5 Ways to Boost Your Career with Credentials  

Whether you’re looking for a new job or hoping for advancement in your current situation, ensuring that employers know about your professional credentials is key to a higher profile and better prospects.

Credentialing and certification are part of many fields, from nursing to high tech to accounting. Employers often require that you take a test or meet certain standards to remain in a position, but have you thought about the value of the credential you’ve earned and how you can make it work for your overall career development plan?   If you have taken a test or completed a task that allows you to call yourself certified, you have an advantage over others in your field, and therefore an advantage in career advancement. Some of the easiest and best ways to leverage your credentials and make them work for you are outlined below.

1. Get the Word Out.  If the sponsor of your certification has a system for notifying employers about your credential — and most do — take advantage of it. Typically, you will need to complete an employer notification request form. Once the sponsor of the certification receives the form, they will send your employer a letter announcing that you have been awarded a certification. The letter should outline the eligibility requirements you met, and the comprehensive assessment you passed. Don’t have an employer? Have the certifier send the letter to you, then make sure to include it in your resumé, on your LinkedIn profile, and in the materials you send when applying for a new position.

2. File It. Make sure that your Human Resources departmental file includes information about your
certification status. Some things to think about:

• • • Does your file contain an employer notification letter (see above) or a copy of your certificate?
    • Has your file been updated to include a confirmation that you have completed your re-certification requirements?
    • Ask to have all information about your certification in included in your records so that it will be seen every time your employment file is reviewed.

3. Go Public. Send a press release to your organization and local newspapers. If you are a member of a professional association, make sure to send a press release announcing your certification to them too. Not sure how to write a press release? Some certification programs provide press release templates that can be modified. Or take advantage of one of the many guides available online by searching for “press release template” or “how to format a press release.” You will even find comprehensive listings of where to send your press release by searching for associations in your field, and for local newspapers within a 50-mile radius of your location.

4. Send It. Announce your credential every time you send an email by including it in your email signature. How to do it: Just below your contact information, in your email signature, have a short description of the certification or include a link to the page that describes your credential on the certification program’s website. If your certification entitles you to use initials after your name, make sure to use them, but don’t assume that everyone reading your email will know what they mean. By providing a description or link that defines the certification, you will highlight your accomplishment and inform anyone who you’re emailing that you are credentialed. Unsure of how to include an announcement of your certification in your email signature? Something like “The XYZ Certificate is an elite national credential awarded to those who have passed a standardized examination and satisfied rigorous educational and professional experience requirements” is short enough for a signature line, but certainly conveys the message.

5. Promote Its Value, and Link it To Your Job. Use your certification and credentials when applying for a new job or asking for a promotion or salary increase. As the holder of a certificate, you bring added value and prestige to your employer or potential employer. So outline those benefits whenever you are hoping to change positions, get hired or increase your salary.  Some suggestions:

• • • Prior to an interview or meeting, prepare some talking points about what your certification means and how it benefits employers.
    • During your performance review meeting, you can explain how the continuing education requirements of the credential relate directly to your job, and how the skills you have acquired benefit your employer.  For example, “I used what I learned in a financial management course that I took to fulfill my recertification requirements to find new ways to reduce the department budget by 10%.”
    • If you have a performance appraisal process at your current company, be sure to highlight the fact that you were awarded a certification, and describe the ongoing educational or testing requirements you’ve met to maintain it.
    • Be sure to draw direct links between your job description and the certification, and don’t forget to emphasize the alignment between the specific content areas/tasks of the credential and the main responsibilities of your current position.

Whether you just obtained a credential or certification or you have had and maintained it for years, it is an accomplishment. Don’t hide certification – instead, make sure you’re making it work to your benefit!