Career Advice

Though the job market is not yet booming in every sector, certain fields are actively hiring. Job seekers interested in five high-demand fields can launch their careers with minimal time investment--less than a year in some cases--with the help of certification programs.

To find out which certifications are most sought after by employers, we analyzed millions of job posting to discover frequencies of more than 5,000 different certifications. From here, we looked at certification program requirements to determine areas in which jobseekers can relatively easily find training programs and obtain certification to become competitively qualified in the shortest amount of time. Based on our analysis, five careers stood out as having the best chance of landing a job after training. Click the job titles to learn more about specific certification programs.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

LPNs work under the supervision of physicians, registered nurses (RNs) and doctors–in fact, many RNs start out as LPNs. LPNs are trained to give drugs, provide nutrition information, and administer first aid. LPN programs are often shorter than other programs for licensed nursing professionals – many certification programs can graduate students in as little as a year.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

A common entry to the nursing field, and CNAs are usually supervised by experienced nurses in hospitals, outpatient facilities, long-term care facilities, clinics, and patients' homes. CNAs answer calls for help, take vital signs, monitor behavior and physical condition for progress or deterioration, and assist patents as they travel to and from surgeries and treatments, among other duties. Applicants can be trained in state-approved programs that usually take 6 to 12 weeks to complete. Most candidates need to log 50 to 75 hours before becoming eligible to sit for state certification tests.

Customer Service

This includes help desk and support center personnel. Many of these formerly entry level jobs have been "professionalized," and now require training in technical and soft skills of communication, problem solving, analytical skills, and process management. The good news is, the more training you have, the higher your hiring prospects and salary.

Medical Coding

Also known as health information coder, medical coding specialists, coding specialists or health information technician, this is one of the few health care careers that doesn't require direct contact with patients. This career can be started quickly, through a variety of certification programs. A Medical Coding certificate program prepares learners in many of the procedures associated with billing for medical services. Learners receive training in medical billing processes including patient account management, diagnosis and procedure coding.

Web Design

Helping businesses maintain an online presence through attractive, navigable and smoothly operating web sites. Web design jobs usually require a degree in web design or a related field, but often experience and specific certifications can make up for a lack of traditional degrees. While in-demand, these jobs are highly competitive and the more experience and skills–whether through traditional BA/AA degrees, certifications, or self-directed learning--the better.

Keep in mind, experience matters and none of these programs will guarantee high salaries for professionals just starting out. But for those job seekers looking to start new careers, and who don't have the time and money to spend on multi-year programs, these options can offer faster paths to rewarding careers.

Good luck, and keep us posted on the CareerPath Facebook page!