Networking for Project Managers

Early in my career, I started going to networking events, and as friendly and extroverted as I am, they always made me nervous. People already knew each other and, even worse, I was often one of the few vendors in the room (cue the Jaws music). But a few things changed these events for me - 1. How can I help? - I found networking was easier when I had a task, so I joined a Legal Marketing Association committee, a vertical I'd chosen to focus on. Suddenly, I had tasks that let me get to know a few of the members that then snowballed into easier networking. I ended up serving four years on the DC board as well and making some of my best friends along the way. - As a speaker, I want the chance to network with the attendees, so upon check in, I ask, "Do you need a pair of hands for something?" It lets me be part of the action, while also helping my pursuit of being different - I suspect it's a rarity that a speaker offers to be of extra help. 2. Ask questions, make intros. In a booth? When they pop into your booth, you're the host, make them feel welcome. Use my trick of getting a peek at their name tag, too - "Hi, I'm Sam, how's it going?!...oh sorry, I didn't quite catch your name" (squints at name and company politely). Then, find a way to show them you know them by connecting dots on their co. or location, or simply say, "Thanks for swinging by our booth - do you much about us or is there anything I can help with?" At happy hour and don't know a soul? Look for the equally "ugh, who can I talk to?" nervous person and befriend them. "Hi! I'm just going to come over because it ALSO looks like you know no one here - I'm Sam!" ^^ask questions - people love to talk about themselves. 😉 Steer away from "What do you do" and find a way to focus on them/event. "Where are you coming in from?" "What session are you most excited for tomorrow?" "What did you think of Sam's keynote this morning, brilliant, right?!" 😏 Talking to a new friend and see the old friend walking by? Make eye contact and pull that person in to help them make new contacts. "Oh, here comes Mary, do you know her?...Mary, hi! Come meet Bill!" All the above will make people want to talk more to you and include you in invites because they know you can help them socialize and bring energy into a room. Bonus: In a conversation you're desperate to get out of... My go to: "Would you excuse me for a minute, I need to run to the restroom" and hope they don't say, "Me too! I'll go with you!" 😉 3. Don't talk about your own work when speaking with existing prospective clients. I know this sounds counterintuitive, but if I see someone I've been prospecting or that's in an active deal cycle, the last thing I want them to think is that every time I approach I'm doing so with a pitch (see Jaws music from above). So, I make it about building our relationship, getting to know them and doing most of what's above in point 2. If they want to talk work, they'll let me know. #samsales

I was Wrong about Influence. Early in my career, I believed influence in a decision-making meeting was the direct outcome of a strong artifact presented and the ensuing discussion. However, with more leadership experience, I have come to realize that while these are important, there is something far more important at play. Influence, for a given decision, largely happens outside of and before decision-making meetings. Here's my 3 step approach you can follow to maximize your influence: (#3 is often missed yet most important) 1. Obsess over Knowing your Audience Why: Understanding your audience in-depth allows you to tailor your communication, approach and positioning. How: ↳ Research their backgrounds, how they think, what their goals are etc. ↳ Attend other meetings where they are present to learn about their priorities, how they think and what questions they ask. Take note of the topics that energize them or cause concern. ↳ Engage with others who frequently interact with them to gain additional insights. Ask about their preferences, hot buttons, and any subtle cues that could be useful in understanding their perspective. 2. Tailor your Communication Why: This ensures that your message is not just heard but also understood and valued. How: ↳ Seek inspiration from existing artifacts and pickup queues on terminologies, context and background on the give topic. ↳ Reflect on their goals and priorities, and integrate these elements into your communication. For instance, if they prioritize efficiency, highlight how your proposal enhances productivity. ↳Ask yourself "So what?" or "Why should they care" as a litmus test for relatability of your proposal. 3. Pre-socialize for support Why: It allows you to refine your approach, address potential objections, and build a coalition of support (ahead of and during the meeting). How: ↳ Schedule informal discussions or small group meetings with key stakeholders or their team members to discuss your idea(s). A casual coffee or a brief virtual call can be effective. Lead with curiosity vs. an intent to respond. ↳ Ask targeted questions to gather feedback and gauge reactions to your ideas. Examples: What are your initial thoughts on this draft proposal? What challenges do you foresee with this approach? How does this align with our current priorities? ↳ Acknowledge, incorporate and highlight the insights from these pre-meetings into the main meeting, treating them as an integral part of the decision-making process. What would you add? PS: BONUS - Following these steps also expands your understanding of the business and your internal network - both of which make you more effective. --- Follow me, tap the (🔔) Omar Halabieh for daily Leadership and Career posts.

