PMP Preferred...
On a daily basis, I receive emails from local employers who are seeking experienced project managers to work on various projects. Among the job descriptions, I'd estimate that 9 out of 10 say "Project Management Professional Certification Preferred". Even the companies who do not have a formal project management office or a mature project management methodology now favor an applicant with the PMP credential. Hiring managers will tell you that they value the foundation, fundamentals and generally accepted practices established by PMI. While PMI does not subscribe to any specific methodology, the institution reflects standards and practices that are flexible, adaptable and easy to transfer between industries, market segments, and geographic location. As a result, employers "know what they are getting" when a project manager has gone through PMI's training and certification process. PMPs are able to hit the ground running with all of the tools and techniques that they have been tested on. Beyond the test, PMPs have on-going professional development requirements that must be met to insure that they are keeping their skills and knowledge sharp. Through academic research and best practice studies, PMI is able to offer PMPs a vast array of educational growth opportunities. Instead of hiring an uncertified candidate, employers can increase the likelihood of success when the project manager is a PMP credential holder.
Since more and more project managers are obtaining the PMP certification, the expectation to be a credential holder has become greater. The question from hiring managers is now "Why don't you have the certification?" As a result, experienced project managers have had to counter argue that their record of completing projects on time and on budget is good enough. However, informed organizations demand more than just successful projects. Companies want to know how they can repeat and sustain the process of delivering success across their organization. The good news is that PMI is an internationally-known professional organization that continues to grow in membership and recognition every year. As a result, more and more employers will look for the PMP credential to achieve their success.
Reference: pmi.org 2014
Michael Dale, MBA, PMP, CSM, MCSE
President, PMI Central Alabama