Own Your Career Path to Project Management

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.
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🤔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
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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 traction2. 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
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Kayla’s links:• Free Project Management Pivot Resources:
https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/resources
• Kayla's LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-quijas/
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Read my blog for more deep insights on project management career pivots
https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/blog
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🎧Subscribe to the podcast here:• Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/own-your-career-path-to-project-management/id1868199474
• Spotify:
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
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
Kayla’s links:• Free Project Management Pivot Resources:
https://www.kaylaqcareercoaching.com/resources
• Kayla's LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-quijas/
Read my blog for more deep insights on project management career pivots
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
• Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/4HDCe2shRjexrTZlwdZpX3?si=1f331c7a686a4f2d

Episode 7: How To Translate Your Experience into Project Management Language

🎯 Struggling to Translate Your Experience into a Project Management Role?
You're not alone—and this episode is your ultimate guide to finally bridge that gap. If you're pivoting your career into project management but can't quite articulate your experience in the right language, this is for you.
Kayla breaks down why talented professionals often feel stuck—even after years of experience—and how you can confidently reframe your skills to land your next PM role. 💼
✅ In this episode:
How to recognize real project experience (even without the title)
Why "buzzword stuffing" is killing your chances—and what to do instead
The cost of being a “generalist” vs. focusing on a specific PM path
How identity lag is sabotaging your confidence and progress
The secret to targeting the right project management job for YOU
What hiring managers actually want to see in your resume and interviews
Ready to stop spinning your wheels and finally land the right PM role?
Book a personalized PM Path Diagnostic with Kayla and map out your transition with clarity, confidence, and a proven plan.
✨Book your PM Path Diagnostic here
🎧 Whether you're career pivoting, stuck in self-doubt, or overwhelmed by options—this episode is your roadmap forward.

Episode 6: Do I need a PMP to Be a Project Manager?

Thinking about a career transition into project management but feeling stuck without a certification? In this episode, we bust the myth that you *must* have a PMP to land your first project management role. 🚀
Career coach Kayla Quijas shares real stories of professionals who successfully pivoted into PM roles—with or without the PMP. From touring band managers to ex-Marines, discover how reframing your past experience can unlock the door to a new career path.
✅ You’ll learn:
Why a PMP certification is not the golden ticket people think it is
How to identify and articulate your **project experience** (even without the title)
What hiring managers *really* look for
Tips for building credibility without another degree
How to strategically **pivot your career** into project management
The role of networking in landing that dream PM job
Whether you’re feeling undervalued, unsure how to transition, or wondering if your background counts—you’ll walk away with clarity, strategy, and inspiration. 
✨ Book your PM Path Diagnostic here
🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on career pivots, project management, and personal growth!
👇 Let us know in the comments: What’s holding you back from making your pivot?

Episode 5: You Have Project Management Experience — You Just Don’t See It Yet

Thinking about transitioning into project management but don’t have the title? 
In this episode, we bust the myth that you must have prior PM experience to make the switch. Whether you're a generalist, career pivot-er, or stuck in a role that no longer serves you, this conversation is your guide to confidently owning your value and making the leap into project management.
🚀 We explore:
What counts as project management experience (even without the title)
Why career transitions often trigger fear—and how to move past it
How to reframe your "hopscotch" background into a PM superpower
Real stories of professionals who made the pivot successfully
The difference between needing credentials vs. reframing your past experience
How to spot when it’s time to move on (and what’s keeping you stuck)
You'll walk away knowing how to speak the language of hiring managers, avoid resume pitfalls, and build unshakable confidence—even if you've never officially been called a "Project Manager."
🎧 Perfect for:
Career changers eyeing project management
Mid-career professionals feeling stuck or stagnant
Anyone exploring project-based roles without a formal PM background
✨ Book your PM Path Diagnostic Call to clarify your next step
💬What’s one transferable skill you’ve overlooked that could actually help you land a PM role? Drop it in the comments 👇 — you might inspire someone else!
Project Management, Career Pivot, Break Into PM, Career Transition, Project Manager, PM Without Experience, Professional Growth #Imposter Syndrome, Career Change, Job Search Tips

Episode 4: How to Network (Even if You Don't Have a Network)

