How to Add Certification to Your Resume
Millions of working professionals are benefited from certifications that help them to gain invaluable expertise in kaleidoscopic fields. The probability of achieving a rapid boost in career growth both in the short and long term is enhanced by many times thanks to advanced certifications out there, both in online and offline forms.
One of the intelligent advantages of these short courses is that there are vast savings of precious time which can be ploughed back into enhancing vital knowledge reservoirs. Current certifications carry an improved level of depth, making the recipients more tech-savvy and suitable to climb the ladder of success. Upskilling is the name of the game when it comes to adding certifications to your resume.
But just passing certifications is only half the job done. The ability to market your skills by showing them on your resume is a pivotal stage, which eventually determines the quality of professional interactions with C-suite executives and corporate heads.
How certifications can be added to your resume
Let’s go through a few vital phases as to how certifications can be added to your resume in a way that makes them stand out among the crowd:
Incorporate a separate section for certifications in the resume
The career ladder can be taken to the stars when aspiring managers and savvy executives finish add-on courses across various fields. The completion of certifications necessitates their dynamic advertisement on the resume. Effective listing of certificates on the resume ensures that they stay at the forefront of the recruiter’s short-term memory and further leads to successful shortlisting. A separate section should be dedicated to certifications on the individual resume.
Keep the following things in mind when listing the certifications through a separate section:
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Consistency of the resume document is paramount, and this should be achieved by using similar font sizes and faces.
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The certifications should be listed by giving all the necessary details, such as course particulars, the Start and end date of the course and the name of the institute.
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Abbreviations should be eliminated with haste on the resume as they tend to produce disharmonious opinions in the minds of the not-so-tech-savvy HR recruiters.
Highlight the certifications in the manner of four sections on the resume
Highlighting the certifications section is a no-brainer. With millions of resumes pouring across the central repository of recruiters, they need more time to study every part of the resume. One needs to be proactive to be seen by the right eyes of the corporate behemoths, and this is done using the highlighting of the certifications.
The certifications on the resume can be done through four sections.
Details of everything in the personal sphere
Summary of the primary outcomes of the long-term career
Dedicated certification details should be addressed
A work experience section should be added
Example of division into four sections of the certifications on the resume:
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Worked as a stellar Digital Marketing Professional for 5 + years
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Acquired the rarest of the rare certification in digital marketing to achieve the goal of Upskilling by Keyword research and PPC campaigns
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Formulated campaigns to derive a considerable quantum of conversions for Google AdWords for niche clients.
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Devised a content calendar based on international strategic SEO practices.
Before applying to the job, list all resume certifications as per the work position’s relevance
Understanding the hierarchy of certifications forms an integral part of your overall placement on the job pyramid. The resume should first contain the all-too-important credentials so that recruiters can set your resume apart, and then the same can be further analysed for the best job fit.
For example, when the individual applies for the niched role of a digital marketing manager, the resume should be modified to highlight the most relatable curriculum about the job description.
The above case would include your depth of knowledge on PPC, Google Analytics, SEO and tips and tricks in the digital marketing arena.
Core identification of relevant skills derived from the list of certifications is necessary
Identifying critical job certifications forms an important phase of your overall selection process. These certifications should be included in the resume before the others. Recruiters feel a higher degree of comfort when they see the certificates ordered around relevance. The probability of your getting shortlisted is immensely increased thanks to the perfect categorisation of job-relevant skills on your resume.
This guideline applies to both soft skills and hard skills. Associating the proper certification with the highlighted components will propel your growth curve into higher orbits. Skills specialisation should be highlighted to the recruiters who may be challenging to bring up otherwise.
Final Thoughts
Earning certifications in any field, be it IT, service, or manufacturing, will place your candidature for a specific job on a higher pedestal when compared to other competitors. Listing certifications correctly will ensure that all your hard work will not go down the drain, and you will be amply rewarded for your perseverance.
