IT Certs – Which Ones Will Get You A Job?
Posted February 14th, 2013
The good news, according to a recent Dice.com survey, is that more than 60% of hiring managers and recruiters reported that they will be hiring new technology workers in the first half of 2013. The bad news is that there are still more applicants than positions available, so competition for good IT jobs will remain fierce. Hiring personnel, however, continue to complain that while many candidates apply, few of them are actually qualified.
One way that you can boost your chances for landing that great IT job is to pursue certifications, also known in the industry as “certs”. In fact, Network World reported last year that 60% of the tech professionals they surveyed said that getting a certification led to a new job. Before you dive into the pool of continuing education, however, it’s important to know that not all certs are equal in value. Here are ten certifications worth your time and money, in terms of getting hired, as listed by Dice.com:
1) Project Management Professional (PMP): This is the number one in-demand cert, with the Dice job board listing nearly 2,200 positions with this request on any given day. While it is a tough certification to acquire, PMPs can expect a $16,000 annual salary bump, and their resume moved to the top of the stack.
2) Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA): Requests for this cert are up 21% over last year, with an average of 1,200 job postings.
3) Security +: This cert is especially popular for jobs in the Washington, D.C. area, as it is required for contractors with the Department of Defense.
4) A+: Tech support jobs are hot, and this certification from CompTIA establishes expertise for a variety of IT support and technician positions.
5) Microsoft Certified Systems Expert (MCSE): The “E” used to stand for Engineer, but the change reflects an update that is now a multi-track approach covering a variety of IT skill areas.
6) Network +: This certification from CompTIA is currently proving especially helpful to entry-level network technicians.
7) Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP): This entry-level certification is for those who want to work on Windows networks, and is considered a gateway to higher-level certifications.
8) Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): Like Security+, this certification is popular for jobs inside the Beltway, since it is also required of DOD contractors.
9) Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL): With service deliverability being vital, holders of this cert have the potential to command six-figure salaries.
10) Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP): If you are looking for a job as a database administrator or enterprise messaging administrator, consider obtaining this certification.
With more than 12 years of experience in technology staffing, the employment experts at Bayside Solutions can give today’s IT professionals solid, up-to-the-minute advice about which certs and skills will help them land the best IT jobs in the Bay Area and beyond. Contact us today!
