Episode 12: The Hidden Gaps Nobody Talks About in Project Management

Episode 12: The Hidden Gaps Nobody Talks About in Project Management

Most project managers think the biggest barriers to career growth are experience, certifications, or technical skills. But the real obstacle is often something far less obvious: trust. In this episode, Cheri Smith and I explore the hidden gaps that keep talented professionals from landing interviews, earning promotions, and becoming the obvious choice in a crowded market. We dive into why positioning matters more than ever, why networking is so often misunderstood, and how building trust—not just collecting credentials—is the key to accelerating your project management career. Tune in to learn: • Why being a "general project manager" may be hurting your career more than helping it. • The hidden trust gaps that exist between application, interview, and job offer. • How to position yourself so hiring managers immediately see you as the obvious choice. • Why networking isn't about asking for jobs—it's about creating long-term opportunity. • How balancing experience, credentials, and relationships creates lasting career momentum. 💬 Join My Free Project Management Community Surround yourself with project managers and career changers who are serious about growing their careers. Inside the community, you'll find live trainings, networking opportunities, career strategy discussions, and practical advice to help you build confidence, strengthen your positioning, and accelerate your transition into project management. Whether you're trying to land your first PM role, earn a promotion, or simply connect with people who understand the journey, you'll find support and actionable guidance inside. 👉 Join the community: https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/community [https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/community] If you’re a high performer who wants to land a 6-figure project management role in the next 90-days, I’d love to invite you to work with me. ✨Book a PM Path Diagnostic. During this call we will: 1. Take a closer look at your PM Readiness Iron Triangle to identify which arm is limiting traction 2. Figure out how the current imbalance is affecting your results. 3. Map a clear, strategic path to strengthen the right areas and move you forward towards your goals. 📅Book your PM Path Diagnostic: https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/diagnose [https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/diagnose] Kayla’s links: • Free Project Management Pivot Resources: https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/resources [https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/resources] • Kayla's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-quijas/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-quijas/] Read my blog for more deep insights on project management career pivots: https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/blog [https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/blog] 🎧Subscribe to the podcast here: • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/own-your-career-path-to-project-management/id1868199474 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/own-your-career-path-to-project-management/id1868199474] • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4HDCe2shRjexrTZlwdZpX3?si=1f331c7a686a4f2d [https://open.spotify.com/show/4HDCe2shRjexrTZlwdZpX3?si=1f331c7a686a4f2d]

Episode 11: AI Is Ruining Your Pivot into Project Management (Here’s Why)

If you’re using AI to help you pivot into project management, you might actually be sabotaging your own positioning without even realizing it. In this episode, we break down how relying on tools like ChatGPT to rewrite your resume can quietly destroy your credibility—and why it leads to fewer callbacks, more frustration, and a cycle of burnout. You’ll get a clear understanding of what’s really going wrong and how to reposition yourself as a strong, confident project manager instead of just another generic applicant. Tune in to learn: • Why AI-generated resumes make you sound generic (and how recruiters spot it instantly) • The hidden ways AI misuses project management language and hurts your credibility • How to position yourself as a true project manager—not just a career pivoter • The 3 critical shifts you need to stand out and get real traction in your job search • What to do instead of relying on AI so you can land interviews with confidence 🤔Want to understand how well positioned you are to pivot into project management? Take the PM Readiness Assessment: The PM Readiness Assessment will gauge how ready you are to step into a project management role with clarity, confidence, and credibility. It measures you on three different key indicators of the Project Management Readiness Iron Triangle: • Network • Credentials • Experience Once you finish the assessment, you’ll get a personalized PM Readiness Score - plus insights to help you take your next career step with confidence. 👉Take the assessment: https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/pm-readiness-assessment-1 [https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/pm-readiness-assessment-1] --- If you’re a high performer who wants to land a 6-figure project management role in the next 90-days, I’d love to invite you to work with me. ✨Book a PM Path Diagnostic. During this call we will: 1. Take a closer look at your PM Readiness Iron Triangle to identify which arm is limiting traction 2. Figure out how the current imbalance is affecting your results. 3. Map a clear, strategic path to strengthen the right areas and move you forward towards your goals. 📅Book your PM Path Diagnostic: https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/diagnose [https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/diagnose] --- Kayla’s links: • Free Project Management Pivot Resources: https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/resources • Kayla’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-quijas/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-quijas/] --- Read my blog for more deep insights on project management career pivots: https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/blog [https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/blog] --- 🎧Subscribe to the podcast here: • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/own-your-career-path-to-project-management/id1868199474 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/own-your-career-path-to-project-management/id1868199474] • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4HDCe2shRjexrTZlwdZpX3?si=1f331c7a686a4f2d [https://open.spotify.com/show/4HDCe2shRjexrTZlwdZpX3?si=1f331c7a686a4f2d]

