Earning a PMP® certification is a way to prepare yourself to take on more responsibilities in your job and show your executives that you have the commitment and knowledge to take on those responsibilities. Also, because the PMI certification process is so thorough and rigorous, completing this program is a huge boost to your self-esteem
By earning your PMP® certificate, you can also prove to your current and prospective employers that you are committed to top performance and that you can work at the highest level of project management. This increases the likelihood that you will receive higher compensation for your current position and have a better chance of growth in future.
What is PMP Certification?
Project Management Professional (PMP) is recognized worldwide and is a professional certificate. Proposed by the Project Management Institute (PMI), an American professional non-profit organization. As a recognized and respected letter of credit, PMP is indispensable for PMs and especially for those who are looking forward to taking the next step in their career.
What is the PMP certification exam for?
Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) works as a guide for testing applicants. The PMP exam checks candidates for assignments in five performance area
- Project initiation (13%)
- Project planning (24%)
- Project implementation (31%)
- Project monitoring and control (25%)
- Project completion (7%)
*Numbers in brackets indicate the weight assigned to each domain in the exam.
The exam has about 200 questions with multiple options. Out of it, 25 cannot count in final results. They are used as pilot questions to raise the standard of the exam. However, it is impossible to know the sample questions because they will be asked randomly during the exam. Again, this is a closed book test. This means that the aspirants cannot be able to use any reference material during the exam.
Pre-requisites for taking the PMP exam?
When asked who should apply, PMI states:
“If you are an experienced project manager responsible for elements of all project’s delivery and leading cross-functional teams, PMP is the right choice for you.
More importantly, one must meet certain requirements to be certified. Candidates must have both.
Secondary Education (Diploma of Secondary Education, Associate Degree or Global Equivalent).
7500 hours of project management and management
35 hours of project management training
OR
Four years of degree
4500 hours managing and managing projects
35 hours of project management training
Is PMP certification course feasible?
Now that we understand what PMP is, let’s return to the original question. Do I need a PMP certificate? Obtaining an online PMP certificate has costs and benefits. Various hiring professionals and certified professionals agree that the benefits far outweigh the costs.
First, let’s look at some of the problems identified in PMP certification.
Expensive
If you are not a PMI member, the PMP certification fee is $550. However, if you are a member, you only need to spend $405 to take the exam. PMI membership alone costs $139. While you only save $11 when you become a PMI member, there are many other benefits associated with being a member. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you become a PMI member before registering for the exam.
Also, if you fail the first try and want to retake the exam, you will have to pay $275 if you are a PMI member and $375 if you are not a PMI member.
Apart from the exam fees, there are several other costs that one has to incur while preparing. This includes the cost of training, preparation books, sample questions, and so on. With that in mind, you’ll need to spend at least $750 to get this certificate. However, almost all experts agree that this price is nothing compared to the career growth one can achieve through this certification.
Difficult
Most people agree that the PMP is a tough exam. Some even said that this was the toughest test they had ever experienced. The difficulty lies in the fact that examination not just caters concept memory, but also its practical application. When you add the time pressure (you have to answer 200 questions in 240 minutes) it becomes daunting even for experienced project managers. There are also individual differences in the duration of the exam. Some take two to three months to be successful. Others cannot receive a certificate even after years of training.
But the point is, if the exams were easy and anyone could pass easily, would their grades be as good as they are now? Of course not!
The status of this certification lies in the stringent standards required to obtain and maintain a certificate. Therefore, PMP certification requires hard work from you. But the good news is that the fruits of this effort will be sweet.
It took a long time
Yes, there are financial costs. But for most people, the time investment is the bigger problem. You complain about the number of hours it takes to get PMP certification training.
Part of that has to do with the preparation itself. Since the exam is difficult, you will need to spend some time each day mastering the PMBOK guide. But most people agree that’s not all. You’ll need to read some other guides, attend prep sessions (if you’re joining someone), and write sample tests as part of your preparation. All of these activities take up a lot of time. Since most candidates are currently employed, they feel more overwhelmed by the weather.
In addition, the PMP application must document all completed projects. It is also important to write down the smallest details about these projects. It sounds easy, but it is not easy and time consuming. This activity also cannot be done lightly. The reason is, PMI is going through an audit process to determine the authenticity of the request.
Yes, this problem looks intimidating. However, given the benefits of PMP certification, it seems almost irrelevant. Now let’s read about the benefits of PMP certification.
