Management certifications to boost your career

“Management certifications are a great way to prove one’s own interest as well as knowledge in a particular domain,” says Surya Prakash Singh, an alumni of Indian Institute of Management (IIM),Calcutta. “While I have seen many students pursuing these certifications to enhance their profiles to get admission in B Schools, there have been a lot many instances where students in top B Schools go for CFA Level 1 or Level 2 to enhance their CVs for placements. Also a few industry professionals look out for such certifications to expand their knowledge base in the domain which could help them in their routine work," he adds.

Having done his engineering from NIT-Trichy and PGDM from IIM-Calcutta, Singh is also a Shiksha expert. He throws light on some of the important management certifications that individuals can pursue to grow up the corporate ladder:

NSE's certification in financial markets (NCFM):

The National Stock Exchange offers a number of courses on financial education which are known as NSE Certification in Financial Markets (NCFM). However, students and professionals need to take the required examination to earn these certifications.

This online testing certification program aims to assess a learner's practical knowledge and skills required to work in the tough environment of financial markets. Tests for the same are conducted in a secure and unbiased manner and certificates are awarded based on merit of the candidate to qualify the on-line test.

The easy accessibility as well as flexibility involved in the NCFM programme has resulted in its wider acceptance among market intermediaries, professionals and students.

Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) :

This is a professional qualification offered by the CFA Institute to financial analysts. A CFA qualification validates one's knowledge of security types and investment along with the knowledge of quantitative methodologies for analysing securities that is assessing their value and identifying their underlying risks. This certification is a passport to acquire lucrative job opportunities in the finance sector.

Anyone who possesses four years of professional work experience (does not have to be investment related) can pursue this program. Also individuals who conform to the following profile would be eligible:

• Has a bachelor's (or equivalent) degree or is in the final year of bachelor's degree program at the time of registration.
• Should also have a combination of professional work and college experience that totals to at least four years. Part-time positions do not qualify, and the four-year total must be accrued prior to enrollment.

FLIP (Finitiatives Learning India Pvt Ltd) Certification:

A FLIP certification is offered by a leading professional employability enhancement firm, dealing with banking and financial services, named FLIP. A venture of a senior IIM-Lucknow alumni, the institute provides training via e-learning and certification that is practical and relevant to the work that one would carry out in a bank / financial institution.

The FLIP certification is a platform to the real world of finance and banking. Written by practitioners who are IIM Alumni with years of BFS experience, the certification will endow students with immense knowledge to be utilised in the field of Banking and Finance.

To acquire a FLIP certification, one needs to take the FLIP certification examination at any of the 64 test centers in India. Shortly, students will get a recognised certification which will be endorsed by leading industry players such as HDFC Bank, Kotak Bank, Axis Bank, India Infoline, Axis MF and Dhanlaxmi Bank.

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification:

Offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), PMP certification is a premier certification credential for project managers. Not only does this certification offer career advancement but also results in a marked increase in a professional's marketability. PMP is globally recognised and leads to increased remuneration, better career opportunities, improved knowledge and self-confidence, and greater recognition from peers and employers.

To acquire a PMP certification one needs to appear for the PMI (PMP) exam.

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM):

If you wish to take your career to the next level, you can certainly acquire CAPM certification. An acronym for Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), CAPM is an entry-level certification for project practitioners. Those with little or no project experience will surely benefit with this certification program.

CAPM displays a learner's understanding of the basic knowledge, terminology and processes of effective project management.

To sit for the CAPM exam, one should have a secondary diploma (high school or the global equivalent) and at least 1,500 hours of experience/ 23 hours of project management education.

Professional in Human Resources (PHR):

This industry certification validates general knowledge of human resources (HR) at the operational level.  Awarded by HR Certification Institute, the certification is ideal for individuals from the human resource management profession. Having pursued this certification assures an individual of theoretical knowledge and practical experience in HR management. This experience and knowledge is important to qualify a rigorous examination demonstrating a mastery of knowledge in the field.

The PHR certification is for someone who:

• Has two to four years of professional work experience in all HR disciplines
• Has not yet had progressive and increasingly complicated HR work experience
• Has responsibilities that focus on the HR department rather than on the whole organisation
• Focuses on program implementation
• Has tactical/logistical orientation
• Is accountable to another HR professional within the organisation

The Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR):

A senior-most HR certification, SPHR assures general knowledge of human resources at the policy and strategic level. It is for individuals who possess a strategic mastery of the HR body of knowledge. Subsequently, this certification is also for someone who:

• Has six to eight years of progressive HR experience
• Has ultimate accountability in the HR department
• Plans to make it big
• Possesses sufficient knowledge in all HR disciplines
• Understands the business beyond the HR function and influences the overall organisation

Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR):

The GPHR certification reviews global HR knowledge of those who need to perform cross-border responsibilities. Any individual who understands the strategies of globalisation versus localisation of HR policies and programs and has the basic idea of the organisation’s international HR activities is eligible to acquire this certification. But, the certification is also ideal for a professional who:

• Ensures that programs, processes, and tools are in line with competitive practice, the organisation’s objectives, and legal requirements
• Manages practices that balance employer needs with employee rights and needs
• Designs organisational programs, processes and tools to achieve worldwide business goals
• Develops, implements, and evaluates programs, processes and tools

To acquire any of the three certification programs mentioned above, students need to take the respective certification exams.

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