The evolution of the job market calls for new ways to ensure that the workforce has the skills and abilities required for success. Every business owner thinks like this and looks for talented professionals who can bring more value to their organization. What is the best way for an employer to find people who can give their organization the competitive edge?

The only answer to this question is found in certified professionals who have specialized skills and knowledge for certain jobs. Professional certification programs validate the expertise of an individual in a specific discipline and showcase a commitment to professional growth. Let us find out whether certifications are really worth it with some stats and success stories.

Do Employers Trust Certifications?

The foremost concern of any individual thinking about pursuing a professional certification program is about its validity. Will my employer recognize this certification and give me the job? While many skeptics believe otherwise, professional certifications have a strong influence on employer trust and hiring decisions. The following statistics may help you understand the significance of certifications in the current job market.

According to a CompTIA survey, almost 91% of employers believe that IT certifications play a major role in shaping their hiring decisions. 

• Assurance of More Productivity

The measure of employer trust in certifications is evident from the fact that 87% of executives believe that certified professionals are better performers and bring more value to the workplace. Employers prefer certified professionals as they boost productivity at the workplace.

Workers who have a professional certification are more likely to manage workplace challenges with ease. Professional certifications empower workers with skills to leverage the latest technologies and best practices to achieve more productivity.

• Impact on Core Business Outcomes

Certified professionals can have a tangible impact on core business outcomes, which makes them valuable assets for employers. For instance, organizations that employed certified HR analytics professionals improved their effectiveness in making strategic decisions by 38%.

Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Join our Premium plan now and get access to exclusive web3, blockchain & crypto job listings on 101 Blockchains.

Quantifying the Impact of Certifications on Professional Growth

One of the biggest benefits of certification programs is the assurance of salary premiums. Employers are willing to pay 10% to 25% more for certified tech experts in fields that require specialized skills, such as cybersecurity and cloud computing. On top of it, around 76% if professionals have reported an increase in salary after achieving a certification credential. https://www.verifyed.io/blog/certification-benefits. 

Apart from the assurance of enhanced earning potential, professional certifications also open many other doors for the career of an individual. The following points will help you understand how professional certifications ensure that employers hire the right talent. 

The formidable challenge for employers and hiring managers in today’s crowded job market is to find a person who has the skills for a specific job. Certifications solve that problem by ensuring that a professional has the skills required for the specific job and industry. It would help employers in reducing their onboarding costs, especially in the training of new employees. 

• Specialization in Niche Domains

If you want to pursue a professional certification, then you must take inspiration from the thousands of success stories of certified experts in various domains. Whether it is blockchain technology or cloud computing, the professional certification value stays the same. You can explore various niches for specialization in the disciplines of your choice with relevant certification programs.

• Continuous Skill Development 

The most common highlight in success stories of professionals with certifications is the benefit of continuous skill development. Certified professionals have to stay updated with latest trends and acquire new skills to stay relevant in the job market. Employers show their trust in certifications as certified experts help their organization stay ahead of the curve. For instance, certified tech professionals in cybersecurity can help employers ensure better safeguards for their organization against emerging threats.

Start learning Blockchain with World’s first Blockchain Skill Paths with quality resources tailored by industry experts Now!

Success Stories of a Certified Professional

The answers to “Why employers prefer certified professionals” might have become quite clear now. At the same time, you might wonder how a certified professional can have multiple success stories. If you think about it, there are countless success stories of people who have achieved tangible results in professional growth. The following success stories will resonate with everyone aspiring to pursue a certification for the corresponding role.

Project management certifications are probably the most popular set of professional certification programs you will find today. Seasoned project management veterans use professional certifications to demonstrate their specialization in popular project management methodologies. Certified project managers can find job opportunities in more complex projects that offer better rewards.

Professional certifications not only help in preparing for conventional roles but also empower you for jobs in emerging technologies. Employers have been taking initiatives to empower their workforce with upskilling and certifications in new technologies like blockchain. Professional blockchain certifications help learners acquire the skills and knowledge required to create dApps and blockchain-based solutions. Many blockchain professionals have used certifications from credible platforms to land up with jobs at top companies.

The biggest category of professionals capitalizing on the advantages of professional certifications includes IT professionals. People with formal education in computer science might have to struggle to find a job. On the other hand, a professional certification in cloud computing or programming will enhance the chances of being hired. Certifications are a useful resource for IT professionals to show that they have acquired industry recognition for their skills in a specific area. 

Create new, high-level, innovative blockchain solutions for different industries as a highly-skilled blockchain developer with Blockchain Developer Career Path.

How Can You Use Professional Certifications in Your Career?

The value of professional certifications for your professional development revolves around the benefits of industry recognition, skill development and continuous learning. The success stories of certified professionals in various roles and domains showcase proof of the utility of certifications. You can use professional certifications in your career in the following ways.

