Times have changed. Things are not the way they used to be earlier. Technology and innovation have changed the way we live and work.
Earning an HR certification demonstrates the employers that you have the desired skill set they’re looking to hire. It is one of the ideal ways to showcase your knowledge and skills, especially if you’re looking to get into higher management positions.
Perks of earning a professional certification:
- It proves as a long-term investment in your professional development, also continued learning is required if you’re looking to stay certified and relevant in the HR industry.
- Certified HR professionals tend to grab better salaries and are likely to receive promotions as compared to those who aren’t certified.
Why should I get an HR certification?
According to PayScale, there is about 34.2 percent of all HR professionals having at least one HR certification. So, this indicates that professionals with certifications have better chances of gaining success in the HR industry and are best suited for promotions.
As said by JD Conway, Head of Talent Acquisition at BambooHR, “Certifications are really helpful for people breaking into HR. They can help prove that you have a good knowledge base and can help show businesses that you know what you’re doing. They are a great way to supplement your education and make sure you know your stuff.”
Employers prefer candidates having certifications, however, they are not a strict requirement. You may still be able to grab a job even without a certification, but the chances are grim in getting better positions. Once you’ve earned it, it gives you the advantage of negotiating a higher salary package. Perhaps, you already have a job but what are the chances of getting a promotion any time soon? Well, certifications could assure you with 29 percent chances of getting a promotion.
Other benefits:
- As a certified HR professional, you become more hirable.
- Develop essential skills such as talent management. Upgrading skills put you in a better position for senior management level jobs.
- Increase salary potential, a certified HR professional earn around USD 87,900 per year as compared to those without a certification i.e. USD 45,600 per year. Also, HR professionals with certifications earn significantly higher than the uncertified professionals, says PayScale.
Who should consider getting certified?
An HR certification opens multiple job roles for an HR professional. However, there are certain situations when earning a certification can add value to your current role and make your profile more appealing to other potential employers.
Below are the four types of professionals who can gain advantage from earning certification:
- Recent HR graduates looking to enter the job market – landing your first job as a fresh graduate can be challenging. Earning a certification could help you stand out amongst the crowd making it easier for employers to select candidates for the interview.
- Professionals with their first HR job role – be it switching to an HR career from a different role or getting your first job as an HR, competing a certification program could help build skills the managers are looking to hire for.
- Certified professionals looking to climb the HR ladder – if you already have an HR certification and you plan on getting into talent management or a higher managerial position, gaining a professional certification could help achieve your goals.
- Experienced HR professionals looking to boost their career – if you’ve been in this job role for a while and you’re looking for an upgrade, gaining certification could do wonders.
Some of the best online HR courses include renowned names like the Talent Management Institute for talent management certification and the Society for Human Resource Management for human resource certification.
However, ensure you choose the right and credible certification program that best aligns with your requirements.
