What Are The Benefits of NOT Being Certified?

One of the most common questions procurement professionals ask once they start thinking about earning a purchasing certification like the SPSM^® is: "What are the benefits of being certified?"

That's a fair question. And one that's easy to answer.

First, procurement professionals who have the SPSM^® Certification earn more money than those who don't. Our research indicates it. Purchasing Magazine's research indicates it. And we're talking over $10,000 per year more.

Second, procurement professionals who have the SPSM^® Certification save their employers more money than those who don't. And what happens when you perform like that for your employer? Naturally, your career tends to be more successful.

Occasionally, someone will still not "get it." They may say something like "I've been in procurement for x years. There's no substitute for real-world experience."

Yes, real-world experience is valuable. But why should having experience dissuade you from earning a certification?

What is the benefit of NOT being certified?

Is there a benefit to not being certified? Or is fear of failure guiding decisions to keep one's qualifications status quo?

When it comes to certification, procurement professionals need to realize that coming up short on a certification exam should be viewed as a "temporary defeat" not a "failure." I learned the concept of temporary defeat vs. failure by reading the book "Think & Grow Rich." Here are some excerpts from that book that I've found inspirational and you might, too:

"Remember when your plans fail, that temporary defeat is not permanent failure...Thomas A. Edison 'failed' ten thousand times before he perfected the incandescent light bulb. That is -- he met with temporary defeat ten thousand times, before his efforts were crowned with success...No man is ever whipped, until he QUITS -- in his own mind...If you give up before your goal is reached, you are a 'quitter.' A QUITTER NEVER WINS -- AND -- A WINNER NEVER QUITS."

So, whether it is pursuing a certification or anything else, do not fear failure. And also think about this - if you fail the SPSM^® Exam, it's only $75 to retake it.

Back to the question asked in the subject of this post...There is no benefit to NOT being certified. No one ever hired someone and said "You got the job because you were the only candidate WITHOUT a certification." No one ever got a pay increase accompanied by a note that said "Congratulations on another year that you resisted getting a certification."

So, if you know the benefits of being certified but are still hesitant to pursue a certification, you may want to ask yourself if there is a hidden fear lurking in your head that is separating you from greater success.

To Your Career,
Charles Dominick, SPSM
President & Chief Procurement Officer
Next Level Purchasing, Inc.
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