TECHNOLOGY CAREERS

The Certification Question

If you’re just beginning your career in IT, you’ve probably heard about technical certifications. Unlike attorneys or accountants, who are required to obtain certifications as part of their ongoing education, IT designations are optional. And with hundreds of certifications available and more continually emerging in the IT field, it’s hard to know if it’s worth pursuing a designation and, if you do, which one would aid you in getting a job.

Following are some considerations when weighing your certification options:

Consider the value. Earning a certification can often provide you an edge over other candidates, whether you are applying for a job with a new company or striving for a promotion at your current firm. A designation indicates that you are familiar with a particular technology or practice, giving employers extra assurance that you can perform the duties of the position. Companies are particularly interested in individuals who have earned difficult-to-obtain credentials, such as the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) or Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification, or a meaningful combination of designations.

In addition, adding a certification to your list of professional accomplishments could earn you more money. According to the Robert Half Technology 2008 Salary Guide, those with certain credentials can expect starting compensation 5 to 12 percent higher than average.

Pursuing a certification also demonstrates your drive and commitment to reach a professional goal. With the pace of technological change continually increasing, companies seek IT professionals who never stop learning.

Experience still counts. Despite their potential value, certifications are just one factor in an employer’s decision to hire or promote someone and usually hold little weight when not paired with on-the-job experience. The reason is twofold: First, some certifications are relatively easy to acquire. Individuals who have consulted a study guide or taken a practice exam are sometimes able to obtain the credential despite a lack of in-depth knowledge of the subject. More importantly, companies today seek professionals with the ability to make bottom-line contributions and want to make sure new hires have a working knowledge of a particular technology and the ability to apply that knowledge in the workplace.

So, while a worker who possesses a Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist (MCTS) designation can be highly marketable, one who has the same certification along with five years of experience with Microsoft systems and a track record of completing projects on time and under budget is eminently more desirable to employers. In fact, 43 percent of chief information officers polled by Robert Half Technology said applicants with industry-specific experience have an advantage in the job hunt. Only 15 percent cited “certification in a relevant technology” as the most valuable qualification.

There’s more than one type. IT professionals have a choice between vendor-specific and vendor-neutral certifications, which can complicate matters. For example, if you are interested in roles that focus on a particular technology, earning a vendor-specific certification is one of the best ways to highlight your specialized expertise. However, it may be wise to pursue a vendor-neutral certification if you’re just starting your career so you won’t be tied to one technology and can point to your credential as proof of your broad range of knowledge. In addition, a vendor-neutral certification, such as those offered by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) might be a good choice if you’d rather not be limited to one product or company.

There also are industry-specific certifications – the Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP), for example – that are vendor neutral but targeted to professionals who have been in a certain field for some time, versus those looking to break in. 

‘Hot’ isn’t everything. All designations – even widely recognized, vendor-neutral ones such as Project Management Professional (PMP) – are subject to fluctuations in demand. Indeed, certifications as a whole have gone through boom and bust periods, so you shouldn’t let public perception of a particular credential’s cachet be the sole factor affecting your decision to pursue it. Almost all meaningful designations require substantial time and effort to acquire, and they’re rarely inexpensive. Instead of deciding whether to pursue a certification on what seems to be hot at the moment, take a step back and consider certifications in terms of your career and experience.

In general, professional certifications are one way to improve your candidacy. While a certification will not guarantee you a new job or promotion, earning one can be a smart career move. For one thing, a recognized credential will provide a benchmark against which employers can compare you to other candidates, possibly leading to an interview. But perhaps more importantly, pursuing a certification will allow you to earn new skills or bolster existing abilities in a structured environment, leading to personal satisfaction and personal growth.

Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of IT professionals for initiatives ranging from web development and multiplatform systems integration to network security and technical support. The company has more than 100 locations worldwide. Search for jobs now or learn more at www.rht.com.