If you've gone through the process of obtaining PMP Certification, you have a standardized knowledge set - and the credentials to prove it. When applying for a job against competitors, having the credentials in hand will put you ahead of those who do not.

Because you will have gone through the certification process, you will have learned a standardized set of project management best practices to implement in your own company projects.

PMP certified project managers receive an average starting salary of $90,000 a year. Conjointly, overall PMP credentials will gain you a 20 percent increase in salary over non-credentialed project managers with similar qualifications.

When you earn your PMP credential, you will be in touch with others working hard to pass the PMP credential exam. Moreover, you will be put into contact with those already holding PMP certifications. You never know who might help you obtain your next job - the more people in your field you make contact with, the easier it will be to get the job you want when it's time to move on.

Because you will have the specialized training that obtaining a PMP credential requires, you will be better able to teach others the tools of project management.

Let's face it, we've all had teams that for whatever reason did not work together as a cohesive group. By obtaining a PMP certification, you will learn valuable skills that will in turn help you to evaluate whether or not that potential team member will be able to work well with everyone.

Like every profession, project management is a field with some job opportunities only available to those with PMP certification. In fact, there are about 20 percent more openings than there are credentialed employees available - that sounds like good odds to me.

Because having a PMP certification hands you a set of tools to utilize in building efficient projects, you can improve the efficiency and productivity in all your project experiences.

Because you must work through various situations you may not be familiar with in your own work environment, you will gain experience on how to solve complex and diverse project problems.

If you've been looking to make a career switch, PMP credentials can help you to do that. By gaining a credential where you might lack years of experience, you can start at the gates with a higher position and salary than otherwise you would be capable of.

Honestly, finally getting that PMP certification will not be the easiest thing you will do in your career -- but it will challenge you in a good way. You will gain self-confidence, knowledge, and connections you wouldn't otherwise have.