What is one certification that looks good on a resume?
To help you know which certifications to put on your resume, we asked CEOs and HR managers this question for their best recommendations. From project management certification to certificate in first aid, there are several recommended certifications that may make your resume stand out to your advantage.
Here are nine certifications that look good on resumes:
- Project Management Certification
- Corporate Communication Certification
- Google Certifications
- Hubspot Marketing Certification
- Coaching Certification for HR Professionals
- Language Certification
- Microsoft Office Certification
- Certified ScrumMaster
- Certificate in First Aid
Project Management Certification
PMP Certification from PMI is almost guaranteed to add some panache to anyone’s resume.
Firstly, project management skills are broad and universal enough that they are almost always applicable, relevant, or at least useful to have.
Secondly, there is a very robust demand for Project Management professionals across industries.
Thirdly, the certificate proves that you not only possess theoretical knowledge but also a practical one as you need a minimum number of hours to obtain the certificate.
Finally, while the certificate is prestigious in its own right, it also speaks volumes about your ability to show the discipline and dedication to obtain it as it isn’t an overnight process.
Peter Bryla, ResumeLab
Corporate Communication Certification
Certification in Corporate Communication looks good on any resume. A crisis can occur within any business in any industry, and crisis mitigation is an important skill for anyone in the workforce.
Less about writing skills and more about communication skills, this type of certification teaches you how to appropriately handle any type of situation that can and often will arise concerning your business and/or industry. With customer experience being of the utmost importance, a certification in Corporate Communication is impressive to potential employers.
Matt Woods, SOLD.com
Google Certifications
A good resume is one of the first steps toward your career. As the workspace has shifted to mainly sending in job applications online, the number of applicants has increased. A good resume is one of the ways to stick out amongst potentially hundreds of applicants. Certifications are a great way to stand out on your resume. Depending on the industry you want to get into there are a ton of easy certifications that are in demand.
For instance, marketing certifications such as Google Analytics can easily catch the eye of a potential employer because of their relevance across different industries. A Google certification shows your expertise on the platform and that you can analyze reports and data which are transferable skills.
Jeffrey Pitrak, Transient Specialists
Hubspot Marketing Certification
HubSpot is a great addition to any marketing resume. In this virtual world, brands rely on a digital strategy and this certificate can help users understand modern techniques of marketing. This also teaches SEO basics, which is an extremely important tool to improve domain ratings and your brand rank in search engines.
In interviews, hiring managers will reflect on this certificate and ultimately help you become a standout candidate in any marketing role.
Natália Sadowski, Nourishing Biologicals
Coaching Certification for HR Professionals
The clear go to certifications for HR professionals are from SHRM and HRCI. Given that one of the competency areas for HR is coaching, coaching certification is a smart add and a definite standout. Increasingly we are seeing HR professionals pursue coaching certification and as a nice bonus, it helps maintain SHRM and HRCI designations when the training is accredited by IACET to offer continuing education units (CEUs).
Cathy Liska, Center for Coaching Certification
Language Certification
When you are presenting a resume, and it has a language certification, you are showing that you like to learn and to be active in education. Nowadays, it is a plus to know more than one language. Many companies are becoming international, and they are searching for people who can speak more than one language.
Having a language certification on your resume shows that you can continue to learn even when you are employed. Learning more languages can help you to get a job out of your comfort zone, and shows you are not geographically or language limited.
Clyde Steuber, Independent Fashion Bloggers
Microsoft Office Certification
If you have completed courses and earned certifications in any sort of software application, include that tidbit about yourself on your resume. There are various tests one can take online related to Word, Excel, or other Microsoft products.
Take those tests. If you don’t pass the first time, bone up on Word by taking classes online. Then try again. Employers like to see people who have an aptitude for the most important and commonly used tools. Show employers that you have mastered creating and collaborating using document software like Word.
Trevor Ford, Yotta
Certified ScrumMaster
If you are applying for a position that has anything even remotely to do with technology, being a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) is key. A scrum is a form of agile project management tool that focuses on delivering working products in short iterations called sprints, regularly incorporating stakeholder feedback and using the working products as the primary indicator of progress.
Scrum and other agile practices are the standards in project management and software development. And the CSM and CSPO, granted by taking a course from a Certified Scrum Trainer through the Scrum Alliance, are the certifications employers look for. A short search of the terms “Scrum, agile” on any job website will yield hundreds of results.
Angela Druckman, The Druckman Company LLC
Certificate in First Aid
First aid certification. As simple as it may sound, having such a practical point on a resume covers more than just a course completion. It also reveals that a candidate is a person who cares for others and likes to be prepared for various circumstances.
What’s more, the power of first aid certification lies in its universality. It applies to all work environments and professions, as it can turn out to be a matter of life and death at any time. The life-saving skill set is precious and should be therefore appreciated by many prosperous employers.
Agata Szczepanek, MyPerfectResume
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