An IT certification serves as a well-acknowledged milestone aligned with a particular skill set, evaluated through standardized testing. This certification showcases your commitment, drive, and technical proficiency in a specific domain.
However, the journey to certification involves investment in time and finances. Certain certifying bodies may mandate a prerequisite of hours or years of practical experience in a relevant field, skill area, or job role before granting certification.
Is the effort worth it? Why undertake this endeavor? What advantages does an IT certification bring to you and your employer? These are the queries every IT expert needs to address before embarking on the path to attain their next certification.
In most instances, the responses you find will solidify your choice to engage in further learning and career enhancement. Here are 10 advantages of acquiring certification for both IT professionals and the organizations they are a part of:
Many are well-acquainted with the challenges of securing a job within the IT field, where competition can be fierce.
Having an IT certification that aligns with the specific job you’re pursuing provides you with a distinct advantage when potential employers review your resume.
In fact, a certification can serve as a prerequisite for the position. Numerous organizations, whether in the public or private sectors, mandate certain professionals to attain and uphold credentials. Candidates who don’t meet these foundational requirements would face incredible difficulty in the hiring process.
Furthermore, a certification could capture extra attention for your resume. Sometimes, this added visibility is all it takes.
In an unpredictable economic landscape, companies are consistently exploring avenues to reduce expenditures, often putting job positions at risk.
Possessing an IT certification (or multiple certifications) could mark the distinction between retaining your current job and having the flexibility to explore new opportunities. Acquiring a certification showcases your commitment to advancing your expertise and understanding, benefiting both you and your organization.
If you’re uncertain about pursuing a certification, consider it an investment in your future that is likely to yield valuable returns.
If you aspire to advance within your organization, whether it’s climbing the corporate hierarchy or transitioning into a more lucrative role, you’ll need to acquire new proficiencies or elevate your existing skills.
Acquiring a new certification definitely shows management that you are committed to your professional development, that you are willing to make an investment in yourself, and that you are keen to improve your skills. These qualities, along with the valuable skills and knowledge you’ve acquired, are all important in demonstrating your qualification for a promotion or salary increase.
After achieving certification from a particular vendor, you become part of a community of skilled and certified professionals. This presents an excellent chance to expand your professional connections.
This network can be an invaluable resource for seeking solutions to problems or sharing insights into your own complex situations. These certified peers can also provide advice on advancing your career and where to acquire specific technical knowledge.
Having a certification provides immediate professional credibility, especially if you have more certificates from the same provider.
When it comes to their specific field, it’s challenging to question the judgment of professionals holding credentials such as Cisco Certified Network Professional – Enterprise (CCNP), Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
Having earned one or more certifications showcases your proficiency in the associated skill domain and positions you as an authority in that subject.
Companies fostering strong learning cultures offer financial aid and extra support for those seeking professional growth opportunities. An increasing number of IT decision-makers (63%) state that their organizations provide formal training, as per the IT Skills and Salary Report.
Ultimately, certifications and professional development yield benefits for both the individual and the organization, making it a highly advantageous investment.
Some companies are obligated to have a specific count of certified professionals to uphold their partnership-related certification or standing.
This obligation is present in several prominent manufacturers and numerous other entities. Acquiring certification from a vendor is advantageous both for you and your organization, as it ensures the company meets the mandated quota of certified personnel, enabling the provision of an elevated level of service to clients that would otherwise not be achievable.
IT professionals often have a responsibility set by their certifying bodies to undergo recertification every two to three years.
For instance, Cisco mandates recertification which involves obtaining continuing education credits, passing an exam, or participating in training within each three-year cycle. Red Hat, along with several others, follows a similar approach, requiring recertification every three years.
In such scenarios, taking a certification or recertification exam can be advantageous for both you and your employer, as it showcases a consistent commitment to enhancement and innovation to clients.
Remaining updated with emerging trends and technologies enables the provision of more up-to-date recommendations and services to clients, thereby impacting the organization’s financial outcomes positively.
Attaining a certification in a novel operating system, platform, or application showcases a remarkable accomplishment that few have undertaken. Successfully passing an exam for a new certification comes with its own set of challenges, primarily stemming from the scarcity of study materials and insights from other certified individuals. However, achieving an IT certification for a new product can establish you as the go-to expert within your organization, garnering positive recognition for your proactive endeavors.
You might have established a personal objective to achieve a new certification, whether for professional acknowledgment or personal fulfillment. Attaining a certification in this manner can be exceptionally gratifying, as it serves as a self-reward for your diligent endeavors. If it happens to result in a salary increase, promotion, or acknowledgment, that’s even more advantageous. However, in certain instances, these certifications can also be the most challenging to acquire due to the self-motivation and determination they demand.
Certification and training serve as a means to guarantee that IT personnel possess the essential skills and expertise across both existing and emerging technologies. When IT staff successfully pass certification exams, they acquire targeted knowledge to tackle the department’s issues or difficulties, rendering them more efficient in their roles.
Organizations that prioritize their workforce’s development through training and certification cultivate a technologically adept team capable of promptly addressing new challenges.
The advantages of obtaining certification extend beyond what has been mentioned. With the ongoing advancement of technology, the evolution of best practices, and the emergence of new processes in the IT industry, certifications, and their associated benefits will also evolve accordingly.
Now, how can you identify the most suitable certification(s) for your current and future needs? Your next move in this endeavor is to explore our guide on choosing the appropriate certification for your journey.
This freely accessible resource offers additional insights and guidance for selecting certifications that will contribute to your personal and professional growth.
Here at CourseMonster, we know how hard it may be to find the right time and funds for training. We provide effective training programs that enable you to select the training option that best meets the demands of your company.
For more information, please get in touch with one of our course advisers today or contact us at training@coursemonster.com