Do Web-related Qualifications and Certifications Actually Mean Anything? How to deal with “certifications” in the web industry, honestly considered from both the perspective of the client and the recipient.

Q.Is it effective to encourage employees to acquire web-related certifications to improve their skills?

A.Although it is difficult to lead to direct results, it is very effective as a “teaching tool” for learning systematic knowledge.
Qualifications do not increase a company’s competitiveness or guarantee the level of its employees. However, because of the wide scope of the web world, it is very effective to use certifications as “teaching materials” to learn knowledge systematically. It is a good idea to view it as a first step in learning or as an opportunity to learn about a field you are unfamiliar with.

Q.If I obtain a Web-related certification, will it be easier to get work as a freelancer?

A.It is unlikely that you will get a job based on your qualifications alone. Achievements and experience tend to be more important.
Unfortunately, it is best to assume that having qualifications alone does not guarantee you a job. Especially for small and medium-sized businesses (SMB), experience in the field and concrete achievements are more important than qualifications. It is important to view qualifications as a means of learning, and to make use of the knowledge you have acquired to build a track record that is easy to understand and convey to clients.

There are many private web certifications. Among them, excluding so-called IT-related qualifications such as information processing (because we don’t know), we will give you our honest impression of the significance and value of qualifications and certifications related to so-called web marketing from the field.

I also share my own experiences as a freelancer and then as an incorporated company, including how a client should view the fact that you possess a certification when it is presented to them, and if you are considering acquiring a certification or certification, whether or not you can make it meaningful to you.

*Not an opinion on specific certifications, etc. (just in case).

When considering career and skill development in the web industry, many people may at one time or another wonder about “qualifications.

• ‘Do web-based certifications really mean anything?’
• Will my credentials get me more work or give me an edge in my new job?”
• Should we encourage our employees to obtain certifications to enhance their skills?”

In this issue, we will discuss these various questions about qualifications in the web industry, and give an honest explanation of how to think about them and how to face them wisely.

[Conclusion] Obtaining a web certification does not directly guarantee a job or skills.

Let me begin with a conclusion.

In the web industry, especially in areas such as marketing, sales, and branding, having a certification in itself rarely directly leads to a job or guarantees your skills.

We recommend that you let go of the notion that “if you get a certification, you’re safe” or “a certification proves your level.”

I myself have in the past obtained Google Analytics and AdWords (now Google Ads) certifications in the early stages of their inception, and have also reached the higher levels of private web-based certifications. However, I do not currently promote any of those certifications extensively on my business cards or website.

The reasons for this will now be explained in detail.

Why is it so difficult to be evaluated on web credentials alone?

There was a time when having a web-based certification served as proof of a certain level of knowledge. Today, however, the situation has changed dramatically.

1. the relative value of qualifications is decreasing

With the development of the web industry, the number of certification holders has increased, and the scarcity value of the certification itself has diminished. In addition, various circumstances, such as the support system of the certification provider, have intertwined, making it difficult to establish a picture in which “certification = proof of skills”.

2. low recognition of qualifications on the part of companies

Although it may be regarded as “proof of basic knowledge” by major companies, the presence or absence of qualifications is rarely a deciding factor in placing an order.
In addition, for many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), there is no common understanding that “having this certification is a good thing” to begin with. In most cases, when a client is told, “I have this qualification,” the response is simply, “Oh, I see.

3. the field places more importance on “performance” than on qualifications

After all, what companies value most is not what you know, but what you can do with that knowledge – your track record and experience in the field. Concrete success stories are far more persuasive than the appeal of “I read a textbook and got a certification.

So are qualifications useless? No. It is “useful as a teaching tool.

Although I have been a bit harsh on certifications, I do not mean to imply that they are meaningless. Qualifications have tremendous value, depending on how they are used.

Its value is that it is the “best teaching tool” for learning systematic knowledge.

The world of the Web is so vast in scope that it is easy to lose track of where to start. At such times, a certification curriculum can be very useful as a “map” or “starting point” that shows you the big picture of what you need to learn.

• Systematically learn about the vast world of the Web
• Discover areas of your knowledge that are lacking or unknown to you.
• Very efficient in learning (especially for Google-based certifications)

Do not look at certification as a goal, but rather as a “teaching tool” to develop your skills. This is the wisest way to deal with Web certifications.

The right way to deal with web qualifications [by scene].

1. for individuals and webmaster who want to improve their skills

The certification is only a “teaching tool”. If there is something you don’t know or want to learn from the curriculum, by all means, give it a try. However, the certification is not the end of the process. It is important to know how to put the knowledge you have gained to use in practice, and to make tangible achievements. A certification is just a starting point to move on to the next step.

2. for freelance and independent workers

We are often asked, “If I get this certification, will it get me a job?” The answer is “No”. The answer is “No.” Obtaining a certification does not directly lead to a job.
However, it is also packed with the knowledge you need to know in order to provide value to your clients. Use your certification as an efficient learning tool and build a foundation for skill development. Then, using that knowledge to build a track record of trusted results, one by one, is the shortcut to success.

3. for business companies looking for a production company, etc.

When selecting a contractor, you may receive appeals such as, “We have a large number of 00 qualified personnel on our staff.
However, be a little wary of companies that strongly push the idea of having qualifications themselves. If the company is truly competent, it will not be about whether or not you have the qualifications, but rather about what value you can provide to the client by using your skills.

Note: Systematic qualifications are a different world.

The information we have discussed is mainly related to the field of web marketing and sales promotion. System certifications such as the National Examination for Information Technology Engineers (National Qualification) and vendor certifications such as AWS and Cisco are completely different. These are highly specialized and knowledge itself is valuable, so please be careful not to confuse them.

Summary: Qualifications are a “means”. The goal is the “result” beyond that.

This section summarizes how to deal with qualifications in the web industry.

• Qualification is not a goal. Rarely is it in itself proof of work or skill.
• Qualifications are “the best teaching material. Use it as a learning tool to gain systematic knowledge.
• The key is “results. The most valued achievements are those that make use of the knowledge learned and produce tangible results.
• Beware of firms that appeal to your qualifications. Choose a company that can speak specifically about what it can do.

Certifications are a powerful “means” to help you improve your skills and grow your business. Please do not mistake the purpose for the means, and use them wisely to jump-start your career and business.