By: Allencia Ballard
Did you know that individuals that held at least one safety certification typically earned $20,000 more per year than those with none. While the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) designation alone added $30,000 to the salary of a safety professional with no other credentials.
At some point in our professional lives, we reach a point when we have to take decisive action in an effort to increase our salary and/or advance our careers to the next level. Regardless of the profession or job type, pursuing further education or professional certification is one action we might choose. When you ask yourself the question, “why certify?”, there are many possible answers.
Stand Out In The Crowd
At some point in our professional lives, we reach a point when we have to take decisive action in an effort to increase our salary and/or advance our careers to the next level. Regardless of the profession or job type, pursuing further education or professional certification is one action we might choose. When you ask yourself the question, “why certify?”, there are many possible answers.
Leadership
Through education, workers can earn professional or trade certifications or designations that demonstrate that he or she has the proficiency, experience, and skills to perform in their chosen field. Certification sets you apart as a leader in your field, recognizes your individual accomplishments, and demonstrates your dedication to your profession.
No matter how long you’ve been doing the work and no matter how much you know about the job, there is always more to learn. The never-ending cycle of learning is a critical application for professionals who seek to excel in their field. Whether you take additional coursework, study trade publications, or learn from other professionals, the choice to progress professionally often begins and ends with education.
Education, certification, or designation is a likely path to establishing yourself as a leader in your field, but do your due diligence to select the education track that is most beneficial.
Many industries offer multiple certifications and the prerequisite criteria can vary greatly. To stand out as an exemplary member of the profession, you must hone your craft.
Achievement
Professionals who successfully complete the requirements of a certification program often feel a sense of pride in their accomplishments. One may feel more confident and self-assured at work knowing they have demonstrated an ability to perform a set of industry standards at a high level.
Certification builds self-esteem. Employees who obtain industry certification, have access to a complete set of performance standards, ethics, and career paths. Understanding the expectations and career options available can make employees feel more in control of their professional futures and take the guesswork out of career planning.
Recognition
For those seeking to stand out at work or in the job search, industry certification validates and communicates individual accomplishment. On the résumé, certifications and designations provide a third-party endorsement of knowledge and expertise. Job seekers armed with certification or designation may find they have an advantage over other candidates for the same job or promotion.
Searching for employment candidates using certifications or designations as qualifications for the job helps to simplify the process for hiring managers. Hiring managers can reduce the number of résumés they review and interviews they conduct by quickly eliminating candidates who do not possess the required credentials. For the certified candidate, this means less competition for the job, improving the chances of successfully winning the job offer.
Performance
Once you have made the decision to certify and successfully complete certification, you will be better prepared to demonstrate proficiency in your profession in your daily work. Your new sense of confidence at work may be matched only by the satisfaction of being offered new or expanded responsibilities in your current role, being offered a promotion or other leadership role, or from an increase in salary or earning potential.
As a certified professional, you must maintain an awareness of the changes in your profession. Stay current with the changes in your profession through continuing education. Those who change with the world, survive and thrive in it. Decide to certify today! Realize the benefits certification has for you!