Certifications That Employers Actually Value

There are thousands of professional certifications available today. Some can strengthen your resume and help you qualify for better opportunities.

Certifications That Employers Actually Value

There are thousands of professional certifications available today. Some can strengthen your resume and help you qualify for better opportunities. Others may do little more than add another line to your LinkedIn profile.

So how do you know which certifications employers actually value?

The answer is not simply to find the certification with the most impressive name.

Employers tend to value certifications when they are relevant to the job, issued by a credible professional organization or technology provider, and provide meaningful evidence of knowledge or skills.

Research from SHRM has found that industry and professional certifications are among the most compelling types of alternative credentials considered by executives, supervisors, and HR professionals. At the same time, employers continue to place substantial value on experience and traditional education.

That means the right certification can help your application, but it should complement your experience and skills rather than replace them.

Quick Answer: Which Certifications Do Employers Value?

The most employer-recognized certifications tend to fall into several categories: professional credentials, technology certifications, regulated or specialized credentials, and certifications directly connected to the job.

Career Area Certifications to Consider Why Employers May Value Them
Project Management PMP Demonstrates formal project management knowledge and experience
Cybersecurity CISSP, Security+ Validates security knowledge at different career levels
Networking CCNA, CCNP Demonstrates networking knowledge and technical skills
Cloud Computing AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Shows knowledge of specific cloud platforms
Accounting CPA Professional accounting credential and license
Human Resources SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR Demonstrates professional HR knowledge
IT Support CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+ Provides recognized technical foundations
Process Improvement Six Sigma Supports process and operational improvement roles
IT Service Management ITIL Relevant to structured IT service management environments
CRM / Business Technology Salesforce certifications Demonstrates platform-specific expertise

This is not a universal ranking. The value of a certification depends heavily on the position you are targeting.

What Makes a Certification Valuable to Employers?

Before spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on a certification, consider five questions.

1. Do employers actually mention it?

This is one of the strongest signals.

Search current job postings for your target position and see whether employers list the certification as:

A certification appearing repeatedly in relevant job postings is much more meaningful than a credential that simply has a large number of people who have completed it.

For example, recent analysis of thousands of Linux-related job postings found certifications such as Security+, CISSP, CCNA, AWS, ITIL, and Kubernetes credentials appearing repeatedly, although demand varied significantly by certification.

2. Is the organization issuing the certification credible?

Employers generally have an easier time interpreting certifications from established professional associations, technology companies, certification bodies, and industry organizations.

Examples include:

The organization behind the credential matters because employers need to know what the certification actually represents.

3. Does the certification test knowledge or merely course completion?

There is an important difference between completing an online course and earning a professional certification.

A course certificate may show that you watched lectures, completed assignments, or finished a training program.

A professional certification may require you to pass a standardized examination, meet experience requirements, complete practical requirements, or maintain the credential through continuing education.

That additional assessment can make a credential more meaningful to an employer.

SHRM's research found that industry and professional certifications were considered particularly compelling among the alternative credentials evaluated by employers.

4. Does it match the job?

This may be the most important factor.

A certification can be highly respected and still be irrelevant to a particular position.

For example, an AWS certification may be valuable for a cloud role but provide little advantage when applying for an HR coordinator position.

Likewise, a SHRM certification may be valuable for an HR professional but irrelevant to a network engineer.

Employer value is contextual.

5. Can you demonstrate the skill behind the certification?

A certification is much stronger when you can demonstrate that you have actually used the knowledge it represents.

For example:

This is why certifications should generally be combined with practical experience.

1. PMP: Project Management Professional

The PMP is one of the best-known professional certifications for project management.

It can be particularly relevant to professionals pursuing:

The certification is most valuable when your work actually involves managing projects, stakeholders, schedules, budgets, risks, and teams.

It is not simply a general business credential.

Best for: Experienced project professionals who want to strengthen their qualifications for project and program leadership roles.

2. CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional

The CISSP is a well-known cybersecurity credential designed for experienced security professionals.

It can be relevant to careers such as:

Because cybersecurity involves significant organizational risk, employers may place considerable value on credentials that demonstrate advanced security knowledge.

