Learning new skills and earning certifications is extremely important if you want to have a successful career. Nowadays, there are countless programs that you can choose from. Although some are excellent and will help advance your career, the majority is simply not worth it. Even if the price is great, you simply shouldn’t waste any of your time, effort or funds to complete these programs.
On the other hand, you have certifications like PMP (project management professional), which is one of the most respected credentials you can get. In fact, it is considered to be very important for every project manager to have. While this credential is well-recognized, it is not easy to obtain. In order to pass the exam, you will have to dedicate a lot of time to preparation.
It’s worth noting that you’ll need to spend at least $750 to earn a PMP certification. If you don’t pass the exam on your first attempt, you’ll need to pay an additional $275 for each time you retake the exam. Considering the fact that you need to answer 200 questions in four hours, it will not be easy to score high on your first try. To increase the likelihood of passing the exam, you should consider enrolling in a PMP training program. By doing this, it’ll be easier for you to master the content that’ll be on the test. Seeing as how earning this credential is neither cheap nor easy, you’re probably wondering whether it’s worth dedicating your time, effort, and money to. If you’re unsure whether to start preparing for the PMP exam, here are some of the main reasons why you should obtain this certification.
Learn Important Skills
When you’re applying for the position of a project manager, you will likely face a lot of competition. If you want to stand out from the crowd, then you’ll have to show you possess certain skills that most other applicants don’t. Throughout the process of earning a PMP credential you will have the opportunity to learn important new skills. Not only that, but you’ll improve your knowledge of the industry, as well as the different management techniques, processes, and tools.
Increase in Salary
By getting certified, you’ll be more qualified to do your job, which means there’s a good chance your salary will increase. According to a recent study, project managers with a PMP credential earn 23% more on average than non-certified ones. Aside from boosting your income, your job security will also improve with this certification. If you’re one of the most qualified project managers in your company, you won’t have to worry about your employers replacing you.
Networking
If you want to earn a PMP certification, then you’ll likely sign up to be a member of the Project Management Institute. By becoming a member of their club, you will be invited to their meetings, which are held in many different major cities across the globe. These meetings are the perfect opportunity for you to meet other professional project managers.
Know that networking is very important for a successful career. During these meetings, you’ll find out about new job opportunities for people with a PMP certification. You’ll get a chance to build relationships with other project managers, who might end up helping you get your dream job. On top of that, you might get invited to join other online and offline communities where PMPs help each other with projects and exchange advice.
Clients Demand It
If you’re searching for a job as a project manager, it’ll be easier for you to secure a position with this certification. Keep in mind that big companies prefer to hire people with a PMP credential because they want to know they’re hiring a qualified professional to fill this role.