Boost Your Career: How Certifications Make You Stand Out

In today's competitive job market, standing out is more crucial than ever. One effective way to differentiate yourself is by obtaining relevant courses and certifications. Not only do they enhance your skills, but they also significantly boost your resume's visibility in Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

How Certifications Can Propel Your Career Forward

1. Certifications Enhance Employability

Employers highly value candidates with professional certifications. For instance, a survey revealed that 92% of employers in India believe that professional certifications strengthen a candidate's job application. (Source)
This sentiment is echoed globally, with many employers recognizing the tangible benefits of certified professionals.

2. Certifications Lead to Higher Salaries

Beyond employability, certifications can also lead to better compensation. Data indicates that certified professionals in Nigeria earn, on average, 30% more than their non-certified peers. (Source)
This statistic underscores the financial advantages of investing in professional development.

3. Certifications Improve ATS Compatibility

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are widely used by employers to filter resumes. Including relevant certifications in your resume can enhance its compatibility with ATS algorithms, increasing the chances of your application reaching human recruiters.
This is particularly important as more companies adopt AI-driven hiring processes.

Expert Insights: Crafting an ATS-Friendly Resume

In the Beyond the Screen webinar hosted by Resume and Career Services, industry experts shared valuable insights on creating resumes that excel in both digital and human assessments:

• Matt Walsh, CEO of Blue Signal Search, emphasized understanding the complexities of ATS and crafting resumes that are both ATS-compatible and captivating to recruiters.
• Amanda Miller, Candidate Experience Manager at RaCS, highlighted the importance of resume formatting and content, guiding attendees on making their resumes not only ATS-friendly but also engaging for human readers.
• Brent Stokes, Senior Recruiting Manager at Blue Signal Search, provided a recruiter's perspective on ATS, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how recruiters interact with these systems and how candidates can make their resumes stand out.
  These experts also addressed common questions, such as the preferred file types for ATS (PDFs are generally recommended) and the use of columns in resume formatting (straightforward, up-and-down formats are preferable). (Source)

Final Thoughts

Think of certifications as the secret sauce to a standout career—like adding a power boost to your resume. They don’t just make you look good on paper; they make sure you actually get seen (thanks, ATS!) and paid what you’re worth.
In a world where businesses are scrambling to find skilled professionals, being certified is like having a VIP pass to better job opportunities. So, why blend in when you can stand out?
Stay ahead, stay certified, and stay connected with MTestHub for more career-boosting insights!