We surveyed 27,017 project managers to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical project manager. Here are the results.
How much intelligence is required as a project manager?
Low
High
Working as a project manager typically doesn’t require the use of high levels of intelligence in daily tasks.
Can I learn to become a project manager?
Intrinsic Talent
Acquired Talent
A career as a project manager typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.
Is it easy to get a job as a project manager?
Easy
Hard
It’s typically difficult to find a job as a project manager.
Do project managers work full-time or part-time?
93% of project managers work in full-time roles while 7% work part-time.
Is being a project manager stressful?
Low
High
Stress is very commonplace for project managers, contributing negatively towards career satisfaction.
Is being organized important as a project manager?
Low
High
Organization is considered a very important trait for project managers, and is critical to success in the field.
How competitive is the workplace for project managers?
Low
High
Project managers see mild competition in their workplace.
Does being a project manager require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?
Low
High
Project managers will see frequent time pressure on the job, likely contributing to an occasionally stressful work environment.
Are project managers allowed to express themselves creatively?
Low
High
Project managers are afforded a certain level of ability to express themselves creatively, compared to other careers.
Do project managers have control over the direction of their work?
Low
High
Project managers have high flexibility in the direction of their work, allowing them a lot of freedom in how they accomplish their goals.
Is being a project manager physically demanding?
Low
High
Work as a project managers is rarely physically demanding, making it a suitable option for those unable to perform physically strenuous tasks.
Are project managers exposed to a wide variety of work?
Low
High
The workload of a project manager changes frequently, with their day-to-day rarely being the same.
Does being a project manager require attention to detail?
Low
High
Attention to detail is a vital skill for project managers, as small mistakes can make or break one's ability to succeed in the career.
Does being a good project manager require compassion and empathy?
Low
High
Being compassionate and empathetic is considered helpful to those looking to pursue careers as project managers.