You may have seen them before, following the names of some of your LinkedIn connections – a comma accompanied by a denomination of some sort. You likely already know that these designations represent certifications that a professional earns after completing a standardized training program in their field – but are they worth it? They absolutely are, and you should think about participating in a certification program so you can add one to your name too.

It may not seem like much, but those letters signify that you possess the knowledge and skills necessary to perform your job well, and more importantly, that you have the ambition and drive to learn and grow. With that comes numerous benefits for advancing your career.

Enhance Your Knowledge

If you were to ask those who are successful in their career how to prosper in their field, most would advise that it’s important to always be learning – but what if you don’t know where to start? It’s normal to occasionally feel lost at your job, and certification programs can provide a structural foundation of knowledge that can give you the skills to stand out, thrive, and feel confident at work.

Career Growth

In today’s increasingly competitive job market, you need every advantage you can get. If you’re looking for a new job or hoping to get that promotion, there’s no better way to give yourself an edge than with a professional certification.

Higher Income

Whether you work for a large organization or are an independent business owner, you can always count on certifications as a great way to stand out from your colleagues or competitors. Proving via designation that you’ve learned the skills necessary to do the job right no doubt has the potential to assist considerably in negotiating a higher salary or winning over more clients.

Helps the Entire Organization

If you work in HR or are in a leadership position, you may want to encourage other members of your company to earn a professional certification in addition to pursuing one yourself. Employees appreciate when their workplace invests in their career growth, and more people in your workforce completing certification programs will yield better performance.

Provides Networking Opportunities

Networking has always been an invaluable aid for career growth, and certification programs provide just that. When participating in these programs, you will be learning alongside like-minded professionals with whom you can share knowledge and ideas, as well as other mutually beneficial elements. The trainers running these programs can often be helpful to have in your network as well.

Now you may be asking yourself – aren’t these certifications a major time commitment? And even worse, what about the dreaded test? Well if you’re a Compensation professional, an HR professional who wants to learn more about Compensation, or just looking to make a new career move, you’re in luck. Our affiliate, the Compensation Analyst Academy offers a fully remote certification program that can be completed in less than a week if you choose. And even better? No test. You read that right – no test is required for certification.

View upcoming trainings and register here.