If you’re a project manager looking for a new role, the company you choose can greatly impact your career.

Finding a workplace that aligns with your aspirations and values will be the key to your success – salary and perks aside.

But what else should you look out for? And how do you know you’ve found the right company? Read on to learn my top 4 tips for finding that ideal new job.

1. Choose culture first

When it comes to building a career you can truly be proud of, choosing a workplace built on trust, autonomy and mutual respect makes all the difference. Especially in a dynamic field like project management.

A strong culture doesn’t just drive a company’s success; it fuels individual success, too. Because employees who feel connected to their company’s culture are more engaged, productive and less likely to leave.

In fact, healthy, collaborative workplaces are proven to boost motivation and innovation – 2 factors that play a crucial role in your career development.

So, if you want to thrive at work, the people and the environment are the first things you should look at.

Personally, workplace culture was one of the main reasons I was drawn to Acuity after 15 years with my previous employer.
Because at Acuity, we care about each other, and we care about our clients. We take our projects seriously – but we have fun doing it!

Remember, if a healthy culture of autonomy and trust is established, everything else – including revenue – will fall into place.

So, look for environments that allow you to step into your confidence, work independently and take ownership of your projects.

2. Find your niche

Finding the right employer isn’t just about the role itself – it’s also about the type of projects you’ll be working on.

To truly grow in your career, you need to be engaged with the work a company undertakes. In other words: you need to be passionate about the sectors they specialise in.

It’s something that can fiercely fuel your ambition and elevate the quality of your work.

If the projects don’t excite you, it’s unlikely you’ll feel motivated to give your best. So, when you’re looking for your next employer, it’s essential to research their portfolio and the type of clients they attract.

Are you drawn to commercial fit-outs? High-end refurbishments? Or large-scale infrastructure projects? Decide – and then look for companies that specialise in those fields.

Remember, you want to be excited about the projects you’re taking on. Because life’s too short to do work you couldn’t give 2 figs about.

3. Work hard for a supportive firm

The importance of finding an employer that offers opportunities for growth and leadership development cannot be understated.

After all, in today’s economy, stagnation is the enemy of success.

So, look for a company that offers clear paths for progression – and don’t hesitate to ask about it during your interview.

The proof’s really in the pudding: if people are getting promoted and their roles are evolving, that’s probably a good sign there’s career progression opportunities at that workplace.

However, there’s one other important thing you must remember: career growth won’t just be handed to you – it’s something you must actively earn.

You’ve got to be driven and have a clear vision of where you want to go and the types of skills you want to develop. In short, if you want career progress, you must work for it.

To do that, add value beyond the basics. Don’t just fulfil your job requirements. Go above and beyond to make an impact. And choose an employer that values and rewards hard work, initiative and a focus on growth.

You’ll grow your career – and enhance your leadership skills along the way.

4. Look at experience and reputation

While money can often be a major drawcard in this industry, experience and reputation will always trump a paycheque.

So, dive deep into a company. Look at its track record and employees and pay attention to the projects they’ve completed – especially if the firm is relatively new.

Acuity may have only been around for 5 years. But if you look beyond that, you’ll see our project track record and the decades of experience in our team speak for themselves.

I’ve seen many people get burned because they prioritised money over a firm’s reputation. So doing your due diligence when researching a potential employer is vital if you want to avoid a disappointing career experience.

So, how do you know that a company is legitimate? Repeat business from clients. That’s one of the biggest signs of a good business. And the evidence can be found online, in the business’ portfolio.

When it comes to crafting a career you’ll love, it pays to be strategic. So, find an employer whose experience, culture and reputation align with your career goals – and get ready to seize the opportunities that come your way.

Want more insights into life in the PM sector? Follow Acuity on LinkedIn.