Torn between a broad cert and a niche skill for my next career move

I spent 3 months studying for a Project Management Professional cert but then a buddy told me I'd be better off learning SQL properly since that's what actual job postings in my city (Portland) ask for. The cert looks good on a resume but the skill gets you through the interview. Which approach actually lands you the job - a shiny certification or a practical skill you can demo? I'm leaning toward the skill route but curious what has worked for others.

2 comments

2 Comments

felix_thomas7313d agoProlific Poster

@spencer_johnson22 nailed it, practical skills always win in my experience. Got my current job because I could walk through a SQL query on the spot during the interview, not because of some cert I spent months studying for. Focus on what you can actually do, the paper looks nice but the demo lands the offer.

spencer_johnson2213d ago

wait, your buddy said SQL is just a "niche skill"? that's wild to me - pretty much every company these days needs people who can actually pull and work with data. idk, maybe it's just me but I've seen way more jobs asking for practical skills you can prove in a live test than just having a cert on paper.