The Trainer Brainer: Why you must cross-check your online certifications before putting them in your CV

One of the main reasons for youngsters to opt for online courses, particularly young and fresh graduates, is certainly to boost their CV with professional skills and qualifications, which are backed by the certification for the course. The importance of certifications can never be undermined as they not only stand as testimony to the learning outcomes but more importantly it is an authentication that one has acquired the required skills and expertise.

As a human resource mentor, I have often found that many students have mixed emotions when they are subjected to scrutiny with regard to the testimonials that they produce at the time of interviews for job openings. Sometimes, they do not have an idea as to what their certificates really stand for and what significance it has in their CV. 

With a plethora of online courses that are now available through various e-learning platforms, what issues are connected with the aspect of certifications that the youngsters need to know about is a question that needs to be answered. I have attempted to give a fair presentation to the various aspects that will help you understand the importance of the certifications and the way forward for you. 

It is a fact that most certificates are not seriously considered by employers and corporate entities, since they lack accreditation from professional institutes. You have to check carefully whether the credentials mentioned can be backed up and who is authorising it and in what capacity. You should ascertain if your certificates are given under an academic body or a professional institute that has been registered in the country.

Real certifications will make you feel empowered and enriched about the courses that you have taken up, rather than having a cosmetic certificate whose credibility you are not able to explain or vouch for. You have to be more careful while choosing the courses for its contents and evaluation patterns and not get carried away by pomp and show. That is the simplest answer.