Features - Careers Advice
Professional Qualifications - A CV Centre Guide
An increasing number of industry sectors seek applications from people with professional qualifications, both as an alternative to formal academic qualifications, or in addition to them. Employers recognise professional qualifications as not only providing an individual with industry-specific skills, but also as a demonstration of their commitment to continuous learning and development. Skills acquired through many professional qualifications can also be transferred to other functional areas, making them a valuable tool to facilitate career development.
Time & Money
Certain industries have now made professional qualifications an essential requirement and many employers will provide full support, enabling these to be completed alongside normal work responsibilities. Studying for professional qualifications can be undertaken on a full or part-time basis and can even be completed via distance learning. Employers often allow time off for professional studies and may also assist with the payment of necessary fees. It is worth remembering, however, that if an employer is supporting you during your studies, this will probably mean that you will be tied into your employment with them for the duration of your studies.
Enhancing Your Employability
As well as improving your chances of securing internal promotions, professional qualifications can add considerable value to your CV when it comes to job hunting. They tend to indicate that a candidate has specific skills and experiences, rather than just academic and theoretical knowledge. Qualifications such as NVQs, for example, apply to a wide variety of industries and involve workplace assessments aimed at verifying your actual on-the-job competence. Other increasingly popular professional qualifications include the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) and the RSA Computer Literacy and Information Technology (CLAIT) qualification.
Professional Memberships
Many industry sectors now offer people the opportunity to become a member of a professional organisation. With a number of levels achievable for membership status, the highest status can only be achieved once a candidate has demonstrated that they have completed appropriate training and spent a significant period of their working life within the industry sector. Training and employment history both need to be correctly logged and verified before accreditation can be awarded and, although this process obviously takes some considerable time, fast track options may be available in some industries. Becoming a member of a professional organisation provides external recognition and may also offer reassurance to customers that they are dealing with someone whose behaviour and conduct are regulated. There are usually specific guidelines which must be adhered to and, in some cases of extreme non-compliance, professional status can be withdrawn.
The Future
If you look through various job vacancies, you will often notice that essential requirements include specific professional qualifications. You may also see job adverts stating one of their requirements as "degree or equivalent", a clear sign that professional qualifications are starting to be recognised as being just as valuable as formal academic studies.
The CV Centre
A CV is often all a prospective employer has to judge you on, so creating the right first impression is vital. Whatever job you've set your sights on, with our market-leading position in this field we are confident that our assistance will maximise your chances of winning it. There really is no substitute for taking advantage of in-depth professional experience. Find out how The CV Centre can help you.
The CV Centre - www.ineedacv.co.uk
