Sarah MoseleyProject Manager| Looking for my next opportunity!N. Houston area, United States
I've been a Project Manager for 3.5 years and am certainly unemployed. I've had no formal PM training; it was all on-the-job. I'd like to get my PMP eventually, and the CAPM seems like a stepping stone to that. However, I'm not seeing many online job postings mentioning CAPM. Does it make sense for me to invest in the CAPM to allow me to move forward pursuing the PMP? I'm currently not eligible for the PMP due to not having 5 years experience. I'd rather start working on my certification while I'm unemployed. Please advise. Thank you! Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Sarah, if you have a college degree, you only need 3 years of experience to be eligible for the PMP exam. The study material for both CAPM and PMP is more or less the same except that the CAPM exam is more knowledge based while the PMP is scenario and experience based. PMP does carry much more weight for employers and majority of the PM positions consider it an asset but the CAPM, being an entry level certificate, doesn't carry as much weight.
If you have no option but to do the CAPM, then I would say go for it but if you can go straight to the PMP, that would be ideal. Good Luck!
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1 reply by Sarah Moseley
Jul 26, 2024 2:16 PM
Sarah Moseley
...
Good day, Rami.
Thank you so much for your quick response. Very encouraging! I have a Master's degree in Theology and a Bachelor's in music. Does that mean I'm eligible for the PMP? I'd prefer to go right to the PMP. Thanks!
Saving Changes...
Sarah MoseleyProject Manager| Looking for my next opportunity!N. Houston area, United States
Jul 26, 2024 12:00 PM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
...
Sarah, if you have a college degree, you only need 3 years of experience to be eligible for the PMP exam. The study material for both CAPM and PMP is more or less the same except that the CAPM exam is more knowledge based while the PMP is scenario and experience based. PMP does carry much more weight for employers and majority of the PM positions consider it an asset but the CAPM, being an entry level certificate, doesn't carry as much weight.
If you have no option but to do the CAPM, then I would say go for it but if you can go straight to the PMP, that would be ideal. Good Luck!
Good day, Rami.
Thank you so much for your quick response. Very encouraging! I have a Master's degree in Theology and a Bachelor's in music. Does that mean I'm eligible for the PMP? I'd prefer to go right to the PMP. Thanks!
...
1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Jul 26, 2024 2:23 PM
Rami Kaibni
...
Hi Sarah, as far as I can see, yes you are eligible to apply for the PMP so I strongly recommend you go ahead and do it now while you're unemployed as it is time consuming. Given that you have a Bachelor's and Masters degree, here are the requirements from PMI Website:
1) Four-Year College / University Degree
2) 36 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years
3) 35 hours of project management education/training
You satisfy items 1 & 2, then for item 3, you can take a course (I recommend Joseph Phillips courses on Udemy. He is a PMI ATP and great instructor. It is a self-paced course and for a very affordable price).
After you complete the course, you can submit your PMP application and then start studying. Here is what I suggest you do:
1) Read through the Exam Content Outline (ECO), PMBOK 6th Edition (Including the Agile Extension as lots of questions are Agile / Hybrid based) and then read the PMBOK 7th edition (it is a small book). Alternatively, you can read through the ECO, PMBOK 7th edition and then go through the new Process Groups Practice Guide.
2) Go through Rita Mulchay’s Exam Prep book, I think its 11th edition now, but double check. This is one of the best resources for exam preparation.
3) After you are done, purchase the Simulator Package through PM Prep Cast and practice as much as you can. This is a great simulator and resource for questions that mimic the real exam and will boost your confidence the more you practice.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Jul 26, 2024 2:16 PM
Replying to Sarah Moseley
...
Good day, Rami.
Thank you so much for your quick response. Very encouraging! I have a Master's degree in Theology and a Bachelor's in music. Does that mean I'm eligible for the PMP? I'd prefer to go right to the PMP. Thanks!
Hi Sarah, as far as I can see, yes you are eligible to apply for the PMP so I strongly recommend you go ahead and do it now while you're unemployed as it is time consuming. Given that you have a Bachelor's and Masters degree, here are the requirements from PMI Website:
1) Four-Year College / University Degree
2) 36 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years
3) 35 hours of project management education/training
You satisfy items 1 & 2, then for item 3, you can take a course (I recommend Joseph Phillips courses on Udemy. He is a PMI ATP and great instructor. It is a self-paced course and for a very affordable price).
After you complete the course, you can submit your PMP application and then start studying. Here is what I suggest you do:
1) Read through the Exam Content Outline (ECO), PMBOK 6th Edition (Including the Agile Extension as lots of questions are Agile / Hybrid based) and then read the PMBOK 7th edition (it is a small book). Alternatively, you can read through the ECO, PMBOK 7th edition and then go through the new Process Groups Practice Guide.
2) Go through Rita Mulchay’s Exam Prep book, I think its 11th edition now, but double check. This is one of the best resources for exam preparation.
3) After you are done, purchase the Simulator Package through PM Prep Cast and practice as much as you can. This is a great simulator and resource for questions that mimic the real exam and will boost your confidence the more you practice.
Hope this helps - Good Luck!
...
2 replies by Mark Schwanke and Sarah Moseley
Jul 26, 2024 2:39 PM
Sarah Moseley
...
Hi again, Rami. Thank you for all this wonderful info!
Does the 35 hours of project management education/training have to be prior to studying for the PMP, or does the self-paced prep course satisfy that requirement?
Thanks again for all your help.
Jul 30, 2024 1:21 PM
Mark Schwanke
...
