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For decades, technology has been transforming small businesses across the world. At one point, the world was amazed by handheld electronic calculators. Today’s technology is highly sophisticated; software programs can detect intruders and seal off the threat before any human is aware there’s a problem.
Today, technology enables small businesses to exist entirely in a virtual world, without brick-and-mortar storefronts or physical offices. When employees can work from anywhere in the world, employers have access to a vast pool of talent. For job seekers, that means they’ll need to step up their game to compete for positions.
1. Professional certifications will become a deal-breaker
When the entire world can theoretically apply for the same remote position, organizations have to set strict criteria for rejecting as many applications as possible. In some industries, applicants without professional certifications are ignored.
Many people are pursuing professional certifications for visibility and value in the job market to give them a boost. For example, people in the financial industry are preparing for the CMA exam to keep up with expZ¸ytansive accounting roles. Even CPAs are becoming a Certified Management Accountant to gain more visibility.
While the business world is in the early stages of transitioning to a remote-centered existence, it won’t be long before certifications will be the only way for candidates to get hired in certain industries. The number of organizations that require certifications will continue to grow, sometimes because that’s the only way to filter a high volume of applications into a manageable number.
Currently, applicants with extensive experience still have a chance and often get hired despite not having any professional certifications. They usually show up in person and impress the business owner with their skills. However, that’s not easy in a remote setting. People without certifications will need to be extremely persistent to get their foot in the door.
2. Professional certifications will make it easier to become successfully self-employed
While a large number of people focus on getting a remote job, not everyone wants a job. Many people prefer being self-employed, even though it generally requires more work to find clients. For some, freedom is a non-negotiable priority.
Those who value their self-employment freedom will do better with certifications in the digital, remote revolution. Potential clients have to make quick decisions and may not even read a full profile or view an entire portfolio. Just like employers, potential clients might not contact anyone without certification to avoid wasting time.
However, certifications aren’t just for show. Certifications are the result of learning something specific and worthwhile. Knowledge gained during the course is the major advantage of being self-employed and certified.
When you’re self-employed, you won’t have access to corporate teams of people with vastly different experiences who can compensate for your areas of weakness – you’re it. If you don’t have the knowledge or skill, you won’t get the client.
3. Remote businesses will need remote finance teams
As the tech world goes remote, the financial industry is following suit. Thousands of businesses are closing their physical doors and going remote, yet they still need to maintain key financial positions. As a result, financial professionals are now part of the remote revolution.
Many small businesses are starting to hire remote finance teams and even remote top-level executives. People with professional certifications in finance are going to get these jobs.
Professional finance certifications for CMAs and CPAs, for example, will become even more valuable in a remote world. Sometimes a certification is the only way an employer can know a candidate is qualified for the job.
When one industry goes remote, the rest must follow
All industries are intertwined somehow. When just one industry moves to a mostly remote model, all of its departments must follow. It’s just slower in some industries than others. For example, some businesses hire remote tech workers, but still pay HR and accounting professionals to come into the office.
Accountants heading into the office won’t last long, as the accounting industry is quickly going remote. What’s interesting is that accounting is doing exceptionally well as a remote industry.
As more businesses across various industries go completely remote, those who are still showing up to an office will see the convenience and start to look for remote work.
Certifications will separate the serious from the not-so-serious
As every industry moves toward a remote existence, looking for certifications is the only way business owners and hiring managers will know who has taken their career seriously. If you’re in an industry where most people have certifications, you may want to consider getting certified. That certification could be your ticket to a higher salary within the next five years.
