How to Decide If Certifications Add Career Value

Are certifications worth it? It really depends on where you are in your career and what domain you’re specializing in. Certifications for me serve two distinct purposes, firstly, they can be great for building your knowledge and confidence through the study required to pass them. In this way I’m sure all or most of them are useful to some degree. The second benefit though is usually the one people are most interested in, which is their power to help you get more interviews and land a new job or negotiate higher pay. I usually separate out certifications into two layers. Beginner certifications, like the CompTIA Security+ or Pentest+, are great for landing you your first cyber job. They demonstrate that you care enough about the field to invest in it, more than anything. After your first job these certifications will have limited value. At the advanced level, the CISSP, CRISC or CISM will help with landing GRC roles, the Offensive Security series will help you with penetration testing and Red Teaming roles, the SANS GIAC series is well regarded within Security Operations, and both Microsoft and AWS each offer specific certifications for securing their cloud environments that will make a difference to how viable your candidacy is for a role, at least to get an interview. I would say if you do want to be a CISO one day it is still worth you completing a CISSP. You will frequently see it as a prerequisite on CISO job postings and I think that’s as good a reason as any to tick that box. All of that being said, I think it’s important to note that what is missing for most people to make it to the next rung in their career is not a certification. It is usually an underlying technical skillset, or far, far more commonly, underdeveloped self-awareness or people skills. I think this is also where certifications get a bad rep. There are security professionals out there who will accumulate as many certifications as possible when their career reaches a plateau, I think in some cases honestly just not realizing that that’s not the real bottleneck. I encourage security professionals at every end of the spectrum to look at coaching courses designed to help with relationship building and influencing, alongside the knowledge-based accreditations. #cybersecurity #cybersecurityjobs

Certifications aren’t a shortcut to career success. When transitioning service members tell me they’re pursuing certifications, I ask, “That’s great, but what’s your plan for using it?” This isn’t just about adding a line to your resume. It’s about how that certification complements your strengths and aligns with your career goals. Certifications should amplify your skills, not replace a thoughtful job-seeking strategy. Focus on how they fit into the bigger picture: ➡️ What story does this certification tell about your expertise? ➡️ How does it help you stand out in your target industry? Remember: certifications are tools, not magic wands. Your success depends on how well you leverage them to support your broader career strategy. Focus on the big picture, and let certifications amplify your impact - not define it.

One of the most common questions I get asked: “What finance certification should I get?” I have 7 of them so I may be qualified to offer some insight. Firstly, you can never go wrong getting more education. But you’ll want to ask and answer the following questions about the what to pursue and why: 1️⃣ What are the main reasons for getting the certification? Is it for credibility, learning, networking, or career development? Is it all of the above? 2️⃣ Which certifications will open up new doors and position you for the future work and career you want to have? Why are the doors currently closed to you? Is the certification the key to the door or can you open it another way? 3️⃣ How will a certification tangibly help you? What will you learn from the process of getting the certification? Are the skills required for the future job you want? 4️⃣ Which certification is the best return on your investment of time and effort? There is so much training and there are so many credentials you can explore. Many are great experiences. But ask what you want from the experience and whether professional certifications are the right route. I have never encountered a single FP&A job that requires a professional certification. So if you think you need certifications to get a job, you most likely don't. But… I've encountered plenty that prefer a certification. What has been your experience?

To this date, I have never worked with a client that required specific supply chain certifications or even a supply chain degree when considering candidates for supply chain roles. But they certainly don’t hurt. In my opinion, certifications can lay out a solid foundation in your career, but they won’t guarantee success in your career nor will it be the decider for gaining that promotion or even a job offer. Some practitioners think some supply chain certifications are outdated. If you’re interested in pursuing a specific certification like a CSCP, CPSM, CPIM, PMP, or even an MBA in supply chain, really ask yourself “What kind of return on investment will I receive with this certification?” If you have time, look at a large sample of LinkedIn professionals who are currently a Director, Vice President, or even a Chief Supply Chain Officer. What % of these have any of these certifications? You also have to understand these certifications require a time and cost commitment which should not be taken for granted. You’re likely to spend 6 to 12 months and even 2 years to earn that coveted certification. If you’re on the fence about which direction to go, the first thing you should do is talk to professionals who earned these certifications and get an objective view of whether the certification really benefited their career. The article in the comments gives an objective view of whether it’s worth pursuing supply chain-related certifications for career advancement.