Taking the Plunge

A question I see come up a lot, and not just from Project Managers, is “Which certification should I get?”  Most of the time it comes across as if the person asking the question expects a new certification to make them more employable.  Sometimes this is true, but it isn’t always the case.  In fact, the mentality that you need more certifications to be better qualified could be considered a trap that can keep you from focusing on long-term objectives.  I’m not saying you shouldn’t get certified.  I am saying you should be selective about which certification(s) you pursue and that certification should be part of a larger plan, not the plan.

Why Do People Pursue Certifications?

Let’s look at reasons that people pursue certifications.

• Professional Credibility
• Career Advancement
• Increased Earning Potential
• Skill Development
• Global Recognition and Portability
• Network Expansion
• Personal Confidence
• Organizational Benefits
• Legal/Regulatory Requirement
• It’s part of a career roadmap
• Dopamine – a feeling of accomplishment
• To impress others
• To fix a stalled career without examining and addressing the root cause
• Productive procrastination
• Resume padding

Which Certifications Are Worth Pursuing?

Before you run out and get the latest and greatest certification, you should do some research to determine which certification(s) may be worth pursuing.

• Which certifications are often required or preferred in jobs you’re interested in?
• Which certifications are recruiters talking about/looking for candidates to have?
• Which certifications are mentioned at conferences or in speaker bios?
• What have your peers or mentors in the field found valuable?
• What skills are emerging or in demand?  (Be careful with this one – whenever something new comes out, there can be a lot of hype for new certifications that don’t measure up)
• Are there regulatory, compliance, or contractual requirements mandating specific certifications?

How Do I Choose?

Once you’ve identified some options, you should answer the following questions about each certification on your list:

• Does the certification align with your current or future role?
  • Will it remain relevant for at least 3–5 years?
• Is it recognized in your country, industry, or specialization?
• Are there prerequisites (experience, coursework, degrees)?
  • Do you meet the prerequisites?
• What’s the cost in time, money, and effort?
  • Can you afford the time and financial investment, right now?
• Is this a “nice-to-have,” a “gatekeeper” that you need just to get an interview, or a “differentiator” – strategic for standing out.
  • Is there clear employer or market demand for it?

Review the answers to these questions and see which certifications you can eliminate from your list.  If you haven’t narrowed the list down to just one certification, that’s okay.  You don’t have to choose just one, but you do have to prioritize them.  Gatekeepers should be your first target, with the caveat that your expectations are realistic.  If you only have a year’s worth of experience in Project Management, for example, the PMP may not be your best starting point.  It could be, but realize that you’re not likely to get an interview for a job that requires the PMP if you don’t have it.  Is there another certification that it makes sense to pursue while you are becoming eligible for more advanced certifications?

If you have the required gatekeeper certification(s), then look at the differentiators.  These are certifications that aren’t listed in the job description but as you research potential employers you can find reference to them, or hints that they would be helpful in places like leadership bios, projects the company is working on or plans to work on, and problems the company is trying to solve.  If a certification is listed in a job description, it's unlikely that it is a differentiator, unless it is so new or unknown that relatively few people hold it.

You may also find that none of the certifications on your list are worth pursuing – you may already have the best certifications for where you currently are in your career and where you want to go next.  You should also consider that, sometimes, hands-on training and practical knowledge are more valuable than a piece of paper.  There’s a lot you can learn and apply that will help you add value, without getting a certification.  The answer to “Which certification should you get next?” may be none, for now, and that’s okay.  There may be other priorities that you need to focus on that will have greater impact in the short-term or help you achieve your long-term objectives.  Remember, certification is to help you achieve your objectives, not be the objective.