the certification game

​I am a Project Management Professional (PMP) and am considering pursuing the AIPMM Certified Product Management certification.  As a practicing professional, I generally believe that certifications have limited practical value and can be detrimental in some situations.  

Why would I pursue additional certifications?

The number one reason to obtain a certification for seasoned practitioners is visibility.  Companies will often use that string of letters after your name as a quick way to filter candidates.  Hiring agents do not have to read your resume to locate relevant experience to determine if you're eligible to move to step 2.  You have the certification, so you must be qualified.  Valid or not, certification also conveys a level of competence and credibility.  As a freelancer, visibility is key to obtaining new clients. 

As an employer, I caution your reliance on requiring certification as a qualification for the position.  A junior candidate who can regurgitate process acronyms, make pretty charts from formulas, and generate reams of documentation, is not necessarily better than someone who has been in the trenches for ten years.  Do you want someone who can check the box or someone who has the breadth of experience to solve challenges before they become problems?  In some companies, regulations require the ream of documentation.  Hiring someone intimately familiar with and who enjoys producing information by the book is perfectly reasonable.  Other companies need someone able to synthesize concepts, think strategically, and create opportunities rooted in the current context.  

Wow, you hate certifications.

Not true.  I believe certifications are an excellent tool for those starting out and want to learn foundational concepts that they can leverage out of the gate.  My struggle with certifications is when companies use them as a proxy for ability.  

I will most likely play the game and obtain further certification as a business development expense in the next year.  At the same time, I urge both companies and candidates to look at the value they place on certification.  Companies need to evolve their hiring practices to incorporate an honest understanding of the candidate's qualifications to succeed in the position and how to screen applicants to meet the criteria.  Job seekers need to understand that certification provides a foundation, but the important takeaway is how to apply concepts to the real world.  Just because the book outlines a specific process, it may not work in all cases.  

The bottom line.

Do you want a pool of resources who can think, synthesize, and move a product forward, or do you want someone who can check a box?  There are places for both types of candidates.  It is the company's responsibility and the candidate to understand the best fit for their specific situation and only move forward if their goals align.  As we move closer to a truly global workforce, it will take a bit more work to find the right match, but the benefits will outweigh the effort.