Information at your fingertips

Updated on: Monday, September 20, 2010

Today, with people wanting a piece of the same pie, competition in the job market has become so tough that you have to give yourself that extra edge over everyone else, especially if you have decided on making IT your career. And one way is by getting an IT certification. Experts and industry watchers alike concur that this would more or less benchmark your skills. However, things are not as simple as they sound because you have to know your area of interest. For instance would you like to go into programming or become a computer troubleshooter?

Once you have identified your key interest areas go for a certification that will add value to these. Of course if you are just starting out then focus on basic certifications. These are stepping stones to future certifications.

Now for the million dollar question: what exactly is an IT certification? The answer — it is an online testimonial from the company that has patented a particular product or application, acknowledging that you are proficient in the use of a particular software or hardware. Most experts agree that certifications do matter when it comes to evaluating a candidate for a potential job as they allow the company to see whether you meet their recognised level of expertise. And in today’s job market what additional information or skill sets that you display on your curriculum vitae may just give you that much needed edge over the others. So in short certifications can work as leverage tools.The most popular computer certifications encompassing hardware, software and networking, are called the Big Three and they are offered by Cisco, Microsoft and Novell. A fourth certification that is also widely accepted is the A+ . Other certifications are offered by Oracle, CompTIA, CheckPoint, CIW, IBM, Citrix, SUN, Linux, HP etc.

Needless to say salaries are also tagged to certifications. So, if you are considering a career in IT, add to your armoury of skill sets and get the relevant certification.

The top of the line

* An A+ Certification is a widely acknowledged, general computer certification that is sponsored by The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) and leans toward hardware.

* Cisco Certifications are specialised for computer network and Internetwork professionals, and indicate three levels of technical proficiency: Associate, Professional and Expert. The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification is at the top of the training pyramid for network support. The Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP) certification is at the top of the training pyramid for network design.

* Microsoft Certification and Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) are broad terms for several types of computer certification credentials offered by Microsoft Corporation. You may earn “power user” MCP credentials called Microsoft Office User Specialist Certification (MOUS), by passing one or more exams for applications in the Microsoft Office suite. Take your career a step farther by going for the master Microsoft Certification.

* Novell certifications are for upcoming and experienced computer network professionals. Novell certifications are prestigious on their own, but add a Novell Network Certification to a Microsoft Certification, and you’ve got a valuable combination of skill sets for jobs in many corporate management information systems (MIS) and information technology (IT) departments.

Information at your fingertips

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