Episode 10: You Already Have Project Management Experience (Here’s Proof)

If you’ve ever questioned whether your experience actually “counts” as project management, this episode is your wake-up call. We’re breaking down the difference between real project management experience and resume fluff—and uncovering the hidden ways you may already be doing PM work without realizing it. You’ll get a powerful mindset shift, a clear definition of what truly qualifies as a project, and a simple framework to help you confidently position your experience (without exaggerating or feeling like an imposter). Tune in to learn: • What actually qualifies as project management experience (and what doesn’t) • The key difference between projects vs. operations—and why most people get this wrong • Why you don’t need a big team, formal tools, or a PM title to claim your experience • How to reframe your past work using a simple 3-step positioning framework • How to demonstrate impact and value—even if you don’t have hard metrics ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Want to understand how well positioned you are to pivot into project management? Take the PM Readiness Assessment: The PM Readiness Assessment will gauge how ready you are to step into a project management role with clarity, confidence, and credibility. It measures you on three different key indicators of the Project Management Readiness Iron Triangle: • Network • Credentials • Experience Once you finish the assessment, you’ll get a personalized PM Readiness Score - plus insights to help you take your next career step with confidence. 👉Take the assessment: https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/pm-readiness-assessment-1 [https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/pm-readiness-assessment-1] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you’re a high performer who wants to land a 6-figure project management role in the next 90-days, I’d love to invite you to work with me. ✨Book a PM Path Diagnostic. During this call we will: 1. Take a closer look at your PM Readiness Iron Triangle to identify which arm is limiting traction 2. Figure out how the current imbalance is affecting your results 3. Map a clear, strategic path to strengthen the right areas and move you forward towards your goals 📅Book your PM Path Diagnostic: https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/diagnose [https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/diagnose] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kayla’s links: • Free Project Management Pivot Resources: https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/resources [https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/resources] • Kayla's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-quijas/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-quijas/] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Read my blog for more deep insights on project management career pivots: https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/blog [https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/blog] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🎧Subscribe to the podcast here: • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/own-your-career-path-to-project-management/id1868199474 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/own-your-career-path-to-project-management/id1868199474] • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4HDCe2shRjexrTZlwdZpX3?si=1f331c7a686a4f2d [https://open.spotify.com/show/4HDCe2shRjexrTZlwdZpX3?si=1f331c7a686a4f2d]

Episode 9: Why Highly Capable Project Managers Are Invisible in the 2026 Job Market