My network landed me 5 roles across 5 countries. Here’s how I built it as a reserved Program Manager. 👇 I’ve never been the person who “works the room.” Networking felt forced, uncomfortable. But my network changed everything. It helped me: • Break into new roles. • Transition across 4 countries. • Open doors I couldn’t have predicted. For Program Managers, your network is not just “nice to have.” It’s your safety net, your opportunity engine, and often the reason projects (and careers) get unstuck. Here are 15 rules I followed (and still follow) to build mine: 1. Attend industry forums → Conferences, meetups, PM + tech events. 2. Join professional groups → PMI, ACM, Chamber of Commerce, niche delivery forums. 3. Show up online → LinkedIn, X, Substack communities. 4. Always follow up → Send a short note or connection request. 5. Be genuine → Ask about delivery war stories, not just titles. 6. Offer help first → Share resources, intros, advice. 7. Listen more than you speak → PMs build trust the same way they manage risks: with questions. 8. Have an elevator pitch → 30-sec intro on what you do and why it matters. 9. Volunteer → Offer skills to causes or communities you care about. 10. Stay consistent → Don’t only engage when you need something. 11. Ask better questions → Open-ended ones spark real conversations. 12. Share your knowledge → Write posts, drop frameworks, share insights. 13. Stay current → Follow industry news so you bring fresh perspective. 14. Seek mentors (and be one) → Rejection happens; the right people will say yes. 15. Be patient → Networks grow in seasons, not sprints. If you’re a PM, don’t underestimate your network. It’s often the difference between being “stuck in delivery” and being seen as a leader. Question: Which of these 15 rules do you practice most often? ➕ Follow RAJESH MATHUR for delivery leadership playbooks.

It’s fall, and you know what that means: It’s networking season! Many people shy away from networking events because they can be uncomfortable. I understand that - it's normal to feel out of place when you don’t know anyone. But what if you had a strategy to turn every event into a meaningful opportunity? Let me share two simple but effective strategies I use to feel more comfortable and maximize my time at large gatherings: My first tip? Always have a question ready. When you’re at a networking event, people will react positively when you approach them. Everyone’s there to network, right? You can go up to someone and ask something easy like, “What are you most excited about right now?” or “Tell me about you.” These questions open the door to deeper conversations that  take you beyond small talk. When they answer you can pick out something to hook onto to bring the conversation to a deeper level. . The second tip? Have a follow-up plan. As you talk, think about ways you can contribute to the person’s life—a relevant article, podcast, or even a LinkedIn connection. By offering something valuable, you create a natural follow-up that helps maintain the relationship. These strategies help you get value from the event. Networking isn’t just about adding more contacts—it’s about building connections that matter. It’s the difference between feeling like you’re just passing out business cards and walking away with relationships that last. Networking events may be contrived, but with practice they can help you achieve your goals. What’s your go-to strategy for making meaningful connections at networking events? #networking  #strategy  #communication

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲?  You’re not alone.  Recently I’ve been receiving countless inMails asking for advice on making an industry switch.   A recurring theme caught my attention, so I dug into the data.  1. 𝟳𝟴% 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝟰𝟬 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰.   2. 𝟳𝟳% 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆.  The pandemic didn’t just shift routines. It shifted priorities.  But here’s what I hear most often:   “𝘋𝘢𝘯𝘢, 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 10+ 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺?”  My answer? Yes, it is. And if you’ve successfully pivoted before, you’ve already proven your ability to adapt, learn, and excel in new environments. That’s a message employers want to hear.  Here’s how to approach it:  𝟭. 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀.   What have you mastered that transcends industries?   Leadership, communication, problem-solving - these are gold everywhere.  𝟮. 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.   If you’ve pivoted before, showcase it. Success in new settings proves your adaptability and resilience.  𝟯. 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗽.   Learn about your target industry.   Take courses, join webinars, or find a mentor to sharpen your knowledge.  𝟰. 𝗧𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆.   Align your CV, LinkedIn, and interview pitch to the industry you’re targeting.   Be clear about the value you bring.  𝟱. 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆.   Connect with professionals in your desired field.   Join groups, attend events, and start meaningful conversations.  𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴: Be crystal clear on your WHY.  I once had a candidate tell me they wanted to pivot because “I live close to your office.”   A career change takes courage and commitment from both sides. Your reasons need to reflect your vision, not convenience.  What about you?   Are you considering a career change in 2025?   Or did you successfully pivot in 2024? Share your story, I’d love to hear it!  

