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Having many letters after your name & Job search

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Riyadh Salih Saskatchewan, Canada
How much did many letters after the name helped you to find and secure a good relevant position?

I still see many people having a high position without any credentials after their name and those with so many still searching for decent job.

Is this a proof of it doesn't matter how much you know it matters whom you know?
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Kiron Bondale Retired | Mentor| Retired Welland, Ontario, Canada
Riyadh -

Agreed - the majority of available roles are never advertised so someone having 20 certifications has no advantage over someone with none who has the inside track on one of these positions.

Certifications can demonstrate what you know at a point in time and can be used as evidence that a candidate is investing in their personal development but they don't confirm competency.

Kiron
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2 replies by Riyadh Salih and William Washinski II
Nov 29, 2018 6:25 PM
William Washinski II
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Here is an Axiom for life:

The ability to OBTAIN is not as important as the ability to SUSTAIN.

It's not about the acheivement, it's about living the achievement. Having letters behind your name won't "get you a job".

No one should believe it would. However, there is a distinct advantage to the person who works to obtain professional development and continues to improve upon and apply the knowledge of that development -- and being able to show where it applies and has made a difference.
Nov 30, 2018 7:45 PM
Riyadh Salih
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Kiron thanks for your valued input I agree with you, I think passing such a difficult exam shows some kind of competency.
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Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD Senior Project Manager| Infosys Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Riyadh. I would say it depends on the letters and domain. A doctor for sure would need all these letters, and several other professional roles. Another factor is the credibility of the awarding body where the letters came from. Below is an example of my dubious qualifications:

Sante Vergini
ABCD EF GHI JKLM NOP QRST UV WXYZ
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William Washinski II Product Owner| Cigna Tampa, Fl, United States
Nov 29, 2018 4:27 PM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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Riyadh -

Agreed - the majority of available roles are never advertised so someone having 20 certifications has no advantage over someone with none who has the inside track on one of these positions.

Certifications can demonstrate what you know at a point in time and can be used as evidence that a candidate is investing in their personal development but they don't confirm competency.

Kiron
Here is an Axiom for life:

The ability to OBTAIN is not as important as the ability to SUSTAIN.

It's not about the acheivement, it's about living the achievement. Having letters behind your name won't "get you a job".

No one should believe it would. However, there is a distinct advantage to the person who works to obtain professional development and continues to improve upon and apply the knowledge of that development -- and being able to show where it applies and has made a difference.
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William Washinski II Product Owner| Cigna Tampa, Fl, United States
So Riyadh - what happens if you "know" someone and you don't have what is needed to fill the pain points of the organization. That piece of paper and badge doesn't qualify you.

But its what you can do with the knowledge from that Certification. It's like a Professional Athlete drafted in the 1st round. In a few years that free agent who out-worked that "entitled" early pick is now getting the starting role and big contract. Find ways to apply in any fashion any where your marketability with examples of how that certification made a difference.

And Networking is key, even if you CAN make a difference, no one will give you the chance if they don't like, know or buy you in general.

In short - DO BOTH.
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1 reply by Riyadh Salih
Nov 30, 2018 7:59 PM
Riyadh Salih
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William, I like that "The ability to OBTAIN is not as important as the ability to SUSTAIN." but if you don't obtain first so what you sustain ... the discussion behind this is to bring awareness as industry needs to change rapidly I know some started to ask on the job advertisement stating preference will be giving to PMP holders. but I still believe a long way to go some letters are still not known to many HR managers, there should be tangible and intangible values for those letter, I like what Kiron said that it shows that you investing in your self and definitely the benefits will be extended to your organization
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Rami Kaibni
Community Champion
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
While I agree with my colleagues here, I think it helps on platforms like LinkedIn as many approached me for job offers and teaching classes just by seeing that letter under my name in LinkedIn, so they send an email to inquire then interviewed me so it can be the trigger sometimes.
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1 reply by Riyadh Salih
Nov 30, 2018 8:04 PM
Riyadh Salih
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Rami, I am glad to see your quite motivating feedback and more glad that you are getting knocks on your door. keep it up my friend
I know it is at a time very expensive to pay all renewal fees if you don't have good job (Not all organization pay it specially if they feel it is not in compliance for the job
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Keith Novak Tukwila, Wa, United States
I put my credentials at the end of my resume rather than after my name. Other than online platforms like Rami pointed out, the only thing I would expect behind the name is a PhD, and professional licenses like a PE or an MD.

I do know that for some of my positions, I would not have passed the HR filter without some of those letters like the PMP. From reading tons of resumes on the hiring side of the table, I don't care so much about lots of letters, but a few of the right letters will help me know if the applicant has a good fit for the desired level of experience and skills.
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2 replies by Riyadh Salih
Nov 30, 2018 8:14 PM
Riyadh Salih
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Keith, the PMP is more powerful than the PhD

I had two guys one was MEng and one was recently finished his PhD I couldn't fit them in my project even on jobs which does not require red seal ( we are very regulated here in Canada electrician must be red seal and in some province the electrician must have PSE so that I can hire them to work in my project of erection installation of substation.
PSE = Power System Electrician
Nov 30, 2018 8:47 PM
Riyadh Salih
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Keith, this is my own consideration about PMP
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Drew Craig Sr. Agile & Product Coach| Vanguard Philadelphia, Pa, United States
If relatable and matches the story of one's career and experience, then all good. For instance, I have technical Microsoft certifications. I list them on my resume for context, but other than that, never highlight or mention them.
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1 reply by Riyadh Salih
Dec 01, 2018 12:29 AM
Riyadh Salih
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Andrew, they are like "Joker Card" in your pocket whenever needed you can just take out and ....
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Sripriya Narayanasamy Author, Say Yes to Project Success| Director, KeyResultz Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
Great discussion, Riyadh. Sometimes, it feels odd to have 25-30 letters beyond the name.

Yes, I do agree that lot of hard work gone in to get those certifications.

In my viewpoint, even adding them in the resume, I would add the relevant ones for the position there rather than adding everything.
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1 reply by Riyadh Salih
Dec 01, 2018 12:31 AM
Riyadh Salih
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Sripriya, thank you for your feedback yes you are doing the right thing most important to be relevant to the whole picture of your context
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Anish Abraham Privacy Program Manager| University of Washington Auburn, Wa, United States
In my viewpoint, relevant job experience is more important than having several letters after your name. I agree that certifications really helps in the beginning but after that it's just your experience.
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1 reply by Riyadh Salih
Dec 01, 2018 7:21 PM
Riyadh Salih
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Anish, yes this is very important to be relevant
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Riyadh Salih Saskatchewan, Canada
Nov 29, 2018 4:27 PM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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Riyadh -

Agreed - the majority of available roles are never advertised so someone having 20 certifications has no advantage over someone with none who has the inside track on one of these positions.

Certifications can demonstrate what you know at a point in time and can be used as evidence that a candidate is investing in their personal development but they don't confirm competency.

Kiron
Kiron thanks for your valued input I agree with you, I think passing such a difficult exam shows some kind of competency.
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