Why is it so hard to land a job in 2026 — even if you’re highly qualified? In this episode, we break down exactly why the 2026 job market feels brutal, especially for experienced professionals trying to pivot into project management or level up their careers. If you’ve applied to 50, 100, or even 200 roles and feel like you’re shouting into a void, you’re not imagining it. AI in hiring, automation in recruiting, one-way video interviews, AI screening agents, and overwhelming applicant volume have fundamentally changed the game. In today’s market, experience alone is not enough. You’ll learn: • Why AI and automation are reshaping the hiring process • Why hiring managers are more skeptical than ever • Why applicants are being knocked out in 3 seconds instead of 7 • How automation removes human feedback (and destroys your confidence) • Why the job market no longer rewards performance — it rewards clear positioning If you're a high performer struggling to get traction, this episode explains why your usual strategy of “apply harder” isn’t working anymore. ----------------------------------------------------------- 🤔Want to understand how well positioned you are to pivot into project management?  Take the PM Readiness Assessment: The PM Readiness Assessment will gauge how ready you are to step into a project management role with clarity, confidence, and credibility. It measures you on three different key indicators of the Project Management Readiness Iron Triangle: • Network • Credentials • Experience Once you finish the assessment, you’ll get a personalized PM Readiness Score - plus insights to help you take your next career step with confidence. 👉Take the assessment: https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/pm-readiness-assessment-1 [https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/pm-readiness-assessment-1] ----------------------------------------------------------- If you’re a high performer who wants to land a 6-figure project management role in the next 90-days, I’d love to invite you to work with me.  ✨Book a PM Path Diagnostic. During this call we will: 1. Take a closer look at your PM Readiness Iron Triangle to identify which arm is limiting traction 2. Figure out how the current imbalance is affecting your results.  3. Map a clear, strategic path to strengthen the right areas and move you forward towards your goals. 📅Book your PM Path Diagnostic: https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/diagnose [https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/diagnose] ----------------------------------------------------------- Kayla’s links: • Free Project Management Pivot Resources: https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/resources [https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/resources] • Kayla's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-quijas/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-quijas/] ----------------------------------------------------------- Read my blog for more deep insights on project management career pivots https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/blog [https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/blog] ----------------------------------------------------------- 🎧Subscribe to the podcast here: • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/own-your-career-path-to-project-management/id1868199474 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/own-your-career-path-to-project-management/id1868199474] • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4HDCe2shRjexrTZlwdZpX3?si=1f331c7a686a4f2d [https://open.spotify.com/show/4HDCe2shRjexrTZlwdZpX3?si=1f331c7a686a4f2d]

Episode 8: How to Nail a Project Manager Interview and Actually Get the Offer

In this episode, we break down how to nail a project manager interview and convert more interviews into offers by focusing on positioning, confidence, and hiring manager psychology. If you’re landing interviews but not getting offers, the problem isn’t your experience — it’s how you’re framing it. You’ll learn why clarity reduces perceived risk, how to shift from a doer mindset to a leadership mindset, why preparation is imposter syndrome kryptonite, and how to show up like a consultant who diagnoses problems instead of waiting to be judged — making it obvious to hiring managers that you are the solution. Tune in to learn: • Why project manager interviews don’t convert to offers — and what’s actually going wrong • How hiring manager psychology affects interview outcomes • Why clarity and confidence reduce perceived risk in interviews • How to move from task-based answers to leadership-based positioning • How to show up like a consultant and diagnose problems in real time 🤔Want to understand how well positioned you are to pivot into project management? Take the PM Readiness Assessment: The PM Readiness Assessment will gauge how ready you are to step into a project management role with clarity, confidence, and credibility. It measures you on three different key indicators of the Project Management Readiness Iron Triangle: • Network • Credentials • Experience Once you finish the assessment, you’ll get a personalized PM Readiness Score - plus insights to help you take your next career step with confidence. https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/pm-readiness-assessment-1 [https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/pm-readiness-assessment-1] If you’re a high performer who wants to land a 6-figure project management role in the next 90-days, I’d love to invite you to work with me. ✨Book a PM Path Diagnostic. During this call we will: Take a closer look at your PM Readiness Iron Triangle to identify which arm is limiting traction Figure out how the current imbalance is affecting your results. Map a clear, strategic path to strengthen the right areas and move you forward towards your goals. https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/apply-1 [https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/apply-1] Kayla’s links: • Free Project Management Pivot Resources: https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/resources [https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/resources] • Kayla's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-quijas/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-quijas/] Read my blog for more deep insights on project management career pivots https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/blog [https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/blog] 🎧Subscribe to the podcast here: • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/own-your-career-path-to-project-management/id1868199474 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/own-your-career-path-to-project-management/id1868199474] • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4HDCe2shRjexrTZlwdZpX3?si=1f331c7a686a4f2d [https://open.spotify.com/show/4HDCe2shRjexrTZlwdZpX3?si=1f331c7a686a4f2d]