This article was created by StackCommerce in partnership with Content Works, Postmedia’s commercial content division. While Postmedia may collect a commission on sales through the links on this page, we are not being paid by the brands mentioned. Canada’s unemployment rate increased by 5.2 per cent, bringing April’s rate to 13 per cent. The dire news is due to COVID-19 and other factors, leaving the economy with nearly 2 million fewer jobs. This means that competition is going to be fierce for those of us looking for jobs in an already crowded job market. As such, you’ll want every edge you can get to stand out to recruiters and employers, and, to this end, few things are as effective as having the right certification. Not sure which certifications you should go after? Here are five that can give you a huge leg up, and we’ve even included some handy training resources to get you started. Read on for details: 1. CERTIFICATION: MICROSOFT OFFICE SPECIALIST (MOS) CERTIFICATION We all know Microsoft Office Suite (MOS) as the foundation to just about any job. And while you may think you know Office, Access, Excel, or PowerPoint—you’ve probably only been scratching the surface. Having a Microsoft Office Specialist Certification shows employers you have an advanced understanding of these tools and more, giving you a major leg up over folks who just put “proficient” on their resume. If you want to go after this certification, consider starting with The Ulitmate Microsoft Office Certificate Mastery Bundle: Recent Editions. This 12-course training offers a deep dive into the Microsoft Office suite, getting you up to speed with the advanced elements of Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Access. 2. CERTIFICATION: CERTIFIED ASSOCIATE IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT (CAPM)® A Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is a globally-recognized accreditation and the gold standard in project management. Having a project management certification gives you instant credibility when it comes to knowing how to effectively manage teams. This certification will also come in handy as the demand for management skills is on the rise. You can prepare to add this in-demand certification and more to your resume with The Project Management Certifications Tests and Courses Bundle for $24.99. By the end of the third course, you’ll have all the prep you need to ace the exams for the following three certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), and PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP). 3. CERTIFICATION: ADOBE CERTIFIED EXPERT – ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CC Photoshop is a graphics editor developed and published by Adobe. It’s the industry standard for not only graphics editing, but in digital art as a whole. If your career involves digital publishing or content creation, Adobe Photoshop CC is the perfect skill to get certified in. Want to work towards getting certified? You should start by understanding the basics of this software first. The 2020 Adobe Graphic Design Certification School with get you up to speed with essentials for Photoshop, as well as Illustrator and InDesign for only $49. 4. CERTIFICATION: SALESFORCE ADMINISTRATOR CERTIFICATION Salesforce is the ultimate software for customer management. It provides customer relationship management (CRM) services including marketing automation, analytics and application development. Currently, it’s the top CRM in the world with over 150,000 customers in various industries. The Salesforce Certification Essentials Bundle is a 46-hour course bundle designed to prepare you for three essential Salesforce certifications, including the Salesforce Administrator Certification, all for just $39.99. 5. CERTIFICATION: FACEBOOK BLUEPRINT CERTIFICATION Facebook shouldn’t need much of an introduction as its one of the largest social media platforms in the world with over two billion users. Aside from allowing users to share baby pictures and news articles, the platform has also found success in selling ad space. Its pre-COVID revenue was $17 billion, up 18 per cent year-over-year. Before you go after any certifications, it’s worth understanding the marketing nuances of the platform. You can learn the ins and outs of marketing products with The Ultimate Facebook Marketing Certification Bundle for $29. Source: https://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/taxes/five-career-development-certifications-worth-adding-to-your-resume-in-2020