Are you able to put some links to the resources you mention?
Saving Changes...
Sarah MoseleyProject Manager| Looking for my next opportunity!N. Houston area, United States
Jul 26, 2024 2:23 PM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
...
Hi Sarah, as far as I can see, yes you are eligible to apply for the PMP so I strongly recommend you go ahead and do it now while you're unemployed as it is time consuming. Given that you have a Bachelor's and Masters degree, here are the requirements from PMI Website:
1) Four-Year College / University Degree
2) 36 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years
3) 35 hours of project management education/training
You satisfy items 1 & 2, then for item 3, you can take a course (I recommend Joseph Phillips courses on Udemy. He is a PMI ATP and great instructor. It is a self-paced course and for a very affordable price).
After you complete the course, you can submit your PMP application and then start studying. Here is what I suggest you do:
1) Read through the Exam Content Outline (ECO), PMBOK 6th Edition (Including the Agile Extension as lots of questions are Agile / Hybrid based) and then read the PMBOK 7th edition (it is a small book). Alternatively, you can read through the ECO, PMBOK 7th edition and then go through the new Process Groups Practice Guide.
2) Go through Rita Mulchay’s Exam Prep book, I think its 11th edition now, but double check. This is one of the best resources for exam preparation.
3) After you are done, purchase the Simulator Package through PM Prep Cast and practice as much as you can. This is a great simulator and resource for questions that mimic the real exam and will boost your confidence the more you practice.
Hope this helps - Good Luck!
Hi again, Rami. Thank you for all this wonderful info!
Does the 35 hours of project management education/training have to be prior to studying for the PMP, or does the self-paced prep course satisfy that requirement?
Thanks again for all your help.
...
1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Jul 26, 2024 2:43 PM
Rami Kaibni
...
You have to take the course to satisfy the 35 hours before you can apply as it is part of the application but you can start studying meanwhile but I recommend you secure your application approval first then you have one year to sit for the exam.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Jul 26, 2024 2:39 PM
Replying to Sarah Moseley
...
Hi again, Rami. Thank you for all this wonderful info!
Does the 35 hours of project management education/training have to be prior to studying for the PMP, or does the self-paced prep course satisfy that requirement?
Thanks again for all your help.
You have to take the course to satisfy the 35 hours before you can apply as it is part of the application but you can start studying meanwhile but I recommend you secure your application approval first then you have one year to sit for the exam.
...
1 reply by Mark Schwanke
Jul 30, 2024 1:22 PM
Mark Schwanke
...
What do you mean you have 1 year to sit for the exam? Does that mean one year from being approved to take the exam you have to complete the exam or you have to study for a year before you can take it. Thanks for any clarification you'll provide.
Saving Changes...
Sarah MoseleyProject Manager| Looking for my next opportunity!N. Houston area, United States
Thanks so much, Rami! I greatly appreciate your help! Have a wonderful rest of your Friday and weekend. God bless you.
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Jul 26, 2024 2:45 PM
Rami Kaibni
...
You're welcome, Sarah and you have a great weekend as well. Cheers!
Rami's provided some great advice. One thing to check is whether hiring managers and recruiters for your industry value the PMP or not. Given that you are U.S.-based, this should be the case, but not all industries have embraced PM credentials yet so I'd recommend checking job ads for PM roles in the companies you might wish to work for.
I would also suggest if you haven't already to join your local PMI chapter and participate in their events as that can be a great source of job leads.
Best of luck!
Kiron Saving Changes...
Sarah MoseleyProject Manager| Looking for my next opportunity!N. Houston area, United States
Good day, Kiron. Thank you so much for this advice. Yes, Many of the job postings on LinkedIn especially require PMP certification.
Thanks for the advise about joining my PMI chapter. I'm attending an event in a couple weeks and plan to join perhaps after that.
Have a great weekend! Saving Changes...
Mark SchwankeSr. Online Community Manager| Seeking New OpportunitiesChicago Area, United States
Jul 26, 2024 2:23 PM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
...
Hi Sarah, as far as I can see, yes you are eligible to apply for the PMP so I strongly recommend you go ahead and do it now while you're unemployed as it is time consuming. Given that you have a Bachelor's and Masters degree, here are the requirements from PMI Website:
1) Four-Year College / University Degree
2) 36 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years
3) 35 hours of project management education/training
You satisfy items 1 & 2, then for item 3, you can take a course (I recommend Joseph Phillips courses on Udemy. He is a PMI ATP and great instructor. It is a self-paced course and for a very affordable price).
After you complete the course, you can submit your PMP application and then start studying. Here is what I suggest you do:
1) Read through the Exam Content Outline (ECO), PMBOK 6th Edition (Including the Agile Extension as lots of questions are Agile / Hybrid based) and then read the PMBOK 7th edition (it is a small book). Alternatively, you can read through the ECO, PMBOK 7th edition and then go through the new Process Groups Practice Guide.
2) Go through Rita Mulchay’s Exam Prep book, I think its 11th edition now, but double check. This is one of the best resources for exam preparation.
3) After you are done, purchase the Simulator Package through PM Prep Cast and practice as much as you can. This is a great simulator and resource for questions that mimic the real exam and will boost your confidence the more you practice.
Hope this helps - Good Luck!
Are you able to put some links to the resources you mention?
...
1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Jul 30, 2024 1:55 PM
Rami Kaibni
...
Mark, we are not allowed to share external links per the community regulations. You can easily google them and you will find the results immediately!
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