Certified Doesn’t Matter When You Have No Experience

Entry level doesn’t really mean entry level anymore

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

Entering the job force with a certification should open doors and opportunities for the future, but that is no longer the case. We have all seen the advertisements telling us, “Get certified in as little as 6 weeks 6 months a year” “change your life”, or “medical coders needed now”. How about “work from home have freedom and a perfect work life balance”. This might have been true years ago, but the workforce has changed. I recently obtained my CPC certification through AAPC and have been searching for a coding position for the past year with no luck, companies want to hire people at “entry-level” rates but required a certification, no less than 3 years’ experience (usually in the specific department they are hiring for) and often times a degree. This is an issue because it’s not honest. This can mislead applicants into believing they are qualified for positions that were never realistically intended for beginners. Ethical hiring practices should include honest job descriptions and clear expectations, so candidates can make informed decisions before applying. We are trainable, capable adults, so give us a chance. Getting a certification in any field is not easy. You clearly must be educated in that area and have extensive knowledge, so why does that mean nothing when looking for a job in that area?

The problem with entry level jobs is they no longer exist; the amount of education and experience required to land an entry level job makes that job no longer entry level. The frustrating part is that the pay is still entry level. Many employers say they will pay based on experience but offer the lowest amount available in their range when offering you the position.

Privacy and technology also impact modern hiring. Many employers now utilize tracking systems to filter resumes searching for specific key words and possibly missing valuable information. Social media screening and online background searches are now common. While businesses have the right to evaluate applicants carefully, job seekers deserve transparency regarding how hiring decisions are made and what qualifications truly matter.

Entry-level jobs should provide opportunities to grow, not impossible barriers to entry. Certifications, education and experience should highlight potential, capability, and commitment not become credentials that are ignored in the hiring process.