🌟 Growing up, I was quite the introvert—shy and often hesitating to step out of my comfort zone. But over the years, I've picked up a few networking tricks that have dramatically boosted my confidence and helped me forge invaluable connections. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞-𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 🌈 Be aware of the energy you bring into a room. A warm smile and eye contact can make all the difference. Remember, your phone can wait—stay engaged and present! 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 🎤 Ditch the yes/no questions! Spark conversations with open-ended questions that invite a story. Ask things like, "What projects are you currently excited about?" or "What brings you to this event?" It's all about making those dialogues richer and more memorable. 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 🚀 Skip the mundane weather talk. Instead, dive into substantial topics that can show your depth and interest. At industry events, I like to ask, "What are your thoughts on the latest trends in our field?" This not only shows that you're knowledgeable but also genuinely interested in the conversation. By integrating these strategies, I transformed from a wallflower to a confident networker, connecting with peers and mentors alike. What's your go-to strategy for networking? Drop your tips or questions below—let's learn from each other! 🌍💬 ----------------------------------- Follow Surya Vajpeyi for more such content💜 #NetworkingTips #CareerGrowth #PersonalDevelopment #ProfessionalNetworking

Stuck at the bottom of the value pyramid? Here’s how to level up. The Value Pyramid Breakdown: → Level 1: Operational Efficiency (“Are projects on time and on budget?”) → Level 2: Strategic Alignment (“Are we doing the right projects?”) → Level 3: Business Value Creation (“Are we driving measurable business outcomes?”) Follow these steps to level up: 🔼 1. Shift from Task Completion to Business Outcomes ➡️ E.g. Instead of tracking milestones, report how a project reduced customer onboarding time by 30%. 📊 2. Align Projects with Strategic Goals ➡️ E.g. Prioritize a digital transformation project that aligns with the company’s 5-year growth plan. 💡 3. Measure Value, Not Just Effort ➡️ E.g. Showcase how a new CRM implementation increased sales conversions by 20%, not just its launch date. 👏 4. Strengthen Stakeholder Engagement ➡️ E.g. Create a stakeholder map to ensure decision-makers are engaged in critical project phases, reducing scope creep. 🚀 5. Prioritize High-Impact Projects ➡️ E.g. Deprioritize a low-revenue initiative to fast-track a project with a projected 50% ROI. 📅 6. Move from Static Plans to Adaptive Roadmaps ➡️ E.g. Use rolling-wave planning to adjust project scopes based on real-time market feedback. 📈 7. Introduce Value-Based KPIs ➡️ E.g. Replace "projects completed" with "revenue increase per project" as a key success metric. ⚖️ 8. Balance Governance with Agility ➡️ E.g. Simplify approval processes for low-risk projects while maintaining rigorous oversight for complex ones. 🔎 9. Implement Continuous Improvement Cycles ➡️ E.g. Use post-project reviews to identify process gaps, leading to a 15% faster delivery time in the next project. 💡 10. Build Cross-Functional Collaboration ➡️ E.g. Establish joint PMO and Sales task forces to ensure customer needs drive project priorities. What would you add to the list? 💥 Want to climb the pyramid? Join my Value-Driven PMO Playbook masterclass — equip your PMO with frameworks to drive real business value. Registration 🔗 (in the comments below 👇) -- 👍 + ♻️ Like + Repost to help others succeed with PMOs. 🔔 Follow me (Hussain Bandukwala) for more content like this.

One of the hardest balances to master as a leader is staying informed about your team’s work without crossing the line into micromanaging them. You want to support them, remove roadblocks, and guide outcomes without making them feel like you’re hovering. Here’s a framework I’ve found effective for maintaining that balance: 1. Set the Tone Early Make it clear that your intent is to support, not control. For example: “We’ll need regular updates to discuss progress and so I can effectively champion this work in other forums. My goal is to ensure you have what you need, to help where it’s most valuable, and help others see the value you’re delivering.” 2. Create a Cadence of Check-Ins Establish structured moments for updates to avoid constant interruptions. Weekly or biweekly check-ins with a clear agenda help: • Progress: What’s done? • Challenges: What’s blocking progress? • Next Steps: What’s coming up? This predictability builds trust while keeping everyone aligned. 3. Ask High-Leverage Questions Stay focused on outcomes by asking strategic questions like: • “What’s the biggest risk right now?” • “What decisions need my input?” • “What’s working that we can replicate?” This approach keeps the conversation productive and empowering. 4. Define Metrics and Milestones Collaborate with your team to define success metrics and use shared dashboards to track progress. This allows you to stay updated without manual reporting or extra meetings. 5. Empower Ownership Show your trust by encouraging problem-solving: “If you run into an issue, let me know your proposed solutions, and we’ll work through it together.” When the team owns their work, they’ll take greater pride in the results. 6. Leverage Technology Use tools like Asana, Jira, or Trello to centralize updates. Shared project platforms give you visibility while letting your team focus on execution. 7. Solicit Feedback Ask your team: “Am I giving you enough space, or would you prefer more or less input from me?” This not only fosters trust but also helps you refine your approach as a leader. Final Thought: Growing up playing sports, none of my coaches ever suited up and got in the game with the players on the field. As a leader, you should follow the same discipline. How do you stay informed without micromanaging? What would you add? #leadership #peoplemanagement #projectmanagement #leadershipdevelopment

