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2/5/2015 7:54 AM

	vlookup
39 posts

Questions about Certifications and Degrees

I was just curious what your approach is to listing these on your resume, linkedin, etc.

I have accrued several certifications over the years. Risk Management Professional, CAPM (junior PMP), Prince 2 Foundations, ITIL (several). Is it advantagous to list all of these or do you run the risk of looking like a paper tiger? I am always reluctant, after profiling stalking (:)) I've come to realize more people have 1 certification if any. I am sitting here with 6 including 3 ITIL's.

What's your thoughts on this? I was thinking about going only with the Risk Management Professional since it seems to be the biggest certification I own, but I don't really specialize is Risk at the moment. (in fact it's been 3 years).

CAPM kind of concerns me because it says look at me I am a noob. This concerns me as well.

ITIL screams service management, which in my eyes and career scope is totally unrelated and quite frankly comes off bizarre.

Maybe I should leave them all off.

Just curious about your thoughts for certifications? The ironic part is I don't have a BA one LOL.

2/5/2015 11:08 PM

	BigPicGuy
16 posts

Re: Questions about Certifications and Degrees

Here's how I look at it:

1. I am more or less certain that mentioning more than 2 major certifications on your CV or profile doesn't really make much difference.

2. You have to ask yourself. "Will mentioning this certification help me to get the job that I am actually looking for?"

You have answered your question yourself in parts. If I were you, I would have gone with the certification that best describes my strengths and the kind of role that I am expecting in my future job.

All the best!

2/6/2015 6:45 AM

	NitWitNick
259 posts

Re: Questions about Certifications and Degrees

Modified By NitWitNick on 2/6/2015 8:48:19 AM)

"Maybe I should leave them all off. "

I put them on and leave them off ... depends on what job you apply for ... you don't want to look Over or Under qualified.

Example:

If I look for a Project manager / Business Systems Analyst contract, then I put on everything ... PMP down to programming certificates.

If I look for some programming contract, I only list certain certificates for programming related Only to that job (no PMP, BA, ITIL, Cloud, etc) ... even with programming ... you can look over qualified.

2/6/2015 6:54 AM

	vlookup
39 posts

Re: Questions about Certifications and Degrees

Good stuff.

To circle back, I do think you look like a fool if you list a bunch, hey this is just me though. Not saying it isn't right, but honestly most people don't have Six Sigma, ITIL, CBAP, PMP etc. And to be honest the ones I have worked with (the few) who have been set up like that really weren't very good at their job. They spent so much time in theory they never learned how to do.

I have a strong bachelors and a on line MBA (which isn't exactly Wharton), but it seems to help me secure BA positions at fortune 500 companies. I think I may just stick with the educational requirements unless the job descriptions ask for one of those specific certification.

I still read books and white pages CBT's as well. But I just don't like listing all those certifications.

We have a six sigma track here at work I still don't want to do it :)

Thanks for the follow up guys and gals! I appreciate it.