10 Reasons to get a PMP certification

As organizations worldwide rapidly expand, and the global economic barriers are torn down; as remote working models become more and more mainstream, the role of a project manager in achieving the bottom line becomes pivotal.

A report by the Project Management Institute (PMI) found that by 2027, there will be a global demand of 87.7 million professionals in various project management roles, the highest requirement arising from China and India.

But there is no equivalent rise in the number of qualified professionals, especially those skilled at handling large and complex projects for big enterprises.

In today’s competitive job market, having a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification can help you achieve a significant advantage in your career as a project manager. The PMP certification is among the most respected and recognized credentials in the project management industry.

Here are the top reasons why you should consider getting PMP certified:

1. PMP certification is universally recognized

Many project management certifications are available, but PMP is recognized in over 200 countries and unanimously held in high regard by all employers. One significant advantage of having a well-recognized certificate is that you can apply the same skills & techniques to organizations in any industry and region.

2. Higher earning potential

Many professionals switch careers to project management as the earning potential is quite high in this field. While that is true, it is also important to note that PMP-certified professionals have 22% higher median salaries than non-certified or non-PMP-certified individuals.

For instance, in the United States, the average salary of a project manager is $120,000 per year, while the same for PMP-certified professionals is $138,000 per year. The earning potential is even higher in the technology and healthcare domains, with the annual average compensation being around $145,000 and $135,000, respectively.

3. Testifies experience in project management

In a survey conducted by PMI, 71% of employers indicated that they prefer or require PMP certification for project management positions. This high demand can be attributed to the fact that PMP certification validates a professional’s practical experience. To be eligible for PMP certification, one must have at least 36 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years. The rigorous PMP eligibility criteria ensure that a PMP-certified project manager has demonstrated adequate experience leading projects from initiation through closure.

4. Better & faster career growth

While most companies do not have strict rules requiring PMP certification for career advancement, some companies do prefer or even mandate this certification as a pre-requisite for promotions to senior roles like Project Manager, Program Manager, or Director of Project Management.

This inclination for PMP certification is more prominent in the IT, finance, and healthcare industries.

For instance, IBM’s program requires project managers to achieve PMP certification within two years of being hired.

State Farm, one of the largest insurance companies in the US, also has a policy of promoting only PMP-certified project managers to higher-level positions.

Interestingly, PMP certification is often an eligibility term for government and defense contracts. The US Department of Defense requires project managers working on defense contracts to hold PMP certification.

Many clients even demand vendor organizations deploy a PMP-certified project manager.

5. Higher project success rate

PMP certification is valued for a reason. Here are some examples of how PMP-certified professionals can contribute to more excellent project success rates:

• Knowledge of best practices: PMP certification ensures that project managers are familiar with the best practices in areas such as project planning, scheduling, risk management, and quality management. It also tests them on consistency to follow a standardized approach to limit errors.

• Communication and leadership skills: PMP certification demonstrates that a professional can communicate impressively with stakeholders, manage conflicts, and galvanize project teams.

• Risk management: PMP certification includes risk management training, a critical aspect of project management. PMP-certified professionals can identify potential risks, develop contingency plans, and manage risks throughout the project lifecycle. This can reduce the likelihood of project failures and increase project success rates.

6. Demonstrates a well-rounded understanding of PM

There may be hundreds of PM certifications. But many would not validate your skills as holistically as the PMP certificate.

For example, different project management methodologies, such as Agile, Scrum, and Lean, are used for different purposes. Agile is a popular approach to project management that emphasizes iterative development and flexible planning, making it ideal for software development projects.

Scrum is a specific framework of Agile that focuses on team collaboration, frequent communication, and rapid delivery of high-quality software.

Lean is another approach that emphasizes continuous improvement, waste reduction, and efficiency.

The PMP certification checks project management knowledge and skills in various development life cycles– Predictive, Agile, and Hybrid. This ensures that a certified PMP can manage projects adopting any life cycle methodology.

Having a PMP certification assures employers that you have a comprehensive understanding of project management, not some specific skills you picked up on the way.

7. Access to exclusive resources

As a project management professional, you must constantly learn new tools and methodologies. It is important to note that PMP certification is not a one-time investment; to maintain the certification, you must earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) every three years.

In addition, as new and advanced project management practices enter the market, you must keep exploring their applications and follow recent developments. This is where PMP-certified professionals get a competitive edge in the job market. PMP-certified professionals have access to several exclusive resources:

• Job boards (find career opportunities)

• Networking events (connect with industry experts, learn new hacks)

• Community forums (to share experiences and seek advice)

• Knowledge base (white papers, case studies, and research reports)

8. International work opportunities

Every multinational organization― corporations, government, or non-profit― has various global teams & stakeholders. If you want to advance your project management career in one of these companies, PMP certification is necessary. Also, many senior PM roles, like regional directors, must spend a few years abroad, meaning the universal language of project management will be a pre-requisite.

9. Personal Branding

After several years of handling projects for various reputed organizations, many Project Management experts plan to become PM coaches and consultants, delivering lectures and starting their private training institutes. If you plan to make a solopreneur career out of this field, wearing the label of a PMP-certified professional is essential.

10. Greater job security during mass layoffs

Off late, the corporate world has witnessed a series of mass layoffs against the backdrop of growing economic uncertainty. However, their critical functionality makes specific profiles more immune to layoffs. A PMP-certified professional is a valuable asset to any company. Therefore, in the event of layoffs, organizations will tend to retain PMP professionals.

PMP certification vs. other certifications

The PMP certification awarded by the Project Management Institute (PMI) is considered an industry gold standard. While many other certificates are available, PMP certification is known for its rigorous assessment standards and higher value.

While there are other project management certifications available, many focus on narrowed-down topics such as only Agile or Scrum. While these certifications may be valuable in certain contexts, they may not have the same level of recognition as PMP or allow you to migrate into broader roles and responsibilities.

Other project management certifications like the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification, also offered by the PMI, may be suitable only for beginners in this field.

Parting Words

PMP certification gives a high return on investments (ROI). However, getting PMP certified requires many leadership skills and competency in communication and handling different software programs. It is always better to opt for pre-PMP training from a trusted mentor or online training platform like Edbrick.

At Edbrick, we have trained several thousands of professionals working at leading organizations. If you want to build a project management career from scratch or get PMP certified for better work opportunities, we can help you with the necessary training. Get started today!