11 Certifications to Boost Your Resume & Help You Get a Job - From a Prior Google Recruiter
11 Certifications to Boost Your Resume & Help You Get a Job:
As a Career Coach, I’m often guiding people in how to boost their skills and resume to give them a competitive edge in the job market. First and foremost, the development of these skills is actually about developing and polishing these skills! We often forget that the mission is to be better holistic professionals when we’re looking for that competitive edge.
The biggest competitive advantage gained in the realm of interviewing and resuming boosting is the elevated level of confidence folks have in what they’re speaking about…because they know what they’re speaking about better.
I’m a Career Coach, prior HR Leader, and prior Recruiter from the San Francisco Bay Area. I’ve worked and consulted for Google, Microsoft, Activision, Sledgehammer Games, frog Design, Essence Mediacom, Hilton Worldwide, Supercell, Kobo, and a handful of startups globally. I’ve focused my career in roles that are tech adjacent such as operations within tech or digital creative roles. Feel free to verify my experience and follow me on Linkedin!
All of the certifications listed below would benefit just about anyone in the corporate world, especially those in a tech or tech-adjacent role. Please keep in mind that a lot of these certifications are geared toward US and Canadian professionals.
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The 11 Resume Boosting Certification Categories Are:
(1) Project Management Certifications:
Project Management Professional (PMP): Project Management Institute (PMI)
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM): Project Management Institute (PMI)
For study material approved by PMI and designed by Pearson Vue, visit MindHub.
The above two Project Management Certifications are the most highly regarded and recognized certifications in the project management space. Most people will need to gain another project management certification, in order to meet the qualifications to even take the test for the PMP.
Both certifications are offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and cater to individuals at different stages of their project management careers. Both certifications will boost your resume and skills and help you get a job if you’re on the job market.
The CAPM is designed for individuals who are relatively new to project management and need more professional experience in leading projects. It serves as an entry-level certification and provides folks with foundational knowledge and understanding of project management principles, terminology, and processes.
On the other hand, the PMP is a more advanced and prestigious certification that requires several years of project management experience and a higher level of knowledge and expertise. PMP certification holders are recognized as experienced project managers capable of handling complex projects and leading project teams.
One thing that people need to understand is that you do NOT need to wear the title of Project Manager or Program Manager to have a PMP or CAPM certification. Almost all positions are involved in managing or contributing to projects in some capacity, and these certifications help you master that skill set and will help you get a job if you’re looking.
In summary, the CAPM is a stepping stone for individuals starting their project management journey, while the PMP is a more comprehensive and sought-after certification for experienced project management professionals.
11 Certifications to Help You Get a Job. 11 Certifications to Help You Get a Job.
Required Experience to Take the PMP Exam:
You’ll need either direct Project Management experience in the amount of 60 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years if you have an education less than a Bachelor’s Degree, 36 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years if you have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher… AND 35 Hours of Project Management Training or the CAPM Certification in order to take the PMP exam. Here are some project management certifications to prepare you for those qualifications:
Project Management Principles: University of Maryland (35 PDU hours)
Agile Project Management: University of Maryland (50 PDU hours)
Project Management Micro-Masters: Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) (3 PMP Certified Courses)
Managing People with Power Skills: The University of Maryland, College Park
Project Management Essentials: George Washing University School of Business
Project Management - A Hybrid Approach: Syracuse University (50 PDUs)
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Project Management Certification Winners:
(2) Agile and Scrum Certifications:
Scrum Alliance Certifications:
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM): Intro course for those wishing to fill the role of Scrum Master or Scrum team member; Focuses on the Scrum framework, roles, and practices for Scrum Masters and team members.
Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO): Intro course for those who are closest to the "business side" of the project looking to gain a deep understanding of their roles and responsibilities in Scrum.
Project Management Institute (PMI) Agile Certifications:
PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP): Demonstrates knowledge of Agile principles, tools, and techniques for project management professionals.
Scrum.org Certifications:
Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I): Validates the understanding of the Scrum framework and application for Scrum Masters and Agile practitioners.
Professional Scrum Product Owner I (PSPO I): Focuses on Product Owners' knowledge of Scrum and product development processes.
Professional Agile Leadership (PAL I): validates that you are a leader who understands the value Agile can bring to a business and how to actively practice Agile.
Lean-Kanban University (LKU) Certifications:
Kanban Management Professional (KMP I and KMP II): Focuses on understanding the principles and practices of Kanban for workflow management.
11 Certifications to Help You Get a Job.
The above scrum and agile certifications require extensive project experience in addition to thorough studying. One way that people study for those certifying exams is to obtain another certification… One that is still rigorous, yet, fundamental and without a pass/fail exam.
