Taking the Plunge

Instead of starting another blog discussing the differences in the results of my job search both before and after achieving PMP status, I have started a blog on another site that focuses on job hunting irrespective of profession.  I may still write about my efforts to maintain my credential, but I thought I would add one last discussion to this post about the impact of the PMP on my job search.

A friend recently asked me if, given the current state of the economy and job market, getting the PMP was worth it.  My response was that if he intends to look for a job as a PM, the majority of the people he would be competing with would either be PMPs or preparing for the exam, making it worth it now more than ever.

The PMP credential is not the only factor, though.

While I was preparing for the exam I had the opportunity to meet with one of the principal's of a consulting firm.  Based on our discussion and my resume I was asked to meet with one of the other principal's and from there met with the lead PM on a project they were hiring another PM for.  If California had been able to get its budget worked out I would have had a new job.  The PMP was a factor, even though I did not have it yet, but it wasn't what would have gotten me hired.

A month after passing the exam the company I was working went through a few rounds of layoffs.  The PMP did not save me.  One of my co-workers, who did not have his PMP, was not laid off, but my boss and her boss both knew I was looking for a new job and better pay which influenced their decision to let me go.  It didn't make sense to keep me and let my co-worker go if I was going to be leaving the company, soon, anway.

It wasn't long after that when I was contacted by a recruiter and began interviewing for a contract-to-hire position.  It was the combination of the PMP, education, and experience that got the recruiters attention, initially.  Having a friend at the company helped, too.  I don't like blowing my own horn, but in both circumstances it was connecting with the interviewers and having good interviews that made the difference.

I would have had the second job, but my wife and I decided to relocate.  I have since been hired as a PM, and the PMP is probably one of the factors that got me the initial interview, but the PMP by itself wasn't enough.

So, back to my original point - the PMP can help get you in the door, but the rest is up to you.

My final advice:  get your PMP, understand project management (that can be 2 different things), understand the industry you want to work in, demonstrate that you are able to work well with and relate to others, and get any other education and experience you need.  Doing this will help you both get a job as a PM and grow in your profession.

Good luck!

Well, this is it.  Tomorrow I find out if I am able to turn all of the experience and study into the correct answers on the exam.  I would say, “Wish me luck,” but it is not about luck at this point.  I won’t call it “skill” either, but if it were just about luck there would be a lot more PMPs out there.

I had a run in with pre-test anxiety earlier this week.  I started to get stressed out to the point that I could not study, and if I tried, I could not remember what I studied.  I am not going to go through a litany of stress relieving techniques, but I will say that sometimes you just need to step away for a little bit, clear your head, and then get back into it.  The key is getting back into it, and the longer you delay the harder it will be.

Am I going to do more studying today?  Contrary to advice in exam prep books I have been studying, I will.  I am going to practice Earned Value a little – EAC is the formula that will likely cause me the most trouble.  I am going to review contract types a little.  And I am going to take a practice exam.  To be honest, I could study the next 12 hours straight and still not feel highly confident, but that is just me and taking tests.

At this point, I really can’t expect to learn anything new that I will still remember tomorrow, so it is really about taking a relaxed approach to studying and reviewing what I already know to keep it fresh in my mind for tomorrow.  Perhaps the most important thing I can practice today is my memory dump sheet – the first thing I want to write down before I start my test, tomorrow morning.

After writing about this for the past several months, I better pass.  I would hate to have my next entry be about failing the exam.

There I go, creating more stress for myself.

Wish me plenty of sleep tonight and a clear head in the morning!