• Earn the Trust of Employers

There is no doubt in the fact that employers trust certified experts for any job role. You must use professional certifications as the credentials to prove that you can manage complex responsibilities right away. Professional certifications from reliable providers can ensure authenticity and build trust in your qualifications.

• Find Access to Communities

The next useful way to capitalize on the benefits of certification programs is to participate in professional communities. Certifications not only validate your skills and knowledge but also provide you access to exclusive professional events and communities. For example, you can use a certification to gain easier access to opportunities for networking with industry experts.

• Always Aim for Specialization

When you decide to go for a certification, make sure that it is for a unique skill or ability. Specialization in a specific field is a very rare trait in the job market and certifications dedicated to one specialization can enhance your employability. Professional certifications prove that you not only know a specific industry but also have the commitment to achieve excellence in it.

Final Thoughts 

The different reasons for which employers trust in certifications has been increasing show that professional certifications have significant impact on hiring practices. Employers trust certified experts for any job because they make hiring easier by reducing the need for extensive screening and training. Companies which offer certifications and upskilling initiatives for their employees have a better reputation and will attract top talent. Going by the stats and success stories, the ability to showcase your certifications will determine the course of your professional growth. Learn more about the benefits of professional certification programs now.

WTF?! It’s tempting to consider getting revenge on a company for firing you. Creating a kill switch that crashes systems and locks thousands of employees out of their accounts, for example, might sound like sweet justice, but a developer who implemented this plan has been convicted of criminal sabotage and faces up to a decade in prison.

In November 2007, Houston resident Davis Lu started working for power management company Eaton Corporation. His work life went well until 2018, when a company-wide corporate realignment saw his role downsized. The change included his responsibilities being reduced and his access to the firm’s computer systems limited.

Based on the DoJ’s account, this spooked Lu into worrying that the company could eventually let him go. So, he decided to install malware onto the firm’s systems that would activate if he were ever fired.

The code he added created infinite loops (code designed to exhaust Java threads by repeatedly creating new threads without proper termination and resulting in server crashes or hangs), deleted coworker profile files, and implemented a “kill switch” that would lock out all users if his credentials in the company’s active directory were disabled.

The kill switch code he added was named “IsDLEnabledinAD,” an abbreviation for “Is Davis Lu enabled in Active Directory.” As the name suggests, it checked that Lu’s account was enabled in the company’s Active Directory. If it was, nothing happened.

On September 9, 2019, Lu’s employment was terminated, setting off the kill switch he had created for such an event. Cleveland.com reports that it caused the company hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses and impacted thousands of users globally – Eaton’s global headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland. Lu’s defense attorneys argued that the incident cost the company less than $5,000.

Lu also encrypted the data on his company-issued laptop the day he was instructed to turn off the device and return it. His internet search history revealed he had researched methods to escalate privileges, hide processes, and rapidly delete files. Prosecutors say that after he was fired, Lu also tried to find ways of stopping his co-workers from fixing the issues he caused.

Lu was charged by federal prosecutors in 2021. Following a six-day trial, he was found guilty of one count of causing intentional damage to protected computers, a charge that carries a maximum of 10 years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

“Sadly, Davis Lu used his education, experience, and skill to purposely harm and hinder not only his employer and their ability to safely conduct business, but also stifle thousands of users worldwide,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen.

A software developer has been found guilty of sabotaging his ex-employer’s systems by running custom malware and installing a “kill switch” after being demoted at the company.

Davis Lu, 55, of Houston, was a software developer for an Ohio company, reportedly Eaton Corp, from November 2007 to October 2019.

Eaton Corporation is a global power management company that provides electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical solutions for various industries.

Following a corporate restructuring in 2018, Lu lost responsibilities at his job and was found guilty of sabotaging his employer’s computer systems and network with custom malware and kill switches.

The malicious activities included code that ran in an “infinite loop,” exhausting a production server’s resources and eventually causing the system to crash and prevent user logins. These infinite loops were designed to exhaust Java threads by repeatedly generating new threads without proper termination.

According to Lu’s indictment, Lu also deleted coworker’s user profiles and implemented a “kill switch” that would lock out all users if his account in the company’s Windows active directory was disabled. The “kill switch” code, named “IsDLEnabledinAD,” was an abbreviation of “Is Davis Lu enabled in Active Directory.”

This kill switch was automatically triggered when Lu was terminated on September 9, 2019, causing thousands of employees to lose access to systems.

On the day he was directed to return his company laptop, Lu reportedly deleted encrypted data.

The DOJ says internet search queries also revealed that Lu had been researching ways to elevate privileges, hide processes, and quickly delete files.

The Department of Justice says that Lu’s activities and system disruption cost the company hundreds of thousands of dollars.

A jury convicted Lu of causing intentional damage to protected computers, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set.