Can PMP certification boost your salary and make you a more appealing job candidate?
The first step to finding out is learning what PMP certification is. PMP stands for Project Management Professional. Obtaining PMP certification means that you have taken the necessary steps to prove that you are an expert at managing projects.
PMP certification focuses on all the vital components of a professional project, including budgeting, managing scope, design, scheduling and quality control. Many of these qualities are developed over time. You may already possess all or many of them. If you do, then obtaining PMP certification should be your next goal.
Why is PMP Certification so important?
There was a time when PMP certification did not exist. Professionals still had to manage projects and work with the skills covered by PMP certification, but they had no official benchmark to prove their expertise. There came about a need for a way to monitor industry standards. In the late 90’s, the first PMP certification tests emerged focused in technological fields.
The practice has expanded greatly to cover many industries and help individuals stand out thanks to their well developed project management skills.
Why should I get PMP certification?
You may already have extensive experience managing projects. And, while employers will review work history to make a decision about hiring you, official PMP certification can move you up one step higher. Obtaining PMP certification means that you have already proven beyond a doubt that you are an expert project manager.
It also shows that you take your profession very seriously and are willing to invest time and effort to obtain the certifications necessary to do the job well. It also saves the prospective employer time in researching the validity of your work history claims. As soon as they see PMP certification, they know you have met or exceeded industry standards for project management skills.
How do I obtain PMP certification?
PMP certification requires a significant investment in your profession. Candidates must have at least three full years of experience in project management. Specific examples are requested when submitting the PMP certification application. A PMP review board will read through the application and approve the candidate’s work history.
Once accepted, the candidate must take an exam which is offered by the Project Management Institute. This examination is available throughout the world, although a majority of them are offered in the United States. Candidates in France, Belgium and UK will also be able to access the exam in their home countries.
PMP Training
PMP training can help you prepare for a more lucrative career. This exam is required for individuals to earn Project Management Professional certification (or PMP certification). To be permitted to even take the exam, interested parties must apply to the Project Management Institute.
The application requires a detailed listing that shows the applicant has completed all prerequisites, including thousands of hours of project management experience. Even those who have been managing projects for decades can benefit from enrolling in PMP training courses before taking their exam.
Is online or offline better for me?
The internet is becoming a popular resource for furthering education. PMP training courses are available online and offline. To determine which is best for you, you must decide how you learn and what your schedule will allow for. Attending actual classes can be difficult if your schedule is already packed. However, most participants do better in a physical classroom. They find they can stay focused and pay attention more easily.
Building a foundation with PMP training
There are different types of PMP training courses available to professionals. Some learning institutions offer foundation building courses. These cover many basic aspects of project management. They are ideal for students who feel they need significant training and prefer to start from the bottom up. Some foundation classes are geared towards a specific industry, such as Process Improvement, Engineering or IT.
Lean Six Sigma specific & PMP training courses
Another option is to work through your PMP training in combination with Lean Six Sigma courses. The focus on project and change management skills are an ideal link to your PMP certification.
PMP Certification Requirements
PMP certification requirements can be very stringent. PMP (Project Management Professional) certification is a highly regarded credit that can help individuals become more desirable employees. Through PMP certification, professionals can prove their experience and show that they can meet or go beyond expected industry standards for project management.
Managing a project may sound easy, but in a fast-paced professional environment, it is extremely challenging. Project managers must create a realistic schedule that meets all necessary deadlines and find ways to work within the project’s budget. They must also monitor performance and quality factors to ensure an ideal outcome.
I Can Manage a Project, Why Can’t I Take the Exam?
Since the late 1990s, PMP certification has been helping professionals improve their resumes. The reason this single certification is so important is because it is the highest, most official measurement of project management skills. The Project Management Institute (PMI) keeps to very high standards so that those testing are fully prepared and have proven they have the potential to pass. Rather than taking every interested candidate’s word for it, PMI requires each applicant to prove their project management experience meets the PMP certification requirements.
Testing with a High School Diploma or Associates Degree
Individuals with a high school diploma or associates degree are eligible to take the PMP certification exam. Individuals in this category must have 60 months (a total of 7,500 hours) of project management experience as well as 35 contact hours to be considered. The quantity is higher when the candidate has less formal schooling to back up their experience and skills.
Testing with a Bachelor’s Degree
PMP certification requirements for individuals with a bachelor’s degree are a little lower. The candidate must have 36 months (a total of 4,500 hours) of project management experience. Just like those with a diploma or associates degree, bachelor’s degree candidates must also have 35 contact hours logged.
How Do I Apply for PMP Certification?
Individuals who meet the above PMP certification requirements can begin the application process. This is done online through PMI’s website. The application requires a detailed list of the candidate’s experience so that PMP certification requirements can be verified.