However, CISSP is not intended to be a substitute for hands-on security experience.

Best for: Experienced cybersecurity professionals pursuing advanced technical, managerial, or security leadership roles.

3. CompTIA Certifications

CompTIA certifications can be particularly useful for people entering or advancing within IT.

Common credentials include:

These credentials can be relevant to IT support, networking, cybersecurity, and infrastructure roles.

Recent job-posting analysis found Security+ among the most frequently mentioned certifications in the Linux-related jobs analyzed, with Network+ and other infrastructure credentials also appearing.

Best for: IT professionals building foundational technical credentials or specializing in networking and cybersecurity.

4. Cisco Certifications

Cisco certifications can be valuable for networking professionals because they are directly connected to networking technologies and skills.

Examples include:

Recent job-posting data has shown CCNA and CCNP among certifications requested for networking-related positions.

Best for: Network engineers, network administrators, infrastructure professionals, and IT professionals specializing in networking.

5. AWS Certifications

AWS certifications can be valuable when applying for roles involving Amazon Web Services and cloud infrastructure.

Potential career paths include:

The important word is AWS.

If the employer's environment uses AWS, an AWS credential can provide a much clearer signal than a generic “cloud computing certificate.”

Best for: Professionals working with or transitioning into AWS-based cloud environments.

6. Microsoft Azure Certifications

Azure certifications can similarly be valuable when an employer's technology environment relies heavily on Microsoft Azure.

Potential roles include:

The value increases when the certification matches the actual responsibilities listed in the job description.

Best for: IT professionals working with Microsoft cloud technologies.

7. Google Cloud Certifications

Google Cloud certifications can demonstrate knowledge of Google's cloud platform and related technologies.

Depending on the certification, they can support careers involving:

Again, the employer's technology environment matters.

A Google Cloud certification may be highly relevant to one employer and much less relevant to another organization that operates primarily on AWS or Azure.

8. CPA: Certified Public Accountant

The CPA is one of the clearest examples of a professional credential whose value is closely tied to a specific career.

CPAs work across areas including:

Unlike many general certificates, the CPA represents a regulated professional credential in the United States, with licensing requirements determined by individual jurisdictions.

Best for: Accounting professionals pursuing public accounting, audit, tax, reporting, and senior accounting or finance positions.

9. SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP

For HR professionals, SHRM's certifications can provide a recognizable professional signal.

The two primary SHRM certifications are:

SHRM states that its certification validates HR knowledge and the ability to apply it to real workplace situations.

SHRM also reports that certified HR professionals report salaries 14% to 15% higher than peers without SHRM certification, based on its 2022 HR Careers Study. This is an association reported by SHRM, not a guarantee that earning the credential will produce that salary increase.

Best for: HR professionals who want a recognized credential that aligns with professional or strategic HR careers.

10. PHR and SPHR

HRCI offers several HR credentials, including:

The PHR and SPHR are particularly relevant to U.S.-focused HR careers, while HRCI also offers international and global credentials for professionals with different career objectives.

Best for: HR professionals who want an HRCI credential aligned with their experience level and career specialization.

11. Salesforce Certifications

Salesforce certifications can be valuable because they are tied directly to a widely used business technology platform.

Depending on the credential and experience, professionals can pursue roles such as:

Role-specific technology certifications are particularly useful when the employer's job description explicitly mentions the platform.

SHRM's research has also identified Salesforce certifications among examples of role-specific credentials that can catch recruiters' attention.

12. ITIL

ITIL certifications can be useful for professionals working in IT service management.

Potential roles include:

ITIL is most relevant when the organization uses structured IT service management practices.

Recent job-posting analysis also found ITIL among certifications appearing in Linux-related job postings.

13. Six Sigma

Six Sigma certifications can be useful in environments where process improvement, quality management, operational efficiency, or manufacturing are important.

Potential career paths include:

However, the value of Six Sigma depends heavily on the industry and the actual responsibilities of the position.

A certification becomes more convincing when you can demonstrate measurable improvements you have made to business processes.

