The Top 10 Benefits of Certification for IT Professionals

Most IT professionals have been working in their fields for years and may wonder why it would benefit them to get certification in something they’ve already been doing. Certification usually requires taking a training course and then passing an exam, or at minimum challenging the exam and passing it without taking a course. These courses and exams cost money in addition to the time that needs to be scheduled for them. Sometimes employers will pay for these courses, and sometimes they won’t. So, why spend the time and money to get certifications? Here are the top 10 reasons you should consider doing just that.

1. Many companies use certifications as an easy way to demonstrate your abilities.

Certifications can be used to demonstrate levels of ability that may otherwise be hard to observe. However, the way an organization uses certifications can vary. Cushing Anderson, a program vice president for International Data Corporation (IDC)’s Project-Based Services, notes that “because certification sponsors haven’t articulated the specific competence (and performance benefits) of certification holders, enterprises have had to develop their own value proposition for certification.” In other words, certifications show that you have certain abilities, but the impact of these abilities may be measured differently by each organization. It’s important to familiarize yourself with how your organization regards different certifications in your field.

2. Certifications do help you get hired.

According to the April 2012 Microsoft Certification Program Satisfaction Study, 91 per cent of hiring managers include certification as part of their hiring criteria. However, some companies have made certifications a priority for their staff only when they are contractually or legally obligated to have them. Therefore, some job advertisements may list certifications as being an asset rather than a requirement. Even though the certifications listed in job advertisements can vary by company, they do show your abilities regardless of whether that particular certification is listed in the job advertisement.

3. Certifications increase your earning power.

According to the Certification Magazine 2013 Salary Survey, 66 per cent of individuals surveyed reported that they directly attributed a raise to obtaining a new certification. Ed Tittel and Mary Kyle, IT professionals with numerous years of experience managing IT projects, state that “certifications are… excellent leverage when seeking promotions. They send a clear message to your employer that you’ve mastered concepts and technologies required for the credential, and that you possess skills and qualifications to perform essential functions on the job.” As mentioned in point #1, though, this may be more prominent in some companies than others.

4. Certifications will earn you more respect from management.

When management knows you have certifications rather than just experience in a particular technology, it increases your reputation within your organization. You will be recognized for being more knowledgeable, and your ideas will be given more attention and respect. Some certifications, such as Microsoft certifications, also have different levels and can show management that you’ve progressed within your field. MTA (Microsoft Technology Associate) certifications are for candidates who are new to technology. They show you are familiar with fundamental technology concepts. MCSA (Microsoft Solutions Associate) certifications show you have the core technical skills required for an IT career. And MCSE (Microsoft Solutions Expert—for IT professionals) or MCSD (Microsoft Solutions Developer—for developers) are more advanced certifications that demonstrate your ability to build solutions across multiple technologies.

5. Some certifications get you membership into communities along with their benefits.

Some of these communities include the Microsoft Certified Professional community (MCP). Benefits provided through this program include being able to use your Microsoft account to access MCP member sites. Check out the Microsoft Learning site for more information on what you can find on member sites, how to use member sites, and FAQs about them.

6. Stakeholders often care about whether an organization has developed a certification.

Microsoft certifications, for example, can show clients that you know about the proprietary systems they are using. They add validity to Microsoft’s products by creating standards for competency. Some non-proprietary products such as those that are open source often do not have certifications. This creates a perception of the product being continually in development, and companies with non-proprietary products who want to show they’ve reached a certain level would benefit from creating certifications for their products.

7. Certifications can be used to demonstrate metrics.

Organizations can use certifications to demonstrate their metrics such as the contract size, time to close, time to implement, equipment performance, help desk calls, and project or client satisfaction (Cushing Anderson, “Impact of Certifications”). In other words, they can use their employees’ certifications to show that they are better than their competitors in completing projects efficiently and effectively.

8. Certifications show you are willing to engage in lifelong learning.

You may have received your degree or diploma in computer science years ago, but taking courses and getting certifications will keep you current and show your manager and potential employers that you’ve kept learning. Many certifications also need to be renewed every two or three years in order to keep knowledge and skills up to date. Holding a current certification credential shows that you have cutting-edge knowledge and updated skills.

9. Certifications make sure you learn everything thoroughly.

Imagine if you never had to write final exams in school. Would you have bothered to go through everything you were taught to make sure you'd learned all of it? You might have, but perhaps not as thoroughly as you would if you had a final exam. That's what certification exams do: they force you to go back and make sure you've learned all of it, and certifications tell others that you've done this as well.

10. Certifications do help you get ahead.

When it comes to career progression, whether it is a mid-career move to a new company or a promotion with your current employer, certifications will help you get ahead. Not just for the increased hiring and earning potential, but also because it shows you are willing to engage in lifelong learning.