Certified Manager Certification

Presented to
Perry Barton

By Tyler Evans

3/30/15

No matter what type of field of work one participates in, its important to be
knowledgeable of everything it entails from top to bottom. Managers, especially, need to come
into a job well equipped. This means having all of the necessary skills and experience it takes to
be successful. Being well equipped also means having the necessary certification. Certified
manager certification is a step many individuals go through when they are looking to achieve a
more concrete skillset, or even solidify their position as manager by gaining the title. Whatever
reason an individual has for obtaining their certification is a great one. Being a certified manager
gives individuals a certain level of superiority in comparison to those who arent and puts them
in a place of satisfaction and achievement. Whether you are working in the restaurant industry,
construction, or even accounting, acquiring a certification can help to steer you in the direction
you need to go and allows for professional opportunities to present themselves at a much faster
pace.
So, what exactly is a manager? The business dictionary defines a manager as an
individual who is in charge of a certain group of tasks, or a certain bet of a company
(businessdictionary.com). A manager typically has a group of team members dedicated towards
completing goals, who work under him and report to him. A manager is the head of his
department. It is a managers responsibility to control their area of the business and keep it
afloat. They handle many aspects of a business that range from employee hiring and firing to
customer complaints and concerns and it is a part of their responsibilities to control. A certified
manager is all of the above and much, much more. There happens to be a very big difference
between managers and certified managers. Most managers are hired into their role as manager
because of their skills, experience on the job and in the field, and their leader-like qualities. They
have usually climbed their way into the position by working hard as an employee, proving
themselves along the way, and receiving recognition and praise from their superiors. Many years
of this experience do equate to a well-qualified manager, but nothing says well-qualified more
than a management certificate. A certified manager is an individual who not only has the
knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform hi duties, he is also professionally recognized as a
manager by others. Certified managers are the individuals who have years of experience on the
job and want to find a way of bettering themselves. Becoming manager certified is a great way
for individuals to improve their job stability, command better pay, and become a recognized
member in their field. It also gives them the confidence they need to. Playing the role of manager
can be career-changing and extremely beneficial to individual in the workplace, but for those
who are wanting to exceed and take their managerial role to the next level, a certified manager
certification is the way to go. There are many advantages to becoming certified that will be
discussed below. Even though disadvantages and challenges may present themselves, too,
manager everywhere are highly encouraged to take part in a program that will help them grow
exponentially and have them working at their fullest potential. Professionals should always strive
to do the best they can and having a management certification is a great place to start for
managers with experience.
Upon becoming interested in gaining a certified manager certification, it is important to
understand why it is important and how it can impact your life. Being a professional in any
industry, even if you are a student, it should be at the forefront of your mind on how to better

yourself , shine a light on yourself , make yourself stand out in a way that is more appealing to
others. The competitiveness within the workplace is through the roof and big significance goes
into knowing how to stand out from the crowd. Seeing as there are new ways of reinventing
oneself constantly popping out of the woodwork, it is good to know just how they can affect you
in the present as well as later on in your career.
One of the biggest and most obvious advantages of becoming a certified manager is the
pay. Pay is probably the number one most critical driving force for people in the workplace as it
fuels the type of lifestyles they wish to live and gives them a means to really achieve what they
want out of life. Managers typically make a fair salary for the experience they bring into a job,
but having a certification can help improve a salary substantially. To find a great example of how
certification can impact pay, take a look into the veterinary field. Veterinary technicians are in
high demand because of their skills and versatility. There are two types; those who are registered
and those who are not. Technicians who are registered have gone through schooling. They are
required to take an examination upon completion of their schooling to demonstrate how
knowledgeable they are of the material. Upon passing this examination, these individuals
become professionally certified and are a registered member of the veterinary field. Individuals
who have the experience but lack the education can also be called veterinary technician,
however, they are not registered. Having the experience well as the certification is paramount
when it comes to negotiating salary. Naturally, those who have undergone schooling will have
leverage and are more desirable over those who havent because of their status. The same goes
with becoming a certified manager. Not only is it a great way to command more pay, it is
important to companies as well. Professional companies want and are willing to pay more for
qualified and certified managers because they can be certain these managers have what it takes to
lead a team. These managers deserve better compensation because to their knowledge and
experience on the job.
Let us pretend you are a part of the recruitment team for a large company and have
received a large stack of resumes to sort through. You are aware of the need for a new, qualified
manager who has experience working in your field. You come across two almost identical
resumes with only one difference between them; applicant A has a management certification and
applicant B does not. Which one would you choose? The majority of people would agree that
applicant A is the best choice and why is that? When companies are looking for new
professionals to join their teams, they intentionally seek out the ones who look good on paper. If
an applicant doesnt have the opportunity to meet with the hiring manager prior to sending in his
application he has to make sure that his best foot forward IS the application. Companies make
quick judgments when it comes to the hiring process and these days, if you dont have some type
of degree or certification, you resume if put to the side. As stated before, standing out from the
crowd is a way to get noticed and for managers, becoming certified is a way to do just that.
Having the words management certified looks great on a resume and shows the company you
take your career seriously.
When looking to move ahead within a company, many things need to be taken in to
account. One of the most important questions one should ask himself is, can I? Wanting to make

