• Interview Tips
  • Career Advice

CAPM stands for Certified Associate in Project Management and the certification is generally for people pursuing a career in project management or, wanting to assist and improve the general success of a project as a team member in their area of expertise. The CAPM certification is an entry level certification that aspiring project managers are encouraged to begin with.

With this credential, employers and interviewers can be confident that you can efficiently carry out the jobs entrusted to you.

It also states that you are serious and dedicated about your work because obtaining a credential requires dedication and discipline.

When applying for a job, many employers will give preference to candidates with PMI certifications over a candidate who does not have any such certification. They have an idea of what to expect from a credential holder as opposed to someone else with the same amount of experience with no credential. A credential will present your resume with an edge and allow more possibilities to hone your skills and foster enough experience to eventually become a PMP.

To be eligible for the CAPM, you must fulfill certain requirements. You must have a bare minimum of a high school diploma or, global equivalent and acquired 1,500 documented hours of work on a project team, or enroll in 23 hours of project management courses. These requirements have to be completed at the time of application. You must then pass the three hours, 150 questions exam that’s based on the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) guide.

It is highly recommended that you prepare yourself for the exam by taking a training course. If possible, you should take courses that add to college credits or, PDUs (These are Professional Development Units that you will need to maintain your PMP credential). Courses can be very intensive and lasts about 16 to 40 hours. For best results, the exam should be taken right after the course so that information is still retained in the memory.

One should not underestimate the value of a CAPM certification. The benefits of education, experience, and opportunity it imparts to a person serious about professional advancement, commands respect and can not be overlooked. Aspiring project managers are encouraged to obtain this entry level certificate to launch their journey of becoming a project management professional.


Related Blogs

Project management professionals from across the world, all have a goal of climbing the ladder to success while doing great things along the way and challenging themselves to see what their strengths are. They want to be acknowledged for all the hard work they put into the company. PMI certifications can fullfill this ambition that many professionals have..

PMI credentials have gained recognition throughout the world so much that regardless of where you go, you will be looked upon with admiration because you were able to obtain what many in your professional community were not.

Businesses all over the world will place you at a higher level than other workers because they trust that you are dedicated and serious to whatever projects you are given.

Not anyone who applies for a credential will become certified. PMI certification requires candidates to satisfy a set amount of extensive education and actual experience prior to taking the exam. They have to prove that they’re able to work with various project management situations.

Acquiring a PMI certification will not only allow you to be recognized all over the world for your project management skills, but you will get to benefit from other indirect effects that a credential will have.

Your knowledge of project management will increase along with your skills. Your hard work will prove beneficial as you learn more about the art of project management. Your salary may increase because you are now more knowledgeable and experienced than ever before. Your self confidence will reach new heights while your peers look upon your with high regard.

Types of PMI certifications -

There are five PMI credentials that you can apply for based on your level of education and experience.

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) – The CAPM contributes as team members in their area of expertise.

PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) – Holders of this credential are experts in project scheduling management.

PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) – These credential holders are experienced in project risk management.

Project Management Professional (PMP) – The PMP leads the project.

Program Management Professional (PgMP) – The PgMP oversees, defines, and initiates multiple projects.

Each PMI certification requires a set amount of education and experience before you can take the exam. For example, PMP certification requirements include a high school diploma and 5 years of experience with a minimum of 7,500 hours of leading and directing project tasks and 35 hours of formal project management education. Applicants with a four year degree need 3 years of project management experience with a minimum of 4,500 hours of leading and directing project tasks along with the 35 hours of project management education

As you can see, meeting the requirements will need a lot of time, effort and dedication on your part. You will also have to prepare for the lengthy exams by studying hard and taking exam simulations and joining training courses.

Getting a PMI certification is not easy, but becoming a credential holder tells a lot about who you are, what you’ve done and what you’re capable of. It shows that while you were climbing the ladder of success, even though there was a higher level of step that seemed unreachable, you persevered and attained your goal because you knew how important that next step would be for yourself and for the projects that companies will entrust you with. PMI certifications can not be achieved by just anyone, but only by those who have the work ethics and determination to take on tough projects and situations.


Related Blogs

Social Networking…Does that term sound familiar? No question of an unfamiliarity, right?

If you are still not aware of what a social networking site is, then let me tell you that everything starting from Facebook, LinkedIn to Twitter can be called a social networking site. These are basically sites that help you network with other people and build a network.

How often have you been using a social networking site at your workplace?

Social Networking sites have become a menace to any workplace. But if you are an employee, I am sure that this statement would have created a frown on your face. My intention is not to do that, rather it is just to initiate a discussion around the topic.

Is Social Networking impacting work?

Social Networking is no more just a medium of interacting with your friends or, family members. It has gone far beyond that. Take for instance, LinkedIn. It has become a medium of connecting with people professionally. Over the past year or, so I have been able to connect to quite a few HR personnel and Talent Acquisition team members and I have received a few private message from some of these connections for job openings that they were responsible for filling up.

LinkedIn has a lot of features that help recruitment personnel make decisions. Because of the fact that this is a professional social networking website, people are more inclined to showing off their professional qualification and experience. Add to this the fact that there are a lot of people who vet the profiles and recommend them on the basis of their previous experiences. All of this gives the option of carefully scrutinizing these profiles before recruiters approach the prospective candidates.

But, does this license such social networking websites to be used at workplaces?

Social networking websites are not usually included in the list of prohibited websites in most organizations, which gives me an impression that such organizations do not have a problem with their employees accessing such websites. Whatever the approach of the organizations, the impact of using such websites on the routine work at job, is huge and undeniable.

It has been observed that employees spent a lot of time, at the cost of their work on networking. This not only impacts productivity to a great extent but also impacts the service that an employee provides in the course of his work at office. Efficiency and quality of work is all impacted.

Facebook and such other websites have a lot of positives and is a way of life these days. But should it be done at the cost of work? My opinion might be different from that of yours. Whatever your opinion is, it is always welcome. Let them come in the form of comments to this post.

Related Blogs