The tech job market can be a brutally competitive place. While some tech sectors are booming, others are shrinking back, creating greater competition for the vacancies that arise. The shifting sands of the industry is creating significant demand for new skills, and this is where you can gain an advantage over other candidates. Tech certifications can upskill you to remain relevant in the industry, while increasing your chances of impressing recruiters with your applications. Let’s take a look at how to leverage certifications to stand out as a candidate for tech roles.
Why certifications are critical in today’s tech job market
The tech sector is advancing and evolving at an ever-increasing pace. The scope and scale of change in the sector is greater than it’s ever been, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) spearheading exponential growth in some areas, as well as retraction in others. Staying relevant as a tech employee or jobseeker is more critical than ever. Take a look below to see why certifications are so critical to equipping yourself with the most in-demand skills, both for now and the future:
They level up your skills
Certifications are one of the most effective ways to level up your skills and stand out from other candidates. While real-world work experience will always be valuable to your job search, certifications and training might just make you stand out above other similarly qualified or experienced candidates.
They help you stay relevant
The skills you choose to develop through your training and certifications can help you stay relevant for roles now, and in the future. The tech industry moves at a fast pace, and there’s a constant need to develop new skills that equip you for emerging tech sectors and innovations. Whether it’s cybersecurity, AI, renewable energy, cloud computing or any other surging tech trend, building the necessary new skills to meet growing demand will always help your chances of success.
They increase your chances of gaining an interview
Showcasing tech certifications on a resume may improve your chances of gaining an interview over a candidate who can’t boast the same qualifications. Holding a relevant certification probably won’t get you the job – you’ll need to impress at interview by showing your soft skills and making a positive impression with the hiring manager. However, it’s still a way of differentiating yourself from other candidates, which may be enough to get you through the initial screening process.
The best tech certifications for 2025
The most in-demand tech certifications are changing all the time, so it’s important to keep up-to-date with the most desirable skills and emerging trends in the sector, so you can decide which skills to add to your portfolio.
Some of the most popular certification providers for tech professionals include:
AWS
Google
Cisco
Microsoft
Each of these providers offer an extensive suite of training tools and courses, including professionally-recognized certifications in some of the sector’s most highly valued tech subjects. If you’re looking for training on AI, DevOps and cloud computing, cybersecurity, data analysis, UX design or any other cutting-edge tech certification, you’ll probably find it with one of these providers.
How to display certifications in your applications
Certifications can certainly give your job prospects a boost, but your success will depend on how you present your qualifications in your applications. Here are some tips for listing your tech certifications in your resume, and other parts of your application:
Show certifications in your resume
Your resume is the best place to showcase your relevant certifications. You can include a dedicated certifications section towards the end of your resume, which is especially useful if you have more than one relevant certification. If your certification was awarded by an official, professional organization, you may wish instead to list it in your education section. This could also be suitable if your certification is particularly important or valuable for the role.
List the certification name and the level of your award, as well the awarding body and your dates of study. If the certification is particularly relevant, you could also add some detail about what you studied, and what skills you gained. Use a professional resume template like those offered by Jobseeker.com to make your certifications stand out.
List training on your LinkedIn
Your LinkedIn profile is a great place to list all your qualifications, certifications and training, including any webinars or online training you’ve completed.. Many employers will check your LinkedIn as part of their screening process, so make sure you list all your key credentials, including any courses you’ve been on, as well as providing a list of key skills that your contacts can verify. LinkedIn is an excellent place to expand on the details included in your resume, as well as showing your knowledge of the industry via regular posts on your profile.
Create a career portfolio
You can use a career portfolio to post examples of your best and most successful work, but you can also use it as an extension of your resume. While your resume is a short, concise summary of your most relevant skills and achievements, which you’ll need to tailor for every specific job application, your career portfolio can be a more complete account of your experience, training and qualifications, including all your previous certifications.
Talk about certifications in your interview
Employers may ask you about your certifications at the interview stage. Be prepared to talk about the skills you learned during your studies, and how they’ve prepared you to do the job you’re interviewing for. Interviewers will also want to understand how you’ve put those skills to use in your career to date, so be prepared with some examples of how your certification helped you overcome challenges in your current job, or previous roles.
Key Takeaways
The choices you make over your professional development can play a critical role in your future employment opportunities. Equipping yourself with the skills and training that are most in-demand today, and for the future, could help you to stay relevant and employable in this highly competitive industry. Listing certifications on your resume will make employers take note of your proactive approach to professional development, which could just be the difference maker in a competitive job market.
