There’s a little bit of a debate within the PM group in regards to the worth of Product Administration certifications—I interviewed 8 main PM recruiters (together with each inside and exterior recruiters), and we’re surveying many extra as a part of our Way forward for Product Administration Report to get a solution. The brief reply is, sure certifications matter.
Let me tackle one thing proper up entrance—what issues most is a PM’s means to do the job. Strong coaching applications can reliably enhance a PM’s means to do the job, and certifications signify that a person has accomplished such coaching. Following this, if this system is respected, the certification ought to matter in as far as it validates a PM’s means.
The above ought to be non-controversial until you consider that formal teaching programs are ineffective or that there are not any credible training suppliers. If that’s you, you possibly can most likely cease studying now.
For everybody else, who believes in training, right here’s what I discovered from our analysis in regards to the worth (or lack thereof) related to PM certification:
Knowledge from our upcoming 2023 Way forward for Product Administration Report exhibits that recruiters responded positively to PM certifications. Preliminary information exhibits that 86% of recruiters can be extra more likely to advance a candidate in the event that they noticed that the candidate has earned a Product Administration certification from a good agency. Extra information on this shall be revealed with the total report subsequent 12 months so hold an eye fixed out for that—in the meantime, let’s hold going based mostly on my conversations with prime PM recruiters.
Most recruiters within the Product Administration house are conversant in PM certifications and felt that there have been a number of well-known and respected coaching corporations available in the market. After they come throughout certifications within the context of a resume or LinkedIn profile, it’s perceived as a optimistic issue that indicators a dedication to Product Administration, steady training, and a self-starter orientation.
Most recruiters don’t seek for candidates based mostly on certifications—the one exception is when recruiters are on the hunt for aspiring Product Managers. This was not the dominant case for the recruiters I spoke with, they usually discover certifications in the course of the candidate assessment and screening course of.
“A certification might help a candidate stand out in the course of the screening course of because it provides me a touch they’ve a progress mindset.” John Dio, Founding father of Boombust
Certifications are certainly one of many elements that recruiters take into account. Their worth is commonly assessed within the context of different elements like years of expertise and concrete proof of expertise required. For instance, given two comparable candidates, a recruiter may prioritize the one with a certification for a hiring supervisor to assessment. The worth right here is contingent on how conscious the recruiter is of the certification supplier and its popularity.
If a candidate accomplished coaching as a part of a transition into Product Administration a 12 months earlier, this may reinforce the notion that the candidate is a self-starter. On this case, recruiters are apt to display screen candidates to additional validate this notion.
It’s not all optimistic, although—recruiters are leery of candidates that “stack” or “gather” many certifications. This could sign {that a} candidate isn’t significantly dedicated to Product Administration.
Merely itemizing acronyms is way much less precious than explaining what you discovered from them. Lola Sizemore, a Senior Product Supervisor at Hunt Membership, defined that, whereas the certification alone can provide an edge, it’s additionally vital for candidates to speak about what they discovered of their certification course. Programs which are hands-on, or embrace mission work are higher suited to addressing this curiosity.
One perception that caught my consideration was an statement by a recruiter about their expertise hiring a PM who had earned a certification. The PM joined the corporate and achieved plenty of success inside their workforce. In consequence, the recruiter began paying extra consideration to certifications and to graduates from this system. Over time, it has grow to be a dependable supply of candidates for his firm.
This speaks to a incontrovertible fact that appears fairly apparent once you zoom out. Certifications exist throughout nearly all main industries for a motive; specifically, employers depend on a broad vary of indicators to assist recruit and rent nice expertise. It appears unlikely that Product Administration can be any totally different.
Geography will also be an element. Ellie Smith, AKA The Product Recruiter, explains that in the UK, certifications are nearly a prerequisite for a Product Supervisor position, whereas in america they will “actually be a promoting level if I used to be on the fence.”
So sure, proof from the folks on the entrance strains exhibits that Product Administration certifications do matter. Are they a requirement to land a PM job or advance as a PM? Completely not. Will sturdy coaching enhance your means to follow your self-discipline? Sure. Will better means result in extra confidence and development? Sure once more.
I wish to shut out by acknowledging that there are different sides to the worth of certification that I’ve not coated right here. I hope to research this extra sooner or later by talking with hiring managers in regards to the worth of certification.
