What Is CPD Accreditation? (And Why It’s Great for Your Resume)

Continuing professional development (CPD) is the process of gaining and developing professional skills. CPD has always been a significant driver for career success, but in our current fast-paced world, it’s more important than ever! 

If you want to secure that promotion or catch the eye of potential employers in a competitive job market, you need to be able to demonstrate your dedication to learning and growth. That’s why more and more people are turning to CPD and CPD-accredited courses to help their resumes stand out from the crowd. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore what CPD and CPD-accredited courses are, how they can benefit you, and how to list them on your resume.

What Is CPD?

CPD allows professionals to develop and enhance their skills through various learning activities. This could mean honing existing skills, filling knowledge gaps, or learning completely new skills. CPD can help you secure a promotion, advance your current role, or even pursue a new career.

You can carry out CPD inside or outside the workplace, and it can be formal or informal. Examples of formal CPD might include workshops or online training courses, whereas informal CPD could be things like listening to podcasts or reading industry-specific books and blogs. For most people, CPD involves a mixture of formal and informal activities. 

In some industries, employers may require their employees to complete a certain amount of CPD each year to maintain their license to practice or even their professional qualifications. For example, in the UK, many healthcare professionals are required to undertake regular CPD to ensure they’re up to date with regulations and are able to continue delivering a high standard of care. 

What’s a CPD-Accredited Course?

The CPD Certification Service is a world-leading provider of CPD certification. If an online course is CPD-accredited, it means that the CPD Certification Service has assessed its content and confirmed that it meets the highest possible training standards. 

CPD accreditation is recognized globally, with many well-known institutions using CPD certification to support further learning.

Benefits of Listing CPD on Your Resume

1. Show that your knowledge and skills are up to date

CPD helps you keep your knowledge and skills up to date and ensures that you’re familiar with the latest policies, trends, or other relevant developments in your field. It’s a great way to showcase your dedication to maintaining the highest standards, making you stand out to recruiters and employers.

2. Demonstrate your eagerness to learn

Openness to development and training shows commitment to your profession, especially if you have an in-demand skill that nobody else can provide. CPD demonstrates your genuine passion for what you do, eagerness to provide the best for your clients or customers, and willingness to put in the extra effort to progress your career.

3. Fast track a career change

If you’re looking to switch careers but don’t have much experience in a particular field, CPD and CPD accreditation are brilliant ways to show prospective employers (or clients) that you’re actively taking the steps needed to reach your goals. 

It can really boost your resume and show off your genuine passion for the field. CPD accreditation also adds credibility to your work and can give you an edge over those who haven’t taken the time to develop their skills. 

Plus, CPD is a great talking point for interviews! For example, a first aid course not only demonstrates practical skills but also soft skills, such as empathy and teamwork.

4. Network with other professionals 

Many CPD activities (e.g., workshops or conferences) provide a great opportunity to meet other people in your industry. Not only can you learn from each other, but it’s also a useful way to network and make new connections – especially if you want a complete career change!

5. Boost your future salary

Because learning a new skill takes time (and often money), some people may be reluctant to carry out CPD. However, it doesn’t need to be pricey – many CPD activities are free or low cost, and some employers can provide financial help.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that CPD can help leverage a higher salary in the long-term. Some salaries may be set in stone, while others can be negotiated based on experience and knowledge. As mentioned above, having a unique skill can make you indispensable, thereby helping you leverage a higher salary. 

CPD accreditation can also work around your schedule and individual learning style, with options for face-to-face, online, and hybrid learning.

How To List CPD on Your Resume

Before listing CPD on your resume, keep a log  of what you learn, when you complete it, and how it helps you with your work or could help in the future. Whether through brief notes or more detailed points, writing helps you reflect on your learning experiences and is a good reference point for interviews.

Once you’ve logged the activities, you can select the most relevant ones for your resume and the role you’re applying for. Mention any CPD accreditation in the introductory paragraph or personal profile. That way, recruiters can quickly scan for it and see if you meet their requirements. 

You can then add further detail in the certifications part of your resume with the following details: certification title, certifying organization name, month and year issued, expiration or renewal date, and a summary of what the course covered. It’s worth checking out online templates if you need further help.

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A Guide to Continuing Professional Development for Freelancers How to Get Back to Work After a Career Break Why is Upskilling Important for Freelance Proofreaders and Editors?