If you decide that could be a good route for you, here are some recommended scrum and agile certifications to help you study for the above certifying tests. The below courses are more materials and lessons based, and shouldn’t have a final pass/fail test. In addition, the below certifications should all partly prepare you for the PMP exam as that exam now includes a portion on agile methodologies. All of these certifications will boost your resume and help you get a job if you need to elevate your work experience.
Scrum and Agile Certifications w/o a Pass/Fail Test:
Agile and Scrum certifications offers valuable skills and mindsets that extend beyond engineering and project management roles. So much so, that the PMP certification now requires those that pass that test to understand the fundamentals of Agile. If you plan on taking the PMP exam, you will need to know Agile principles.
The foundations of scrum and agile promote collaboration, adaptability, customer focus, and continuous improvement - benefiting professionals across pretty much all industries and job functions. Agile methodologies and Scrum practices are increasingly being adopted in various industries and roles beyond software development and project management.
Agile principles promote collaboration, transparency, and communication among team members, allowing for adaptability to changing circumstances and the ability to respond to evolving requirements. Understanding Agile concepts can improve teamwork and enhance interactions in any professional setting.
Agile teams often include members from different functional areas. Learning Agile principles can enable individuals to work effectively in cross-functional teams. The principals prepare for servant leadership and support teams to achieve their goals. Individuals in leadership roles can benefit from understanding Agile leadership principles. Understanding Agile can contribute to an organization's overall agility and adaptability to market changes. Understanding Agile principles will absolutely increase your market value if you’re on the job market and help you get a job by boosting your resume.
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Agile & Scrum Certification Winners:
(3) Critical Thinking and Business Strategy Certifications:
Making Evidence-Based Strategic Decisions: The University of Maryland, College Park
Developing Breakthrough Innovations with the Three Box Solution: Dartmouth College
11 Certifications to Help You Get a Job. 11 Certifications to Help You Get a Job.
A business strategy certification can help someone develop a more holistic understanding of business operations and management. Business strategy is a critical aspect of organizational success and involves considering the big picture and long-term objectives of a company. By obtaining a business strategy certification, individuals gain insights into various aspects that contribute to the overall success of a business.
Strategy certifications often cover analysis of the external environment, including market trends, competitor landscape, and industry forces. This analysis helps individuals understand the broader business context in which their organization operates.
Another aspect of these certifications that’s important is goal-setting, and how to achieve goals on a corporate level. How do you set milestones? What goals do you set? Why? These are the types of things that you learn in a business strategy certification.
Business strategy considers how different functional areas of a company - such as marketing, finance, operations, and human resources - work together to achieve common goals. Understanding the interconnectivity of these functions and how they operate and speak to one another provides a competitive edge to any leader or individual contributor.
Critical Thinking & Business Strategy Certification Winners:
(4) Communication, Negotiation & Persuasion Certifications:
Successful Negotiation - Essential Strategies and Skills: The University of Michigan
Structuring Business Agreements for Success: Cornell University
Introduction to Public Speaking: University of Washington via Coursera
The Complete Presentation and Public Speaking/Speech Course: Udemy
Speaking in Public: Storytelling, Influence, and Presence: GetSmarter
Professional Communication - Business Writing and Storytelling: The Economist
11 Certifications to Boost Your Resume and Help You Get a Job.
Public speaking certifications focus on honing presentation skills, building confidence, and engaging with audiences in a compelling way. They provide individuals with comprehensive training in verbal communication, articulation, annunciation, and persuasive speaking techniques.
Perhaps the most valuable aspect of a public speaking certification is the enrichment to one’s confidence. Individuals' self-assurance when speaking in front of groups should increase, and that can extend to other areas of life and communications.
Negotiation certifications provide folks with specialized training in communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution, making them more effective… well… negotiators.
You may be thinking that negotiation certifications seem obvious in their learning outcomes. There’s so much more depth here. Negotiations certification go beyond basic negotiation techniques and provide folks with a deeper understanding of negotiation principles and strategies. The trainings focus on creating win-win solutions, where both parties benefit from the outcomes, helping you handle complex negotiations, such as multi-party negotiations or international business deals. In addition to the obvious benefits, negotiations certifications will help boost your resume and skills and help you get a job if you’re on the hunt.
Communication, Negotiation & Persuasion Certification Winners:
(5) Leadership & Coaching Certifications:
Exercising Leadership - Foundational Principles: Harvard University
Management in Engineering - Strategy and Leadership: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Leadership in an Exponentially Changing World: MIT Sloan School of Management
Ethical Leadership: Character, Civility, and Community: Boston University
Leading People and Teams: University of Michigan via Coursera
Managing People with Power Skills: The University of Maryland, College Park
Becoming a Successful Leader - Inclusive Leadership Training: Catalyst
Interpersonal Communication - Strategies for Executives: MIT Sloan School of Management
Women’s Leadership- Leading with Power and Influence: Yale School of Management
Women as Business Leaders: Syracuse University, Whitman School of Management
Certifications to help you get a good job. Certifications to help you get a good job. Certifications to help you get a good job.
