The Project Management Professional (PMP) designation from the Project Management Institute (PMI) is a meaningful credential to add to your resume for some very important reasons.
1. In many ways, it is similar to having – or not having – a college degree: if you don’t have one, there are many opportunities that will be off-limits to you. If you can’t even get an employer to review your resume, it is very unlikely that you’ll get hired.
2. Studying for the PMP test helps you to integrate, and organize, your experience in a coherent and useful way.
3. It provides you with a common set of jargon and model, as you move from one project to the next.
4. The PMP designation gives you instant credibility when starting a new position, or dealing with a new group of people.
5. Having the PMP designation is an important differentiator in this recession. The competition is stiff, so make sure that you have the credentials that employers will be needing.
If you’ve been a Project Manager for years – even decades of experience as a Project Manager, you may be hesitant to spend the time and effort to get yet another designation; however, take it from someone who felt the same way, I’m really glad that I made the effort and got the designation.
Having the PMP designation will enhance your career path; however, in this economy, even the PMP won’t guarantee you endless employment; therefore, it’s wise to have a backup plan as well.
In these challenging economic times, having multiple streams of income is important for everyone – but especially for those of us who earn a living by doing project work.
I’ve chosen to start an internet business that provides me residual income, so that I have money coming in, even when I’m not actively engaged on a project. If you’d like to have a second income source as well, click residual income opportunities.
