A Product Manager is an expert in all things Product Management. They understand the best ways to create products, troubleshoot design problems and introduce new products to the market. They also understand how to maximize the lifecycle of each product after it’s been sold to consumers for some time.
To better the product lifecycle and product team members, many Product Management professionals obtain one or more certifications.
In this article, we’re going to discuss how you can earn a Product Management certification that helps separate you from other Product Management professionals and teaches difference-making skills.
What are the benefits of a Product Management certification?
There are many benefits to earning a Product Management certification, especially considering the ever-growing need for qualified Product Management professionals.
Some of the benefits to a Product Management certification include:
- Direct insight into the best frameworks and techniques
- Expanding your networking circles
- Standing out among other job candidates
- Greater access to promotions and senior roles
- Increased potential for a higher salary
- Improving your career progression and advancement
The right Product Management certification can be invaluable in helping to establish or improve your career.
How do I get certified in Product Management?
A Product Management certification is a great way to strengthen your name in the industry.
Here’s the good news: there are many different ways to obtain your Product Management certification.
Here are the five steps we recommend for getting certified in Product Management.
Step 1: Figure out which certification to pursue
There are different kinds of Product Management certifications, each made for a different type of learner. Some Product Management certifications are best for beginners, while others are made for professionals who are already established in the industry.
Choose your Product Management certification carefully. Your certification should depend on your goals and needs, and well as your preferred career.
Step 2: Make sure you meet all certification requirements
Most beginner-level certification programs don’t require any skills or qualifications, other than a genuine interest in Product Management. However, advanced certification courses have certain prerequisites, such field experience, certain skills or other educational requirements.
Step 3: Consider your lifestyle and learning style
In order to successfully (and enjoyably) obtain your Product Management certification, you need to find a course or program that fits into your lifestyle. Before enrolling, identify how much you’re willing to invest, how much time you can commit to learning and whether you’d prefer to learn online or in-person.
It’s especially important for you to take into consideration your personal learning style. While some people learn best through supervised, one-on-one mentorship, others prefer to teach themselves through self-led courses. Some might thrive in a fast-paced learning environment, while others retain information better when they’re going through a self-paced course.
Step 4: Prepare for the exam
In order to gain the certificate, you’ll have to take an exam near the end of the course. The length and intensity of the exam will depend on the course you’re taking.
Give yourself the best chance to pass the exam by studying beforehand. You might also want to listen to other resources, to further enhance your understanding of Product Management before any exams.
In some cases, you might not have a final “examination” at the end of your Product Management program. Instead, you might need to complete a capstone project, or other final project, that demonstrates your new skills in the field.
Step 5: Embrace ongoing training
Just because you’ve gained a Product Management certification doesn’t mean your learning is over. Certificates can be a great way to establish yourself in the industry for the first time, or help you progress your career to a more senior role. However, it’s still important to make education an ongoing priority.
Some of the best Product Management certifications can actually help with ongoing learning. For example, our Product Management program offers ongoing education as a feature of our apprenticeship feature — allowing you to learn and work for an industry-leading employer at the same time.
Advance your Product Management career today
Pace is a top-tier education platform that’s designed to equip both new and experienced Product Managers with the skills you’ll need to succeed.
We’ve built a specialized Product Management bootcamp program that helps students thrive in the Product Management field, by teaching learners the skills they need to thrive after months —not years — learning from industry experts on your timetable.
Contact our Admissions department today to get started today!
