Laurel CastonProject Manager| DynamicWeb Tx, United States
Hi! I am a former teacher who moved into the corporate world during the pandemic. I have just completed the Google Project Management Certificate, and I am ready to make the leap into a new career by signing up for one of the PMI exams.
I have been accepted to take the CAPM, but my application for the PMP is still under review. Can anyone give me advice as to which certification would be better to have as I pivot into this new role? I know that the PMP goes into more depth than the CAPM, but other than that, I'm not sure which one would be better to have in the job market.
The PMP has much greater name recognition among recruiters in specific industries and regions so it is the preferred choice, however you will need to ensure that you have sufficient relevant PM experience to qualify for it. They do audit a small percentage of applications and if there isn't enough coverage of the domains and tasks from the Exam Content Outline, your auditor might not accept the application.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Laurel, I totally agree with Kiron's feedback. The study material for both the CAPM and PMP are more of less the same and the only difference is the exam as the CAPM is knowledge based while the PMP is experience and scenario based.
The PMP carries MUCH more weight in the job market for sure so if you believe you have enough experience then definitely go for the PMP, not the CAPM. I reommend you wait until you hear back from PMI on your PMP application then if you application wasn't accepted for any reason, you can do your CAPM but eventually, Id highly recommend you do your PMP later anyways. Hope this helps! Saving Changes...
Laurel CastonProject Manager| DynamicWeb Tx, United States
Thank you both for the replies! I have decided to bypass the CAPM and go for the PMP instead.
Now, to study!
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1 reply by Markus Kopko
Jan 02, 2024 8:59 AM
Markus Kopko
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Great Decision, Laurel.
Please do not hesitate to reach out for any guidance, if needed.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Good Luck, Laurel! Saving Changes...
Markus KopkoAI Enabler for Project & Program Mgmt | Founder PMotion.ai / The PM
AI Coach| PMotion.aiHamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Dec 27, 2023 9:42 AM
Replying to Laurel Caston
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Thank you both for the replies! I have decided to bypass the CAPM and go for the PMP instead.
Now, to study!
Great Decision, Laurel.
Please do not hesitate to reach out for any guidance, if needed.
All the best,
Markus
Saving Changes...
Traci CornettSenior Executive Assistant / Project Management| NexMetro CommunitiesPhoenix AZ, United States
Hello everyone! I have also signed up for the CAPM and I'm in the process of this certification. Due to my commitments at work as well as home - I wanted to do the stair step approach. I have been technically assisting and/or running my own projects for over 20 years, just have never been certified.
I personally felt starting with CAPM, then advancing to PM and further was the way to go for me - feels more attainable. I'm not doing mine to add to my resume technically, but for a sense of accomplishment for the years of experience with no certification whatsoever. I feel confident I will knock out one, move forward and it will give me the momentum to continue on with stacking certificates.
Has anyone ever done it this way?
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1 reply by Dominic Gonzalez
Feb 20, 2024 7:10 PM
Dominic Gonzalez
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I didn't do that but did consider it. Before I took the PMP test, I had managed many projects for many years for corporations and agencies, but was an IT lead and director, so I never had a "project manager "title. I wrote out my application and outlined all the management over the years. They reviewed it and said it was fine on their end.
Studying and working to pass the PMP took a lot of effort. I did a 3-day boot camp, which took two weeks to review over and over, before taking the test. Knowing that, I wouldn't want to stairstep this. If I could go right to the PMP, I would 100% not even consider the CAPM. That seems like a waste of time, money, and effort only to do it all over again when you want to test for the PMP. But, if you understand what's involved and still want to go that route, best of luck! You'll learn a lot in the process, all good things!
PS: If you want certifications, I would go PMP and CSM. Those two will open a lot of doors.
Saving Changes...
Dominic GonzalezDirector of TechnologyWaterford, MI, United States
Feb 20, 2024 5:04 PM
Replying to Traci Cornett
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Hello everyone! I have also signed up for the CAPM and I'm in the process of this certification. Due to my commitments at work as well as home - I wanted to do the stair step approach. I have been technically assisting and/or running my own projects for over 20 years, just have never been certified.
I personally felt starting with CAPM, then advancing to PM and further was the way to go for me - feels more attainable. I'm not doing mine to add to my resume technically, but for a sense of accomplishment for the years of experience with no certification whatsoever. I feel confident I will knock out one, move forward and it will give me the momentum to continue on with stacking certificates.
Has anyone ever done it this way?
I didn't do that but did consider it. Before I took the PMP test, I had managed many projects for many years for corporations and agencies, but was an IT lead and director, so I never had a "project manager "title. I wrote out my application and outlined all the management over the years. They reviewed it and said it was fine on their end.
Studying and working to pass the PMP took a lot of effort. I did a 3-day boot camp, which took two weeks to review over and over, before taking the test. Knowing that, I wouldn't want to stairstep this. If I could go right to the PMP, I would 100% not even consider the CAPM. That seems like a waste of time, money, and effort only to do it all over again when you want to test for the PMP. But, if you understand what's involved and still want to go that route, best of luck! You'll learn a lot in the process, all good things!
PS: If you want certifications, I would go PMP and CSM. Those two will open a lot of doors.
Saving Changes...
Joshua NussbaumQuality Analyst| VerlandPittsburgh, PA, United States
I personally am going to try straight for the PMP, and if I fall short, go for the CAPM and reprise. Saving Changes...
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