Freelance project manager anyone?

[SallRight]

Hi

I'm looking for work and would really like to be self employed.

My trade (if I have one) I'm finding hard to define. With 20 years experience behind me in private and public sector, mostly in leadership roles I have strong staff management and problem solving skills and lot of experience of recruitment, management, training and IT projects as well.

Have you managed to make a business out of this? Its not quite Management Consultancy I have in mind I don't think, more operational mini and short term projects such as Recruitment and Training of key staff or Setting up and Implementing a new piece of Software or Website.

If there was a market for this I would look to grow this into a business with multiple 'poroject managers' available for work.

Any guidance on the viability or market for this would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Hi, I've been thinking about doing the same - I currently run an online business which is successful but seasonal but used to be a web/digital project manager/business analyst and have realised that my heart lies in this area rather than the retail side so would love to pick up a bit of work to keep my hand in. But I love the flexibility that comes with being self-employed and the ability to take on short term projects to fit in with school holidays and have some control over my hours. I have mainly tried to find work by approaching web agencies to see if they need an extra pair of hands on a project but have had no luck so far. Would love to hear how you get on.

I read a great article about this just last night actually - I love the "Boutique approach" - something to think about?

www.entrepreneur.com/article/225291

I'm a PM and it does seem to lend itself to "organising the shit" out of just about anything.

Oh thanks very much Dolomites that sounds interesting, I'll read in a minute.

• Do you have any advice on project managent training? Should I be doing PRINCE2 or similar to sure up my experience? I'd like to, but would clients value that do you think, I imagine complete guess they will be businesses employing up to 100 people/turnovers upto £2,000,000 .

Alexa - I currently run an online shop but the sector it serves is being hit badly by the recession so while it continues to do OK its not exciting me! Do you have any contacts that might be able to put work your way? This is currently my main obstacle I think, as I don't have many any

So far
Have just been writing a list of things to achieve to get this going, have also signed up to facebook (I'd resisted all these years but think I may need it for this) and linkedin so will be setting up profiles on there.

DH is a self employed web designer so we're thinking of making it a trading arm of his company to begin with as I currently work with him and am not being stretched with existing work.

Next
Going to ask a local accountant's opinion and a couple of friends who have had small businesses for input into the idea...

I have similar skills. Have worked in training, IT and Project management roles for the last 12 years. Decided to go self employed helping people start their own business. Tend to pick up a lot of marketing/web project based work, but that may be because I have been drawn to this area.

There are a few websites that could be worth looking at for freelance work such as Elance, People per Hour.

Hello! I'm pursuing this at the moment, had some great advice and thoughts on a thread I started about PMs. I recently did the PRINCE2 Foundation (hope to do the Practitioner exam soon before I forget it all). I've definitely found that doing the course has helped me understand the job adverts!

Some ads ask for PRINCE2, but I reckon it at least makes my CV look a little more appropriate, and it shows I'm taking my professional development seriously.

Hi check out the professional NHS interim market. You will probable need prince 2 or apm it's a weeks course. Look on nhs jobs web site, and several agencies specialise in nhs interim roles, e.g. Timothy James consulting. Your public sector experience will stand you in good stead. Also get on linked in and get into the NHS contractor group as roles come up there too. Contract roles vary and you might deal with performance through to flu vaccine. If you feel short of nhs experience consider volunteering on your local gp patients group or seek out a lay role in your local clinical commissioning group and soak it all up like a sponge. The rates are attractive and the clients are generally family friendly if you have to manage illness etc. good luck

Elansofar Thanks very much that sounds like good advice. I have just noticed the dates of the thread, time files.

In January I registered my own limited company and by March I had found my first client, who will keep me busy till September. After that I need a new client...
I didn't get on with cold calling but am finding networking more pleasant (slightly) so was hoping that will lead somewhere.
I should soon have earned enough money to pay for the prince 2 training and exam so will look at the contracting info next.