eCommerce Project Management: Experience Vs Certification
This is a common question that arises regularly in the world of wanting to better your career; do you build experience, or do you gain as many qualifications as possible?
Whilst the experience vs certification debate applies across all eCommerce, through this article we are going to explore Project Management certifications/experience, what they mean to an employer, what stands out on a resume, and the purpose of both elements.
Experience and Certification Types
eCommerce Project Management is an interesting profession in which Project Management is the fundamental attribute and eCommerce is the speciality of the profession.
This applies to 99% of professions!
Within certification and experience, they can both apply to the fundamental and the speciality of a position. PMI and PMP certifications demonstrate your skill within the best practice of Project Management. Within eCommerce, there are certifications, such as the Adobe Subject Matter Expert – Magento Commerce Business Practitioner, that demonstrate your industry-specific expertise.
Experience works similarly in that you can have experience as a Project Manager without eCommerce, and experience within eCommerce without Project Management. Where your specific experience exists, is what will relate to your prospects.
How Your Credentials are Viewed
So, the common thought is, what is better to focus on for my resume, experience, or certification?
The truth is… both.
No employer is turning away a stellar candidate because they are not certified. Likewise, no employer is doubting the knowledge of a candidate with a speciality certification in their industry, or relevant certifications to the fundamental of the position.
So, what is the value in you understanding that?
The value is in knowing what you are looking to achieve.
Are you an experienced Project Manager looking to specialize in a niche of eCommerce? If so, a certification within a Content Management System you want to target would be beneficial. If you have great experience and strong knowledge with an eCommerce platform and are on a journey to progressing in Project Management, a PMI or PMP certification would be beneficial.
It is important to remember that Certifications and Experience are not mutually exclusive and build towards a complete representation of your overall ability.
