Using Career Certifications to stand out
By Kim Mercier
With the job market getting more competitive daily many are looking at Certifications as an option to help them stand out from the crowd, command a higher starting pay or receive a better job within their current company or at a new one. For many it is a better option than committing to a Master’s degree based off return on investment and time spent.
As you pursue your Certification you are learning applicable skills for a field, or to demonstrate to your current employer or future employer and yourself that you have reached an expert level of knowledge in a field. The Certificate normally takes a year to complete whereas a Master’s degree could take longer. The Certificate can be general such as Project Management which would cover many fields and industries or be very specific and enhance your current career or open the door for a new career path. When starting in a field Certification can demand a 10% higher salary than those without one.
If you pursue the Certification route you need to ensure you are obtaining the certificate through a credible source. These are worth the money spent as they separate you from others in the field and when combined with your professional experience, technical, and soft skills can get you to where you want to go in your career.