I realize lots of people look upon certifications with some scepticism, but has anyone achieved ScrumMaster and found a big difference in the response they were getting from potential employers?
+3
A:
It shows you might be interested in the development process. That's a pro.
Your questions shows you're sceptical about certification. That's another pro.
And it might help you stay away from waterfall companies.
Stephan Eggermont
2008-12-07 22:24:41
+1
A:
I think you have to ask yourself if would like a job where scrum certification would matter. The certification might lead to more opportunities, but would you want them. It is a personal choice.
For me the answer would be no. Not to knock scrum or certification. I just prefer writing code to being the methodology person on the team. Last time I wrote my resume I did not play up the Agile stuff too much, but I still looked for a place that was already pretty agile.
Mike Two
2008-12-07 22:38:14
I wouldn't want a ScrumMaster to be the methodology guy. I want one because he might understand agility.
Stephan Eggermont
2008-12-07 23:25:33
What is it about agility that you want and why does a certified scrum master help? I've met certified scrum masters who knew little about the parts of agile I was most worried about. I agree that there will be lots of places that are not looking for a methodology guy and still care. But it's a risk.
Mike Two
2008-12-07 23:45:25
Well, today I also met one. But I meet more who do have a clue.
Stephan Eggermont
2008-12-09 23:59:34
+4
A:
It will not hurt. I am generally skeptic about certifications in general, since the cramming style has become common and a lot of certifications tend to focus on knowledge retention over comprehension and logical skills.
However, choose a course that gives a certification upon completion, and that looks better from a certification standpoint.
Like otherwise mentioned, this can actually help you standout if the shop is scrum or scrum-based. On the flip-side, it can scare non-scrum shops away. Given the state of the current job market, though, I think the latter is less likely to happen.
joseph.ferris
2008-12-07 23:35:08
A:
I think Scrum Alliance certification is valuable, but the CSM as awarded up to late 2009 is not that valuable. However, the process is changing; as of October 1, 2009 you will have to complete a CSM class taught by a Scrum Alliance-certified CST (Certified Scrum Trainer) and then take and pass an online test.
IMO the real value in Scrum certification starts at the Certified Scrum Practitioner (CSP) level. This certification requires a year of experience plus a qualitative evaluation by the Scrum Alliance as to whether or not the applicant groks Scrum... not just the process but the principles behind the process. IMO the CSP certification is the separator between people who have taken a class and people who actually understand enough about Scrum to help make it work in an organization.
Will Scrum Alliance certification help you find a job? I think that if a company is looking for a person with Agile/Scrum experience, and two otherwise-equivalent people (in terms of technical qualifications and experience) apply, the one with the CSM will most likely get the nod. I can tell you from personal experience that advanced certification definitely helps in terms of getting into the interview. After that, of course, it's up to you.
John Clifford
2009-11-26 04:35:19
+1
A:
It depends.
Does the employer understand the core concepts behind scrum?
Yes? - Then they will be much more interested in what you have done, which competent people you have worked with and what you can demonstrate that you understand. They'll know that CSM isn't a qualification, although it looks impressive to people that don't really know what it is.
No? - Then they'll probably think that it looks impressive, although practically anyone can gain the letters "CSM" on their CV/resume. The naming is a problem because it can give employers the (wrong) impression - that a newbie is a "certified master" of something that they've never even seen let alone done once in real-life.
As far as employers are concerned CSM just means that there's a lot of people out there that have far more confidence than actual experience...
The official position of the Agile Alliance is that employers shouldn't require any form of certification.
cartoonfox
2009-12-01 18:38:32
A:
I've always said, "I will do a MS certification when not having one impacts upon my marketability". It hasn't happened yet, and i've even been in the position of having an employer foot the bill for the exams. I decided instead to spend the hours i would have been studying, doing coding and billing. lol
Jonathan
2010-02-22 17:18:13
A:
It may help you get past the HR department to get an interview. However you will have to prove at interview that you have the real life people skills for that type of job.
Ian Ringrose
2010-09-21 08:45:17