Summary: Certification training is the fuel that drives the modern career advancement engine. Combined with a strong resume and interview skills, certificates can help you land the jobs you want as you progress along your career path.
Today’s job market is as competitive as ever. Having a demonstrable edge makes all the difference, which is why certification training is so important. With so many industries evolving at such a rapid clip, gaining new skills through online certification training translates to a valuable asset that employers are looking for.
Why Invest in Online Training
Whether you are just getting started in IT and security or looking to improve your skills as a project manager, the first step in enhancing your employability is certification training. Ideally, the best training courses prepare you to take and pass the necessary tests for the most in-demand certifications in your industry.
We offer online training because we believe it has benefits that more traditional in-class training is short on. Here is what you get from training online:
- Flexibility – Online courses are designed to fit into your schedule. You can complete training at your own pace and when you can fit learning into your schedule. While courses vary, most of ours give students access to course materials for 12 months.
- Affordability – Online training is more affordable compared to traditional degree programs. Courses are priced modestly, and you choose only those courses you need to drive your career forward. You are not paying for training you don’t need.
- Course Selection – We offer a wide course selection covering a variety of trades and topics, including human resources, project management, healthcare, and IT.
- Soft Skills – Some of our courses prepare you to be a better employee by teaching you soft skills.
Investing in certification training makes sense for your career. Training online makes sense if your schedule and level of commitment do not allow you to enroll in a traditional degree program.
How to Select the Right Courses
Once you determine online training is right for you, the next step is to look through our catalog and select a few courses to start with. This can be overwhelming thanks to our vast offerings. You can always contact one of our career counselors for help. And if you have questions about a specific course, we are more than happy to answer them.
In the meantime, here are some things to consider as you look for the most appropriate courses:
- Industry Relevance – Check out the list of courses pertaining to whatever industry you are in. Then research those that are most important right now. What does your industry demand? Which certificates would make you more valuable?
- Course Content – Carefully look at the content of each online course you are considering. The most appropriate courses offer content that covers the current trends and skills employers in your industry are looking for.
- Outcomes and Credentials – Also look at course outcomes and the credentials of any live trainers. Some of our courses result in a ProTrain-issued certificate, while others prepare you to take a certification exam from an accredited organization.
Note that all the instructors behind our live training programs are well-qualified. Do not be afraid to ask if you have questions about live courses or their facilitators.
Gradually Building Your Resume
The transition from training to resume building is a gradual one. In other words, it is important that you add every course you take to your resume, as you complete it. Every certificate should be included as well. But be brief and to-the-point. Verbose resumes are more likely to end up at the bottom of the stack. Your resume should be very informative but not too long.
In addition to contact information – your name, phone number, and professional email address – your resume should also include:
- A Professional Summary – Begin with a summary that describes your relevant experience and skills. ‘Relevant’ is the key here. There is no need to include things an employer is not interested in.
- Skills and Certifications – A section dedicated to your skills and certifications tells employers exactly what you bring to the table. This section should be modified for each individual job, relying on keywords tailored to the job description.
- Work Experience – List any relevant work experience. Again, this will change based on the job you are applying for. Only relevant experience matters to prospective employers.
- Education – The education section comes last. It describes any education you have received, including traditional degrees, continuing education, and your certifications (of course). Any additional details about certification training that do not appear in your professional summary go here.
Some types of jobs require certain soft skills. If appropriate, include a small section highlighting any relevant soft skills you bring to the table.
How to Make Your Resume Pop
Your resume is likely to compete with dozens of others for every job you apply for. To make it stand out from the crowd, consider the following:
- Tailor your resume to each job application so that it aligns with any specific requirements mentioned in the description.
- Use relevant keywords along with bullet points to emphasize your contributions and accomplishments.
- Quantify your achievements (use numbers) whenever possible. Numbers stand out.
- Avoid meaningless jargon. Hiring managers don’t have time for it.
As you are tweaking your resume, begin preparing for an eventual interview. Research the company to which you are applying. Familiarize yourself with common interview questions so that you can prepare answers. But make sure your answers are authentic and honest. A formulaic answer will not impress.
Our goal at ProTrain is to help you along the entire journey from training to interview. We invite you to look at our full catalog of courses in preparation for beginning your journey. Contact us at info@protrain.edu for more information or call (844) 292-8641 to speak with one of our career counselors.
FAQs
How important is certification training in today’s job market?
In those industries for which highly specialized skills are necessary, certification training is proving invaluable. Employers look for candidates with demonstrable skills.
How would I know which courses to take?
Determining the most appropriate courses is a matter of researching what your industry currently demands. You choose courses based on the skills and knowledge your industry demands right now.
How quickly do I have to complete training?
The pace at which you train is entirely up to you. However, a faster pace makes you more employable at a faster rate.
Should I include certificates on my resume?
Absolutely. Listing your relevant certificates demonstrates the knowledge and skills you are ready to bring to the job on day one.
