Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Depends on the market and mainly depends on the people who made the job search which unfortunately know nothing about project management or take the job description request for people that is supposed they know about project management (usually in both cases). If you ask me, in my case when I search for a project manager, certifications say nothing to me (no matter I earn 3 from the PMI). What I need to know for that person are things about how she/he remove stones taking into account my actual work place environment. Saving Changes...
Drake SettsuProject Manager / BloggerHi, United States
I feel skill out weighs certification. Applying what you know about project management and tailoring it to work in a company to deliver successful projects is what it's all about. Saving Changes...
Joseph PanganSenior Principal Consultant| Genpact PhilippinesAngeles City, Philippines, Philippines
Skills acquired from experience and training.
Experience and training acquired from involvements in projects in an organisation.
Someone has to start somewhere and get substantial exposure in the field of project management to become a project manager, may it be as a project member, project admin, project coordinator, technical SME, etc. Saving Changes...
(A lack of) Certification will prevent you from being considered for a particular role, but experience will help you land a role.
I've rarely seen a situation where an ideally qualified (experience-wise) individual who was able to get past the first level of filters for a role was unable to get it because of a lack of a PM designation.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
I believe that the skills weight much more than the certificate. The certificate definitely adds value in terms of landing more opportunities but not having it wont hinder you from landing a job unless the certification was a deal breaker requirement, not only an asset. Saving Changes...
Antonio FruciHead of the PMO| Aggreko UK LimitedDubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Definitively skills from experience and training to land, as per Joseph's comment.
But after this there is a whole path in project management to follow. And honestly I don't see this happening without a certification / and related knowledge in training and sharing with colleagues. Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
It's a combination. What the certifications do are show that the individual is willing to take the time, and has shown dedication to their profession. That, on top of the right skills for the job, is what will make a candidate stand out. Having passion, insight into the profession, and initiative to look for continuous improvements is a characteristic displayed by willing to take that step forward to get certified. Saving Changes...
Thilo WackHead of Existing Product and Test Lab| optimedTholey-Hasborn, Germany
In order to get past the initial scrutiny of often buzz-word based programs, a certification is probably your best chance. So if you do not have a certification at least join a professional society like PMI and increase your chances in that regard. Next scrutiny probably will be your resume; if it does not look like you have experience then you won't get on to the interviews. The interviews really depend on the job and the organization. Here skills and experience should matter most. But maybe your first interview is with someone who just has no idea how to identify good project managers or in an organization where project management knowledge is still very rare. In that case (if you still want that job) again your skills actually come into play: good communication and the feel for the needs/requirements of the stakeholders.
So I guess it is unfortunately both, but more on the skills/experience side and remember that with a good analysis and plan you can compensate the lack of both to a certain extent. Saving Changes...
Skills acquired from experience and polished by certification. Certification might get you to the interview chair but from there onward experience gets you through a successful interview Saving Changes...
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