I got my CAPM about 2 months ago and finally started to apply to jobs in the hopes of starting a real career, but to my surprise not one employer cares that I have this achievement. I have sent out around 100 applications and I have had no contacts for interviews, I have either been ignored or had my application marked as not selected. So I guess my real question is did I waste my time, money and effort to get this certification or is it that job posters only do a quick Google search and only find PMP as a project management certification? Saving Changes...
Any certification that you completed is first and foremost a great achievement for you as an individual and you should be proud of it!
Now i do not know about the accurate value of the CAPM in the states but as someone who eyed CAPM few years ago i can relate on this story.
I can only encourage you to keep sending applications, think about the big picture. If your goal is to be get the PMP one day - which i am quite sure of - your CAPM already helps you fill some requirements.
I'd suggest having your resume reviewed either by a professional, or someone you trust who has reviewed a lot of resumes. Certifications come at the end of a resume. While the PMP may be a keyword some HR departments use to screen resumes, chances are that with 100 submittals and no responses, you may want to look more at the body of your resume, and how it reads to a prospective employer. Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Brian,
agree with Loic. No certification alone will get you a job and CAPM can be seen as the junior of PMP, so as an employer I would prefer the real thing.
But congrats for achieving the CAPM. I know it is a lot of effort to achieve.
100 applications is not unusual, but if you got no feedback follow the advice of Keith. What does your social media presence say about yourself. LinkedIN is checked in any case.
Also be aware that even with professional help, most jobs are found by referral. I recommend to extend your network e.g. by joining PMI Chapters and/or Toastmaster groups.
Do not look for someone to blame but to become a better choice.
It really depends on the type of roles you are applying for. For a project analyst/coordinator type role, the CAPM would be a differentiator relative to other candidates who had no PM-specific credentials. However, if you are applying for a PM role, a recruiter or hiring manager will definitely give more weight to a PMP or PRINCE2 certification.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Crudely said, it is a wasted of time. Go for PMP when you are ready. But the key thing is: you will not learn project management by taking a certification (by the way I have 3 of the PMI certifications. I "trust" in getting PMI certifications). And getting certifications will not give you more chances to getting a job except in the case where in the job description is stated "PMP certification required" for example. When you search this phrase or similar you will not find too much of it. Take into account, not "desirable" or something like that. The key word is "required" or something like that. So, I am in line with @Keith comments above. Unfortunately, some organizations that provides certifications try to sell that you will find a job thanks to have a certification and the reality showed along the years that is not right. Adding to add, the region of the world where you are located plays an important role. For example, if you are in Europe, PMP certification has not the same impact than into the USA. Saving Changes...
Phil AkinwaleProject Management & Leadership Speaker, Coach, Trainer & Author| PRAIZIONMesa, Az, United States
I had a student years ago who got CAPM certified. Shortly after, she used that as leverage to join a well-known government agency and rose to the top ranks, and did not get her PMP even 5 years later once her CAPM expired. It just shows you, its about the unique opportunity and stakeholders. Some Project Administrator roles would gladly welcome a CAPM and you can move into something else from there. With the number of PMPs in the world, the competition in several project-related jobs is stiff, so level up with a CSM if you can and put your best foot forward given the opportunity. Saving Changes...
I'm not sure about States but in middle east, I've seen Employer consider CAPM as a entry level to 5 years of Experience for Project management department, Planner/scheduler or Project Control.
See Ultimately it depends upon your role, responsibility and Job profile that CAPM is required or PMP.
but yeah you have done a great job that you acquire a CAPM because it's a basic and prior knowledge of Project management that you have it and you can use it anywhere or relate and implement the Knowledge in your desired job. Be patient and keep trying and looking for new job where CAPM will have some additional advantage for Job Profile. Saving Changes...
I sit in the same boat. I am currently working towards my CAPM certification. It seems from reading the above some authors does not know the requirement for PMP. You cannot just study towards your PMP, you need actual working experience expressed as working hours, to the tune of around 5000 if I am not mistaken. The CAPM exam only requirement is a certain amount of hours towards actual classroom (Online or physical) time. This working experience is wat the original poster wants and so do I, and we cannot get that if someone isn't willing to give us a chance at working as a JUNIOR PM. Saving Changes...
I find the CAPM was really helpful for me. It has helped and organized my over-30 years of working knowledge of project management. I have a lot more clarity to navigate project challenges now with a lot more ease, joy and happiness. I am glad CAPM exists and would recommend it as a 'prerequisite' for PMP. IMHO, attitude - staying humble - matters. Saving Changes...
Jennifer McIntyreSenior Project Manager| Oklahoma State Department of HealthOklahoma City, Ok, United States
I got the CAPM and applied for a job that had "PMP or similar certification required" in the description - It wasnt a Project Manager Role that I really had hoped the CAPM would help me get (it was a PMO Analyst), but it paid well enough and got me in the door there and I was able to gain the experience needed to complete the PMP and then move into my current role.
As previously stated have someone take a look at your resume and get feedback - it may need a tweak or two. Saving Changes...
