Experience Vs. Certification: What Do Employers Prefer

Steve, our electric consultant, and go-to person for every electrical problem around the house, hasn’t undergone an electrical certification course but knows just about everything there’s to know about residential electricity needs, including the required tools, technology, and the basic laws of electrical engineering. So much so, certified electricians regularly seek him for an apprenticeship. I’ve often heard him argue about hands-on experience invariably trumping certifications. Could he be right? If it was so, why would so many jobs demand proof that you have formally mastered a technology?

But I think certifications are situationally important, i.e., whether you need one or not depends on the industry you’re serving. Here’s why I think the truth is neither here nor there.

What Are Certifications?

To put it succinctly, a certification is a credential that shows you have earned specific skills related to an occupation or technology. It validates your competency in performing a job and that you have passed the necessary assessments carried out by a recognized third-party institution.

Are They The Same As A License?

The process to obtain certification isn’t very different from the process of licensure. But unlike professional certification, a license is a credential required by law to allow you to practice a profession and is often obtained by a state agency.

What Are The Different Types Of Certifications?

Generally, there are two types of certifications: product or service-specific and industry-wide certificates. Product or service-related certifications are widely prevalent in the IT industry, where the candidate takes a test for a specific software or hardware. Classic examples include AWS certification courses, Java certification, Microsoft Certification, etc.

Industry-wide certification is issued by a widely recognized third-party credentialing association and makes the holder qualified to work in a particular organization. Examples include the Project Management Professional Certification (PMP) offered by the Project Management Institute and the Certified Professional Coach credential offered by the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching for HR professionals.

Some certifications are valid for a certain period and must be renewed, while some have to be upgraded as the certifying organization upgrades its products or services.

And Now To The Most Important Question…..

Do Certifications Offer Any Real Benefits?

You Don’t Have To Showcase Your Skills Every Time Someone Asks For Proof:

A certification of expertise makes it easy for recruiters to filter your resume, saving you the time and energy to prove your skills. In fact, with all things equal, employers would prefer hiring credentialed professionals as it adds to the company’s portfolio when making a client presentation.

It also helps establish your professional credibility. For example, if you’ve earned the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Exam (CCP) and subsequently followed it with the Associate and Professional level certifications, nobody would be questioning your expertise in AWS. In this regard, credentials automatically open doors during an interview or appraisal.

You Can Benefit From Community-Focused Discussions

If you’re aspiring for certification, consider joining a peer-support group to share ideas and learn at the same time. This group also includes certified professionals who can help you clear doubts, if any, and test-takers who can help others improve their test-taking experience.

And if you’re a certified professional, community networking offers access to a wide range of resources that can be used to work your way up the career ladder. You can stay ahead of trends and gain better on-job knowledge.

A Case For Work Experience:

True, certifications are formal proof of expertise, but they’re not the end-all and be-all in the job market. If you cannot implement the knowledge acquired through the certification course, it only proves your ability to pass tests. In the IT industry, where technology moves too fast, certifications can become outdated very quickly.

In Conclusion:

So, to answer the title question: they look for both, i.e., employers want certified professionals who have the relevant experience and can relate to the on-the-job requirements. If you have to choose between getting certified and gaining experience, I’d suggest the latter. It’s easier to gain certification when you have the necessary experience than the other way round.