This is by far the most extensive category in the certification list. Also, brand recognition is more important in this category than others when it comes to resume weight. In short, where the certification comes from matters more on a resume vs other categories… The college, university or company offering the certification needs to have that ‘wow’ factor more than other certifications… (with the exception of the already established certifying bodies such as the Project Management Institute for the PMP etc).
Certifications in leadership offer so many benefits for individuals looking to enhance their leadership abilities and advance their professional careers. Leadership certifications provide specialized training in an array of aspects in leadership - equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to lead teams, inspire others, and drive organizational success.
Leadership certifications usually focus on developing a wide range of leadership skills, including communication, decision-making, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and strategic thinking. The old way of command and control leadership isn’t often taught in these certifications. It’s more about how to garner influence to effect change and create corporate success.
These certifications are perhaps the holistic certifications in inclusivity, confidence, communications, trust building, teamwork, and strategic thinking. Being a leader means being a person of influence and having a broad understanding of business. Certified leaders learn effective influencing techniques that enable them to nurture support and achieve buy-in for their initiatives.
Leadership & Coaching Certification Winners:
(6) Team Collaboration Certifications:
Teamwork & Collaboration: Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Empathy and Emotional Intelligence at Work: University of California, Berkeley
Ethical Leadership: Character, Civility, and Community: Boston University
Teamwork Skills - Communicating Effectively in Groups: University of Colorado Boulder via Coursera
Certifications to help you get a good job. Certifications to help you get a good job. Certifications to help you get a good job.
Leadership certifications are for both leaders and individual contributors. Maybe you’re an IC and want to develop collaboration and trust among team members on projects. These certifications could help bolster your confidence and communication skills.
A teamwork and collaboration certification can help you excel in collaborative work environments, which is pretty much anywhere. These certifications focus on developing essential interpersonal and communication skills, which can help you improve team performance and productivity. These certifications help you learn to trust in your teams, in turn building cohesive and supportive team environments.
If you’re looking for a sense of belonging and engagement among team members, leading to higher job satisfaction and reduced turnover, these certifications would provide that. Certified individuals are better equipped to engage in collaborative problem-solving and help with conflict resolution, helping teams handle disagreements constructively.
Teamwork certifications often cover leadership aspects and provide career growth for those that are seeking it. Teamwork certifications enrich diverse perspectives and promote a more welcoming, open team environment.
They can also provide folks with the tools and competencies to work collaboratively, lead teams, and contribute effectively in team-based settings. This could range from improved team performance and communication to enhanced problem-solving abilities and contributing to a positive work environment. Whether in project management, team leadership, or any other collaborative role, a teamwork and collaboration certification can significantly enhance one's ability to succeed in team-oriented work environments… and this can also help you get a job and boost your resume if you’re on the job market.
Team Collaboration Certification Winners:
(7) Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Certifications (DEIB):
Discrimination and Diversity in the Modern Workplace: University of California, Berkeley
Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the Workplace: Northwestern University
Leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Northwestern University
Becoming a Successful Leader - Inclusive Leadership Training: Catalyst
The best professional certifications for anyone to get. Best professional certifications.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) certifications can contribute to building team trust. Trust is crucial in effective teamwork and collaboration, and DEIB initiatives play a significant role in strengthening trust within a team and across the organization. These trainings often include skills for open and respectful communication, encouraging team members to listen actively, speak honestly, and engage in constructive dialogue. Such communication practices can build trust among team members.
By obtaining a DEIB certification, you demonstrate a commitment to promoting inclusivity and valuing diversity. This commitment sends a message that you’re dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels heard, respected, and included. That’s wildly valuable in helping you obtain employment and will boost your resume. First and foremost, it’s just a great mission to be behind.
DEIB certifications raise awareness about unconscious biases and stereotypes that can impact team dynamics, as well as emphasize the importance of empathy and understanding for different perspectives and experiences.
Inclusion efforts contribute to creating a positive team culture, where everyone feels valued and appreciated. Teams with diverse perspectives tend to outperform those that aren’t diverse as well!
Gaining a DEIB certification demonstrates a dedication to empathy and understanding of different perspectives and experiences and showcases an emphasized EQ.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Certification Winners:
(8) Marketing Basics Certifications:
Fundamentals of Digital Marketing: The University of Maryland, College Park
Digital Marketing & E-commerce Professional Certificate: Google via Coursera
Social Media Strategy - Creating Engagement, Insight, and Action: MIT Sloan School of Management
Digital Marketing and Media Strategy: Northwestern University
Content Marketing and Strategy - Brand and Business Growth: Northwestern University
11 Certifications to Help you Get a Job. 11 Certifications to Help you Get a Job.
There are several reasons why someone not in marketing may consider obtaining a marketing certification. Understanding marketing principles is incredibly beneficial for professionals working in other departments, such as sales and business development, product development, human resources and employer branding, recruitment, or customer service.
