A certification may appear to be no more than a plain sheet of paper, a mere formality; but achieving one and including it within your resume can offer priceless benefits for your career.
Certificates, especially the in-demand ones such as the PMP certification, or Google Career certificates, prove to employers that you are serious about your career, and that you are not the type of candidate to half-step and execute the bare minimum in your role.
And this is a green flag for them, because you show signs of budding potential when you take time to invest in yourself and your ongoing professional development. Additionally, being proactive with obtaining certificates—especially if they were gained outside of a job—demonstrate strong leadership potential in the eyes of employers. This is because it shows your ability to push past challenges, multitask, take ownership for your own actions and performance, and of course, it showcases your commitment to excellence.
What Certificates Should I List On My Resume?
When it comes to deciding what certificates to include on your resume it all comes down to analysing your career goals and ensuring that whatever you decide to study—and list—is relevant. And if you do happen to have the odd certification or two that does not align with the job you're after (for example, you have a personal training diploma but are applying for a job in accounting) simply omit it, as it distracts from the main focus of your resume and can raise more questions than answers.
