Are you interested in taking your career to the next level? Still wondering if it’s important to get PMP® certified? Earning a professional certification is one of the most powerful and empowering ways to advance your skills and career. The Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification exam has changed significantly as of January 2, 2021, and is focused on three new domains:
- People: Emphasizing the skills and activities associated with effectively leading a project team.
- Process: Reinforcing the technical aspects of managing a project.
- Business Development: Highlighting the connection between projects and organization strategy.
Additionally, it’s important to know that PMP 2022 is 50% Agile. Project Management Institute (PMI) announced in 2021 that the PMP exam includes 50% agile questions.
If you are serious about a career in project management in 2022 and beyond, getting your PMP® certification is essential as more and more employers will only interview candidates who are certified. Here are 4 important reasons why you should get PMP® certified.
1) Get Global Recognition
The PMP® certification is globally recognized and acknowledged within all industries and all locations around the world. So no matter what your professional and industry experience is, you can add a PMP® certification to your professional training, skillset and resume, and get global recognition throughout the world.
2) Get Better Job Opportunities
Demand over the next 10 years for project managers is growing faster than demand for workers in other occupations. According to the PMI report, (Project Management Job Growth and Talent Gap 2017–2027,) by the year 2027, employers will need nearly 88 million individuals in project management-oriented roles. Many companies require PMP® certification when hiring task managers because PMPs have demonstrated the ability and skills important to lead complex assignments and direct job teams.
3) Get Outstanding Salary Packages
In a recent PMI survey, (“Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Twelfth Edition,”) the median salary for certified project professionals in the United States is over $100,000. The median salary for project professionals in North America is 25% higher than those without it.
4) Upgrade Your Skills and Work Smarter
Now including predictive, agile and hybrid approaches, the PMP® proves project leadership experience and expertise in any way of working. PMP® certification validates that you have the project leadership skills employers seek. The PMP® proves you work smarter. It shows you have the skills to drive business results and increase your organization’s impact in the office and around the world.
What are the steps and prerequisites for getting PMP® certified?
The first step is meeting the basic requirements: you must have either a highschool diploma, plus 60 months of leading projects, or you must have a 4-Year Degree, plus 36 months of leading projects.
The second step is to complete 35 Hours of formal PMP® training with an authorized provider.
The third step is to apply for the exam. Apply through pmi.org, pay the exam fees, and after 5 days you’ll receive an approval email.
The fourth step is to take the exam and pass. It takes 230 minutes to complete the exam with 180 questions total. Once you pass the exam, you are a PMP®.
Prep for the PMP® Exam
International Institute for Learning (IIL) offers the PMI® Authorized PMP® Exam Prep course. To learn more about the course, prerequisites, and training dates, click here.
