For anyone who works in the competitive landscape of business, setting yourself apart from others in the industry can feel like an impossible challenge. However, there is a simple way to differentiate yourself, prove your expertise, and demonstrate your commitment to becoming the best in your field: by earning a business certification.

Getting a skills-based certificate in your industry is a strategic investment in your career and can be a game-changer for helping you to meet your professional goals. Not only can it give you a competitive advantage, but it can also open the door to better job opportunities, boost your salary potential, and much more.

Whether you’ve just graduated and are trying to land your first job, or you’ve been building your experience and are ready for a promotion, check out the following five ways earning a skills-based certificate can help to advance your career in business. Then, learn more about how you can prepare to get certified and accelerate your future.

Certification Can Improve Your Career Prospects

Earning a business certification is a great way to set yourself apart from other candidates, especially in a tough job market. A 2022 AFP study found that for those in senior finance positions choosing between two equal candidates, having a certification would tip the scales as a deciding factor. Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that certified or licensed workers have lower unemployment and higher workforce participation rates than their uncertified counterparts.

The information you learn while earning a certification can help you to perform better in your job, which in turn can lead to a promotion, a more desirable role with a new organization, or even a new career. In fact, in some fields, getting certified can boost the chances of getting a promotion by more than 35% - and in human resources, certification almost doubled the chance assistants would be promoted in five years.

You Can Earn a Higher Salary After Getting Certified

While having a certification won’t instantly translate into a higher salary, it can help you build the skills to improve your performance so you can negotiate for one. While it varies by industry, in general, someone who holds a certificate will earn 19% more than they did before becoming certified. Certification also opens the door to higher level jobs, which typically offer higher salaries.

Certification Can Open the Door to Better Networking

By earning a certification, you become part of a community of experts in your field, which can facilitate better connections and improve your network. It means you’ll have a built-in group of colleagues who can all help each other by sharing knowledge, solving problems, or providing guidance and mentorship.

Networking has also proven to play a critical role when it comes to finding a new job. By some estimates, 80% of available jobs are never posted to the general public and are instead filled by word-of-mouth or recommendations from internal employees. Additionally employee referrals account for roughly 30% of candidates who are hired, so having a strong network of people who work in your industry can be the make-or-break factor in your next job hunt.

You’ll Boost Your Expertise and Credibility by Earning a Certificate

Earning a certification in business is no easy feat. Whether you’re a human resources pro working toward your HRIS or you’re a business or real estate exec looking to become a notary public, the curriculum will be rigorous and the exam comprehensive. By passing, you’re proving that you have quantifiable expertise in your field, which leads to higher levels of credibility and respect from your peers and employers.

Research supports this perspective, with one 2021 study showing that an overwhelming number of HR executives and supervisors believe that certified professional are more valuable, more credible, and better performers. Passing a demanding certification exam not only gives others more confidence in you, it can give you more confidence in yourself.

A Certificate Can Prove Your Commitment, Curiosity, and Ambition

More and more, employers are looking for candidates who not only have industry knowledge and expertise – but also have soft skills like good communication and critical thinking abilities. In fact, the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU) “Career Ready Graduate” report found that adaptability and flexibility, along with motivation and initiative, were among the top skills employers look for in potential employees.

Earning a certification is a great way to demonstrate that you possess these skills. Employers will see that you’re driven to stay abreast of the latest knowledge and trends in your field – and you’re willing to approach your role with a growth mindset, learning to adjust and improve as new information or best practices become available.

Touro University Graduate School of Business Certification Prep Courses

At Touro University Graduate School of Business, we’re committed to helping students get the education they need to succeed in business. That includes offering a full range of certification prep courses so that our students can pass their exams the first time they sit, earning the credentials they need to become exceptional candidates and employees. 

Open to both current GSB students and non-students who are interested in professional development, our current certification-prep courses include:

• SHRM – This 13-week virtual course is led by a SHRM-certified expert master instructor and uses the official SHRM Learning System – which includes over 2,000 practice questions. Not only does it prepare students for SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP certification, but it also provides the expertise you need to make a lasting difference in your current job and your future career.
• SHRM recertification – Taught primarily in person at our Times Square campus, our recertification courses provide students with the required 60 recertification credits and align with the SHRM BASK™ principle. Under the guidance of our caring and experienced faculty, students will learn to develop a strategic mindset, drive successful business outcomes, and advance the HR profession.
• HRIS – This flexible hybrid course is designed to build the crucial human resource information systems knowledge and implementation skills needed to thrive in today’s technology-driven HR landscape. Upon completion, students will be prepared to earn industry-recognized certifications, including the Professional in Human Resources® (PHR®) certification.
• Six Sigma: The DMAIC System – Available entirely online, this course provides a comprehensive introduction to Six Sigma methodologies, with a focus on the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) process. This course requires a solid foundation in statistics and is perfect for anyone who wants to enhance their understanding of process improvement methodologies.
• NYS Notary Public Training – This course is designed to equip students with all the knowledge they need to become a licensed Notary Public in New York State, with a key focus on Remote Online Notarization (RON), which has become a growing industry demand. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to enhance their credentials, expand their career opportunities, or add a new income stream.

All of our prep courses adhere to the highest academic standards, ensuring that our students get the rigorous education they need to pass their certification exams and go on to excel in their fields. They’re also affordably priced to allow non-students to pursue certification and engage in the kind of professional development that will accelerate their careers.

If you’re ready to kickstart your future and set yourself apart from the competition, contact Touro Graduate School of Business to learn more about how you can enroll in one of our professional development certification prep courses and start preparing for a better tomorrow.