"Hi Sharon, I wonder if you can help. I've recently finished a contract and am in between roles. I'm struggling to get a change management contract role. I'm considering PROSCI. It's a big investment for me. Do you think it's worth it?"
I probably get asked this question twice a week.
No. I don't think this is a good use of funds when money is tight, and you are out of work. I assume this is not an intentional break to recharge and learn at your leisure, so the priority is getting you back to work and developing a long-term learning plan.
Employers and recruiters refer to PROSCI as a change management entry gate, but it's not; look at the agenda on their website. The course teaches a specific methodology that is not suitable for many organisations. The three-day PROSCI session is well-run, information-rich, thought-provoking and insightful. However, it does not equip you to deliver end-to-end change management in most organisations. It's not what you need when you're looking for a job in Change Management and funds are tight.
So what training do you need to get a Change Management job?
Start with a skills audit. What would have made you more effective in your role in the last 12 months? Identify blind spots.
Would you have benefitted from being able to use JIRA to understand more about the Agile development process?
Would creating videos or a SharePoint have helped you get noticed and secure another role in the organisation?
If you had created better success dashboards in Excel, it might have led to better conversations with leaders.
Perhaps you needed to be a more confident presenter to represent your personal brand during stand-ups better.
If money is tight, start with LinkedIn Learning. For a small monthly fee, you get access to a massive training library to help you fill knowledge gaps. Cover the basics and pay for more expertise if you're certain it will add value. Read! It's cheap to buy books or visit the library to upskill. Many experts have books sharing deep subject matter knowledge.
If you're having trouble selling your experience in your CV and verbal communications, consider a session with a mentor or a coach. In my free 20-minute sessions, I can often immediately see how you are underplaying sought-after skills and not using the right language to advertise to a recruiter or employer where you can add value.
If you fail to secure a first or second interview or miss the job offer, pay for help to improve your skills. Every day you are not working is costing you $1000.
Make a strategic plan to keep you in a job in change management.
When you've secured a role and are paying the bills again, create a training plan to safeguard and develop your future career. Experience and time in the business trumps certification, so don't re-learn skills you already have just to get a certificate. Consider specialist learning. Perhaps you could learn more about Lean or Agile Change or Human-Centred Design or sharpen your knowledge of Project Management. If you're not tech-savvy, the Change Superhero courses allow you to create attention-grabbing newsletters, videos, SharePoint, and PowerPoints.
If you start work in an organisation that uses the PROSCI toolkit, now is the time to take the PROSCI toolkit course so that what you learn is practical and useful.
Side hustles when you're between getting a job in change management.
You must plan for the 'between contract' dry spells if you're a contractor. Financially prepare for breaks between contracts. You need a six-month money buffer, so don't feel pressured to take a job that isn't the right fit. If you're prepared for a break, it is a great time to train for something new.
I ran a webinar about getting a job in Change Management - should you consider contract or Perm in the Change Space - Watch here.
Download the summary slide I talk about here.
Also, look at ways you might create additional revenue streams to bolster your funds. Whether you're a singer or a seamstress, finding a way to earn $1000 a week while you're on the bench will remove the stress. As a Change Manager with skills such as presentation design, video production, and SharePoint creation, you could get ad-hoc work. Put it out there! You'll be surprised what comes your way.
If you or someone you know is looking for a job in Change Management, watch this 50-minute Webinar from recruiter Nicole Harlow and me - Some easy wins could make the difference.
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Sharon Connolly is a Change Leader in Sydney. She provides change management consulting to organisations, training, and toolkits for change managers. Her free Change Management PowerPoint templates have been used by over half a million people in 135 countries. If you're interested in getting a job in Change Management, she's one to follow!