a change in your career is a great place to start, but having the qualifications to back you up are
what is going to take you to the next level. Transferability is one of the important factors and
advantages of becoming management certified. Having this certification certainly gives
experienced workers a push in the right direction. Along with great personal and professional
qualities, an individual who is certified can use these features to transfer laterally, or use them
towards being promoted. Those who possess a higher education or representation of knowledge
such as a certificate will, most of the time, be first pick when it comes to promotions. What it all
boils down to is, Is this person the right fit and does he have what it takes to be a star? If you
have a certification under your belt and people are asking these questions of you, the answer is
yes. Certifications are looked upon highly as they show just how committed one is to
maintaining his professionalism and letting it be known to those who matter. It says to your
company, Im the one you are looking for! Although it is easier to take the short route and just
stick with the manager title, working hard and obtaining management certification will
improve the quality of an individuals work life if he chooses take the next step and do what it
takes to get certified.
Have you ever been in a position where you wanted to advance in the workplace but felt
you were not qualified? Those without certification may find it hard to get the job they really
want. Although it is not true for all situations, as every one is unique, it is mostly true that
companies want the most qualified individuals to lead their teams. Being a certified manager
gives you a better chance at being recruited and further developing a career for yourself. What
most of us want out of life is stability and autonomy. We want to be able to have control over our
lives and over our futures. We long to retire early on and live it the rest of our lives travelling to
different countries and immersing ourselves in their cultures. What certified manager
certifications do is assists you in living the dream life youve always longed for. It will help give
you the stability you need to live a comfortable life. It will help ensure that you will always have
opportunities ahead of you and a means to make it work. Stability and autonomy are two factors
I believe everyone ultimately wants for themselves. Having a management certification will give
you the job satisfaction you are looking for, plus a means to provide for a better life. What it will
also give you is a sense of pride, which goes along with stability and autonomy. Theres no better
feeling than knowing all of the work you put in is now yielding results. By enhancing your
qualifications with a certification, one can not only gain a sense of confidence, but also a sense
of pride. Having this quality and using it in the right way not only strengthens ones ability to do
better in the workplace, it can also affect his opinion of himself. Seeing ones work pay off and
being able to say, I did it, is a very important part of becoming certified as a manager. Having
this certification under your belt can, as stated before, help improve job satisfaction, and it can
also help to improve ones sense of accomplishment.
One other advantage of the certified manager certification is that is can help refresh ones
memory. Managers go through many years of experience while working so its easy to
understand how at least a portion of that information can be forgotten. The certified manager
certification can certainly help with that. Becoming management certified means that you are
knowledgeable of all the different aspects of management and how to lead a team effectively.
Prior to taking these examinations, it is recommended that individuals take advantage of the

