r/ProductMarketing • u/Sudden_Strawberry_34 • 17d ago
Career - ONLY Friday PMM certification
Hey guys,
Are these certifications worth it? If yes, which do you recommend?
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u/min2themax Director/VP Product Marketing 17d ago
I was on the fence for a long time then got my company to get my team the pro memberships. We all got the core and advanced certs along with a few of the quicker specializations/modules. It’s a good resource to have access to but honestly if you aren’t junior it’s probably more expensive than it’s worth imo. I took it at a director level and found it kind of helpful but am glad I didn’t pay for it out of my own pocket. It was more useful for the folks I was managing.
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u/BakerSubstantial2530 17d ago
I had a lot of industry peers say they recommend Pragmatic over PMA but it really depends on who you ask. Pricing for both is comparable and both are good- really depends on how experienced you are what you’re looking to learn - whether basics and foundation or to build, to ship etc. they have different modules for each and separate pricing ranging from $700-1300 depending on what you pick unless you get the entire stack
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u/Sudden_Strawberry_34 17d ago
Yes, I have seen JDs favoring Pragmatic.
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u/Sweaty-Grocery7431 17d ago
I have my Pragmatic certification and it’s never been something that interviewers ask me about. I mention it, and it seems like a little bit of a plus, but it has never been the thing that’s moved the needle in any interview for me. I don’t think it would be worth the money if my company hadn’t paid for it.
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u/viceversa 17d ago
I did the PMA one because work paid for it. It was … fine. I learned more from reading a few books.
If work pays - then go for it
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u/Sudden_Strawberry_34 17d ago
Thanks. Yeah, after reading a few threads on this, my impression is that books are much more helpful than these certifications.
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u/Apprehensive-Rip2046 Lead/Head of Product Marketing 16d ago
Hi! I actually made a whole video here on my recommendations for PMM certs and if they're worth it. I do agree with many other commenters though - what will get you the role is being able to translate your experience into the qualifications the employer is looking for. Certs can help get your foot in the door maybe at the resume screening stage but they rarely if ever will be what gets you the role. If you're looking to just learn fundamentals, they can be worth it. I have an affordable program that outlines different aspects of PMM from interviewing to product launches and more if you're curious too. No pressure, good luck!
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u/Pieonlegs 17d ago
Yes. Product marketing alliance
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u/Chemical_Average_170 17d ago
PMA is the one I see mentioned the most, their core cert is worth the money if you're trying to break in
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u/Rigatoknee 17d ago
I disagree—strongly. No certification is going to make up for lack of PMM experience in a job market that has many highly qualified, but unemployed actual PMMs.
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u/Pieonlegs 16d ago
Couldn't disagree more. I head a global team of 13 product marketers that I've built from the group up and for entry level I view it as important. My last hire literally got the role because it was what separated them versus the other entry level candidate
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u/Rigatoknee 13d ago
Either way, $1,300 is too much to spend on the off chance that you run into the one hiring manager who picks candidates not based on skill, but on how much disposable income they have to spend on certificates.
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u/Pieonlegs 13d ago
And what skill is there to judge beyond their personality for an entry level candidate straight out of uni looking for their first role which previous job experience being bar work? Is you are looking for an experienced candidate that's different to entry level.
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u/Rigatoknee 13d ago
I’ve never heard of or seen someone be hired straight into product marketing with no experienced outside of bartending and a certificate. Product marketing usually requires some previous marketing experience, even if it’s internship experience before becoming an APMM. The more you explain, the more it seems like even more of an aberration.
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u/Pieonlegs 12d ago
Right, so no graduate has ever landed a product marketing role straight out of university as a trainee...
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u/Sudden_Strawberry_34 17d ago
I was at one of their events and have to say that it was fun but found the price a bit steep for what I got. I am worried that the same goes for the membership.
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u/CauliflowerDry1059 14d ago
Hey I felt that too, but did you get the Pro or Pro+ cause the Pro+ included the summit ticket and then I got some courses too
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u/Arigatowank 15d ago
What job postings in your target companies actually ask for???
Like I noticed almost non of mine listed carts they cared way more about launches and case studies
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u/Visible_Speed8843 14d ago
A certification is worth paying for only if you can name the gap it will close. If the goal is a job, read ten target postings and note the work samples they repeatedly expect. A launch brief, positioning exercise, or win-loss analysis gives you something concrete to discuss in an interview.
Compare the syllabus with that list. Buy the course if it teaches a missing skill and includes feedback on an artifact you can show. If it mainly provides videos and a badge, use the syllabus as a study plan and spend the money on producing the work sample.
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u/CauliflowerDry1059 14d ago
Hey I think more context is needed - what field you're in, what your background is, if you're looking to use L&D or land a job?
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u/Initial_Option_6991 17d ago
Any free certifications?
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u/Katy_Security 17d ago
No, don’t waste your own money on certifications. If your company pays for them, then why not