Making a career pivot into project management can feel overwhelming—especially when you don’t know anyone in the field. In this episode, Kayla Quijas and Nada Bhuhendi dive into the real challenges of networking, especially for career changers, introverts, and those transitioning from non-traditional roles.
🎯 In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why building a network before you need it is crucial for your project management job search• The biggest networking mistakes people make (and how to avoid them)• A step-by-step breakdown of Kayla’s "Three R’s" networking framework: Rooms, Reps, and Reputation• How to overcome fear, imposter syndrome, and that “I don’t belong here” feeling• Why referrals alone aren’t enough—and what you must do to turn them into offers
💡 Whether you're trying to transition into project management, land your first PM role, or build long-term career success, this episode gives you practical, human-centered strategies to grow your professional network and reputation—even if you're starting from zero.
Think we might be a fit to work together? Let's fine out! Book a PM Path Diagnostic call. During this call, we will:
• Identify if you’re ready to land a PM role• Figure out what’s blocking you• Map a path to help you get there as quickly as possible
✨ Book a PM Path Diagnostic here
💬 Have you started building your network? What's the hardest part for you? Drop your thoughts and let’s support each other in the comments 👇
Project Management Career Pivot, Networking for Introverts, Transitioning Careers, How to Get into Project Management, Build a Professional Network, Career Change to PM, Project Manager Job Search Tips, Referrals and Networking, Career Networking Strategy, Project Management Mentorship

Episode 3: How to Get Your First Project Management Role

In Episode 3, I’m joined by the incredible Nada Buhendi to unpack exactly what it really takes to break into project management — even if you’ve never held the official title.
You’ll hear how I went from cake decorator to Senior Project Manager, and how my client Frank landed a senior PM role without the PMP — by learning how to reframe his existing experience and build the kind of network that opens doors.
You’ll learn how to:
Identify what counts as real project experience (yes, even if you’ve never worked in corporate)
Reframe your background using project management language and PMI-aligned examples
Apply the PM Readiness Iron Triangle: experience, credentials, and network
Use networking (without feeling sleazy) to unlock referral-based job interviews
Avoid the common mistake of chasing the wrong certifications (CAPM vs PMP)
Build a network that becomes your personal board of directors — and accelerates your career
If you’ve been applying to dozens of PM roles with little traction, or wondering if your background is “enough,” this episode will give you the clarity and strategy to move forward.
Ready to find out if you're on the right path to becoming a project manager?
✨Book a PM Path Diagnostic Call: https://kaylaqcareercoaching.com/apply-1
In this call, we will:
Get clear on your ideal PM direction
Uncover what’s blocking you
Create a roadmap to get you there as fast as possible
🎧 Listen now — because your experience might be more relevant than you think, and your project management career could be closer than you realize.

Episode 2: How Do You Know You're Meant to Be a Project Manager

If you feel pulled toward project management… but keep doubting yourself because your career path looks messy, you’ve never had the project manager title, or you don’t feel qualified yet, this episode is for you.
This conversation breaks down why “I’m not ready” is usually not a skills problem — it’s a confidence and clarity problem. You’ll learn how to connect the dots in your experience, spot the signs you already think like a project manager, and move past the fear that comes with leaving what’s familiar to rebuild in something new.
You’ll learn:• How to find the common denominator in your job history and map it to a specific project management role• How to validate “natural project manager” traits (collaboration, breaking work into chunks, planning for what can go wrong) even without a project manager title• How to overcome the real blocker in a project management career pivot: the mastery gap — fear of rebuilding status, identity, reputation, and network — and why you’re not starting over, you’re reframing
If you feel “unqualified” for project management because your background doesn’t look perfect on paper, then your next step is learning how to translate what you’ve already done into a clear project manager direction — and taking action before you feel ready. This episode will show you how. 
Think we might be a fit to work together? 
Let's find out! 
✨Book a PM Path Diagnostic call
During this call, we will: 
1. Identify if you’re ready to land a PM role1. Figure out what’s blocking you1. Map a path to help you get there as quickly as possible

Episode 1: What’s Holding You Back when Pivoting into Project Management

If you’re trying to pivot into a project manager role but keep hearing that voice in your head — “I’m not qualified… I’ve never had the title… I’m too busy… I need more education first” — this episode is for you.
In Episode 1, we’re diagnosing the real reason your project management pivot feels so hard even when you’ve already done the work: identity lag. (Yep — you can have the experience and still feel like an imposter.) I’ll walk you through the exact shift that helped me go from cake decorator to Senior Project Manager — and helped clients land project manager roles without ever holding the official title.
You’ll learn how to:•Spot the hidden pattern that keeps high-potential people stuck at “almost ready”•Identify what is really holding you back from transitioning into project management•Stop sabotaging your career and move forward with confidence
If your career pivot is stalled because confidence hasn’t caught up to capability, press play. This might be the episode that changes what you believe you’re allowed to go for.
Think we might be a fit to work together? 
Let's find out! 
✨Book a PM Path Diagnostic call
During this call, we will: 
1. Identify if you’re ready to land a PM role1. Figure out what’s blocking you1. Map a path to help you get there as quickly as possible