study materials they can have access to through whichever school they decide to attend. The
study guides are important as they help you to prepare for the test and refresh your memory, but
they can be used for even more than that. With the changing times, new information is
discovered all the time and its very important for managers to stay ahead of the game. While
using study materials, managers may come across information theyve never come across before.
They may learn about new techniques or team-building exercises theyd never thought of that
can be utilized in the workplace. It can be easy to recall because it is fresh in the mind the
student has easy access to it for referencing purposes. Study materials for specific tests are one of
the best ways to discover new information because they are regularly changed and kept up-todate.
When it comes to getting a certified manager certification there is really one route to go,
and that is by attending a school. One school, The Institute of Certified Professional Managers
seems to be a very popular choice among uncertified managers. It states that the CM, or certified
manager certification, is a great way for managers to move ahead in their careers and that it is a
reliable indicator of managerial competence and leadership potential. (ICPM). Attending ICPM,
students have the option of study on their and utilizing their own self-direction, or by attending a
classroom environment where they can converse with other students. What makes this program
so great is that all three tests are administered online. This means that they can be worked around
busy schedules and at the convenience of the one taking the test. At this particular school, there
are a total of three options a manager can take in order to become certified. Option one is the
most costly, yet reaps the most benefits. It includes the application fee, all three study manuals
offered at ICPM which individuals can use to refresh their skills, the cost of all three exams, and
access to the online learning center made available to students. This option seems like the best
option for those who would like to knock out all of their studies at once and take their tests as
quickly as possible. The only downside to this option is that if by chance one fails one or more of
the tests, he then has to pay to retake them which adds additional fees. Option two is probably
the safest of the three because it presents little risks. This option gives you more freedom as it
takes the three different aspects of the CM and breaks them down into individual portions.
Instead of getting all of the information at once, you get the cost of one exam as well as its
manual, access to the online learning center, and the cost of the application fee. I feel this option
is best for those who like to focus on one thing at a time. One can truly delve into the topic and
make sure he is fully prepared and has passed the exam before moving on to the next section.
Option three is by far the most risky of the options. With this option, the individual bypasses all
of the study material. In his bundle he only gets access to the online learning, the cost of the
application fee, and the cost of the three exams. This option is obviously for those who feel they
know all of the necessary material to pass the exams, however, it is at a higher risk than the other
options. I feel this last option is best for those who have many, many years of experience and
know the ins and outs of management, leadership, and business operations. Those who dont
would be better off choosing another option, as they allow one to study prior to taking the exams.
Of course, this particular school is not the only one a manager can attend to become
certified. Because there are so many specialized fields in todays world, many schools have
started catering to them as have built management programs especially for them. Even certain

divisions of a field may have its own management program. For instance, one can become
project management certified at a plethora of schools, including the University of Georgia and
Berkeley. These schools have dedicated time, energy, and funds towards creating these programs
especially for those who wish to further their careers and it is important for managers who are
serious about their futures to take part in these programs and reap the benefits of becoming
certified.
When looking to get certified, it is important to first look into a program that suits the
field you work in. Of course, there is the certified manager certification which was mentioned
earlier. The type of certification can be used for all types of fields and will make a manager more
qualified to provide leadership to his staff. On the other hand, there are other types of
management certification that can help individuals in specific fields. There are limitless
possibilities of which I will cover three; food management, property management, and project
management. In todays market, one can never go wrong getting into the food business. The
market for quality individuals has and will maintain itself as time goes on. Because of how
readily available they are, it is imperative that food service managers get the training they need
to become certified. The reason food service is singled out from the others s because food service
staff are constantly changing and managers need to stay ahead of the game if they want to
maintain their positions as managers. Therefore, becoming certified is the best route to take. In
some cases, being a certified manager is mandatory and of course, this depends on where you are
interested in working. Places such as detention centers, adult daycares, assisted living facilities,
and even mobile food units are required to be certified to be in compliance with the law. Places
that are exempt from the Department of Healths regulations are bars and lounges, public and
private schools, and theaters. This last group is the one that needs to be involved in becoming
certified. Seeing as the requirements are not as regulated as the former, it gives individuals an
edge over the competition when they are management certified. As stated previously, hiring
managers look for individual who stand out from the crowd, and those with a certification when
the minimum requirements dont specify being certified will do just that.
The second field to become certified in; property management, is one that can be very lucrative
being that you can get license upon license to increase your credibility and authority. There
endless different types of certifications under this category, and I will review the top five. The
first type of property management certification is the real estate license. Having a real estate
license to work as a property manager isnt required in all states, but is important in the states in
which it is. Buying and selling property is an automatic condition in which a license is needed.
Getting a CMCA (certified manager of community association) is necessary if one plans to
manage properties. It not only keep a manager up to date with changing laws and requirements
within his region, they can also network and forge relationships with other members. This type of
certification can be used a starting point for ones career
The residential manager professional certification is an incredibly important certification for a
property manager to have as it increases credibility and dependability. Individuals looking to
obtain this license should be aware of the requirements. To earn this certification, ones must have
a real estate license under his belt, have two years of property management experience, and have

