CareerOneStop Connections
What certifications are employers looking for?
Did you know that CareerOneStop analyzes approximately two million job postings to identify the certifications mentioned the most by employers and hiring managers? This information can help job seekers who want to add a marketable certification to their resume to help them stand out in their job search. Gaining an in-demand certification can also help individuals advance to the next level in many fields.
CareerOneStop researchers started their latest analysis with a snapshot of all job postings on the National Labor Exchange (NLx) in November 2023. NLx includes jobs posted on state job banks as well as by private employers. The researchers first identified all postings that included references to any certifications listed in CareerOneStop's Certification Finder. Then they focused in on those certifications that showed up most frequently.
In the end, they compiled a “Hot Certs” list of 328 in-demand certifications that appeared in more than 50 job postings each. Nine of the top 10 certifications were in the medical field:
- CPR
- Basic Life Support
- Certified Nurse Assistant
- Medical Assistant
- Plumbing
- AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
- Family Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- Patient Care Technician
This year’s analysis also identified a subset of emerging certifications that did not appear on last year’s list of in-demand certifications. These included certifications for Medical Assistant, Plumbing, Certified Personal Trainer, and Emergency Medicine. These careers may be growing or experiencing a lot of job openings.
Overall, the list is helpful for workers in nearly every field. The best way to leverage the information is to visit the Certification Finder and search for a job title or career field (you can also use the drop-down selectors to browse occupation and industry titles). Then check your results to see if any are marked with the 🌶 icon, which indicates the certification is in demand by employers. Click on any certification name to learn more about the certification, the related exam(s), and any education, training, or work experience that might be required.