I had a potential employer ask me what the value is in being a PMP. I tried to explain, but felt that they failed to see its benefit amongst MBA's and PhD's. Can anyone provide me with a way to show this potential employer the benefit of having your PMP. Saving Changes...
The value of a PMP to an organization hiring a project manager is that the manager has been certified as having specialized knowledge. Just as accountants with CPAs have been certified with specialized knowledge.
While an MBA or PHd are also specialized knowledge, rarely is the focus almost exclusively on business topics and how they relate to delivering projects on time, within budget, and with the quality desired by the client. If the organization values broader knowlege, then it is not projectized and its focus is not on the customers for whom it does projects. That's ok, there are many organizations (mine included) who do projects for themselves and don't value the specialized knowledge in those they assign to manage the projects. Saving Changes...
I suggest that you tell them that you have taken an international exam designed to prve your knowledge of rpoject management and that you have passed it. There are only about 21,000 PMP's in the world and that many people are calling the exam the hottest certification in the world. Some people are receiving a $15,000 bonus and a 15% rasie when they pass it. Contact me at www.rmcproject.com if I can be of more help. Saving Changes...
From an IT perspective, PMP certification is merely a marketing gimmick. Hear me well!
PMP certification requires NO COLLEGE DEGREE, is NOT industry specific, and requires a minimal level of project management experience. To compare PMP certification to CPA certification is bogus at best. CPA certification requires a college degree, is industry specific, and requires verified experience. You do not become a CPA by taking a weekend seminar, which is the case for PMP.
In the IT field, college degree and quality experience matters!!!
Tom Welch Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Tom,
FYI - PMP also requireds verified experience and a collge degree.
Additionally, some of the best project managers that I have encountered are one's who have very little formalized education.
From my perspective, the beauty of the PMBOK and the PMP Certification is that it demonstrate (with experience) that an individual has a solid understanding of the tools and techniques that can be used. The operative word here is "can". PMI's methodology is structured in a way (intentionally) so that it is not industry specific, which I see as a strong attribute. If it was structured for only IT professionals, than what value would it be to others in various other SIG (specific Interest Groups)? PMI does have SIG's where there are discussions on how to use various tools and techniques in this specific area.
Tom,it may be of some value to you to go to www.pmi.org. Read up on what PMI has to offer.
I feel that there is a great deal of value of the PMP certification to the client or manager of a PMP. Aside from the verification of skills and continuous development requirements, there is the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct for PMPs requires each PMP to be ethical and fair in their profession. It may seem trivial to most, but a hiring manager knows that a PMP has agreed to the Code of Conduct and has to live by it to maintain that certification.
The original question was: Can anyone provide me with a way to show this potential employer the benefit of having your PMP.
In my experience, if the employer is not aware of the PMP program then you are wasting your time when you try to explain it. Larger companies respect and support the certification program so no explanation is needed there. I landed one consulting engagement with a five-minute phone conversation because I am a PMP. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
I agree with Tom. Been in PM and PMO work over 25 years and have seen many PMs come and go. PMI certification is just like the "Oracle" DBA course many IT persons take...(want-a-bees) when you come out you are still the same with a little more knowledge. I have seen more PMI PMs who could not manage a project to save their live. I will say it is a step in the right direction.... Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Respose to previous message.
I have also seen many PMP's manage projects will exceptional performance. Saving Changes...
Question: provide a way to show a potential employer the benefit of having your PMP...
There is no fool-proof way to show value to a potential employer, of PMP or anything for that matter. In order to prove the value of anything, you must understand the needs and pains of the employer. Then you can properly address the value of something (PMP for example) to that employer. If the employer values validated skills, continuous improvement, and ethical project managers, then they should also value the PMP credential. If they don't know about PMP or PMI, educate them. Tell them that the PMI sets the ANSI standard for Project Management. Tell them that as a PMP your skills are validated and verified by a international organization dedicated to the advancement of Project Management as a profession. Tell them that, as a PMP, you must must demonstrate ongoing professional commitment to the field of project management. Tell them that the PMP means you are not a fly-by-nite operation.
