Agile Experts: Navigating the Shifting Market

The once-booming Agile and Project Management industry is facing unprecedented challenges. Layoffs and drastic salary reductions have left many professionals questioning their career paths. As an industry insider, I've been inundated with inquiries about the best course of action. A lot of people tell me they respect my thoughts and how I am realistic about things, so I won't sugar coat it. It seems no matter what way we look to turn, it is never in the right direction. It is maddening and frustrating for many. We are all looking for the lighthouse to guide us safely to shore.

While Agile remains a valuable methodology with different frameworks, its role has evolved. The days of high-paying Agile transformation and coaching positions are, for now, limited. The market is saturated with experienced professionals, making it highly competitive. Adding to this, the overemphasis on certifications has led to a pool of candidates who possess credentials but lack the practical experience to back them up. This discrepancy between certified knowledge and real-world application has further intensified the competition for top-tier Agile roles. People that are currently in these roles are smart and are not budging, leaving very little upward or replacement growth for all of those impacted by layoffs. We had the great resignation and now we have the great staynation. There are roles out there, however, probably 4/10 roles are duplicates, lead to joining an obscure job site, or some form of a fake job.

The New Reality for Agile Professionals

• Agile as a Side Skill: While Agile principles remain essential, they are increasingly becoming a complementary skill set rather than a primary focus by employers in this market.
• Certification Caution: Unless driven by personal passion, consider holding off on additional Agile certifications. The current market does not justify the investment. So many people are telling me training/certification is down.
• Diversification is Key: To increase job security and earning potential, explore opportunities in government, healthcare, and data-driven fields.

Emerging Opportunities

• Government Jobs: Government agencies are increasingly adopting Agile practices. While competition is stiff, these roles offer stability and benefits. You do have to have a decent background though and most of these jobs will require you to be in office. Government jobs are RTO as they serve the public and are expected to be available to the public.
• Healthcare: The healthcare industry is ripe for Agile transformation. However, entry barriers are high, requiring prior experience or specific qualifications. I wish someone could tell me the secret to get in. I can't tell you and I have worked in medical device, payor, and gvmt hc. It is never enough. Recruiters only want sure bets to fit their client's high demands. If you know, tell us all in the comments below.
• Data: Data-driven roles are in high demand. Combining Agile expertise with data analysis or project management skills can open new doors. Study AI, Data software, Data lakes and so on. Become a data guru. Even if you don't go down this path, it is going to be a valuable skill to have over the next 10 yrs. Do it now.

Challenges and Considerations

While government and data sectors offer promise, breaking into the healthcare industry is notoriously difficult. Extensive experience, often in specific medical or payer roles, is typically required.

Expanding Your Horizons

Given the current economic climate, it's essential to be flexible. Don't be afraid to explore opportunities outside your traditional job title. The priority is to support yourself and your family. I know people who have stopped spending 8 hours a day applying and are starting their own business, 1099ing it, and doing delivery apps until this insane job market business calms down. It is toxic and entirely unhealthy. The media and the government numbers are so disjointed that they have had to make corrections as they know the public is not buying the kool-aid. This is not me wearing my tinfoil hat either. It is reality and these things have happened.

The impact of layoffs has been widespread, with countless individuals affected since 2023. Many of these professionals are still actively seeking employment. Even last week I had a recruiter ask me why there was a pause in my employment in 2021 and I told her it was due to the pandemic. She was confused. She wanted to know what pandemic and why would a company pause for that? I tried to maintain professionalism thinking she might be testing me. So much within me wanted to come back with a meme or witty retort, but I just moved it along to the next question. She still had trouble for another few minutes getting her head around it though.

Trust me, we have all encountered all sorts of interesting people during interviews in the past 2 yrs. I know we have all our stories and we have all DM therapy sessions about them. You're not alone. That is why there are some people we partner or network with in our careers and others we just block.

Building Your Brand and Network

In addition to exploring new career paths, focus on building your personal brand. Network extensively within your industry and beyond. Share your knowledge through blogging, speaking at conferences, or contributing to online forums. While NDAs may restrict sharing specific project details, you can still discuss challenges, solutions, and lessons learned in a general sense. Create a portfolio that showcases your Agile expertise by highlighting your accomplishments and contributions to projects, without violating confidentiality.