Certifications Employers Value by Career

Career Certifications to Research
Project Management PMP
Cybersecurity Security+, CISSP, CISM
Networking CCNA, CCNP
IT Support A+, Network+
Cloud Computing AWS, Azure, Google Cloud
Accounting CPA
Corporate Finance CMA
Human Resources SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR
IT Service Management ITIL
CRM Salesforce certifications
Operations Six Sigma

Certifications Employers Do Not Necessarily Value

This does not mean that a particular certification is “bad.” It means that its value may be limited in the hiring market.

Be cautious about credentials that:

The market contains a huge number of certificates. The fact that a program issues a certificate does not automatically make that credential valuable to employers.

Certification vs Certificate: What Is the Difference?

These terms are often used interchangeably, but they can represent different things.

A certificate often indicates that you completed an educational or training program.

A professional certification typically represents an assessment against defined professional standards and may involve eligibility requirements, examinations, experience, or continuing education.

The distinction matters because employers need to understand what your credential actually proves.

For example, “completed a 20-hour project management course” communicates something different from holding a recognized professional certification that requires an examination and professional eligibility.

Do Employers Prefer Certifications or Experience?

In many cases, employers want both.

SHRM research found that although alternative credentials are valued, executives, supervisors, and HR professionals still rated candidate experience and traditional degrees higher in hiring decisions.

That is why a certification should not be viewed as a replacement for experience.

Consider two candidates:

Candidate A: Has three certifications but no practical experience.

Candidate B: Has one relevant certification and three years of directly relevant experience.

For many professional positions, Candidate B may have the stronger profile.

The ideal situation is to combine:

Should You Get a Certification Before Applying for Jobs?

Not always.

If you already meet the requirements for the jobs you want, you may be better off applying while continuing to develop your skills.

If a certification repeatedly appears as a preferred or required qualification, however, obtaining it may make sense.

For career changers, certifications can also provide evidence of knowledge in a new field while you build practical experience.

The key is not to delay your entire job search while collecting credentials.

How to Find Out Which Certifications Employers Value

The most reliable method is to study the job market for your specific target role.

Follow this process:

  1. Choose the exact job title you want.
  2. Search for at least 20 current job postings.
  3. Record every certification mentioned.
  4. Separate required certifications from preferred ones.
  5. Record the technologies and skills employers request.
  6. Compare those requirements with your current qualifications.
  7. Identify the most common credential that addresses your skill gap.
  8. Research the issuing organization and certification requirements.
  9. Determine the total cost and time investment.
  10. Decide whether the credential is likely to improve your competitiveness.

This approach is much better than searching for a random list of “top certifications.”

Required vs Preferred vs Nice-to-Have Certifications

Pay close attention to the wording in job descriptions.

Required

A required certification may be necessary for the employer to consider your application or for you to legally perform certain work.

Preferred

A preferred certification can strengthen your application, but equivalent experience or another credential may sometimes be accepted.

Nice to Have

A nice-to-have certification can help differentiate you from other candidates, but it generally should not be the primary reason you apply.

Do not spend thousands of dollars obtaining a certification simply because it appears under “nice to have” if you have more important qualifications to develop.

How Many Certifications Should You Have?

There is no ideal number.

One highly relevant certification can be more valuable than ten unrelated credentials.

Your resume should tell a coherent story.

For example, an IT professional might have:

That can be more compelling than a resume containing ten unrelated online certificates.

Quality and relevance matter more than quantity.

Can Certifications Help You Get Past Applicant Tracking Systems?

They can help when the certification is specifically relevant to the job and appears in the employer's screening criteria.

For example, if a job posting specifies “PMP,” having PMP prominently listed on your resume can make your qualification easier for recruiters and screening systems to identify.

The same principle applies to credentials such as CISSP, CCNA, CPA, SHRM-SCP, or specific cloud certifications.

However, adding dozens of unrelated certifications simply to increase keyword density is unlikely to create a strong application.

Use the exact credential name that applies to the job, and make sure your actual experience supports it.

Are Online Certifications Respected by Employers?

It depends on the credential.

“Online” describes how you learned the material. It does not automatically determine the value of the credential.

A respected professional certification may involve online preparation but still require a formal examination and established eligibility requirements.

On the other hand, a random online course certificate may have very little recognition outside the website that issued it.

Ask:

Do Certifications Increase Salary?