managed a minimum of 25 rental units prior to becoming certified. As you can see, this type
particular certification is a step above the previous two, and can help advance a career.
The CPM, or certified property manager is one that is also credible and comes with a list of
requirements to be completed prior to certification. Seeing as this certification requires you to be
extremely experienced and well-trained in the real estate and property business, it can be very
difficult to become certified. A real estate license is needed to obtain this certification, as well.
The last type of certification is the CAM, or certified apartment manager. If apartments are the
area in which you work in, this certification is the one which will benefit you most. Courses are
required to be taken in order to take the exam and become a certified apartment manager.
As anyone can see, becoming a property manager can be a very involved process depending on
what type of career path youre heading down. At the same time, taking the time to become
certified can move you ahead in your career and help you to become successful. These
certification, whether you have all five or just one under your belt gives you a competitive edge
against other managers in the same field.
Those interested in project management have a wide array of options to choose from
when it comes to getting certified. Gaining a certification can make any manager a hot
commodity as employers want and need more qualified workers in their organizations. There is
much more of a demand for certified managers than for those who are not certified and therefore,
it can be a life and career changing move to take the next step in becoming certified. Within
project management, there are multiple different certifications that can enhance any individuals
career. One only needs the determination, the time, and the qualifications to complete these
certifications. There are many reasons in which to become a certified project manager. Reason
one is that it provides flexibility when an individual is looking to change careers. With a
certification. As times change, so do laws and protocols. Becoming certified gives individual and
edge because of the new and updated information they offer. Upon completion, these certified
individuals are already ahead of those who have not gotten the same certification. They can then
take this newly acquired and use it to make innovative changes in the workplace. The financial
benefits of becoming certified bears repeating. Employers look for managers who have these
extra certifications because they know these managers hold more than the minimum
acquirements and are going to bring value and success to their companies. Employers understand
that these managers have the determination to go above and beyond because of their
certifications and want those same types of characteristics to translate into the workplace.
Employers are willing to pay for experienced and qualified individuals, so it is best for manager
to become certified to improve their chance of a higher salary. It is rewarding for employees to
be able to negotiate their salaries.
There are many project management certifications to satisfy a managers certification needs. All
one needs to do is figure out which one he wants to pursue. It is important to choose the one that
best fits your career path and future plans. Each certification recognizes knowledge and skills in
their specialized areas, along with updating each individual on information, both old and new.
For example, the risk management professional is a certified manager who identifies risks and

threats to a project. On the other hand, a project management professional can demonstrate the
ability to oversee multiple related projects that look to achieve an organizational projective.
Just as there are advantages to any situation, there can also be disadvantages. In some
instances, having a certification or going above and beyond and acquiring multiple certifications
can cause on to be overqualified. This is something weve been hearing more of in recent years
because of the economic downfall here in the states. Unfortunately for active workers, there are
limited open positions and a surplus of qualified managers to fill them. Organizations have to
take a look at all the aspects when looking to hire on new management. As stated previously,
employers want the best possible candidates to man their organization. One of the biggest issues
with being a qualified manager is with the pay he expects to receive. Not every organization has
the funds to pay for the top dog. These overqualified managers are often put to the side and
forgotten about because the company simply cannot afford them. Another big issue organizations
have with hiring overqualified managers is that they may move on quickly. A certified manager
is certainly going to look for a position that matches him more so than one he is overqualified
for. There, he will be able to wok the type of job he wants as well as procure a more appropriate
salary. Therefore, employers may be weary of hiring them for fear they might seek better
employment once it is found, leaving the organization in a tight spot.
Certified manager certifications are a good route to take for any manager looking to
expand their knowledge and their careers. They allow a manager to gain recognition with his
field, gain valuable knowledge, and can be used as a way to negotiate with employers. Managers
always need to make the most of their situations and becoming a certified manager is a great way
to do just that. Certifications allow one to update themselves on various skills needed to perform
their jobs and stand out from the crowd. Whatever the reason an individual has for becoming a
certified manager is a good one. The advantages of doing so far outweigh the bad. These types of
certifications cant be built upon and never become obsolete so one is able to take it with him
through his career.

Bibliography
What Is a Manager? Definition and Meaning. Business Dictionary, Web. 30 Mar. 2015,
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/manager.html.
Types of Certifications, Project Management Institute, Web, 2015, http://www.pmi.org/
certification/which-pmi-certification-is-right-for-you.aspx.
Williams, Rene, Top 5 Property Management and License Certifications, Web 13 May 2013,
http://www.landlordology.com/property-management-license/.
Food Manager Certification, Florida Health, Web, http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmentalhealth/food-safety-and-sanitation/food-manager.html.
Green, Alison, Why Employers Dont Want to Hire Overqualified Candidates, US News and
World Report, Web, 31 July 2013 http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outsidevoices-careers/2013/07/31/why-employers-dont-want-to-hire-overqualified-candidates.