Deciding to pursue certification is a big step in your career that fortifies your next career move, and adds value to your experience. It also increases your chances of improving your paycheck and increases your chances of getting a better paying job.
However, the challenge lies in choosing the right certification suited to career goals and specialty. Certification in the IT industry is quite valuable as they indicate a relevant and current set of skills. The industry is always changing and is highly competitive, so the more certifications you consider, the more valuable you actually become.
The value of a certification
Certification is quite valuable because 85% of IT professionals have at least one certification and it is proven that this increases the chances of getting hired. The IT industry is one of the industries that value additional certifications on top of qualifications due to its ever-changing nature. Certification adds value to both the individual and the organization in the following ways:
1. Increased professional credibility. A hiring manager will have faith in seeing that you are dedicated to constantly improving in your career. The company will see your value and the potential value you can bring to the organization.
2. A sense of achievement. When you become good at something, it is a great confidence boost and you become more confident in taking initiatives and solving problems. Once you become a subject matter expert in a particular field, you can be trusted any arising challenges related to your field of expertise.
3. An improved job search. At times, a company is looking for a specialized set of skills and with a good certification, you may stand out as a superior candidate for a position.
4. Adding value to a company. An organization is always looking for ways to evolve with technological advancements and having access to skills that propel them into the future is an added advantage. Most hiring managers look to fill a skills’ gap and certified employees are the best to hire.
Choosing the right certification
You should never rush or hastily choose a certification because it could be a waste of money when you find that it is not what you need. When selecting the one, you need to decide what you need to accomplish, whether it is advancing your career or adding a new skill to your resume.
Your motives for a certification are important because they will motivate the path you choose. For instance, you might simply want a salary increase, so you might take certification for PMP. However, you might choose something else if the idea to simply expand on your knowledge to add value to your own career progression.
In IT, a fresh set of skills is essential. Thus you need to choose something that aligned to your career and can add value no matter where you work. Lastly, you need to choose a certification that will keep you invested in developing your skills set. Ask yourself what your goals and how a new certification will accommodate them, and take your time in making a decision.
Lastly, you need to always think about the future and where global IT is headed because it is an ever-changing industry. Understand what is in demand and evaluating where you might be lacking will allow you to improve your planning for the future.
It is always best to take on certification at a time while working so you can plan your time accordingly. The most important part of being certified is always ensuring that your certification is up to date and ensure that you take the relevant tests to update your knowledge.