When I was laid off, I started looking for new jobs almost immediately. (Actually, I’d been looking since 2022, which gives you an idea of how shitty the job market is despite all the good news people seem to have about it.) I noticed that most job listings required a PMP, so I decided to get one. But just as I got my PMP, I started seeing all those job listings saying “PMP is a plus” and requiring an ITIL certification. So I decided to get one. And from the moment I bought my ITIL class, I started seeing all those same job listings no longer asking for ITIL certification, but instead asking for CSM (certified scrum master).

Now I have two classes on my docket — one to become a CSM, and one to become a CSPO (certified scrum product owner).

If it’s not one thing, it’s another. I can only imagine what certification request will start showing up on job postings as my CSM and CSPO classes start.

Oh, and this is fun: PMP, ITIL, and CSM all require you to do continuing education to the tune of 60 hours every 2-3 years. Do you think that continuing education is free? Because it’s not.

It costs a lot of money to get hired these days, apparently.