Everything About PMP Certifications: What You Need To Know To Be Successful

Professional certification in project management is not required for project managers, but it is often considered a basic criterion for your knowledge in this area and will help you advance in your career.

You need at least a few years of project management experience to be able to take the PMP exam, and it takes weeks, if not months of study. But putting these initials next to your name can help interest recruiters on LinkedIn and open the eyes of your company’s top executives.

The first PMP certification exam was introduced by the Project Management Institute in 1984, and more than a million people have been certified since then.

Fifteen years ago, it didn’t matter for a project manager to have a PMP certification, says Vijay Cannabar, associate professor and director of project management programs at Boston University’s Metropolitan College and an international project management body.

Says Kanabar, a PMP Certified holder who has led PMP exam preparation for over 20 years.

PMP Exam Questions Dumps certification is not the only industry-recognized project management accreditation. The Project Management Institute also offers the title of Certified Associate in Project Management. It is geared towards college students and lower-level professionals and has far fewer pre-requisites than the PMP. The Project Management Institute (PMI) regularly revises the PMP exam to stay up-to-date with current project management trends and theories, a new version will be released for the first time in January.

Here is Everything About PMP certifications

How different people got PMP certifications

People want PMP certified because it is fast becoming an industry standard. Whether they are full-time executives or between jobs, project management professionals expect to receive certification that gives them long-term career benefits.

Here’s a look at the professionals who have chosen to become PMP certified, why they did so, and the benefits they got. Someone even got the credentials during the coronavirus pandemic, when most test preparation classes and even some tests were run remotely.

Who is PMP Certified?

PMP certification is vital for project managers in a variety of industries, including healthcare, financial services, construction, manufacturing, and information services.

Kanabar has trained over 2,000 PMP certified people and they say nearly 40% of them were from the IT sector.

Canada earned its PMP certification 25 years ago and has seen certification growth as one of the main reasons project managers now have a standardized vocabulary to use.

How does a PMP certification work?

The Project Management Institute (PMI) will ask you for documentation showing that you meet the PMP exam passing criteria.

To prove that you have at least three years of project management experience, you will need to provide evidence of where you have worked, your role, and the duration of the projects you have supervised. Be prepared to send texts, too.

The next step is to complete the application by following the PMI checklist and paying a fee. The Project Management Institute will review and approve your application. You have one year after you agree to take the test and can take the test three times during that period.

Once certified, you must earn 60 Professional Development Units every three years to renew. PDUs can be entered into PMI online and you will need to pay a fee.

How to get started preparing for PMP certification

Before you can be approved to take the PMP exam, you need to have an idea of ​​what this will mean for your career and who will pay for it. If you have an employer who pays the bill, it is easier to test than if you were between jobs and determine if it fits your budget.

Fortunately, there are programs available, through government grants and private business discounts, that cover some or all of the PMP certification costs for unemployed people.

Even if you are clear that PMP certification could benefit your career, you may not be prepared to deal with extensive preparation to take the exam.

PMI estimates that participants need at least 35 hours of study to succeed, but this time can vary widely. If you’ve just returned to school for a project management certification program, which may include materials prepared by the PMI, you are likely better prepared than someone who hasn’t taken a major exam in decades.

You might feel pressured to pass the exam if you promise a job bonus in exchange for a degree, says Kanabar. This reward may inspire you to study further.

Perfect Ways To Prepare For The PMP Test:

• Create a curriculum that integrates your needs and takes into account your personal and professional obligations.
• Get support from your employer, as your preparation can interfere with important projects and with your family.
• A review of printed materials such as the PMBOK Guide and study guides.
• Take a preparatory course. Some of them are classroom style (in person or online) with deadlines. Others are recorded lectures at your own pace.
• Take practice tests. Learn complex practice questions to help you plan the most likely project management scenarios.
• If possible, set up regular study sessions with another person or group, which can inspire you and propel you through the preparation process.

Make sure to budget for materials and preparatory courses. Some of the courses are free, but others may cost up to $ 2000.

Is PMP Certification Worth It?

If you’ve been thinking about whether a PMP certification is worth the time and expense, here are some factors to consider, broken down by professional circumstances:

Currently Employed –

If you have a position in project management and want to advance, you will likely need PMP certification. Even if your title does not include “project management,” you can still benefit from the certification.

Employee, but career change:

If you want to make an internal change for a full-time project management job, PMP certification would look good for a hiring manager. The best scenario is if your company puts you into a project management career and pays for the preparation and certification exam.

Unemployed –

PMP certification can make you a much better candidate for project management positions. If you recently lost your job, check with your former employer moving company to see if they have helped you get PMP. You can also look for grants through the state employment office or discounts that can help pay for testing and prep costs.

Canapar says it makes sense that there is a growing demand for project management professionals. There are many things that change and project management is a way to respond to changes.

According to its study, “Job Growth and the Talent Gap in Project Management,” PMI estimates that, annually, employers around the world will need to fill approximately 2.2 million new project-oriented jobs through 2027.

If you are looking for a project management position, try to focus on the industries with the strongest growth prospects for years and beyond. The coronavirus epidemic has changed the way many companies do business, and it is important to understand what that might mean for project management jobs.

A PMP certification can help you get a job

Whether you are looking for a project management position within your company or trying to land a vacancy elsewhere, PMP certification can help you differentiate yourself from other candidates. In other cases, PMP may be a requirement

“Anyone who really wants to be successful in project management needs to get this certification first and keep it,” says Fritz.

Stonesifer says most project management career opportunities require PMP certification.