Is my Mensa membership worth mentioning?

Richard asks: I was just asked why my Mensa membership appears neither in my resume nor my Linkedin profile. I have always taken the view my qualification for Mensa is about my natural gifts, whereas my resume, etc., are about what I have achieved. Am I wrong? Are you impressed by Mensa membership? Would you take me more seriously as a potential business associate knowing I am a Mensan?

In answer:
In summary, on balance from experience - I would leave it out.

By mentioning it, you communicate that you have those natural gifts, and a potential employer may be impressed. This may distinguish you positively from other candidates by letting a potential employer know that they might get a little more in the bargain with you and your IQ.

On the other hand, there is a section of people that have a knee-jerk response to all such skills being included, and think that intelligence = arrogance. Those people might well be put off by seeing that on your CV/Resume, thinking that you're somehow "flaunting" your skill - in this case intelligence - arrogantly. Intelligent and arrogant are not seen as good team working skills.

I think your decision comes down to what risk you want to take. There will be people that interpret it as advertising your intellectual superiority, while others will find it impressive. Which group is bigger? Will the arrogance crowd reject you for this? (Yes, wholly) Will the impressed crowd rank you significantly higher relative to your competition because of this? (No, not by a lot)

Hence, from my experience, on average/playing the odds you have more to lose than gain. You can always mention it later in interview if you find the employer considers intelligence and benefit, and have not taken the downside risk of bragging.

One last point - there are many, many Mensans that though they have rich and varied lives are not very good business people, otherwise they would all be rich! With that in mind, membership does not necessarily signal business acumen or employable competence.

Good Luck!

How valuable will be PRINCE2 certification if PMP certification has already been acquired from PMI?

Rani asks: How valuable will be PRINCE2 certification if PMP certification has already been acquired from PMI?

In answer:
A great technical question, the answer to which is - depends! Also for the non-project managers, Prince2 is a process, where as PMP is a professional level recognition.

PMP and the PMI is not as well recognised presently by either hiring managers or HR professionals, as is a Prince2 certification. Also, if the hiring organisation is sub contracting to another main or prime contractor, the eventual client or prime contractor will often stipulate that all work is in accordance with Prince2. To hence fully comply and reduce insurance liabilities, the organisation will only hire Prince2 certified professionals for certain/some times all positions.

I think you should build into your career plan Rani the target of acquiring a Prince2 qualification, and in the mean time apply for posts where the experience of delivery in a particular technology you have experience are the higher level job description requirements, over pure technical/educational certificates. Certainly a Prince2 certification will open up more opportunities in your further career.

Good Luck!