Freshers, Are Certifications the New Key to Landing a Job?

General
1

As freshers, most of us enter the job market with similar degrees. That’s why many companies today expect something extra proof that you can apply your knowledge in real world situations.

This is where certifications and online courses make a difference. Recruiters now look for candidates who:
Have practical, job ready skills beyond textbooks
Can adapt to tools and technologies used in the industry
Show initiative by learning on their own

In pharma/healthcare, companies value clinical data management, medical writing, regulatory affairs certifications.

For freshers, a relevant certification can be the deciding factor between just another CV and a shortlisted candidate.

But the question is, should we invest more in certifications or focus on building experience through internships and projects? :thinking:

MBH/PS

7 Likes
2

I feel like Certification along with gaining more skills by enrolling into internships or project would be great.

3

This post really speaks to the confusion many freshers feel. Degrees alone aren’t enough now companies want proof we can apply what we know. Certifications show initiative and help us learn industry tools, but internships give us real-world exposure. I think both matter, but choosing based on your career goal is smart. For pharma roles, a mix of certification + hands-on projects can really boost our chances. It’s not about doing everything, but doing what adds value to our CV.

4

Both matter, certifications can open the door, but internships and projects build real skills. Ideally, combine them: use certifications to get shortlisted, and internships/projects to stand out.

5

I would say build experience through internships which provides more knowledge and experience than any certifications can provide.

6

Certifications definitely add value, but real-world experience from internships or projects shows how you actually apply that knowledge.

7

I think For freshers, internships, and projects give more real-world skills and industry exposure, making you job-ready. Certifications are useful when they are well-recognized and match your career goals. The best approach is to build experience first, then add certifications to strengthen your profile and prove your expertise in the field.

8

I feel internships help more than certifications… because we actually see the work, face challenges, and learn how things really happen in the industry. That experience stays with us more than just a paper certificate.

9

Internships and projects gives us a glimpse of the actual work that we will be assigned in the future. certifications teaches us the theoretical aspect of the course while projects and internships teaches us the practical application of the subject/ course work.

10

I think there is greater benefit to gaining experience with internships and projects, where you can actually prove the usefulness of the skills youve gained from courses and workshops.

11

In my opinion Certifications, Internships, Projects all are very much needed.

12

Along with Certifications , live projects and hand on skills on softwares or internships would be better.

13

I’m someone who have both certifications and experience through various internships along with skills but still many recruiters ask for industrial experience. So personally speaking, waiting for the right recruiter who doesn’t judge us based on few certifications or just a interview is the only option we are left with.

14

It’s very true.

Many of us are acquiring degree but very few among us are able to put that knowledge into the practical real life situations.

Certifications are the key for the companies to know whether the person is having the practical knowledge or not.