Why Marketing Certifications are important for Employers

Are you curious why your applications continue to get rejected by employers?

Experience and knowledge are the critical determinants of why you may not get that dream job. However, without standing out to employers, receiving an offer for an experience-building opportunity may not be easy. This means growing your knowledge is the following best way to stand out.

According to a GALLUP report by Lumina Foundation:

"Certifications are associated with higher ratings for one attribute in particular among U.S. workers with no postsecondary education: career advancement opportunities. Fifty-two percent of those with certifications are satisfied with such opportunities in their current employment situation, versus 37% of those without a certification."

As the Lumina Foundation states, 52% of the people surveyed are satisfied with their current job compared to the 37% without certifications. This explains how those searching for their desired job opportunity are more likely to get the job they want if they have earned certifications in their career field.

People without certifications have settled for jobs they don't define as "good jobs" compared to those who have, showing employers are interested in candidates with certifications on their resumes.

In the marketing industry, countless job opportunities, such as web development, project management, digital marketing, social media, etc., require specific qualifications that certifications are perfect for.

Employment challenges in 2023

In 2023 we witnessed significant layoffs, declining job opportunities, and difficult career advancement. As a result, employers have decided to narrow down their potential employees by being more specific with their job qualifications.

Job applications have asked candidates for more experience, knowledge, and time in the industry, making it difficult for younger applicants to receive offers from reputable companies.

Employment statistics:

• According to Hiring Lab, economic research by Indeed, As of March 2022, 3.2% of workers who were retired a year earlier are now employed.

• In 2019, 36% of individuals aged 25 years and older had bachelor's degrees, as stated by Urban.org.

The job market has become more competitive due to the rise in older, more experienced applicants reentering the workforce. However, relative to 2019, 64% of individuals aged 25 and older still need to have bachelor's degrees.

There are a lot of opportunities for employment despite the difficulties in 2023.

Employers' checklist when hiring

Now that you understand employment in today's age, how can you better understand what employers are looking for in candidates?

The resume checklist from employers listed by MichaelPage:

1. Specific roles and responsibilities

2. Experience

3. Skills

4. Results and Achievements

5. Education

Many of these may be common sense for putting on your resume; however, regarding the top two, experience and education stand out for employers. The article mentions under education, "Ensure you highlight relevant educational certificates, particularly when they've been listed as essential or desirable in the selection criteria."

When employers are looking to hire, they want to know that you're the right person for the job and are ready to add value to the company rather than require additional training. Internships, Co-Ops, and certifications are the perfect way to check off those boxes.

How can Certifications increase your chance of Employment?

More outstanding networking capabilities- Certifications allow remarkable networking opportunities via LinkedIn, Facebook, and online resource groups. Many certification courses included a platform for collaboration between current users and past professionals that took the course. Not only is it a great way to learn from those professionals, but it is a great way to connect as well.

Relation to industry professionals- As you apply for positions and job opportunities, it is very likely that the employer has been in the same position as you and worked on adding certifications to their resume. When employers recognize that you have similar certifications to the ones they have completed, it sets you apart from other candidates and builds a more personal relationship.

More excellent participation rates- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that in 2018, the rate was 87.7 percent for workers with such credentials, compared with 57.8 percent for those without them. In addition, people with certifications or licenses had higher participation rates at all education levels.

Specific Advanced knowledge- Growing your knowledge utility belt by adding certifications such as Excel or SEO can help employers narrow down candidates based on the company's day procedures or tasks in the job description. When you see qualifications such as "must be proficient in using Microsoft Excel," you stand out versus a candidate that only mentions it in their experience during college.

Well-known brand usage- Certifications are often led by industry-standard companies such as LinkedIn, Meta, Google, HubSpot, and other reputable companies. Taking courses directly administered by these companies shows employers that you have worked with software and knowledge that affects how their company may operate. For example, suppose the potential employer uses HubSpot to manage their client's social media. In that case, you have a leg up on the competition because you got your social media certification directly from HubSpot.

LinkedIn feature opportunities- LinkedIn is a great place to network and meet potential employers or industry professionals. In addition, you can easily add your certifications on your LinkedIn profile, which instantly shares to your feed. As a result, every connection will be able to see your accomplishments and certifications, increasing your chance of being noticed by employers.

Personal passion- Last but not least, the dedication it takes for candidates to take the extra step in their education and earn their certifications shows employers your passion for your line of work. Employers are hiring you, not a robot which means they want to see what you're capable of based on the passion and effort you put into your work.

What are you waiting for? Get certified and stand out to employers!

Master your resume by getting marketing certified!

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