Smartsheet careers are definitely on the rise in this growing job market. As I browse the pages of LinkedIn, it’s hard not to notice that many companies are looking for skilled professionals who understand how to use Smartsheet. In a nutshell, Smartsheet is a work management tool that excels (no pun intended) in its project management capabilities.
Personally, I love it. From streamlining complex workflows to harnessing the power of advanced formulas, Smartsheet has revolutionized how I approach project management.
In this post, I’ll share how Smartsheet has elevated my career, dive into its standout features, and compare it with its competitors to show you exactly why Smartsheet remains my top choice.
My Journey: From Challenges to Success
It all started during my journey to finding a technical role. I’ll spare you the embarrassing moments that happened along the way; but I’ll tell you this, it was a tough journey. Worth it? Absolutely. What came out of one of those embarrassing moments was that my manager at the time gained a better understanding of where I wanted to take my career.
She was my biggest cheerleader and I’m forever grateful for her support. Basically, she allowed me to take on a special project that allowed me to help build out technical requirements for our new project management software that would be replacing what we were using at the moment. She included me in the RFP process as well as the user acceptance testing (UAT) after product selection.
Not only that, but she also made sure I was included in the communications with IT and the product team to ensure our requirements were met and to address any further technical issues. It doesn’t end there; I was also given the opportunity to author the user manual for our design and construction project management team and conduct live training sessions.
When I tell you I was READY, babes, I was ready to take these new skills and fly away. And I did just that… actually, I was forced to by the pandemic, nonetheless, I was laid off in 2020 with a new skill set ready to make a transition in my career.
Smartsheet Careers
Introducing Smartsheet
My Smartsheet career started in 2021 when I accepted a role as a Project/PMO Analyst for a large consumer products company. This role to date, has been the most challenging role I’ve ever had. I was a direct report of the Chief of Staff, PMO Director of the company. She was a very nice woman, but she was firm, very direct and well respected in the company.
I truly admired her ora; it was giving big boss, seasoned professional, and strategic powerhouse all at once! My role on our team of 3 was to build a PMO from scratch… for this global company. I did not fully understand the task at hand before accepting the role. But… I quickly learned that it was a big freaking deal and I had to put on my big girl pants and figure it out.
After defining the PMO governance (shout out to PMI), we were ready to choose a tool. And yes, you guessed it, we chose Smartsheet! I became so comfortable with the tool and its ease of use that I couldn’t imagine why it wasn’t on the list for my previous company.
Smartsheet Competitors: Why It Stands Out
1. Microsoft Project
Microsoft Project is a comprehensive project management tool that integrates with other Microsoft Office applications. It offers robust scheduling, resource management, and budgeting features.
2. Asana
Asana is a popular task management and project tracking tool that emphasizes collaboration and ease of use. It provides features for task assignment, project timelines, and progress tracking.
3. Monday.com
Monday.com is a work operating system that helps teams manage projects and workflows with customizable boards and automation. It emphasizes visual project tracking and collaboration.
4. Trello
Trello is a visual project management tool that uses boards, lists, and cards to organize tasks and projects. It’s known for its simplicity and ease of use.
5. Wrike
Wrike is a collaborative work management platform that offers features for project planning, tracking, and reporting. It includes tools for task management, time tracking, and team collaboration.
6. Basecamp
Basecamp is a project management tool that focuses on simplicity and team collaboration, with features for task assignment, file sharing, and communication.
7. ClickUp
ClickUp is an all-in-one project management and productivity tool that combines tasks, docs, goals, and chat. It offers extensive customization options and integrations.
8. Jira
Jira, developed by Atlassian, is primarily used for software development and agile project management. It supports issue tracking, sprint planning, and detailed reporting.
9. Workfront
Workfront is an enterprise work management solution that provides tools for project planning, task management, and workflow automation. It helps teams manage complex project and portfolio management.
10. Teamwork
Teamwork offers a suite of project management tools, including task management, time tracking, and collaboration features. It focuses on enhancing team productivity and project visibility.
In my opinion, Smartsheet really shines with its advanced reporting functionality, premium applications, and versatile views. The spreadsheet view is incredibly user-friendly for managing complex projects, while the card and calendar views make tracking tasks and scheduling a breeze. Its top-notch collaboration tools and automation features set it apart from the competition, offering a well-rounded solution that goes beyond the basics and delivers a powerful project management experience.
Smartsheet Resource Management
Smartsheet Resource Management is designed to help teams allocate and manage resources efficiently, ensuring that projects are staffed appropriately, and workloads are balanced. This feature provides a high-level overview of resource utilization, helping project managers avoid overloading team members and optimize resource allocation.
However, in my experience, the user experience (UX) for Smartsheet Resource Management can be less than friendly. The interface feels a bit clunky and can be challenging to navigate, which sometimes detracts from its functionality. Despite this, resource management is just one of the many premium applications Smartsheet offers.
Beyond resource management, Smartsheet has several powerful tools.
Smartsheet Control Center is a game-changer for managing large portfolios of projects.
It provides centralized governance and reporting, enabling teams to oversee multiple projects from a single blueprint and ensures consistency across the board.
DataMesh is another standout application, designed to integrate data from various sources within Smartsheet. This tool allows users to combine and visualize data seamlessly, facilitating better decision-making and insights.
DataShuttle automates data import and export processes, streamlining the flow of information between Smartsheet and other systems. This tool helps keep data synchronized and reduces manual data entry, saving time and minimizing errors.
Dynamic View offers a flexible way to view and interact with project data. Users can create custom views that can be tailored to different roles and needs, enhancing collaboration and ensuring that relevant information is easily accessible.
Businesses are drawn to Smartsheet because of its resemblance to Excel, which makes it easier for users familiar with spreadsheets to adapt. Smartsheet formulas mirror the syntax of Excel formulas, providing a seamless transition for those who are used to working with Excel’s functionalities. This familiarity helps users leverage their existing spreadsheet skills while benefiting from Smartsheet’s advanced project management features.
Smartsheet Careers: Exploring Opportunities and Skill Sets
Smartsheet careers span a diverse range of roles, reflecting the tool’s broad applications across various industries. From technical positions to strategic roles, Smartsheet offers opportunities for professionals interested in project management, software development, and business administration. Some common roles include:
- Smartsheet Developers: These professionals focus on building custom applications and integrations using Smartsheet’s API and other tools.
- Smartsheet Administrators: They manage and maintain Smartsheet implementations within organizations, ensuring optimal configuration and user support.
- Project Managers: These roles utilize Smartsheet for planning, tracking, and reporting on project progress.
- Consultants and Implementation Specialists: They help organizations deploy Smartsheet solutions and optimize their use of the platform.
Smartsheet careers aren’t limited to roles at Smartsheet the company. Many businesses are adopting Smartsheet and seek skilled developers, consultants and administrators to manage and optimize the tool for their own needs. This widespread adoption opens up numerous career opportunities for project professionals.
