If you are looking for a job in Nigeria where millions of other citizens are jobless and also searching for a job, you need to follow a unique approach that will set you apart from other job candidates and give you a higher chance of securing one, an educational outfit, Clarion College, has advised.
In a statement by the college, it noted that according to the popular adage, “There are many ways to catch a fish”. In this context, one of the best ways of setting yourself above other job candidates and increasing your chances of getting a fish (job) in the crowded Nigerian job market is by gaining an International Professional Certification.
An International Professional Certification proves to employers that you have the required level of skillfulness, expertise, experience, and competence that they are looking for in a candidate and that you are fully committed to improving and succeeding in your field.
The good news is that this certification can’t only help you get a job in Nigeria alone. With an international professional certification, you can also apply for, and get jobs abroad as well.
If you are already working, an International Professional Certification can increase your chances of being promoted to a higher role in the institution you work for. And this increase in roles will also lead to higher pay.
Reports by the Bureau of Labour Statistics state that having a professional certification enables you to earn a higher income as compared to your non-certified colleagues.
The college listed some international professional certifications obtainable in Nigeria that can give you a better chance of securing a job:
Due to the advancement in technology, companies in Nigeria and other countries around the world are currently making use of SAP software modules such as Human Capital Management(HCM), Materials Management(MM), Plant Maintenance(PM), Financial Accounting and Controlling (FICO), and several others to make their business operations more effective, seamless and efficient.
So, you can learn how to properly use any of these software modules and obtain a certification in it so that you can have access to numerous career opportunities and be able to work in various roles and industries.
SAP software modules usually focus on handling different aspects of a business’ operations so you can go for the specific module that you either have background knowledge on or prefer the most.
If you are already working in a company that uses an SAP software module, you can obtain a certification in the specific module so that you can boost your credibility and convince the organization that you work with that you are qualified to handle higher roles, positions, and tasks, which will also lead to you getting higher compensation.
- International HR Certifications
A Human Resource (HR) officer is one of the most essential workers in an organization that ensures smooth operations, enhances a great working environment, and makes sure that the management and employees are on the same page. So, organizations in and out of Nigeria need an HR professional and this makes those who are certified in the role in very high demand.
And there are a lot of other people getting into this role due to the increase in its demand, You can distinguish yourself from other HR professionals and job candidates by obtaining international HR Certifications such as aPHRi, SPHRi, PHRi, GPHR, SHRM-CP, and SHRM-SCP that will give you a competitive advantage over them.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
Aside from HR professionals, Project Management professionals are also a very important part of an organization that is usually needed to ensure smooth operations. They ensure that teams are well-managed and projects are well-executed at the right time and within a certain budget.
So, if you don’t fancy going into the HR industry, you can get into the Project Management field and obtain this certification. Also, if you are already working as a project manager, ensure you make obtaining this certification a top priority, as it will boost your career.
Gaining the project management professional certification will give you access to a lot of career opportunities and will also enhance your earning potential.
Plus, this certification is recognized internationally so you can use it to apply for and get professional project management jobs in different countries around the world.
- Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Levels 1, 2, and 3 Certification
Companies in industries such as the manufacturing, oil and gas, mining, construction, and transportation industries that use very complex and high-risk machinery, materials, and operational methods often require the service of an HSE professional to make sure their workers and environment are kept safe at all time, so you can choose to obtain this certification and become one.
The advantage of being a certified HSE professional is that you can work in organizations in different industries and with your certification, employers can be assured that you have the required knowledge about HSE practices and how to properly implement them in their organization to make sure a safer work environment is created to significantly reduce workplace risks and accidents.
And when you apply for HSE job roles with other uncertified candidates, you will definitely be preferred over them because organizations always want to hire someone who is proven in the field over those who aren’t.
- Healthcare Assistant Caregiver Certification
If you are in the health industry or want to get into it, you can opt for the healthcare assistant caregiver certification.
In this caregiving certification program, you will be taught all you need to know about administering care and working in nursing homes, daycare centers, personal residences, and hospitals in Nigeria or anywhere around the world.
The training you will receive in the process of obtaining this certification will also enable you to be able to adequately supervise, manage, and care for people who suffer from conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Dementia, or any other condition that makes them unable to carry out basic activities by themselves.
With this certification, you will have access to numerous working opportunities in different care centers, institutions, and even homes.
- First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Training and Certification
If you are in the health industry or want to get into it, an alternative to the HSE certification is the First Aid and CPR certification.
Individuals with this training and certification are usually employed by organizations to make sure that their employees receive immediate response in the case of an accident or medical emergency before they will be taken to the hospital.
So, by undergoing a training course on this practice and getting certified in it, you can have the opportunity to work in different companies and industries to minimize accidents in workplaces and also provide instant response to workers during medical emergencies that may arise in any given organization.
- ISO 45001 Lead Auditor Certification
Many organizations usually take precautionary methods to minimize the risks of health or safety hazards occurring in their workplace so they employ the services of professionals such as an Occupational Health And Safety Management Auditor with proven and efficient knowledge about audit procedures to carry out adequate checks on the work environment and make sure their workers aren’t at risk of any occupational accident.
So, you can obtain an ISO 45001 Certification and learn the best and widely recognized audit skills, techniques, and principles that are needed to carry out internal and external audits such as the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) audit for organizations.
- ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Certification
There are certain ISO 9001 quality management standards that organizations in Nigeria and around the world are required to provide products and services to meet so you can become a certified ISO 9001 Quality Management System Auditor and help organizations figure out ways that they can improve the quality of their products and services to meet the requirements of their customers and the required regulatory bodies.
As an ISO 9001 Quality Management System Auditor, you will required to use the extensive audit procedures, principles, and techniques that you will learn during the certification program to schedule and carry out internal and external audits. You will also be required to properly manage audit programs and teams.
Currently, ISO 9001 Quality Management System Auditors are in very high demand so if you can get into the field and get certified, you will have a lot of job opportunities with good pay and a lot of other benefits.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a job in Nigeria or looking to get a job outside the country, obtaining an international professional certification is one of the best ways you can use to achieve that.
So, make sure you look through the certifications available above and choose the one that that best suits the field you are in or want to venture into, and then enroll for a course on it, and get certified.
The process of obtaining these certifications is not all rosy and you will encounter challenges on the way but with determination, you can successfully get one and not only distinguish yourself in the congested Nigerian job market but also boost your career opportunities in and out of the country.