The Power of Professional Certification

Nothing can replace a good education or a strong work ethic, but most great jobs out there today require even more. Competition for the best jobs can be fierce, and you may find that a degree and a willingness to work seven days a week are common. How do you give yourself a competitive edge? 

Professional certifications show employers and clients that you are committed to your job and to them. Whereas a degree indicates a level of knowledge, certification shows specialization and a grasp of the latest information in your field. If you need some convincing to consider pursuing a professional certificate, here are a few reasons why it should be high on your list of priorities.

It Elevates Your Resume

Although it is true that many certifications are job-specific, even entry-level job seekers can benefit from being certified. It is likely that other applicants to your desired job will have similar experience and education to your own. You may find yourself wondering how you can make your resume stand out from the crowd. Certification may be the key. Along with ensuring that you thrive side effects just might include getting that dream job you're after.

When employers are sifting through the pile of applications for an open position, coming across a resume that shows certifications just might catch their eye and get your resume pulled from the stack. Pursuing certification requires a commitment of time, energy and funds. That alone tells an employer that you are committed to excellence in your career and in their company. Although you may not be crystal clear on your career path yet, certification in areas like project management or leadership can be valuable in any field and just might give you the edge you need to get hired.

It Advances Your Career

Once you have your foot in the door, your aspirations shift from getting the job to getting the next promotion. Now you have the advantage of being able to access which certification will be most useful to your career.

If your work is IT-related, there are multiple certifications you could pursue such as CISCO network certificates or data security certificates. Teachers may wish to seek certification in specialized learning systems and marketers can get certified in SEO or Salesforce. There are certificates available for just about any field, and just as certificates can get you hired, they can also be that extra something that puts you in the lead for valuable promotions and raises. Talk to your employer about the certificates they would find most valuable; they may even offer to cover the costs.

It Keeps You On the Cutting Edge

Regardless of how far you've moved up in your career, you still need to stay current with your knowledge and business acumen. Professionals who get complacent with their success are in danger of losing their position to those who have more current expertise. You've worked hard to get where you are, certification will make sure you stay there.

Getting to the top of your business is a challenge, staying there can prove even more difficult. No field stays stagnant. No matter what you specialize in, advances are being implemented on a continuous basis. Ongoing certifications can be your secret weapon in remaining relevant in your job. If you are the one that has stayed current on new developments, software, procedures or techniques, you put yourself in the enviable position of becoming irreplaceable. And in the business world, that's a very good place to be.

Earning professional certifications can be beneficial to every phase of your working life. When you are new to the game, certifications will get you that extra attention you need to get noticed. When you are looking to advance your career, certifications can be the key difference between you and your colleagues. Even at the highest levels of success, you need to stay up to date on your knowledge of your field to ensure that you stay the most informed person in the room. Certifications are a powerful tool that are well worth your time to obtain.