- Julia Ryder
- July 27, 2017
Not all certifications are equal. Some professional certifications require months, or even years of studying just to pass a test, while others demand many years under your belt in a certain field before you apply. Based on the importance and relevance to a specific role, you can decipher how valuable the certification is to a potential employer as well.
It’s important to first detect which types of jobs are most intriguing to you, and then elect the particular certifications that will get you ahead in that field. Some certs are as easy as paying a small fee, while others allow you take the test online for free.
Before you send in your resume or update your employee profile, determine if it’s time for you to get started on these valuable certifications!
Food and Beverage
TIPS
TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) is the global leader in education and training for the responsible service, sale and consumption of alcohol. Proven effective by third-party studies, TIPS is a skills-based training program that’s designed to prevent intoxication, underage drinking and drunk driving.
ServSafe
This popular certificate is a food and beverage safety training program administered by the National Restaurant Association. The program is accredited by ANSI and the Conference for Food Protection. Sanitation certification is required by most restaurants as a basic credential for their management staff.
ServSafe Manager
This ServSafe program provides food safety training, exams and educational materials to foodservice managers.
ServSafe Food Handler
The ServSafe Food Handler Program is a complete solution that delivers consistent food safety training to employees.
ServSafe Alcohol
The ServSafe Alcohol training program is developed by the National Restaurant Association and experts who have experience with the risks involved in serving alcohol.
ServSafe Allergens
The ServSafe Allergens certificate was developed to accommodate guests with food allergies. The online course educates its users on a slew of topics including identifying allergens, communicating with guests, preventing cross-contact, food labels and more.
The Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE)
The Certified Food and Beverage Executive has been ranked as the “most prestigious” certification available to a food and beverage executives. This program is also administered by the National Restaurant Association. Once you’re certified, you’re identified as part of an elite group of hospitality professionals.
Cordon Bleu Certificate
The Cordon Bleu Certificate is a hands-on program that centers all around food! Whether it’s preparing, cooking or serving food, the program progresses quickly from basic foundational skills to more advanced precision techniques that form the basis for creating any style of cuisine.
Operating Licenses
CDL Certification
The Commercial Drivers License is a popular driver’s license required to operate large or heavy vehicles.
Forklift Certification
This certification, provided by the Forklift Certification Institute, assures that the certified operator is able to perform the forklift operation properly and safely in the workplace.
Warehouse Assessment and Certification Program (WERC)
The Warehouse Assessment and Certification Program assesses an individual warehouse facility’s capabilities and performance of core warehousing functions. The two-day assessments are conducted by an independent, third party auditor who provides an outsider’s impartial perspective on an operation’s internal processes and their alignment to Best-in-Class facilities’ performance.
Health and Safety
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
CPR certification classes give you the information and the skills you need to help adults, children and infants during breathing and cardiac emergencies. Among many other jobs, Health Care Assistants, Certified Nursing Assistants and Child Care Centers require their employees to be CPR certified.
Associate Safety Professional (ASP)
ASP is a certification awarded by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). It denotes that an individual has met academic requirements and has passed the ASP examination.
Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
A Certified Safety Professional, or CSP, is a safety professional who has met education and experience standards, has demonstrated by examination the knowledge that applies to professional safety practice, continues to meet recertification requirements established by the BCSP, and is authorized by them to use the Certified Safety Professional designation.
Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
A Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) is an individual who has met the minimum requirements for education and experience, and through examination has demonstrated a minimum level of knowledge and skills in the following rubric areas.
Certified Safety and Health Official (CSHO)
A Certified Safety and Health Official is an individual that has completed a minimum of eight OSHA courses. It equals out to about 97-134 contact hours. The certification costs $75 and there’s no minimum time in which the courses must be completed. This certification is typically required of people in the construction industry, general labor industry or the healthcare industry.
Venues and Events
Crowd Manager Certified
Crowd manager training is required by all national fire code standards in public assemblies. This includes as night clubs, auditoriums, ballrooms and arenas. In Massachusetts, for example, every nightclub, dance hall or bar with an occupant load of 100 persons or more shall designate a Crowd Manager in accordance with the state regulation. But most states will vary based on local laws.
Security Guard License
Working in the private security industry, there’s a good chance that you’ll be registered, certified or licensed. It’s often a matter of what state you live in, and it may also depend on your location within that state and the specific duties you perform.
CTS
A Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) performs general technology solution tasks by creating, operating and servicing AV solutions. They also conduct AV management activities that provide for the best audiovisual resolutions of the client’s needs.
CTS-D — AV System Design Specialization
A Certified Technology Specialist — Design (CTS-D) is an AV systems designer who assesses clients’ needs, designs AV systems, prepares AV design documents, and coordinates and collaborates with other professionals to create AV systems that satisfy clients’ requirements.
CTS-I — AV System Installation Specialization
A Certified Technology Specialist — Installation (CTS-I) installs and maintains audiovisual systems by following specifications, schematics, codes, and safety protocols.
Give Your Career a Boost with a Job Certification
We just tossed you a bunch of acronyms to remember. But, we promise that the right certifications prove that you take responsibility. It also shows your commitment to what you do. They serve as credible proof that you have common knowledge on the position you’re applying for. The right certificate can land you a job. Many of these certification courses set you up with the basics so you can use your practical expertise to advance. But these certifications are just a start. The real techniques can only be learned by getting in there and doing it!
