Before I became a PM, I was already doing the job (without knowing it)

Hey friend,

I remember the first time I applied for a Project Manager role.

I didn’t have the title.
I didn’t have the certifications.
I almost didn’t apply.

But what I did have was something I didn’t recognize at the time: invisible skills.

The truth is, most people start managing projects long before anyone gives them the job title.

I realized I had been doing it for years - when I juggled deadlines at one of my previous jobs, when I handled customer escalations, when I stepped in to fix problems without waiting for permission.

And that’s exactly what hiring managers are looking for.

Here are 3 invisible skills that get you hired as a PM (before you ever hold the title):

1/ Ownership
The ability to take charge of tasks without being micromanaged is pure gold. PMs aren’t hired to be told what to do - they’re hired to spot gaps and fill them. If you’ve ever been the person who “just makes it happen,” you’ve already got this skill.

2/ Prioritization
Projects are full of moving targets. If you’ve ever had to balance conflicting tasks, shift focus under pressure, or make judgment calls on what matters most - you’ve practiced one of the hardest parts of project management.

3/ Communication
So much of project success comes down to clear, proactive communication. If you’ve learned to keep stakeholders aligned, share updates, and clarify misunderstandings - you’re already ahead of many new PMs.

The big lesson:
You don’t need a title to start showing up like a PM.

In fact, most hiring managers don’t care about the title as much as they care about these skills showing up in your resume, your interview stories, and your attitude.

Start telling your experience like a Project Manager - even if your title says something else.

If you want help rewording your experience to reflect this, I made the career advent calendar 2.0 which helps with it available for everyone. Cost of 2 cups of coffee at Starbucks.

Rooting for you!

With Love,
Violeta