Sometimes, but certification itself does not automatically trigger a salary increase.

The strongest financial benefit usually occurs when the credential helps you:

For example, SHRM reports that certified HR professionals reported salaries 14% to 15% higher than peers without SHRM certification in its 2022 study. That should be interpreted as an observed association, not as a guaranteed raise caused by certification.

The Best Certification Is the One Employers Ask For

One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is choosing certifications based on popularity rather than employer demand.

The “best” certification for you is not necessarily the most difficult certification, the most expensive certification, or the one with the highest salary claims.

It is the credential that connects your current qualifications to the job you want.

Before enrolling, ask:

“If I earn this certification, what specific jobs will it help me qualify for?”

If you cannot answer that question, you may not need the certification yet.

Final Verdict: Certifications Employers Actually Value

Employers do value professional certifications, but relevance is more important than the number of credentials you have.

Certifications such as PMP, CISSP, Security+, CCNA, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, CPA, SHRM, HRCI, Salesforce, ITIL, and Six Sigma can be valuable when they align with the position and industry.

But the strongest candidates typically do more than collect credentials.

They can demonstrate that they know how to use the knowledge behind those credentials.

Certification gets more valuable when it is recognized, relevant, assessed, and backed by experience.

Before spending money on your next certification, study the jobs you actually want. Look at what employers repeatedly request, determine whether the credential is required or preferred, and then decide whether it closes a meaningful gap in your qualifications.

Your goal should not be to have the most certifications.

Your goal should be to have the certifications employers care about for the career you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

What certifications do employers value the most?

It depends on the career. Examples of widely recognized credentials include PMP for project management, CISSP and Security+ for cybersecurity, CCNA for networking, AWS/Azure/Google Cloud certifications for cloud roles, CPA for accounting, and SHRM or HRCI certifications for HR.

Do employers really care about certifications?

Yes, particularly when a certification is relevant to the position and issued by a recognized professional or technology organization. Research from SHRM found industry and professional certifications among the most compelling alternative credentials evaluated by employers.

What certification looks best on a resume?

The certification that is most relevant to your target job generally looks better than an unrelated prestigious credential. Review job postings for your target position and identify which credentials employers repeatedly mention.

Do employers prefer certifications or degrees?

It depends on the role. Employers continue to value degrees and experience, while professional certifications can provide additional evidence of specialized skills. SHRM research found that employers value alternative credentials but still rated experience and traditional degrees highly.

Are online certificates worth putting on a resume?

Some are. A recognized professional certification can be valuable even when preparation is completed online. A generic course-completion certificate from an unfamiliar provider may have considerably less value.

Should I list every certification on my resume?

No. Prioritize certifications that are relevant to the position. A smaller number of highly relevant credentials can create a stronger professional profile than a long list of unrelated certificates.

Which certifications are best for career changers?

The best certification depends on the career you are entering. Choose a credential that employers in the target field recognize and that demonstrates skills you can realistically apply through projects, internships, work experience, or other practical evidence.

Can a certification replace work experience?

Usually not. Certifications can demonstrate knowledge, but employers often want evidence that you can apply that knowledge in real-world situations. Certification and relevant experience are generally stronger together.

How do I know if a certification is worth the cost?

Search current job postings for your target role. Count how frequently the certification appears, determine whether employers require or prefer it, compare the cost and time commitment, and evaluate whether it will help you qualify for a specific position.

What is the biggest mistake people make when choosing certifications?

The biggest mistake is choosing a certification before deciding what job it is supposed to help them get. Start with the target career, research employer requirements, identify the skill gap, and then select the credential.

Search Answer

Employers value certifications when they are relevant to the position, recognized by the industry, and supported by meaningful assessment or experience. Commonly recognized credentials include PMP for project management, CISSP and Security+ for cybersecurity, CCNA for networking, AWS/Azure/Google Cloud certifications for cloud careers, CPA for accounting, SHRM and HRCI certifications for HR, and Salesforce certifications for CRM roles. However, employers generally do not value certifications simply because they exist. The strongest credential is one that repeatedly appears in job postings for your target role and demonstrates skills the employer actually needs. Certification should complement relevant experience rather than replace it.