What are professional designations?

Employers may take a keen interest in you if they find your professional designation appealing. Professional designations are normally listed on resumes and on online career site profiles.

A professional designation differs from a traditional job title. Here are the differences between a professional designation and a job title:

• Professional designations point to expertise and qualifications a candidate must have to do certain jobs.

• Job titles describe the position and level of position someone holds at an organization.

• Professional designations are mostly for those that obtain specific certifications and special licenses.

• Job titles are assigned to every employee of an organization.

• Professional designations normally require advanced and/or specialized education.

• Employers often don't scrutinize job titles as much as they do professional designations during the hiring process.

Here are some examples of professional designations:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

• Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

• Doctor of Medicine (MD)

• Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

• Master of Business (MBA)

• Juris Doctor (JD)

• Registered Nurse (RN)

• Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)

• Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS)

• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)