Any advice for a candidate with only AEC experience to be able to translate these skills to a CSM role?

Coming from an AEC background, you already have a strong foundation in industry knowledge, which is a huge advantage when transitioning into a CSM role. The key is to translate your hands-on experience into customer success skills. If you’ve managed projects, collaborated with stakeholders, or navigated RFIs and change orders, you’re already skilled in problem-solving and process optimization—both essential in helping clients get the most out of Procore. Your experience communicating with owners, GCs, and subcontractors directly applies to relationship management, a core aspect of being a CSM. Understanding client pain points, guiding them through solutions, and ensuring they see value in the platform is similar to how you’ve worked with teams to keep projects on track. If you've ever implemented new tools, trained colleagues, or improved workflows with software, that’s direct experience in tech adoption, which is crucial in helping clients maximize Procore.

The biggest shift is moving from executing projects to enabling others to succeed. Lean into your industry expertise, showcase your ability to communicate and problem-solve, and focus on how you can help clients streamline their work using technology. Your construction background gives you an edge—now it’s about positioning yourself as a trusted advisor.