Two Rivers Chapter
International Association of
Administrative Professionals®
Naperville, Illinois
International Association of
Administrative Professionals®
Naperville, Illinois
|
|
Two Rivers Chapter
International Association of Administrative Professionals® Naperville, Illinois |
|
When It Pays to Get CertifiedAuthor: Marie Herman CAP, CIWD, ATM-BOriginally published at administrative-assistants.com The decision to pursue certification can sometimes be very difficult to make. Budget concerns, time constraints, a lack of formal education, little knowledge in the certification area, and other factors can make people unsure about their ability to get certified. In addition, depending on the field you are in, there may be a dizzying array of certification options and narrowing the field down to the most appropriate certification can be time consuming. Here are some steps to help you through the process.
Why do you want to get certified?There are many reasons why people choose to certify their skills. They may just want to prove to themselves that they CAN do what their résumé says they can do. They may want to pursue a new career path or a promotion and need the certification to verify their skills to their employer. They may want to teach the subject and will need to know firsthand the process of becoming certified so they can pass on valuable tips to their students. They may have been told they need the certification in order to keep their present job. Knowing the reasons behind your desire to achieve certification will help you to determine how motivated you are to succeed. It may also build in time limits to complete the process. You will also want to find out if your employer is willing to offset the costs involved in the certification (classes, books, test fees, etc.). What are the benefits of certification?There are many companies that immediately reward certification with an increase in salary or a career pathing discussion with an executive. But while money is certainly one of the driving motivators towards the decision to get certified, the benefits you gain by proving your skills outweigh mere dollars. You will gain confidence in your ability to handle the subject in which you are getting certified. You may jumpstart yourself into returning to school to complete a degree. Your self-esteem and pride will increase substantially. You will prove your mastery of this area not only to yourself, but also to your boss, your co-workers and your family. You will become more efficient and more effective because you will have learned the subject in depth in order to certify in it. So many companies require the use of Microsoft Office for all company personnel that getting certified in the software really can't hurt you no matter what career path you choose to follow. Having a broad understanding of these products can help you even when it isn't directly used in your job, because you become a resource to your company and they benefit from your advanced knowledge. When it comes time for a company to downsize, they may first release their non-certified personnel, as they recognize that despite the higher salaries, certified individuals are frequently able to perform their jobs more efficiently than non-certified personnel are. Even if the certified personnel are released, their certification gives them a distinct edge in the job market and a better chance of landing a higher-paying position.What are your present skills?Determining what you already know and what your strongest skills are can be an excellent starting point to decide on a certification. If you already have strong knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, for instance, working towards the Microsoft Office User Specialist certification may seem like a natural choice. Perhaps you want to pursue a certification to broaden your skills rather than focusing on something you already know. This can be one method of transitioning into a new career. Although an employer will most likely want real-world experience along with the certification, it can be a stepping stone towards being hired when you don't have the on-the-job experience you need. If you are not sure of which certification you want, you might investigate your local library or community college. They generally have extensive career development sections, including books on certifications (what's available, sample tests, etc.), skills assessment tests and career development questionnaires, which can help you to focus on a particular direction.What certification options are available?Do some research on any certification that you wish to pursue. If you are looking at a new career path, you should try to meet with established professionals in that field to find out what the most respected certifications are. The value of a particular certification can change from year to year as new releases of competing products determine the "hottest" certifications. Check trade journals, classified advertisements, and Internet sources. Ask human resource representatives or placement services for suggestions on what they look for in their candidates and what skills and certifications their clients are currently seeking. Find out what the salary ranges are for different certifications (obviously other factors influence salary as well, such as years of experience or education). There are some organizations that will issue "certifications" to their members with no test required. When membership is the only necessary criteria and there is no associated examination or re-certification process required, there is generally little market value to the designation. However, there are many established trade associations that provide comprehensive examinations to certify their members. Vendors often offer certification on their products as well. A rigorous testing process that needs advance preparation and re certification within a certain period of time will carry more weight with employers.How do you negotiate more money after you are certified?Start by doing your homework. Investigate industry trade journals, current advertisements and association salary surveys to find out what the market is currently paying someone with your certification level, years of experience and educational background. Ask your human resources department (preferably before you start the process) if there will be any monetary increase if you pursue a certain certification. This is not uncommon in many companies, although they may require it to be related to your current position. Get a copy of the written policy or ask them to write you a memo on company letterhead explaining the requirements and timeframes (any time you talk money with an employer, you should get whatever is promised in writing!). If by chance your employer is not able to reward your efforts with an increase in salary, other employers who become aware of your newly acquired certification may be willing to pay more. Be aware though, that in many companies, if they paid for the certification, you may be obligated to work for them for a certain period of time or else pay them back all or part of the money. However, some companies will pay those fees back for you to your prior company, if they want to hire you to work for them, particularly in the high tech fields like engineering or computer programming.Summary: Go For It!The decision to pursue certification can be worthwhile, even if it is not done for career development. The opportunity to expand your knowledge and skill set is always worthwhile in the long run, even if it does not help you in the short run. Someone who never stops wanting to learn new things and who continually tests their talents and skills will always be able to find employment because employers will recognize the positive attitude and can-do approach to life. |