Even leadership positions could benefit from understanding this function better, so they can truly understand the impact of their marketing decisions. Businesses spend so much time building their products and services. Executing how it’s delivered to the market is essential to the company’s success. It’s not to be neglected.
Marketing involves effective communication with customers and target audiences. Professionals in any field can benefit from improving their communication skills to better convey their ideas and messages. Understanding marketing can help folks adopt a customer-centric mindset, ensuring that their products, services, or initiatives meet customer needs and preferences.
In addition, (and often forgotten about) marketing increasingly relies on data-driven decision-making. A marketing certification can provide individuals with skills in data analysis and interpretation, which can be applied in various roles. The weight of a marketing certification on a resume can absolutely help you get a job if you’re looking.
Marketing Basics Certification Winners:
(9) Data Certifications:
11 Certifications to Help you Get a Job. 11 Certifications to Help you Get a Job.
Continuing the conversation around data, Data Analytics skills are increasingly in demand across various industries due to the growing importance of data-driven decision-making. How many times have you heard “data-driven person” or “data-driven decision making”? If you’re in the tech or tech-adjacent space, you’ve likely heard it a lot.
Well, you could be that verified and validated “data-driven person” with the skillset to back it up with a data analytics certification. Data analytics skills can enhance the capabilities of any position, such as marketing, finance, operations, or human resources. Understanding data analysis can support better decision-making and improve performance.
Data analytics can significantly improve non-erratic decision-making in various fields and industries. By utilizing data analytics, professionals can make more informed and evidence-based decisions, reducing the likelihood of errors and increasing the accuracy and reliability of their choices. Decision-making based on factual evidence rather than subjective opinions or assumptions - this can be wildly beneficial to the success of any organization, in any position.
Data Certification Winners:
(10) Finance and Risk Management Certifications:
Foundations of Modern Finance I: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Introduction to Risk Management: New York Institute of Finance
Risk Management Tools and Practices: New York Institute of Finance
Corporate Sustainability Management - Risk, Profit, and Purpose: Yale School of Management
Finance for Non-Financial Managers: Syracuse University, Whitman School of Management
11 Certifications to Help you Get a Job. 11 Certifications to Help you Get a Job.
Obtaining a certification in finance can offer several compelling benefits for individuals who are not currently working in finance-related roles. Finance certifications provide valuable knowledge and skills that can be applied in various professional and personal contexts.
A finance certification provides individuals with a strong foundation in financial concepts, equipping individuals with financial analysis and modeling skills, enabling them to make informed financial decisions in all facets of their lives.
Finance certifications often cover regulatory compliance and financial reporting standards, helping professionals navigate financial regulations and compliance requirements.
There’s an interconnectivity between finance and risk management. Risk management certifications equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to identify, assess, and mitigate risks, which is crucial for successful business operations and decision-making. Risk management involves analyzing complex situations and developing solutions to address potential risks. A risk management certification can enhance problem-solving skills, and understanding risk can help people make more risk-averse financial decisions.
If you’re looking for work, having a finance or risk management certification will absolutely boost your resume and help you get a job, no matter what field you’re in.
Finance and Risk Management Certification Winners:
(11) Time & Task Management Certifications:
Excel for Everyone - Core Foundations: University of British Columbia
Work Smarter, Not Harder - Time Management: UC Irvine via Coursera
11 Certifications to Help you Get a Job. 11 Certifications to Help you Get a Job. 11 Certifications to Help you Get a Job.
Everyone could use a little brushing up on basic skills, or even learn how to professionally apply new tools like ChatGPT. For example, Excel is one of those tools that no matter how much you know, it feels like you don’t know enough. With advanced Excel skills, individuals can automate repetitive tasks, streamline workflows, and perform complex calculations more quickly, saving time and increasing productivity.
Time management certifications offer structured training and tools to help individuals better manage their time, prioritize tasks, and make the most of their available resources. Gaining this additional skill set can reduce stress and feelings of overwhelm, which shouldn’t be taken for granted.
In the realm of stress management, time management certifications encourage individuals to allocate time for both work and personal life. This should culminate in an overall better work-life balance. Gaining any of these certifications shows a dedication to using time and resources effectively, and that you’re dedicated to a balanced and well mind.
If you’re looking for a certification that will boost your resume and help you get a job, any of these will absolutely elevate your experience and your resume to boot.
Time & Task Management Certification Winners:
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