National Career Readiness Certificate (employment, applying, interviews, references)

[BP72]

I was wondering if these certificates really help in finding a job? Do prospective Employers care about these with how the job market is staked in their favor?

Our local "Career Center" offers this. If it helps then I will probably pursue this further. Freelance Photography is getting rougher so I might need to re enter some type of workforce soon.

This is the site the Career Center links to...
National Career Readiness Certificate | Overview | ACT

[mb919]

I've never heard of this before, and I've never seen any employer state a preference or desire for this certificate. Employers care much more about education, specific industry credentials/certifications, and prior work experience. It looks like a bunch of hooey to me.

[BP72]

Thanks. I just did not know. Our Career Center is just the fancy name for Employment Office. Its ran by the State.

[kattwoman2]

I looked through the website and it says:

This credential is used across all sectors of the economy and measures the following skills:

• Problem solving
• Critical thinking
• Reading and using written, work-related text
• Applying information from workplace documents to solve problems
• Applying mathematical reasoning to work-related problems
• Setting up and performing work-related mathematical calculations
• Locating, synthesizing, and applying information that is presented graphically
• Comparing, summarizing, and analyzing information presented in multiple related graphics

The first thing that comes to mind is "Isn't the point of a resume to show them that you have the right skills?" Also, I think employers care more about specific skills, experience, and education (and some care more about whether you're already employed). Does it cost anything? I didn't find anything that lists the price.

[mb919]

Originally Posted by kattwoman2

Does it cost anything? I didn't find anything that lists the price.

I did find prices on there, which further set off my BS detector. I'm really surprised that a state-run career center would try to steer people in this direction, as the certificate isn't really indicative of anything.

[kattwoman2]

Originally Posted by mb919

I did find prices on there, which further set off my BS detector. I'm really surprised that a state-run career center would try to steer people in this direction, as the certificate isn't really indicative of anything.

What did they list as the price? I saw the $16 for a printed version of the results on the FAQ part of the site, but I bet the price is probably a heck of a lot more. Although, from what I read on the site it seems as though they want to sell you a certificate which says, "Hey! I have general skills!" I know some people may not have strong math skills or problem-solving skills, but resumes, interviews, and professional references do a better job with showing your strengths and weaknesses and I'm willing to bet that it costs less money.

[BP72]

I am not going to fool with this. Since my area is becoming Medical, Restaurant and Consumer Retail... I started digging on something to retrain myself into. I am thinking about Pharmacy Tech since TN. Regs... I can self study and take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and become certified. Money out of my pocket to do it.. but not unlike any other cert. I had in my life.. even with sponsored schooling. Got a little more research to do on this to make a final decision on the Pharm. Tech thing.

[macroy]

WOW. I guess I have to give it to them for coming up with a way to make great money... albeit its almost fraud.

Its $35 / assessment. And for the Certificate the OP indicted, you need 3 types of assessments. From what I saw - the math assessment (level 7) is basically algebra word problems.

So just from me skimming this site... my perception is that the test/cert vouches that you have a Jr. High education. Not sure how much that would get you from a job prospect. Just my .02 of course.