To adapt to the changing market, many Agile professionals are rebranding themselves as process leadership or strategic leadership consultants, often removing "Agile" from their LinkedIn profiles. This strategic shift highlights the transferable skills developed through Agile experience, positioning these individuals for opportunities in broader leadership roles.

Agile: Evolving, Not Dying

Agile is far from dead; it's simply matured. It's become an integral part of many organizations' toolboxes. Just as the screwdriver has evolved from its basic form to include various types for different screws, Agile has diversified into numerous frameworks and methodologies (Scrum, Kanban, Lean, etc.) to address diverse project needs.

While the hype around Agile transformations might have cooled down, its core principles of flexibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement remain highly valuable in today's rapidly changing business landscape.

Many organizations initially viewed Agile as a quick fix to increase productivity and efficiency. However, successful Agile transformations require a holistic approach encompassing cultural shifts, organizational structure, leadership commitment, and the right tools and training. Without these fundamental elements, Agile implementations often fall short of expectations. This takes time to accomplish. Perfect example on a team alone, it can take them 3-6 months on the path to self-sustainability. Self-sustainability does not mean they know the ceremonies alone, it means they know how to navigate challenges and continue to grow from them whilst continuing to find ways to add value to the organization and collaborate with other teams. The transformation work puts the framework, mindset, and the right tooling in place (I am partial to Atlassian) for the team level to succeed and the organization to grow together. Agile is not the be all end all for the organization. I always suggest having a PMO/APMO/VMO to be prepared and manage the projects that don't fit into agile ways of working. Especially in highly regulated industries like finance, medical/healthcare, and insurance. I have had great success stories in those industries.

The Impact of AI on the Job Market

The rise of AI has dramatically transformed the job application process. With AI-powered tools, job seekers can rapidly generate tailored resumes and cover letters, overwhelming HR departments with an unprecedented volume of applications. Job postings are often flooded with over 100 applications within minutes, making it increasingly challenging for human candidates to compete.

This surge in applications has forced many companies to adopt more automated screening processes, relying heavily on applicant tracking systems (ATS) and AI algorithms to filter candidates. While this can streamline the hiring process, it also means that resumes and cover letters must be optimized for AI to increase visibility. Furthermore, the rapid pace of AI advancements is leading to increased automation in various industries. This trend is likely to displace some jobs while creating new opportunities. Agile professionals must stay informed about these developments and be prepared to adapt their skill sets accordingly.

You can apply, but pretty much if there are over 400 applicants, your chances are pretty slim. Filter to job postings within the last 24 hours that have less than 100 applicants. I think we all still do EasyApply, but if you have time time, apply through other means.

AI also equates to more scammers using AI to try to fleece already skint job seekers. Trust me, the minute you use #opentowork, your inbox will be flooded with scammers. More things to waste our time and take the eye off the prize of applying for a job.

It is even funny how the goal now is to just land an interview. It is so hard to land an interview, that even the offer seems like a quest for the holy grail (yes, I am envisioning Monty Python too).

Upskilling for the Future

To remain competitive in this evolving job market, Agile professionals should consider upskilling in areas such as data analytics, digital transformation, and project management. These skills can complement Agile expertise and open up new career paths. Additionally, developing strong communication and leadership abilities will be crucial for success in the future of work.

The Evolving Job Market

Another significant challenge facing Agile professionals is the mismatch between job descriptions and the actual roles required. Many postings demand a combination of Agile expertise with highly technical skills like server engineering, software development, and QA testing. This often leads to underpaid and overqualified candidates. Even still, if we meet the requirements, many of us encounter frustrating rejections like "overqualified," "budget cuts," or "the role is on hold." These generic responses highlight the challenges of navigating today's job market.

Building Resilience and Adaptability

Given the complexities of the current job market, especially for those of us over 40, it's essential to cultivate resilience and adaptability. Focus on continuous learning, networking, and exploring diverse career paths. Building a strong personal brand and showcasing transferable skills will increase your chances of finding fulfilling and rewarding opportunities.

Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Surround yourself with a supportive network of friends, family, or fellow professionals who understand the challenges you face. It's okay to take a break from your field if you need to recharge. Prioritize your mental health and well-being. There will always be new opportunities, and the right one will come along when the time is right. Hang in there. Share your story below. Maybe someone in my network will see it and can help. Not everyone that follows me is a PM or Agilist. I have many recruiters, leaders, and more that follow me. Agile and PM permeate EVERYWHERE. If I can connect you, DM me and I will be happy to help.