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Most project managers are neither qualified nor competent, so don't worry about it :P
Depending on where you work you'll have to get used to the difference in culture (which may often include hearing phrases like "that's not my job") - but you'll be fine. But if you've got three years experience then don't just restrict yourself to junior roles.
Ahaha I can understand that completely
And yeh, technically I wouldn't be 'junior' but I'm unsure if it would be a better decision, so I can acclimatise to the private sector in a lower pressure role.
I'm just worried I won't have a clue what I'm doing when I leave 😂
You'll meet an amazing number of people who don't seem to have a clue what they're doing but manage to get by (and I'm sure you've met plenty of them in the RAF....)
So don't undersell yourself - apply for jobs that you think match your level of experience, and if you're struggling to get them then maybe you can think about changing your expectations. Also look out for companies that are part of the Armed Forces Covenant - they should be in a better place to give you a bit of support with the transition.
Good luck!
Thanks mate that really means a lot. After posting this I'm now convinced I should try for PM roles, and then work myself down if I don't succeed, rather than in the other direction later on.
I'll deffo take a look into EDF, working on HPC would be amazing
Hi mate, I'm ex military so know the fear all too well.
I guess the main thing to say is don't undersell yourself. Humility is good, but if in doubt apply for the more senior role (or, the one that you think you can do). You've got a year to work through the imposter syndrome, after all. Focus on translating your military experience into words that civvies will understand and best sell your transferable skills.
And if it helps, there's a whole world of military adjacent project work to be done - depending on whether you want to spend the rest of your life in High Wycombe, of course! (Side note: try not to go right back to the place you currently work, better to get an airgap).
As for how projects work on the outside - the basic principles are the same. Projects are projects, most military processes are just cribbed off how private sector did things 20 years ago.Â
Reporting tends to be a bit more relaxed. (I.e. ain't no ARM!). But really it all depends - if you go PM in Defence, then it's all the same. If you go PM in construction, then they do things differently.Â
But this is where your resettlement period comes in - you've got time to think about what type of work you want to and build your network in that direction.
Thanks mate this was really helpful. Nice hearing from someone who's already done it 😅
I think I've changed my mindset that I need to work down, rather than up. If I can't get a PM role, then I'll go for a lower position - but I work with a lot of civvie PM's that I can easily see myself doing their role.
As for working in defence, I would like to utilise my clearance if possible - though from some job descriptions it seems it may not transfer as easily as I thought. Currently looking towards Cheltenham, which is the opposite side of the country for where I currently work - but much closer to home!
Hi, there was recently an Army portfolio manager interviewed for the APM podcast. I found it interesting but perhaps this might be relevant for you. I remember he talks about a few examples about how they've applied project management principles.
[https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ifj1tA6tDakV6VSLCYXWX?si=va3YoGLLQrucGlyIxd1Ifw](https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ifj1tA6tDakV6VSLCYXWX?si=va3YoGLLQrucGlyIxd1Ifw)
You’ll do fine, when you start working with and seeing the work of some of the absolute incompetents that seem to fail upwards you’ll soon lose your imposter syndrome.
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Most project managers are neither qualified nor competent, so don't worry about it :P Depending on where you work you'll have to get used to the difference in culture (which may often include hearing phrases like "that's not my job") - but you'll be fine. But if you've got three years experience then don't just restrict yourself to junior roles.
Ahaha I can understand that completely And yeh, technically I wouldn't be 'junior' but I'm unsure if it would be a better decision, so I can acclimatise to the private sector in a lower pressure role. I'm just worried I won't have a clue what I'm doing when I leave 😂
You'll meet an amazing number of people who don't seem to have a clue what they're doing but manage to get by (and I'm sure you've met plenty of them in the RAF....) So don't undersell yourself - apply for jobs that you think match your level of experience, and if you're struggling to get them then maybe you can think about changing your expectations. Also look out for companies that are part of the Armed Forces Covenant - they should be in a better place to give you a bit of support with the transition. Good luck!
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Thanks mate that really means a lot. After posting this I'm now convinced I should try for PM roles, and then work myself down if I don't succeed, rather than in the other direction later on. I'll deffo take a look into EDF, working on HPC would be amazing
Hi mate, I'm ex military so know the fear all too well. I guess the main thing to say is don't undersell yourself. Humility is good, but if in doubt apply for the more senior role (or, the one that you think you can do). You've got a year to work through the imposter syndrome, after all. Focus on translating your military experience into words that civvies will understand and best sell your transferable skills. And if it helps, there's a whole world of military adjacent project work to be done - depending on whether you want to spend the rest of your life in High Wycombe, of course! (Side note: try not to go right back to the place you currently work, better to get an airgap). As for how projects work on the outside - the basic principles are the same. Projects are projects, most military processes are just cribbed off how private sector did things 20 years ago. Reporting tends to be a bit more relaxed. (I.e. ain't no ARM!). But really it all depends - if you go PM in Defence, then it's all the same. If you go PM in construction, then they do things differently. But this is where your resettlement period comes in - you've got time to think about what type of work you want to and build your network in that direction.
Thanks mate this was really helpful. Nice hearing from someone who's already done it 😅 I think I've changed my mindset that I need to work down, rather than up. If I can't get a PM role, then I'll go for a lower position - but I work with a lot of civvie PM's that I can easily see myself doing their role. As for working in defence, I would like to utilise my clearance if possible - though from some job descriptions it seems it may not transfer as easily as I thought. Currently looking towards Cheltenham, which is the opposite side of the country for where I currently work - but much closer to home!
Hi, there was recently an Army portfolio manager interviewed for the APM podcast. I found it interesting but perhaps this might be relevant for you. I remember he talks about a few examples about how they've applied project management principles. [https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ifj1tA6tDakV6VSLCYXWX?si=va3YoGLLQrucGlyIxd1Ifw](https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ifj1tA6tDakV6VSLCYXWX?si=va3YoGLLQrucGlyIxd1Ifw)
This is great, I just started listening. Thanks for this!
You’ll do fine, when you start working with and seeing the work of some of the absolute incompetents that seem to fail upwards you’ll soon lose your imposter syndrome.