With a competitive job market and millions out of work, career seekers need every advantage to get ahead. Hiring managers are often flooded with resumes for few positions, and they look for candidates that stand out from the pack. A certificate in an area of specialty will make you more attractive to employers and give you the edge you need in the career marketplace.
What are the advantages of a Certificate in Human Resources?
A certificate in human resource management will signal to hiring managers that you have the skill and competency necessary to carry out this essential organizational function. These certificate programs are offered by a range of educational institutions, from brick and mortar universities to Web-based college programs. The certificate program is often offered in an accelerated format, allowing students to learn while maintaining a full-time career. The certificate program often requires specialized courses that take from 18 months to 24 months to complete.
Earning a certificate in human resource management will definitely act as a boost to your employment prospects. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that human resources managers earned a median salary of $99,180 in 2010. This salary is only expected to climb as companies fight to hire the best talent from their large pool of applicants. The minimum requirements for this position are a bachelor of arts degree and experience in the field. Earning additional certification will give you an edge over other candidates and the knowledge and training needed to perform well on the job.
Career Advantages in Earning your HR Certificate
The human resource management certificate program prepares you for the finer points of interviewing, recruiting and retention that are necessary for the position. Courses such as union management, payroll, hiring, benefits management and conflict resolution are standard in most programs. Many of these certificate programs are run by former hiring managers, human resource generalists and benefits managers. Graduates of these programs In many cases, the certificate in human resource management will give you an edge of candidates with more experience.
Once you have obtained your initial certification and secured a human resources management career, there are industry organizations that offer advanced certification. The Senior Professional Human Resources certification is offered to senior human resources professionals and can help you move further in your career. This designation will help you to advance to the highest levels of ranking in the human resources field and increase your earnings exponentially.
If you are considering investing your time into a human resource management certificate, you are making a wise choice. Hiring managers often have to sift through hundreds of candidate profiles to fill an open position. Your certificate will make you stand out among the other applicants and give you an edge in the career market.
Sources: The Bureau of Labor Statistics
The HR Certification Institute
