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I just found out about MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist). But why should you become certified? Why not just study the stuff, and don't take the exam. It saves you a few bucks and you know just as much.

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@bold: absolutly correct, programmer certificates have noting to do with programmers. great comment! –  Demian Kasier Jan 13 '11 at 13:15
C'mon, guys, the question of the value of certs is relevant to programmers, even if the answer is that they are a waste of time and money. –  Eric Wilson Jan 13 '11 at 13:28
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closed as off-topic by MichaelT, gnat, Bart van Ingen Schenau, GlenH7, Kilian Foth Dec 3 '13 at 14:14



3 Answers

up vote 6 down vote accepted

Their are two main reasons to obtain a certification:

  1. The certification provides an organized curriculum that can be helpful for a beginner that is not prepared to determine which things are important to learn.
  2. A certification provides an objective resume item, which can be particularly useful for someone without substantial work experience.

So if you know what you want to learn, and your resume shows your experience, then by all means, don't waste time and money on certifications.

But if you are trying to get your foot in the door with the first job it might improve the chances that your resume gets past HR.

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Please check the Microsoft site here , which says we need a certification for validating our proven skills, would be an advertisement note though.

However i feel a certification is required to make sure you know all those which are expected to be known for working in a domain.And you would be preparing with a syllabus approved and widely accepted.

Yes, you may loose some bucks but won't it be good to be known as a person who has been approved by the company as "Hey guys you can take this person she/he is good enough to handle our product".



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it is certainly not the key to getting job. its the real experience and the skills you will demonstrate there at the interview. it certainly may increase your chances at the hot seat as not every do it.

I would certainly say that if u are in the first 2-4 years of your career , certainly go for it. You will certainly will get priority here and there in the long run.

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