What are post-nominals ?
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[edit] What are they ?
Post-nominals are also sometimes known as post-nominal initials, designatory letters, or post-nominal titles. They are letters placed after a person's name to represent a qualification or award they have achieved. They can be received from an award such as Academic Degrees (BS, MBA, PhD), professional licences and certifications (MCIOB, FCIOB, CEnv), etc.
[edit] What are the benefits of using post-nominals?
Post-nominals represent an achievement, skill level, experience or sometimes an ongoing commitment to a way of working. They are a valuable signpost for the individual and those who choose to work with them.
The benefits of using your CIOB post-nominal are it:
- Showcases your credentials and strengthens your reputation
- Demonstrates your commitment to professionalism, integrity and excellence
- Displays your skill and experience level
- Indicates your dedication to continuous professional development
- Gives you recognition as a part of the international CIOB community
Using your post-nominal also positively impacts the CIOB and the industry. Showing your CIOB post-nominal increases our profile. It also heightens recognition and the desirability of certifications and, as a result, raises standards across the industry.
[edit] How do you use them?
We actively promote using your post-nominals to showcase your achievements.
You can use your post-nominals on your email signature, business cards, letterhead, business/corporate websites, publications, your LinkedIn profile, event speaking profile and, on your CV.
Post-nominals should be in the following order* :
- Civil honours (e.g. OBE)
- Military honours
- Appointments (e.g. MP)
- Higher Education awards (e.g. MBA, BSc)
- Membership in academic or professional bodies (FCIOB, MCIOB, CEnv)
If you have a lot of post-nominals, you can tailor the post-nominals you include, only showing the two or three most relevant to your current role and industry.
[edit] Terms and conditions for CIOB's post-nominal us
Designations can only be used by active members. Members whose registration has lapsed or who have resigned their registration are not eligible to use the CIOBs post-nominals.
Find out more information about becoming a Chartered Member on our Become a Member page.
This article appears on the CIOB blog page as "What are post-nominals, their benefits, and how should you use them?" written by Lyndsey Montgomery, Head of Qualifications, dated November 8 2022.
--CIOB
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