Opinion about using post-nominals?

curtisc83

This is something I've been wondering off and on for awhile. In the end I know everyone is going to do what they feel is right but how does everyone feel about using a post-nominal after their name? I'm not talking about throwing low level stuff after your name more like high level certs or a grad degree. Personally I worked harder on my grad degree than any cert that I have and I throw it at the end of my name. It's because of the work I put toward it and it was one of the proudest moments in my life. I'm the first person in my family to even go to college. It's also the only thing I have at the end of my name in my work email sig. So it's not like I have a super busy sig line it's simple and tasteful. So back to the OG question what does everyone think of post-nominals?

EagerDinosaur

I think it varies a lot between countries, companies and professions. I'm in the UK, some people in my company list their degrees in their email signatures, but most don't. Listing certifications is rarer still. If other people you communicate with are doing it, I say go ahead. If you're the only one doing it, then maybe there's a risk of appearing to "try too hard". If I'm working with a structural engineer, I definitely want to see post-nominals. With software engineers, it depends on the situation. On the other hand, I make sure all my certifications are listed in my employer's central skills database.

Danielm7

I think it depends on where you're using it. If it's in a work signature and you're in a really casual company I'd probably skip it, but that's just me. For resumes I've seen a lot of people seem to do it as it makes the achievement stand out more if the recruiter/hiring manager is only spending a few seconds on the top quarter of your resume. For example, I work in security, most of the resumes I see have Fname Lname, CISSP at the top.

curtisc83

EagerDinosaur wrote: »

I think it varies a lot between countries, companies and professions. I'm in the UK, some people in my company list their degrees in their email signatures, but most don't. Listing certifications is rarer still. If other people you communicate with are doing it, I say go ahead. If you're the only one doing it, then maybe there's a risk of appearing to "try too hard". If I'm working with a structural engineer, I definitely want to see post-nominals. With software engineers, it depends on the situation. On the other hand, I make sure all my certifications are listed in my employer's central skills database.

I'm in the US and some within the company list certs and some don't. I haven't seen degrees on sig lines but I think that's because where I work most don't have a degree. I'm sure if they had it they would list it with their certs.

Techytach

I would only consider listing a college degree (after your name in that fashion) if it was doctorate level and only if it was from a brick and mortar school. Otherwise people will just roll their eyes in secret.

networker050184

I think the eye rolling is the most common reaction unless you are in some acedimic setting or something.

curtisc83

Techytach wrote: »

I would only consider listing a college degree (after your name in that fashion) if it was doctorate level and only if it was from a brick and mortar school. Otherwise people will just roll their eyes in secret.

Do you think the secret eye rolling is done with the folks that throw certs at the end of their name? I've never thought anything negative of it when I see it. While it is unnecessary in IT since most certs we can obtain aren't required in the legal sense to perform our job like an RN or PE. I do recognize people are proud of their accomplishments and like to show it.

Technically I'm required to have a Sec+ CE and a CCNA per a DOD Directive to be hired, maintain my postion and do my job. Letting it lapse would end with my termination after a grace period to re-Cert. That could very well fall into a legal requirement. I'm not going to put low level certs after my name but I'm just saying I could and it would apply.

The_Expert

I say skip it. For the most part, you shouldn't care what people think. I list my credentials on this site and Linkedin, to inspire others. At work, I want my work to stand out on it's own.

If someone is interested in what I have - I'll tell them. Otherwise, I keep it to myself. The same goes for my certifications... I do it to advance my career and not to impress people.

markulous

If there's somewhere on an intranet site that asks for them then I'll put them there otherwise I'd never put that stuff on my signature or anything. I remember one senior level guy had an A+ in his signature (just that, nothing else) and everyone made fun of him behind his back.

Techytach

curtisc83 wrote: »

Do you think the secret eye rolling is done with the folks that throw certs at the end of their name?

Have to note your audience. Your boss should know what you have already. Clients won't know what they are and instead judge you based on your position and knowledge. Anyone else in between is either going to roll their eyes or think you're arrogant and rubbing their faces in it.