Advancing Productivity, Innovation, and Competitive Success

 

Granite State Chapter No. 85

You’ve Earned Certification…

Now What?

 

(Excerpts from article I'm Certified...Now What? posted by Certification Magazine, August 2009)

 

You have earned your Certification, now what?

Here are tips on how to get the most from your newly earned certification.

 

· Share the News – Tell your employer that you have earned your Certification. Update your profile on sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn. Update your business cards.

· Expand Your Network – Join certification-specific groups on LinkedIn and Facebook. Ask questions about how others have benefited from attaining their certification, and actively participate in ensuing conversations. Attend chapter and national or international events, or volunteer as a speaker and share experiences.

· Put It to Use – Challenge the status quo and improve your contributions by coaching colleagues in your own and other departments. It will not only improve their productivity but also enhance your leadership and management skills.

· Display the Accomplishment – Frame your certificate and hang it in a prominent position on the office wall.

· Consider a Job Search or Raise Request – Even as the economic recession continues to exert pressure, many employers place a high value on well-respected certification programs and are willing to reward employees with bonus pay or salary increases.

· Help Others – Serve as a mentor or facilitate a course to help those studying for certification. This way of giving back keeps professionals current and involved in the next generation of staff members.

· Avoid Pitfalls – Stay up-to-date. Don't assume that attaining a certification means that you'll know everything about the particular area or that you even need to know everything. Finally, keep in mind that even the most seasoned professionals still begin most days asking themselves: "Now what?"

For all CPIM and CFPIM certified members, attendance at a dinner meeting earns you credit towards certification maintenance.  What better or easier way is there to earn certification maintenance credits than to attend one of our special events?

 

See you at a dinner meeting.

 

For the CPIM's and CFPIM's in the chapter, you must apply to APICS to maintain your certification.  Maintenance requires 75 "points" for CPIM's and 100 "points" for CFPIM's.  Maintenance involves receiving points for various activities over a 5 year period.  As an example, you may receive 1 point for every hour of professional development (dinner meetings qualify) and 6 points/year just for being an APICS member. In case you haven't been keeping your journal up to date, we've previously listed all Dinner Meetings since Sept 97. If you need a copy of the past dinner meeting schedules, please send an email to Ed Lamarine.

 

For Certification Maintenance questions, please call APICS headquarters.

Why Certification?

 

APICS certification is widely recognized the world over as a symbol of knowledge and competence in the world of resource management. APICS certified individuals enjoy an advantage in the marketplace as many employers either require certification or state “certification preferred” or “certification a plus” in job placement advertising. And APICS certified employees fulfill the association’s mission by helping their employers “Advance Productivity, Innovation, and Competitive Success”. 

 

Cont’d from home page  —  Why Certification?

An APICS certification makes you a more valued employee, and therefore enhances your prospects for career advancement. As it says in the APICS CPIM brochure, “(Certification is) a great way to boost your career potential (and) separate yourself from your coworkers.” Earning an APICS certification demonstrates your skills and knowledge to employers and colleagues. APICS CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management) designees enjoy higher salaries and status within their organizations and rate their personal job satisfaction higher than non-certified individuals.

With the APICS CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) program you can take your career and organization in a new and exciting direction. Shape your future, align your goals, and distinguish yourself from the competition.  By earning the APICS CSCP designation, you will demonstrate significant commitment to your profession and your career, distinguish yourself as an industry expert, and excel with your newly acquired specialized knowledge.

 

As with CPIM, CSCP enhances career potential and leads to greater job satisfaction. In this challenging global marketplace, only the most well-trained, well-educated professionals will be sought after by employers and valued by organizations. Join their ranks today by earning the APICS CSCP designation. Recent Web searches of monster.com, workopolis.com and careerbuilder.com show an increasing number of job ads referring to APICS CSCP, with some employers now requiring CSCP for job categories and as prerequisites for promotion. Move your resume to the top of the stack with APICS CSCP.

 

Establish yourself as an industry resource and show your commitment to excellence with CPIM and/or CSCP certification. APICS certification gives customers, peers, and employers confidence in your abilities, which can lead to new business, a promotion, career opportunities, and increased salary.  (Article provided by Dave Turbide)