IT Jobs - Why get certified?

IT Jobs - Why get certified?

Growth of the IT Industry

Reports from the Department of Labor indicate that the IT industry is responsible for 4 out of the 5 job titles with the highest demand in the USA. Experts

are predicting exceptional growth for this industry in the next decade. However, it is becoming somewhat harder to break into the IT industry. Just a

decade ago, a candidate who could install software and swap out basic computer parts like network cards or hard drives could land a respectable IT job.

Nowadays it seems that everyone knows at least something about computers and a lot of skills that would have been considered expertise are now basic computer

knowledge. This has resulted in a much more competitive job market and a higher threshold for entry into the IT industry. Employers are looking for

candidates that can demonstrate their skills and that have invested in learning the basics and keeping up with the trends in order to stay relevant. The IT

certification industry has helped to create a set of standards for IT knowledge and these certifications are almost universally recognized by employers.

What is Certification?

Certification providers normally require that candidates pass a series of exams which are designed to demonstrate and test critical aspects of the

candidate's information technology skills. After a candidate has successfully completed the exams, they become certified. A candidate holding a certification

can use the initials of that certification following their name on their business cards. In addition to being a requirement or desired attribute for certain

jobs, certification may also qualify a candidate for additional compensation in his/her current job. This is especially common with IT consulting agencies who use employee credentials as assets to market their services.

The Training Process

Certification authorities generally do not require that candidates attend classes or use any particular study materials prior to being examined. However, very few candidates are capable of passing certification examinations without training. There are a number of resources that can be found on the Internet and though IT certification training vendors that enable candidates to prepare for the examinations. The examinations often require a significant fee, but candidates can often find free exam vouchers packaged with training products. Regardless of which certification a candidate is trying to obtain, it is important to select a reputable certification training vendor. Some untrustworthy vendors may provide actual exam questions and answers for the candidate to memorize. These training materials are called braindumps and they may or may not be accurate because the exam questions change frequently. It's important for candidates to steer clear of braindumps because they do not require you to actually learn the material. Employers are generally very quick to discover candidates who do not actually possess the skill indicated by their certifications.

(C) David Crone. Check out my IT Certification Blog for quality career advice on IT Certification Training

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