Introduction
There won't be an absence of job opportunities for project managers over the next ten years since interest in project managers is rising more quickly than the competition for jobs in other professions. Your desired employment won't plop in your lap because the markets are efficient. The fact is, though, that you'll need to find a strategy to stand out in your industry.
How can you differentiate yourself from opponents and land the ideal project management job? Professional credentials may go a long way in convincing employers that you're serious about your selected career path. There are several different project management credentials available.
What is CAPM certification?
To satisfy the rising need for an admittance qualification in project management, the CAPM accreditation was created in 2003. The Project Management Institute (PMI), a group regarded as the industry's leader, offers this certification. They provide various certification options, such as the Project Management Practitioner certification you've probably already heard of.
The CAPM is aimed at those who wish to establish themselves in the industry but may not yet have significant experience with project management under their belts. Many of PMI's earlier qualifications were for seasoned professionals.
Because of this, the CAPM certification is the most accessible and reachable of the current certificates, making it the ideal option for beginners looking to differentiate themselves.
Who is eligible for CAPM certification?
The eligibility standards for the CAPM are less stringent than those for the PMP or other tests for more seasoned project management professionals. Although individuals who desire to apply must fulfill the following criteria, the CAPM Handbook states:
- the equivalent of a high school education worldwide
- 23 unit hours of project management coursework
- Some individuals may have trouble with that schooling requirement, but it's easy.
You must verify that you have successfully finished the courses, seminars, and training sessions authorized education providers to provide to log at least 23 hours of education. Self-directed learning, including reading books or articles about project management, won't be considered. The education requirement may be satisfied by enrolling in either the CAPM Certification Training course or the CAPM Foundations course from GoSkills, and a PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP).
How do you achieve CAPM certification?
You are qualified to receive this certification and are prepared to do so. What's next?
If you already have one, you need first to create a PMI account by completing an online application. An application that you start will be active for 90 days.
Be advised that even before you seek the qualification and take the test, you must have completed all your required education hours. You can add any additional education hours you finish within that period. Along with your application, payment is required. For good-standing PMI members, that will cost you $225, and for nonmembers, it will cost you $300. If your application is randomly picked for an audit, PMI will ask you for evidence to show that you comply with the standards. Although it may seem intimidating, it is relatively simple—and you need a maximum of 90 days to provide the necessary information.
After you complete the audit procedure (if that applies to them, of course), you are eligible for one year of examinations. Thus, you have a year and three chances to accomplish the CAPM test. The test has 150 questions and can be taken in a classroom or online. There are 15 of those, all of which are ungraded pretest questions. Only 135 of the collectively defined will thus be used to determine your final grade. The exam will last three hours. However, you might not require the total amount of time. The exam doesn't have a predetermined cutoff mark.
The passing score is instead established through psychometric analysis, which implies it will vary depending on the exam.
Remember that you have up to three chances within that year to pass (hey, don't beat yourself up—it happens!). If you successfully pass, your CAPM qualification will be valid for five years starting from the day you did. After that, to maintain your certification, you must retake the test.
What are the benefits of CAPM certification?
We know a lot of material to sort through, making the whole thing seem overwhelming. However, one of the simplest professional credentials to obtain in project management is the CAPM certification. Additionally, putting in this extra effort might have a lot of advantages for your present and future professional lives.
You'll increase your knowledge.
If you're new to project management, you certainly don't have much experience to draw from. Despite the temptation, opt to view the CAPM certification's educational requirements as a reward rather than a bother. Spending time learning will provide the groundwork needed to approach a project management profession confidently and establish yourself in a highly sought-after industry.
Your credibility will rise.
It's simple to believe you don't have much going for you when you're at an entry-level position in a career. You may feel insecure since you don't have a lot of relevant professional experience to present. By taking the step to get CAPM certified, you may enhance your reputation and differentiate yourself from other candidates for entry-level jobs. Additionally, actively obtaining this certification demonstrates to employers that you are dedicated to your area and enthusiastic about furthering your education (even when it's not required of you).
You'll set the stage for earning the PMP certification.
In project management, the PMP designation is regarded as the benchmark. It has been claimed that people with the PMP certification make 20% more money than those without it. But let's be honest: there are far stricter qualifying conditions, it costs more, and the test is longer.
An excellent method to get your feet below you is to earn your CAPM certification, especially if you're starting. Without immediately chewing more than you can handle, you'll cover many of the foundational concepts and skills you'll need to ace the PMP test.
Conclusion
If you get the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) credential from PMI, you will acquire a project management credential that is acknowledged worldwide. The CAPM certification program aims to provide candidates with a solid grasp of the terminology, organizational concepts, project life cycle, and multiple processes necessary for efficient project management. Getting CAPM certification will demonstrate to potential employers that you are educated about various international project management techniques and jargon.
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