Alexis Kestler
Earning certifications from expert rating platforms can significantly boost your professional profile and open doors to exciting career opportunities. In today‘s competitive job market, prospects with relevant certifications on their resume stand out from the crowd.
Certifications demonstrate your commitment to continually developing your skills and knowledge. They also validate your expertise in specialized areas, equipping you with credentials that appeal to employers.
This guide will explore the value of expert rating certifications, the top platforms offering credentialing exams and courses, strategies for choosing the right certifications, and how to effectively highlight certifications on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
Why Earn Certifications?
Here are some of the top reasons to earn certifications from expert rating organizations:
Demonstrate Your Expertise
Certifications instantly communicate your specialized skills and knowledge to employers. They validate expertise in niche technical, business, or industry-specific areas that you may not have the opportunity to showcase in your work experience.
For example, earning a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification demonstrates your ability to oversee complex projects using best practices. A Six Sigma Black Belt certification shows your proficiency in quality management methods.
Augment Your Education
Degrees alone don‘t always equip you with proficient skills. Many college programs provide a theoretical foundation but limited practical training.
Certifications allow you to build real-world job skills and experience through rigorous testing and performance-based exams. They reinforce and expand classroom learning.
Qualify for Career Advancement
Certain careers require specific certifications. IT professionals may need CompTIA, Cisco, or Microsoft credentials to advance. Project managers often need a PMP certification to take on more responsibility.
Obtaining key certifications for your field can position you for leadership roles by proving you have the necessary knowledge.
Increase Hiring Potential
A recent Wiley survey found that 83% of hiring managers view IT certifications as extremely or very valuable for validating skills. Many organizations prefer or require applicants to have certain credentials.
Certifications aren‘t a substitute for experience. But they can get your resume noticed and help you stand out when being considered for open roles.
Gain a Competitive Edge
When competing against other qualified applicants, credentials can give you an advantage. They demonstrate proactive efforts to develop professionally.
Certifications also indicate you have knowledge that goes beyond what competitors without certifications may possess.
Boost Your Confidence
Earning new certifications provides a morale boost and enhances your self-assurance. Validating your expertise in a niche area promotes confidence in your abilities.
This confidence can strengthen job performance and encourage you to pursue new on-the-job initiatives or leadership opportunities.
Access More Job Opportunities
Some government, contractor, vendor, and client organizations restrict certain work to certified professionals only.
Obtaining the right credentials opens doors to job opportunities you may not otherwise qualify for without those certifications.
Top Expert Rating Certification Providers
Many reputable organizations offer credentialing exams that validate expertise in specialized areas. Here are some of the top expert rating certification providers:
1. ExpertRating
ExpertRating offers over 300 online certifications across niches like IT, business, healthcare, fitness, design, and more. You can conveniently take proctored certification exams from home.
ExpertRating also provides career advancement ebooks and online courses for exam prep. All certifications are accredited and accepted worldwide.
2. CompTIA
The nonprofit CompTIA issues widely recognized certifications for IT professionals, including A+, Network+, Security+, Linux+, Cloud+, and more.
CompTIA certs validate baseline expertise in essential IT areas like hardware, networking, security, cloud, and project management.
3. PMI
The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers globally recognized project management credentials like the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and Project Management Professional (PMP).
Over 1 million professionals in nearly every industry and country hold PMI certifications. The exams assess skills in domains like budgeting, scheduling, risk management, and leadership.
4. AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers popular cloud computing certifications that cover architecting, developing, operating, and optimizing AWS environments.
In-demand AWS certs include Solutions Architect, Developer, SysOps Administrator, and Security Specialty. AWS credentials validate proficiency on the world’s largest public cloud platform.
5. Cisco
Networking leader Cisco provides sought-after credentials like CCNA, CCNP Enterprise, CyberOps, and DevNet Associate.
Cisco certifications demonstrate skills in routing, switching, network programmability, security, Wi-Fi, collaboration tools, and more. They equip IT pros to design, implement, and manage Cisco solutions.
6. ISACA
ISACA offers globally recognized certs focused on IT governance, assurance, risk, privacy, and security. Popular credentials include CISA, CRISC, CISM, and CDPSE.
ISACA certifications validate in-demand skills like auditing, compliance, risk management, and data protection. They demonstrate proficiency in high-priority IT domains.
7. AXELOS
AXELOS manages best practice methodologies and certifications centered around IT service management, project management, and cyber resilience.
Well-known AXELOS certifications include ITIL, PRINCE2, RESILIA, and AXELOS certifications demonstrate mastery of standardized methodologies used across industries.
8. Mile2
Mile2 focuses on certifications for IT security professionals. Popular credentials cover ethical hacking, penetration testing, digital forensics, and cybersecurity management.
Mile2 certifications like C)EH and C)PTE help validate hands-on technical, investigative, and leadership skills for security practitioners.
9. AHIMA
AHIMA offers leading certifications for health information management professionals. These include the RHIA, RHIT, and CHDA credentials.
AHIMA certifications measure competency handling patient health records and medical coding. They help healthcare professionals showcase HIM expertise.
10. NACE
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) offers popular competency-based certifications for early career professionals.
NACE credentials like the Career Readiness Certificate validate proficiency in skills like critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and leadership. They help recent graduates stand out.
Choosing the Right Certifications
With hundreds of certs to choose from, how do you select the best options to boost your career? Follow these tips:
Match Your Industry/Field
Focus on certifications targeted to your specific career field, industry, or area of specialization. Certs aligned with your work carry the most weight.
For example, a PMP or CAPM helps project managers more than a general business certification. AWS and Cisco certs appeal more to IT infrastructure and engineering roles.
