Federal certifications can significantly boost your career in the federal workforce, even during uncertain times, by enhancing your skills, experience, and marketability. Certifications complement your hands-on knowledge and sometimes offer a layer of protection during layoffs or reorganizations.
Hiring and Promotion
Certifications, shown to be highly regarded by senior staff, can have a big impact on career growth. For instance, federal workers with Federal Virtual Training Environment certifications experienced a 43% higher promotion rate following a hiring freeze (note FedVTE has now transitioned to CISA Learning). Among executives, 87% believe certified staff offer increased value, while 81% of supervisors and 90% of HR professionals indicate that they are more credible and do better work.
Not All Certifications Are Created Equally
Highly valued certifications can speed your climb up the GS ladder, result in cash bonuses, and give you an advantage during competitive selections, but they should be relevant. Think quality over quantity. The certifications you achieve should align with your personal goals and the objectives within your agency. If there are sought-after skills that you may be lacking, seek out certifications in those areas. Seek advice from managers and peers or check USAJobs or agency career paths for required or preferred credentials (e.g., FAC-C for contracting, ITIL for IT service management).
Stay Current
Some certifications may have ongoing requirements for continuing education to keep them active. Most programs offer automatic renewal options, but it is still important to keep track of your status so that you don’t get caught with an inactive certification. Remember, certifications are portable across agencies, making you a versatile candidate. For example, a Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM) credential is recognized government-wide.
Federal certifications equip you with specialized skills, making you a valuable asset even in uncertain times. They enhance job security, open promotion pathways, and provide mobility while aligning with federal priorities like efficiency and compliance. By investing in certifications, you position yourself as a proactive, adaptable professional. It’s important to think long-term. The federal workplace will eventually settle and regain stability, but if you unfortunately find yourself separated from service before that happens, the private workplace values your certifications as well.
