Should I get Certified?

I am currently the holder of two professional certifications; Certified Mangaer of Quality and Organizational Excellence (ASQ), and Project Management Profesional (PMI). You might think that having them makes me more likely to suggest that others obtain them. And you'd be right, but for the wrong reason.

For years, as a hiring manager, I was more interested in practical, demonstrated experience than on certs from professional associations. I have been blessed to find, hire, and lead some incredibly talented (and uncertifed) people who could get the job done. Now, as a job seeker in the worst job market in a lifetime, I, and others, are beginning to see things differently.

It is likely that, had I pursued and obtained a Six Sigma Black Belt certification, I would already be re-employed.

I was recently at a job interview wher the hiring manager stated openly that "if you didn't have that PMP we wouldn't even be talking".

In today's job market, open positions are being swarmed with many times the applicants of 18 months ago. A certification offers today's recruiters and hiring managers a few features to make their jobs simpler.

1. Easy screen out in organizations using an automated application process (Taleo, PeopleClick, etc.)
2. A means to verify that you possess a certain standard level of desired knowledge, and seriousness about your profession.
3. It may also be satisfying a requirement imposed on them by an external organization (e.g., a buying organization may require their vendor to supply a PMI certified project manager).

I have known, and have myself at times been, that person who had tremendous capabilities but had not taken the time to get his or her "ticket punched" by a certifying organization. These are different economic times. Do yourself a favor. Take the time. Pay your own way if your compnay won't. Get and stay certified in your discipline. Your next job may depend on it.