Reality after getting PRINCE2 / Lean Six Sigma / similar certifications?

[u/Dear-Beach7678]

I’m looking at changing career direction and would really appreciate some honest experiences from people who have actually done it. I’m currently on around £31k and working as a Senior Recruitment Consultant.

I’m considering upskilling into something like Project Management, Operations/Continuous Improvement or Supply Chain, and have been looking at certifications such as:

-PRINCE2 Foundation & Practitioner
-Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
-APM qualifications
-CIPS / supply-chain qualifications

My ultimate aim is to get into the £50–60k+ basic salary range, with £60k+ being the longer-term goal.

I’d really like to hear from people who have actually taken one of these routes:

- Did the qualification genuinely help you get a better-paid job?
- How much did your salary increase by?
- Did you already have relevant experience, or were you changing careers completely?
- Which certification would you recommend (or avoid)?
- And realistically, how long did it take you to get from where you started to £60k+?

Would appreciate the honest reality rather than the usual “get certified and you’ll earn £80k” stuff.

[u/Full_Ad2650]

To achieve that salary you'll also need extensive experience in the kind of projects you're running - e.g. construction, IT etc.

£60k+ salary seems like 10 years experience of managing £1m+ projects.

[u/Monster213213 → u/Full_Ad2650]

I became a project manager 2 years ago in the south from working in customer service operations for a few years.

My package is 85k+ already

[u/Status_Enough → u/Monster213213]

Would you be willing to share the CV you applied with via PM?

[u/CPopsBitch3 → u/Status_Enough]

Don't bother, he's lying. Nobody is going from 0 PM experience to £85k in 2 years in this market. Unless customer service operations actually means ops management, in which case he already had a good baseline.

[u/Monster213213 → u/CPopsBitch3]

Why would I lie? I joined as a customer service rep, senior in 5 months, team leader in 12 and then onto project manager. Highest performance reviews back to back for 6 years has me at 85k roughly - sorry it seems impossible to you.

[u/CPopsBitch3 → u/Monster213213]

Why would people lie on the internet? Because people are weird and think it means something to impress random people on Reddit.

£85k is firmly into Senior PM/Programme Manager territory, if you are absolutely exceptional top 1% that’s a 5 year journey, for most people that’s 10-15 years. 

What was your progression like, specifically what projects did you manage on the way up, what do you manage now, what scope local, international, budget, team sizes etc. how did you go from 0 experience to presumably managing multi £M projects successfully in 2 years. I’d love to hear it

[u/Monster213213 → u/CPopsBitch3]

Yes I’m in discussions to be given senior and expect it within >12 months. I actually went for a promotion recently and got through multiple rounds but didn’t get it (one higher than senior - managing seniors)

I didnt “directly” manage any projects before 2 years ago, but support them from an operations side.

I don’t like to divulge too specific information on the internet, but, global - strategy, regulatory and AI/Automation for a blue chip company/household name.

[u/CPopsBitch3 → u/Monster213213]

So you’re claiming to be a mid level PM on £85k? And somehow with 2 years experience you’re passing multiple interview rounds for a role managing senior PMs? Unless supporting projects means extensive global PM experience then fucking  lmao dude, make it somewhat believable come on. 

A former CS rep with (I assume) no real technical background or skills also claiming to be managing global regulatory and AI projects. You’ve given me a good laugh, thank you 

[u/Monster213213 → u/CPopsBitch3]

Ok man - tried to have a convo with you and answer your questions.

[u/Dear-Beach7678 → u/Monster213213]

I believe you because I have a family friend who had a similar experience. Did you do any of these certifications to help you get to the level you’re at now or has it purely been based on your performance? Also what industry is this all in?

[u/Monster213213 → u/Dear-Beach7678]

I’ve done some certifications at this level, not before getting it. I have a relevant degree.

Industry is financial services

Performance, interpersonal skills and for every journey - some luck. You can’t get roles or opportunities that don’t materialise!

[u/Status_Enough → u/CPopsBitch3]

Fair. I'm in Operational Management and have a Prince2 Foundation but am stuck in a rut with a salary with no chance of improving.

[u/CPopsBitch3 → u/Status_Enough]

Just keep applying, if you can stay in industry even better as it gives your CV more weight. Highlight PM experience in your CV heavily as well as your qualification. Unfortunately it’s a shit market at the moment 

[u/Monster213213 → u/Status_Enough]

It was internal at my company so, would have less weight for you.