By 
The business world of today is one that is highly competitive. Professionals need to do everything they can to stand apart from others in the job market, a maxim that holds true for those in the field of HR as much as in any other field. And, professional certification in this field is fast becoming a preferred option.
But why does an HR certification matter? According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for human resource professionals is projected to grow 9% by 2024, and about half of hiring managers are said to prefer candidates who hold a certification. With growing competition in this field, candidates with certifications are likely to stand out in their HR careers more than those without.
So, whether your plan is to jumpstart your HR career or to make yourself a more attractive candidate for a promotion, picking the right HR certification is important. Here is a guide to the types of certifications for HR professionals to look at:
Talent management
Considered synonymous – though wrongly so – with HR, talent management looks not just at how good a fit a candidate is for the role but also for the company as a whole and for possible future roles. It represents a shift in the thinking around hiring, training and retaining good employees, and is a more specialized, focused domain within the broader roles handled by human resource professionals. The following institutions offer certifications in Talent Management:
Talent Management Institute
For those who aspire for a career in talent management, credentialing from the Talent Management Institute (TMI) is a good choice. Offering an impressive array of HR certifications for industry leaders, it delivers best-in-class knowledge along with propagating an ideal talent management ethos. TMI seeks to use Talent Management to further HR in the future and to make it’s the engine propelling organizations to march forward, successfully. TMI offers a total of five certifications, including two programs in collaboration with the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
Association for Talent Development
The Association for Talent Development (ATD) works to help organizations who want to develop the knowledge and skill sets of their employees. Its educational resources include research publications, books, webcasting sessions, events, and educational programs. ATD offers comprehensive training modules, instructional seminars, and workshops from international Talent Management practitioners for a practical and meaningful experience for HR professionals. It has a total of 100+ programs, including Talent Management and other disciplines within Human Resource.
eCornell
eCornell comprises courses developed by the faculty from the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University. It combines instruction based on practice and real-world application with insights from and the work of leading academic researchers. There is a total of 12 certificates on offer, of which three incorporate instruction on Talent Management.
Human Resources
A number of organizations offer broader HR certifications, and the prominent ones are given below:
Human Resource Certification Institute
The Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI), a 40-year veteran, offers certifications for upcoming as well as highly experienced human resources professionals. Its certification holders are part of a larger ecosystem of HR professionals, businesses, universities, HR associations, approved providers, certification preparation providers and many others. Eight certifications are offered, covering HR operations, HR strategy development and more.
Human Capital Institute
The Human Capital Institute (HCI) offers content both live and in a virtual setting. It seeks to provide organizations with the knowhow to build, plan, and develop a workforce that can deal with future challenges. The programs are targeted at graduate degree holders or those with a minimum level of work experience, and a total of eight certifications are offered.