PMP certification benefits
Added value to resume
There are several professional certifications you can pursue throughout your career. But among all that, PMP certification is the most valuable certification program. Interviewers who want to take on project lead positions know this, so they tend to prioritize PMP-certified accounts over those that don’t.
Project management jobs are in high demand. In most cases, several people apply for this position. Companies need a lot of time and resources to interview all candidates and evaluate potential. Therefore, they like to screen as many people as possible before the project management interview process. This is where the PMP certificate proves useful, as it is one of the most objective ways to select candidates from a short list.
In addition, many companies require a PMP certificate. This means that without these credentials, you will not even be able to apply for certain positions.
The PMP certification can also be invaluable if you plan to advance at the company you currently work for. This means you are ahead of your peers as you climb the career ladder. Also, certified managers can do much better than non-certified managers in tough project management interviews.
Provide industry recognition
PMP certificates are generally recognized. Many certification programs only focus on a specific area or geography. On the other hand, PMP works globally and works with every industry and everywhere. So regardless of work experience and industry, you can win by adding a certificate to your resume.
What is the value of PMP certification and PMP training online in the market? The data show that the higher the number of certified project managers in a company, the higher the project success rate. Companies also recognize that certified managers are better able to complete projects on time and within budget.
If you are just starting a career in project management, a PMP certification makes up for a lack of experience. Say you are experienced and have proven experience in your work, then PMBOK certification can fly high your professional career.
Help you learn important skills
There are many project managers in the job market. How are you going to stand tall in the crowd in such a scenario? What better way to do this than getting a PMP certification? It makes your resume more attractive to the company. More importantly, the PMBOK certification provides you with essential skills for excellence in your career.
PMP certification has a high standard. Therefore, it is not easy to pass this exam without proper preparation. It also requires that you master the practical application of the material. In order to receive a PMP credential, you will need to learn some hard and soft skills. He builds knowledge of the basic tools and techniques and methods for the project management process. It will also familiarize you with best practices and latest market trends in project management. You can also learn new techniques and tricks in project management.
Do you want to continue to develop professionally? You can’t do it without getting better at what you do. Experience can teach you how to improve your project management. But certificates can do the same thing in less time.
Contribute to higher income
The biggest benefit of PMP certification is the higher salary it can provide project managers. Across all industries, the average salary of certified project managers is significantly higher. According to PMI’s Project Management Salary Survey 10th ed, the median salary for a PMP Credential holder in the United States was $112,000. They also note that across 37 surveyed countries, PMP certified respondents reported earnings 23% higher, on average, than those without PMP certification.
This trend can be seen across the globe, including in Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Among women, PMP certified owners earn significantly more than certified women in other areas.
Especially? PMP has always been the highest paying IT certificate. Trends also suggest that PMP salaries will only continue to increase in the future.
In addition to higher income, PMP certification increases your work safety. Some companies evaluate the core competencies learned through in-service certification. Therefore, PMP credentials will help you deal with potential layoffs better than without them.
Offer networking opportunities
PMI currently has approximately 773,840 active PMP certificate holders across the globe. When you sign up as a PMI member, you become part of this club. PMI often holds meetings for members in major cities around the world. These meetings are also organized to help members attract professional development units (PDUs). These units are required to meet ongoing requirements for identification data, also known as CCRs. They are very important to keep the certificate for three years.
The advantages of such a network meeting are many. This meeting is a great way to get to know all the new job opportunities shared by people who value this certificate. PMI meetings take time to promote the position. There are other online and offline communities where PMPs interact with each other. This community helps build a professional network. In addition, this certification allows one to mentor other PMI-PMP applicants.
Acknowledge your commitment to work
As mentioned above, there are few conditions that must be met before you can obtain PMP certification. As an associate, you need 60 months of work experience to qualify. A person with a bachelor’s degree needs 36 months of work experience, on the other hand. PMP certification has a high standard. Potential employers understand that passing the exam requires a commitment to the job. This showcases that you are serious about making project management a long-term career.
An employee who invests in training is a great asset to the company. The PMP certificate symbolizes your desire to enhance your professional skills, strengths and knowledge. It also helps you instil respect among co-workers and team members.
Conclusion
In conclusion, some may find PMP certification expensive, time consuming, and difficult. But many hiring professionals see the PMP certification as important identifying information that will add credibility to your resume. It also helps you build the basic skills you need to have a great career.
So yes! Online PMP certification is beneficial.
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