Are certifications helpful in your job search or just a scam?

Students, recent graduates, and other early-career job seekers often receive a massive amount of advice from well-meaning friends, family, coworkers, and acquaintances. They also, at times, receive some advice that isn’t so well-meaning, from organizations offering services of little to no value to the candidate and, sometimes, simply scams.

Loads of early career candidates believe that their job search will be easier if they could enhance their resumes and boost their professional standing. Professional certifications often emerge as a way of accomplishing these goals. But are they genuinely beneficial in your job hunt, an overhyped notion, or just scams?

Before we attempt to answer these questions, let’s first define what a certification is. In essence, a certification is a formal recognition that validates your skills and knowledge in a specific field. It can range from technical domains like IT (Cisco Certified Network Associate, Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals, etc.) to softer disciplines like project management (PMP, CAPM) or human resources (PHR, SHRM-CP). Acquiring a certification typically involves passing an examination conducted by a professional or educational body, showing that you possess a certain level of expertise in a specific field or job.

For instance, a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) shows that the holder possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to lead and direct projects. Similarly, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential demonstrates a high level of proficiency in accounting.

Some certifications are broad, covering a wide range of skills within an industry, while others are more specialized, focusing on a specific skill set or technology. For example, in the IT sector, a professional could earn a broad certification like CompTIA A+ to demonstrate general technical support skills or a more specific certification like the Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect to validate their expertise in designing solutions on Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform.

How to Get Certified?

The process of acquiring a certification generally follows these steps:

1. Choose the Right Certification. The first step is to identify which certification is best suited to your career goals. This involves understanding the job market, identifying the skills most in demand in your industry, and aligning them with your personal interests and career aspirations.

2. Meet the Eligibility Criteria. Most certifications have prerequisites, like a certain amount of relevant work experience or prior education. It’s important to ensure you meet these requirements before embarking on the certification journey.

3. Prepare for the Exam. Once you’ve identified the right certification and ensured you meet the eligibility requirements, the next step is preparation. This often involves studying from books, attending training courses (online or in-person), and practicing through mock tests. Many professional bodies offer or suggest resources to help with exam preparation.

4. Take the Exam. Certification exams are usually proctored and can be taken either in person at a designated testing center or online under supervision. The format of the exam (multiple choice, essay, practical tasks, etc.) will depend on the certification.

5. Maintain Your Certification. After passing the exam and earning the certification, you’re not done yet. Most certifications require holders to participate in continuing education or re-certify after a certain period to ensure they stay up-to-date with their industry’s changes and advancements. This could involve taking more courses, attending conferences, or even passing another exam.

Obtaining a certification requires commitment, time, and often financial investment. However, it can be a significant step in demonstrating your skills and standing out in a competitive job market. Remember, though, that a certification complements but doesn’t replace real-world experience and should be one part of your overall career development strategy.

On July 19th and 21st, we will publish the second and third article in this three-part series. The second will discuss why certifications are good ideas for early career job seekers. The third will discuss why certifications are bad ideas for early career job seekers.