Certifications can be very important to a career. Certifications let recruiters and hiring managers know that you have appropriate skills, as certified by an independent organization, and have completed required courses and/or tests.
Certifications can help move your career ahead in both current and future roles. Gaining certifications can cost a lot of time and money. However, they also help break through the limitations for growth in your current role or company. According to a survey by Global Knowledge, 52% of professionals found themselves more sought after at their company after completing certification training.
Certifications are available in almost every field, including business, healthcare, technology, arts and design, legal, social services, and hospitality. They show that you are committed to learning and growing in your field.
Research certification programs carefully to make sure they are being offered by reputable organizations and that they are truly valued in your industry. The American Board of Accredited Certifications keeps a partial list of bogus certification companies.
Certifications on your resume are often placed after education at the end; in some careers, they are important enough to be mentioned in the summary at the beginning of the resume. Do not put the certification after your name on a resume, since this can be misinterpreted by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
With certifications as a Master Resume Writer and Electronic Career Coach (among others), I know the value of certifications in confirming my skills and reassuring clients that they are getting the best possible care from an experienced and trained professional.
I can help make sure that certifications on your resume are properly listed and backed up by your achievements, proving that you have more than “paper” credentials. Contact me today.