When you’re trying to stand out in today’s job market, hard work alone doesn’t always cut it. Recruiters scan hundreds of resumes and hiring managers are under pressure to choose candidates who can add value quickly. One of the clearest ways to show your value on paper is through professional certifications. But pursuing certification costs time, money and energy – so you need to make sure it’s worthwhile. In this post, we’ll explore whether you should seek additional certification to boost your career.
Why certification matters
Certificates are like proof-of-skill badges. They show employers that you’ve done training in a specific area and that you’ve been tested to a certain standard. There is a clear structure to what you learn, plus most certification can be easily verified. For individuals changing careers or young people with limited experience, certification can be a great way to give you and recruiters the confidence that you have the right expertise.
When does certification make sense?
You’re entering a field with strict compliance or safety rules
For example, if you’re applying for a warehouse job where you will be operating a forklift, having a forklift operator license could be a legal requirement to safely carry out the job. Some employers may be willing to pay for this license certification, but most will want you to already have this certification in place.
You want to specialize or move into leadership
When moving into operations or management roles, it might be worthwhile to seek extra credentials. This could include specialist certification or more general certificates – Six Sigma certification for example can signal that you understand how to reduce waste, streamline workflows and improve quality, and can be applied to many industries.
Your target job specifically lists a certification as ‘required’ or ‘strongly preferred’
For example, in healthcare life-saving skills are critical. Earning a BLS credential can open doors to hospitals, clinics and even non-clinical roles where emergency preparedness is valued.
You have to meet regional regulations
When working certain jobs in some states, you may need to obtain certification – even if you’ve worked that job before in a state where certification wasn’t necessary. For example, in California you will need to obtain RBS certification if you are going to be serving alcoholic drinks.
When might certification not make sense
It’s important to consider the time and cost commitment. While some certificates only cost $50 and can be obtained online within a week, others cost thousands of dollars and can take several years to complete. The latter type of certification may not be worthwhile if you are not certain about a career or if you cannot afford to provide the time and money necessary.
Should you seek additional certification?
In most cases, seeking additional certification can absolutely boost your career. However, it’s important to pick programs that align with your goals and that are reasonably within your budget and time constraints. Use them as targeted tools for growth rather than decorative extras.
