Does every position require the PMP certification?

I'm seing more and more job offers where the description requires the applicant to be PMP (or even PgMP) certified.  Is this really warranted?

I understand that the PMP certification is used as a filter by many recruiters but there is a risk of hiring someone with skills that are beyond the actual need of an organization.  People in project leadership positions are driven and under utilising them is a sure recipe for dissatisfaction.

Also the PMP should command a salary premium.  If you insist on hiring a PMP, you may be insisting on overpaying for the position.

What do you think? As always questions and comments are welcome.

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Comments

[Dave Gordon]

I think you could say as much about the requirement for a college degree. There are now almost a half million people with the PMP credential, so it's beyond the point of being a distinguishing asset, and on its way to being a minimum qualification. My "other" professional credential, SPHR, is now so common that I'm going to upgrade to GPHR this year.

[Patrick Richard]

Dave,
Thanks for the comment. You might be right about the analogy with bachelor degrees but I hope not. I’m both a chemical engineer and a PMP and I could not have learned my engineering skills just through experience. The PM stuff can be picked up in the trenches.

I do agree that the PMP is not a distinguishing asset but what about those people with a wealth on project management experience but no PMP. Do they get filtered out? I’m certain we know PMPs that can’t manage tying their own shoes and could be replaced by someone with no certification.

I’m certain it is the same in all fields.

[Dave Gordon]

The experience question is another issue. There are a lot of folks in every field with experience that hasn't improved their ability to do their job. But if you receive 200 resumes in the first 48 hours after posting a requisition for a PM position, how do you sort the diamonds from the quartz?

I expanded my thoughts into a blog post. Would love to hear your reaction.

http://blog.practicingitpm.com/2013/01/27/managing-another-upgrade-project/

[Patrick Richard]

How do you sort the diamonds from the quartz indeed?

Personally, I’ve never landed a job or contract through a job posting. Past colleagues or clients do refer me because I’m a known quantity and because they are not afraid I’ll dirty their name.

I read your post; great points! I guess one way of getting to the best candidate is to check the "age" of the credential and how committed the person is in keeping the certification current and in gaining new certifications.

The personal excellence aspect is the edge organisation should be looking for.