PMP is in high demand and you’ve probably seen it in required/desired qualifications for many job listings. Have you ever wondered why? Here are just some of the reasons why companies want their staff to be PMP-certified.
- Part of a Select Few
Whenever an employer searches for talent, they want the best. They tend to gravitate towards PMP because it’s an exclusive certification. It takes experience to qualify for it, knowledge to get it, and dedication to maintain it. A PMP certification is seen as a way into working for a Fortune 1000 company, as many of these companies make it mandatory for their project managers.
- Continual Improvement
Because it takes dedication to maintain, PMP is a sign of constant development. In 2015, PMI introduced the Talent Triangle. This requires practitioners to educate themselves in three categories: technical project management, leadership, and strategic and business management.
Employers can feel more assured when they hire a PMP-certified project manager. Like the projects themselves, PMP practitioners become better investments when they show signs of continual improvement.
- Value Management
According to PMI’s 2015 salary survey, US-based respondents with PMP certificates earned a median salary of $111,000. This is considerably more than the $91,000 earned by those without PMP (pg. 12).
Yet, this is another example of PMP holders being seen as an investment. Earned value management (EVM) has been part of the PMBOK Guide since its original 1987 edition. EVM combines scope, time, and costs into one system. This is now just one of the PMBOK Guide’s tool and techniques to control project costs.
- Global Recognition
PMP was built with global values. From the PMI Certification Handbook, ‘The certification program is driven by […] volunteers [who] represent the diversity of PMI’s market, coming from every region of the world, industry, job level, and experience level.’[1] In other words, PMP was developed to set global standards.
Employers with a global reach want global qualifications. This might be another reason why Fortune 1000 companies put so much stock into PMP.
- Commitment
PMP maintenance also conveys dedication. While many best practice certificates indicate talent and knowledge, PMP goes further and demands commitment. It’s important not to overlook the importance of character, which is something employers try to glean from applicants. A certification that requires work to maintain shows motivation and engagement. This can make you appear more likely to motivate and engage with project teams.
You can also show commitment and put yourself in high demand with PMP certification training. For less experienced project managers, you can still study the PMBOK Guide and get a PMI certificate. Sign up for CAPM certification training and learn a globally recognized framework. For any questions or queries, you can reach us through our contact page.
1 Project Management Institute, Inc., Project Management Professional (PMP)® Handbook (2016), page 2.