You’re perhaps at a stage where you are considering to take an HR certification. Whether to take a certification is an important decision to make, given that it takes effort and time to complete certification programs. Plus, the decision to take a certification can be heavy on the pocket. So the question of whether one should take a certification or not is a wise one.
Significance of certifications
Several reports indicate that taking a certification can add a lot of value to HR professionals. A PayScale survey suggests that a professional with certification is valued more than a non-certified candidate. The same report indicates that employers feel certified HR professionals are more efficient at their work, strategic in their decision making, and are more productive. Needless to say, better performance is compensated fairly as well. A PayScale report mentions that certified candidates are paid a better salary than their non-certified counterparts. Further, a certification increases chances of promotion by as much as 15%, indicating that certified HR professionals are quickly promoted than their non-certified counterparts.
Other than this, a professional certification always adds value to takers by equipping them with skills and sought-after capabilities. In the context of human resources, taking a certification indicates that an HR professional is devoted to her profession, which employers appreciate. This also demonstrates the professional’s appetite to learn more and grow.
Human resources are constantly evolving. From an administrative business function, it has evolved into a data-driven strategic function. It doesn’t merely fulfill the role of managing routine administrative tasks, instead, the human resources department has become a key business function that enables the growth of a business. Human resource professionals are expected to evolve and adapt themselves to fit in the new business norms.
HR professionals are key contributors to the growth of a business. Thus, employers expect them to come with skills that will directly translate into the growth of their organization and add value to the HR function. Certifications are a novel way to achieve this. A broad range of certifications helps professionals to learn different in-demand skills sought by employers.
Globally-recognized HR certifications
The following are some globally-recognized industry HR certifications.
- Talent Management Practitioner (TMP) – Talent management is increasingly gaining importance among employers. Companies are seeking professionals who have the skills to attract the best talent and retain them. This requires professionals to employ best talent management practices to source, develop, and retain talent. Talent Management Practitioner (TMP) is an entry-level certification offered by the Talent Management Institute for HR professionals to equip themselves with talent management skills. For seasoned professionals, the institute offers STMP (Senior Talent Management Practitioner) and GTML (Global Talent Management Leader), which are meant for mid-level professionals and global-level professionals to learn talent management skills.
- Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)- Diversity and inclusion are on the top of the list of employers. Enterprises are looking for HR professionals who are well-versed with strategies to improve diversity in the workforce and add more inclusivity through novel approaches and lead the organization toward growth. CDP is offered by the Institute for Diversity Certification. Taking this certification will equip you with the skills to build, implement, and execute organization-wide diversity improvement programs.
- Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) –Employee benefits have become an important tool for employers to retain employees. Companies are looking for HR professionals who can create and manage differentiating employee benefits programs and help their employees retain for longer. CBP is offered by World at Work.
- Associate Professional in Training and Development (APTD) – Learning and development have always been a crucial tool in employers’ arsenal for employee retention. In the wake of increasing talent turnover and shortage of talent, organizations want to hire HR professionals who excel at crafting and implementing training delivery programs. APTD equips HR professionals to do just that. APTD certification is offered by ATD, Association for Talent Development, a leading body in the field of talent development certifications.
All in all, HR certifications help professionals learn new skills and keep themselves up to date with the industry. Employers value certified professionals and compensate them accordingly.
