Getting an HR certification isn’t a necessity, but getting an HR certification can accelerate career growth. So how do you decide whether you need a certification or not?

To start a career in HR, you need a bachelor’s degree at max. To further, grow in an HR career a master’s degree is sufficient. So why take an HR certification?

Well, for starters, for the following reasons –

1.Promotions – Getting certified increases your chances of promotion by 29%, according to a PayScale report.

2. Quicker career growth – Taking certification improves skills, knowledge, and make professionals more efficient in their work.

3. Better salary- Certified HR professionals receive an average 31.6% more salary than non-certified professionals, according to the PayScale report.

4. Skill development – Taking a certification demonstrates to leaders that a candidate is passionate about the profession.

Additionally, the HR industry is constantly evolving, which requires professionals to keep themselves updated with the latest knowledge and implement them at work.

HR certifications for professionals

The HR industry has expanded in the last decade. The skills required today to excel in an HR job is different from and more specialized. HR leaders are looking for professionals who come with specialized skills and deliver impactful results in their area of expertise. Right from talent management to compensation and benefits to diversity and inclusion, specialist certifications exist for all areas of human resources.

Following are the industry’s leading certifications in their respective areas:

1.Global Talent Management Leader (GTML) – This is a talent management certification for senior HR leaders who are looking to take a leap into a global talent management role. This certification demonstrates that a candidate possesses skills to build and manage a global workforce. This certification is offered by Talent Management Institute, a pioneer in talent management certifications.

Taking this certification gives you a learning opportunity with the industry’s top talent leaders and access to learning material from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

2.Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) – This certification is offered by the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI). This credential shows the candidate’s adeptness in building and implementing global HR strategy and is a proof of the candidate’s prowess in strategic HR management, global compensation & benefits, global talent acquisition and mobility, and more.

3.Senior Certified Professional (SHRM- CP) – This certification is offered by the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM). This certification is targeted toward HR professionals who are responsible for leading HR function, analyzing performance metrics, aligning HR strategies toward organizational goals, and more.

4.Certified Diversity Professional (CDP) – Diversity & inclusion is a growing priority among employers. This certification is offered by the Institute for Diversity Certification. This credential demonstrates the holder’s ability to achieve inclusive excellence across an organization. Plus, the certification shows the holder’s knowledge, skill, and ability to thrive in the next generation of equity, diversity, & inclusion.

5.Global Remuneration Professional (GRP) – Creating and managing global remuneration programs is a big task. This certification demonstrates the candidate’s knowledge of global compensation programs and the ability to design and manage compensation programs that will attract, motivate, and retain top talent. Taking this certification establishes the holder’s authority on global compensation practices and expands job opportunities globally.

Conclusion

All in all, an HR certification offers a lot of value to professionals. It builds credibility and authority of the certification holder in the eyes of employers. The certification market is inundated with several options, so choose a certification that will add the most value to your role. Choosing the right certification will make all the difference.