Leaving project management

[BucksFizz]

At my last company I use to be a software consultant before moving into project management, this was seen as a promotion.

I've now been a PM at another company for the past year and a half but it's just not for me, a combination of the job role, the people, the product etc. Our department has the highest turnover of staff out of the entire business so my grievances are nothing unusual.

I want to look for a new role but I need advice on two things, firstly if I go to another PM role how do I justify wanting to leave after such a short period of time? Obviously I can't say the place makes me miserable.

Secondly how difficult would it to go back into software consultancy having not done it in 5 years and without wanting to take a massive salary hit?

[b0rk]

BucksFizz said:

I want to look for a new role but I need advice on two things, firstly if I go to another PM role how do I justify wanting to leave after such a short period of time?

18 months isn't a short period of time, I've had a PM quit after 13 sodding weeks, if the bd had done a week earlier we could clawed a chunk of recruitment consultants fee back!!!

BucksFizz said:

Obviously I can't say the place makes me miserable.

Actually this exactly how you explain wishing leave, phraseology such as "the atmosphere is the place is fairly toxic and after 18 months and trying to make it work I've realised employer X just isn't for me.". The honesty of why your moving will go down far better than some nebulous excuses particularly if you where at your previous employer for a long time.

BucksFizz said:

Secondly how difficult would it to go back into software consultancy having not done it in 5 years and without wanting to take a massive salary hit?

Do want to be PM or developer? if being a PM generally is making you unhappy then surely assuming you can make the numbers work salary wise you just take the hit and step "down", or do you really want to be a hands on PM that manages the project but also does some bits of the dev/delivery? Talk to potential employers and explain what you can offer in this respect rather than a straight up shift the paperwork about PM.

[rog007]

If you no longer wish to be a PM, then simply ensure you’re competent for the new roles you’re going to be applying for. If you’re not competent, then do what you can to address that before applying. You’ll initially gauge this via the JD and Person Spec, and then via your CV and it getting you called to interview or not.

If you want to remain as a PM, then either have a courageous discussion with your current employer about changing what it is that you think needs to change, or apply elsewhere. No need on a CV to mention why you’re leaving; do that at interview if asked.

This may or may not apply to you; but a key issue may be a lack of due diligence on any new organisation one is considering applying to. Simply leaving a role and going to a new one, without an improvement in due diligence, may see a repeat of circumstances.

I see this a lot and it still surprises me that some folk seem to spend more time reviewing and researching potential new cars or watches than they do on any new employer.

Keep us posted as some others in similar situations may benefit from your experiences and insights.

Good luck!

[cat with a hat]

18 months isn't a short period of time.. Good timing to leave.

[silent ninja]

If ever asked why you left, that's a common interview question. I would not be honest if it's because of a toxic working environment. there's no upside to a response like that, only a neutral or downside. You could be the problem, not your old management, for example. How should they judge?
Remember, it's all about selling YOU so concentrate on good reasons e.g. growth, new challenge, but make it specific. I left my role because I wanted more variety and speed for example - I didn't say they were slow, bureaucratic and dysfunctional - all true things. This went down well at every interview.

Good luck