Here’s what I’d do to land a Product Manager role at FAANG today. Context: In 2018, I got an internship at Salesforce, which later converted to a full-time Associate Product Manager role. Eventually, I got promoted to a Product Manager and stayed there for 2.5 years in total before quitting. Today, the job market is 10x tougher. Usual methods don’t work. So here’s what I’d do instead. ✅ Net-giving, over net-working: Rajesh Setty always tells me, “Focus on net-”giving”, not networking like everyone else.” Instead of cold DMs asking for a referral, I’d build relationships first: - “I read your blog post on [topic] and loved your take. Here’s an article/tool/resource that might be helpful.” - “I saw your team recently launched [feature]. I’d love to share the story in a post and highlight your work.” - “I know you’re hiring for X. I have a great engineer in my network—happy to connect you.” ✅ Have a killer portfolio: Let’s face it—there is no “first impressions” anymore. There are only “zeroeth impressions.” People google you and know something about you before they meet you on a call. I’d make sure the zeroeth impression someone has of me is what I want. Use sites like Super.so or Wix or Polywork to build a kickass portfolio listing your projects. ✅ Join targeted communities & newsletter: Following are great online forums: - Product School on Slack - Women In Product on Slack - Mind the Product on Slack - r/ProductManagement or r/MBA on Reddit, Inc. And, I’d subscribe to newsletters: - Lenny's Newsletter - Product Hunt’s Job Board - Breakout List for PM roles - Reforge, etc. ✅ Talk about product management: The best way I’ve learned about a topic is by writing about it. Simply publish a LinkedIn post every day sharing: - frameworks you come across - trends - case studies And end the post with a call to action: “Btw, if you’re looking to hire a PM who loves to nerd out on products all day long, I’m your girl.” The real goal isn’t just landing a job. It’s about building products I’m proud of and doing work that excites me. What strategies are you using to break into product management? Share ideas in the comments! [Coming soon] To anyone who wants to move to the UK without a job offer—how to file GTV 👉 Follow me for daily nuggets on immigration, entrepreneurship, career & AI! #productmanagement #pm #jobsearch #networking #FAANG #career #layoffs #freeresources #o1 #eb1 #eb2niw #unshackled #1000daysoflove #writing #author #america #india

One non-negotiable strategy you must include in your job search: Networking. Let me share a few real examples from my clients: - One client landed an interview just by having a casual chat with a school friend at a shop. That conversation led to a referral. - Another secured a high-paying VP role after a mutual friend introduced him to the founder over coffee. - A third, from India, landed interviews in Europe through strategic LinkedIn DMs and well-nurtured online connections. These aren’t random wins. They’re proof that both in-person and online networking work, especially when approached with intention. If you’re job searching, don’t just rely on job portals or mass applications. Networking can open doors that resumes alone can’t. Here’s how to make it part of your strategy: 1. Reconnect with old friends, colleagues, or classmates. You don’t always need new contacts. Some of the best opportunities come from people already in your circle, so reach out and reconnect. 2. Start genuine conversations, not cold pitches. Don’t message just to ask for a job. Be human. Start by checking in, sharing your journey, and being curious about theirs. Conversations first, opportunities next. 4. Be visible where your industry hangs out Whether it’s LinkedIn, industry events, virtual panels, or niche groups, your presence matters. People notice those who show up consistently and contribute meaningfully. 5. Focus on building relationships, not just asking for favors. People are more likely to support you when they feel respected and understood. Add value, engage authentically, and focus on the long term. It’s not luck — it’s strategy. A strategy that helps you skip the pile of 100+ applications and go directly to the right conversations.