Hi all, Sorry if this is not the proper forum. I considered the IT forum but noticed that most questions regarding PMP/CAPM were posted in the Distance Learning Discussions forum. I have zero project management experience but want to get considered for a project management team, so I am looking at taking an online CAPM course to sit the CAPM exam. However, when Googling about the certificate, I see several posts from people that say the CAPM credential is completely worthless on a CV. They say that it does nothing to help a person get into project management and that the only real way is to get PMP cert...but of course that requires loads of hours and a couple of years of project management experience. I am skeptical of these people's opinions. What do you project managers say? Thx!
In general I think that something is almost always better than nothing. If the CAPM is legitimate then it's just got to be better than having none at all. It may be true that the PMP is best but maybe you can earn the CAPM on the way to the PMP.
Given that the time and effort for the CAPM is the same as for the PMP, I'd just hold out and wait to get a PMP. In the meantime there are plenty of academic certificates, etc. that will give you project management credentials on your resume. Also you can start doing volunteer work for PM experience. I know several people who have fast tracked their PM experience hours doing just that.
Another option might be the CompTIA Project+ certification until you get your PMP. About 5 years ago, I applied for a PM position with zero experience. A week before my interview, I crammed for the project+ exam, took it and passed. Not sure if the certification made a difference at all, but cramming for the exam helped me with the interview. All the concepts and buzzwords were fresh in my mind. I got the job.
I took the Project+ a few years ago and it is a great cert with lots of information covered. I think it will prep you for the PMP down the road.
Hi Scotty, A couple of things to understand when looking at these certs., and in your case I would say that the CAPM actually makes sense (I don't usually say that.) Both the CAPM and the PMP are based on the PMBoK Guide and general pm knowledge. The primary diference between the two is the number of experience hours you need. The Catch-22 you're faced with by those that tell you to wait for the PMP is that it requires significantly more experience hours, which you can't gain unless you're in the field, which you can't get into unless you have the cert. Neither the CAPM nor the PMP indicates you're a "competent" PM, only that you have relevant knowledge and understanding of the processes and terms used. But more than that, most see the PMP as a sign that a PM is dedicated to the field of project management and is willing to invest the time to study for and pass the exam. In your case, where you have no previous experience, I think it might do the same. You can use it to show that you're at least interested enough to study the material and sit the exam while you wait to gain the hours for the PMP. By the way, the PMP was originally created and targeted more towards project team members, not necessarily PM's. After some complaints about the requirements PMI created the CAPM as more of an entry level certification for those without the higher level of experience. So really, you're the type of person it was created for. One of the pluses, should you decide to continue on in pm and sit the PMP exam, is that the PMP is simply more in-depth, so whatever you learn in the CAPM course will be applicable for the PMP. That, coupled with experience may make a prep course unnecessary later on.
I'm a project manager and an improvement advisor. At my company it would help. And, if you don't have the years and/or education for the PMP, go for it!