Research In-Demand Credentials
Find out which certifications are routinely requested or required by employers in job descriptions. These in-demand credentials will maximize your competitive edge.
You can identify sought-after certs by browsing relevant job boards and seeing which acronyms consistently appear.
Consider Career Goals
If aiming for certain roles long-term, determine what credentials are necessary or preferred to reach those positions.
For instance, becoming a CISO typically requires building up strategic cybersecurity certs like a CISSP and CCSP. Leadership roles often expect PMP or PgMP certifications.
Match Skill Level
Make sure to earn foundational certs before attempting more advanced credentials. Most vendors have certification pathways with progressive exams and requirements.
For example, earn CompTIA‘s A+ and Network+ before pursuing higher-level cybersecurity or cloud certifications. Gain project experience before attempting the PMP exam.
Get Advice From Leaders
Talk with mentors, managers, senior colleagues, or other professionals you admire working in your target field. Ask what certifications they recommend pursuing to advance and get noticed.
Weigh Costs and ROI
Factor in exam fees, prep materials/courses, and renewal costs. Also consider the career impact—will the time and money investment pay off?
Higher-level certs like the CISSP often provide the best ROI but have hefty upfront costs. Entry-level certs are more affordable.
Choose Certification Providers Wisely
See which vendors are most trusted and respected by employers and colleagues in your field. Opt for reputable, accredited organizations.
Highly recognized providers like CompTIA, AWS, ISC2, PMI, and Cisco are safe bets that will boost your credibility.
Preparing for Certification Exams
Give yourself the best chance of passing by properly preparing:
Review Exam Objectives
Download the exam outline to see the topic areas tested. Focus studies on the listed knowledge domains and competencies covered.
Take Practice Tests
Reputable exam providers offer official practice tests that accurately represent the real exam. Mimic the testing experience to avoid surprises.
Use Study Guides
Self-study with books, ecourses, or online training focused on that certification. Study guides summarize key concepts and help refresh knowledge.
Attend Review Courses
In-person or online training courses often provide the most comprehensive prep, especially for upper-level certs. Instruction reinforces learning.
Gain Hands-On Experience
Some performance-based certs require functional experience to pass. Get on-the-job training or lab practice in advance if needed.
Join Online Study Groups
Connecting with others studying for the same exam provides support. You can participate in discussion boards, virtual study groups, and exam prep meetups.
Allow several weeks to properly prepare for an exam. Taking the test cold is risky—studying boosts confidence and typically leads to better results.
Earning Your Certification Badge
Once you pass the exam, you‘ll receive proof of your achievement:
Digital Badges
Nearly all certifications today provide a digital badge you can display online. These contain credential details like your name, a unique ID, the issuing organization, and expiration.
Certificates
You‘ll get an official certificate documenting your certification status, suitable for printing and framing if desired.
Transcripts
Your exam results will also appear on a certification transcript you can access through your account with the issuing organization.
Certification Logos
Vendor logos like the CompTIA logo may be used on resumes, websites, and business cards to proudly display your credentials.
Make sure to keep certifications current through timely renewals. Some require retesting or earning continuing education credits to maintain active status.
Adding Certifications to Your Resume
Follow these best practices for highlighting certifications on your resume:
Create a Certifications Section
List all credentials together in their own dedicated section for easy visibility. Order from highest to lowest level of proficiency.
Include Acronyms and Full Names
Spell out certification names fully, followed by the acronym in parentheses: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
Add Dates
List the date earned and date of expiration/renewal if applicable. This shows they are active, current certifications.
Note Levels
Specify certification levels like CompTIA Security+ or Cisco CCNA to convey your proficiency level.
Avoid Overusing Logos
It’s fine to include a few certification logos, but don‘t overdo it. Focus on highlighting the actual cert names prominently.
Summarize Your Knowledge
Briefly summarize your certification knowledge in your skills/expertise section to connect credentials to applicable skills.
Showcasing Certifications on LinkedIn
Boost your LinkedIn profile with certifications by:
Adding to Profile Summary
Mention 1-2 of your most relevant or high-level certifications in your profile summary along with your specialized skills and experience.
Including Media on Profile
Upload certification badges as visual media elements on your profile to quickly communicate credentials.
Displaying Licenses & Certifications Section
Add all certifications to the Licenses & Certifications part of your LinkedIn profile. This dedicated section helps them stand out.
Joining Groups
Search for LinkedIn Groups related to your certification issuers or areas of specialty. Join relevant groups to connect with other certified professionals.
Getting Endorsements
Ask colleagues familiar with your certification knowledge to endorse you on LinkedIn for related skills. Endorsements help validate expertise.
Adding to LinkedIn Headline
If room, include 1-2 certifications directly in your LinkedIn profile headline after your current job title to highlight them prominently.
Continuing Your Certification Journey
To maximize the impact certifications have on your career advancement and salary potential:
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Maintain any credentials you earn through timely renewals and meeting continuing education requirements. Letting them expire quickly negates the benefits.
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Add 2-3 new certifications each year to demonstrate your ongoing learning and development. Continually expanding your skills is key.
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Consider stackable certifications that build upon each other and allow you to progress from foundational to expert level. These showcase growing proficiency in a niche area.
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Monitor job descriptions to see what new certifications employers are requesting. Add in-demand credentials to stay relevant and competitive.
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Take on a mentorship role. Guide more junior professionals who are pursuing the same certifications you hold. Giving back helps strengthen the talent pipeline.
With the right mix of credentials aligned to your professional goals, certifications can fast-track your career success and unlock new opportunities. Choose certifications strategically, prepare diligently for exams, and promote your new qualifications confidently. You‘ll quickly begin to reap the rewards as a certified domain expert.
