Are Certifications Worth It?
Posted August 9th, 2013
The answer, like with most things in life, is “yes….kinda”.
Everyone wants to stand above the crowd. For many, that means to go back to the classroom – either physically or via the Internet – and earn a degree or a certification. Attaining a specialized certification is one of the quickest ways for IT professionals to differentiate themselves against each other in the job pool.
This is a double edged sword though, because the large numbers of professionals who have earned certain certifications have in turn diluted their value.
Because of this, candidates need to analyze which certification programs will benefit them the most vs. just provide them with résumé filler.
To determine whether a certain certification is worth it, ask yourself the following 3 questions:
1) Which one do you really need?
The most important thing to do when deciding among certifications is to outline both your current job duties as well as your desired career path over the next 10 years. Then align your certifications with both your current needs and your future goals. Find holes and look to fill them. Do research -not all certifications or certification programs are created equal. Network with others – preferably those with first-hand knowledge – to establish the true value of any certification you are interested in. Discuss the preparation and time commitment involved with the process, and get their opinion of the certification training and test.
2) Is the cost worth it?
Certification tests aren’t cheap, so it makes sense to take them only if you know there will be a positive payback. You can learn about most certification test pricing online, so determining the cost is not hard. Some websites and publications such as wantedanalytics.com publish reports highlighting which tech certifications are most in demand. You can also go online and find information on the average salary of individuals who have earned those certifications. Once you determine the cost of the test and have a salary estimate, you will be able to quickly determine if the cost to take the class/test will pay for itself in the long run.
3) Can you learn something from it?
Salary aside, the main goal of attaining a new tech certification should be to gain more knowledge and increase your skillset. Simply attaining a certification and not putting the knowledge and information to use is a waste of time. Hiring managers look for talent who have earned the certifications and can demonstrate mastery of the content covered under that certification. Being able to prove to employers that the certification is more than just résumé filler is the key to making the most of your certification.
If you are looking for IT jobs in Pleasanton CA, send your resume to Bayside Solutions. We look forward to hearing from you.
