, ease and easily spark creativity of his team members. Of course, problem solving skills helps them understand where there's a problem or challenge, propels them to get the relevant technical skills or find someone in the team who does, and they can deploy the two other skills I mentioned above to create a balance.

Innovative (out of the box) thinking is also an important asset to look out for at this level. This is because the Program Manager needs to not only implement the program but to also grow it...not just in size but also in depth. This may involve exploring new program sites, thematic areas, and partnerships.

The understanding that Program Management is not the same as Project Management. Too many Project Managers don't understand that managing a program of work is a different beast.

Having lead multiple large scale and hired many Program and Portfolio managers, I feel Problem Solving, Communication, Organizational skills, Well rounded thinking and analytical skills including risk assessment, Technical Acumen and equally importantly, the right customer centric attitude and aptitude are key skills. Most of these skills can further be nurtured and finetuned through mentorship and experience, but some.of these inherent qualities are difficult to be inculcated.

Additionally, consider candidates who demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative spirit. They should be able to work well in team settings and build positive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders. Emotional intelligence, including empathy and the ability to manage one’s own emotions, is also important. Finally, look for a cultural fit with your organization, ensuring their values and work ethic align with your company’s mission and vision.

Experience, experience, experience. Recent graduates should have summer internships and have impeccable references. Graduate degree is no substitute for experience.