The Ultimate Guide for How to Get a Workday Certification
Perhaps your current employer is adopting Workday, or maybe you’re interviewing with a company that uses it as a primary HR software solution. Whatever it may be, you’re now faced with the challenge of figuring out how to get a Workday certification.
While the competition to deliver the best HR software remains fierce among technology companies, some have emerged as clear leaders in their areas of specialty.
For human capital management (HCM) software, that leader is Workday - with more than 10,000 organizations using the platform worldwide, including half the Fortune 500.
Given the prevalence of the software, earning Workday certification can immediately boost an HR professional’s career prospects. This article takes a closer look at the benefits of certification, including why it’s worth earning, who should earn it, the cost, and the steps needed to achieve certification.
Benefits of Workday Certification
Workday specializes in software for use in human resources and finance across a large variety of industries, including healthcare, higher education, professional and business services, and retail.
The skills and knowledge gained by earning Workday certification offer a wealth of benefits.
Learning outcomes
HR professionals can stay current on Workday innovations, learn to configure the software for the specific needs of their business and adopt new features as their business evolves.
Sounds like a lot, right? Don’t stress, Workday tailors the content in each course for the person’s level of experience.
Benefits for employers
By immediately applying what they learn, certification holders make a significant impact on their department’s operations. Their new skills contribute to streamlining processes, cutting waste, and eliminating errors.
Businesses that hire employees with Workday certification also reduce the risk of not staying up-to-date on useful tech innovations.
Recruitment professional development courses can also complement Workday certification, enhancing both HR and talent acquisition capabilities.
Job prospects
Given the known benefits to employers, hiring managers often seek those with Workday certification. That gives certificate holders an edge over the competition when seeking a new job or negotiating for a higher salary.
Expanded network
Workday certification holders also expand their professional network to include a worldwide peer group. These connections open the door to a wealth of opportunities, including online forums and in-person events where they can exchange ideas and best practices.
Requirements for Workday Certification
The prerequisites to enter the Workday certification program are strictly defined. They include the following.
Employment status
Enrollment eligibility is reserved only for those employed at Workday or with a Workday partner. Third-party consultants and individuals do not qualify.
Workday has more than 170 partner companies around the world, including channel, service, advisory, payroll, and software partners. The updated list of partners is provided on the Workday site.
Many of the largest companies in the United States are Workday partners, including Google, AWS, Deloitte, and KPMG.
Relevant experience
To enroll in a Workday certification program, interested parties must have experience using Workday products and in the area where they want to concentrate their training.
Training courses
Earning Workday certification is not a “one and done” exam.
Instead, those enrolled in the program must complete a series of courses that cover different aspects of the program before becoming eligible to take the exam.
When To Get Workday Certified
Arguments can be made to earn Workday certification at multiple points in your career. It hinges on where you work and what your career goals are.
For those hired by a business that uses Workday, they typically need to earn certification within a few months after starting the job. Beyond that requirement, professionals should consider earning Workday certification at key career points. These include:
Early career stage. For those just starting their careers, Workday certification empowers them with a competitive edge. For example, foundational knowledge of HR software makes a certification earner an attractive hire for entry-level positions in human resources.
Mid-career transition. Professionals looking to transition into roles that require Workday expertise, such as HR managers looking to take on a more technical role such as HRMS analyst, certification can demonstrate their skills and make their case for promotion.
Current Workday users. Those already using Workday can expand and deepen their knowledge with the platform, paving the way for them to take on more complex tasks or lead projects.
Continuing education and specialization. At all stages of their career, professionals benefit by staying current with the latest Workday features and functionalities that apply to their area of specialization.
Who Should Get a Workday Certification
Because of the wide variety of certification tracks available, Workday certifications are applicable to jobs in almost every area of an organization.
In human resources, HR managers, HR directors, and HR administrators benefit the most.
Talent acquisition and recruitment professionals who use Workday’s recruiting module will also benefit, while HR professionals who focus on employee training will want to develop expertise in Workday’s learning management features. In other words, if you're looking to enhance your skills on tools to assist in workforce planning efforts, Workday is one you're going to want to familiarize yourself with.
Workday certification is also valuable to IT managers and system administrators, business analysts, project managers, and those who work in finance.
How to Get a Workday Certification
HR professionals who earn Workday certification instantly become more valuable because they understand how to get the most from the system’s products and services.
One of the reasons it is highly valued is because of the rigorous certification process.
Once determining that they meet the requirements for certification, you must take the following steps.
Step 1 Select the Appropriate Certification
In some cases, an employer may already have pre-selected the certification. For those with a choice, it’s best to start by identifying career goals.
Determine which Workday certification aligns with the goals and the duties of your current job (or the one you want to attain). Workday offers various certifications through its education and training programs.
Certifications are available in different tracks, including Workday Financial Management, Workday Adaptive Planning, Workday Integration, Workday Prism Analytics, and Workday Professional Services Automation. The ones most directly related to human resources include Workday HCM Certification and Workday Recruiting Certification.
In addition to different tracks, there are also different levels of certification. Core-level courses cover fundamental concepts, while pro-level courses delve into the more complex aspects of Workday products. Partner level is the highest available and requires pro certification and extensive experience and expertise.
Step 2 Enroll in a Workday Certification Program
Workday’s official training programs are often provided through Workday Education Services or authorized training partners. The training includes instructor-led courses, online modules, and hands-on labs. There is a fee involved for enrollment that varies depending on the certification track.
Step 3 Complete the Training Courses
Each certification requires completion of a series of training courses. The course curriculum covers the knowledge and skills needed to pass the certification exam.
The training includes user guides, training videos, implementation guides, and practice exercises.
Step 4 Take the Certification Exam
After completing the courses required for certification, it’s time to move on to the exam itself. The exams are offered as a proctored, online exam or on-site at designated locations.
Depending on the level, the exam may feature multiple-choice questions, practical tasks, or a project. The time allowed to complete the exam depends on the certification track. Workday provides exam results almost immediately after the test is completed.
As an example, the Workday Pro exam has 50 questions, and a passing score requires getting at least 40 questions correct. Participants can take up to 100 minutes to complete the exam and have two attempts to pass.
Step 5 Maintain Workday Certification
Workday certifications require ongoing education to stay current with new features and updates. Workday also requires certification earners to pay a fee and take a recertification exam every year.
Cost of Workday Certification
The cost of Workday certification includes a fee to access the materials for the training courses. This fee varies depending on the concentration and level of the certification being sought, as well as the mode of delivery.
There is also a fee for the exam and for the annual recertification exam. The total price is typically between $1,500 and $2,500.
It’s important to always check with employers who may pay some or all of the fees associated with certification. Because of the value of an employee certified by Workday, many businesses see it as a smart investment in their workforce.
Tips and Resources for Acquiring Workday Certification
Workday certification is not easy, but it’s worth the effort. Earning certification takes focus and determination. Consider using some of the following tips.
- Read all the information Workday provides through its education and training web pages. Make sure to have a complete understanding of the requirements and objectives of the chosen certification.
- Tap into collaboration and peer support by participating in study groups and forums on platforms like LinkedIn, Reddit, or through the Workday community.
- Read official Workday documentation, guides, and training videos provided by Workday. These materials cover the necessary functionalities and configurations.
- Develop a structured study plan that outlines your goals, timelines, and specific topics to cover. Consistent study efforts are key to retaining information and building confidence.
- Make use of the practice tests and mock exams offered by Workday. These provide a quick assessment of readiness for the real exam. They also give professionals a better idea of the exam format and the types of questions they will encounter.
