Technology is moving at a break-neck speed. Failing to keep up with this trend means losing out on job opportunities. Employers are wary of the fact that candidates need to keep upskilling themselves to stay relevant. Thus, the need for certifications arises.
Certifications demonstrate a continued passion for the job, credibility in skills, and proven competency. It helps employers assess candidate’s skills faster and helps stand out from the crowd—especially when there’s a shortage of talent worldwide. Employers value certifications. In certain areas, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, data science, etc. certifications help candidates standout, as employers have a hard time looking for talent in these fields due to a shortage of talent.
On the other hand, areas like project management (PMI), finance (CPEP), etc. mandatorily require certification. Without certifications in these areas, doors in these fields stay almost shut. Certifications, thus, are becoming important and have led to the growth of the global certification industry.
As per a certification program satisfaction study conducted by Microsoft, 91 percent of hiring managers consider certification as part of their hiring criteria. This alone should prove the importance of certification in career.
Benefits of certifications
1. Increase in earning potential—Certified candidates are paid more than non-certified candidates for the same role. This is applicable globally. According to Robert Half’s 2015 report, the difference in salary between a certified and non-certified professional can be as much as 10 percent. This is arguably the best reason to go for workforce certification.
- Gain practical experience – Unlike tertiary education or training programs, certification indicates the candidate has the practical experience, and not just theoretical. The certification further furnishes that candidate has exposure to real industry challenges, which makes them ideal candidates in the eyes of employers. This is a common reason enterprises push for workforce certification as employees grow, instead of hiring fresh graduates from colleges.
- Become a pundit in your field – Certification exams test candidate’s exposure to all aspects in a field, assessing their overall mastery in their field. This gives you an edge over professionals who might not be familiar with all aspects of the field. This puts you above peers and other competing candidates for a job.
- Execute projects with better efficiency – Certifications equip candidates with the latest tools and skills. Typically, coursework is designed in a way that candidates get exposure to strategies and skills to do their work more efficiently, which is also the primary trait employers look for while hiring.In a nutshell, certifications are equally significant for job seekers and employers, as for job seekers certification raise the chances of increased pay and better job opportunities. For employers who are likely to face challenge due to declining talent and increasingly diversifying skills for jobs. It will benefit them by easily separating candidates for desired jobs conveniently, without having to interview candidates with no proven experience.
If you’re looking to getting certified in your file, the best time is now. Go, get started.
