In the digital age, with constantly evolving technologies, the workforce is required to continuously learn new skills and adapt to new and emerging IT occupations.
As AI and machine learning take hold, industries are becoming more automated, digital, and dynamic. This means that civilian labor must add value above and beyond the work done by intelligent machinery. It should also complement automation systems and work seamlessly in a digital environment.
In order to do this, the workforce must build foundational knowledge in IT and keep up-to-date and qualified in the latest digital trends. IT certifications demonstrate a job applicant or employee’s dedication to their respective industry. It shows motivation and potential, as well as explicitly demonstrating skill in a given area without the need for a degree.
Read on to learn more about how to use IT certifications to boost your career, the best IT certifications to enroll in, and top tips to ace your examinations.
Why Are IT Certifications Useful?
IT certifications allow potential employers to see at a glance exactly whether or not a candidate possesses the specific skills required for a job. They, therefore, keep candidates ahead in a crowded job market – allowing them to stand out from the competition, enhancing career prospects, and increasing opportunities for professional growth.
Improve job prospects
Trying to land your dream job? Look no further than IT certifications. In a crowded market, certifications improve your job prospects by enhancing your CV and appeal to employers.
In both the public and private sectors, professional certifications can often be job qualifiers –allowing you to meet the baseline requirements for specialist positions. This opens up new opportunities, allowing you to advance beyond the first round of recruitment and meet the benchmark requirements for IT roles.
Enhance credibility
IT certifications also enhance your professional credibility by demonstrating expertise in a particular area. Depending on the course you pursue, you’ll demonstrate that you have met certain industry standards and competencies necessary to obtain a certification.
Not only does this improve credibility with potential and existing employers, but if you’re self-employed or working in a customer-facing position it acts as tangible evidence that you can meet or exceed client demands.
Beyond improving short-term job prospects, IT certifications can improve your professional credibility and thus your long-term prospects in your chosen industry.
As you progress in your career you should aim to keep your certifications up to date and in line with the latest industry trends and methodologies. This maintains your competitive edge and your professional reputation.
Personal development
IT certifications aid in personal development beyond the ways in which they enhance your CV. Completing certain courses will improve your competencies and your everyday productivity.
Studying for exams will give you a more structured approach to learning, which carries over to daily activities.
You’ll also pick up certain skills that will be directly transferable to your job and immediately improve your efficiency and the ease with which you complete tasks. For example, learning how to conduct VoIP tests, maintain routers, or keep systems protected against vulnerabilities.
Job satisfaction
Finally, IT certifications boost your personal job satisfaction. You’ll gain confidence and knowledge, which will make it easier to do your job. You’re also more likely to be recognized by your managers and colleagues thanks to your increased professional credibility and validated skills.
IT certifications also improve your optimism and excitement towards your career. This increases your likelihood of securing promotion, building on your existing knowledge, and securing more advanced certifications.
What are the Top IT Certifications?
Once you’ve decided to enhance your CV with an IT certification, you’ll need to pick a course most suited to your current IT role or to roles you intend to pursue.
Whether you want an entry-level or advanced course, potentially to develop your expertise in clickstream data analysis or ethical hacking, you’ll find a vast array of resources available.
Consider the list below as your starting point. These certifications have been chosen based on their likelihood of enhancing your employability in the current market.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The CISSP is the gold standard in cybersecurity. It is globally recognized and requires candidates to have completed five years of employment or four years plus a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity. This isn’t an entry-level qualification for early-career IT workers – it’s for experienced professionals looking to enhance their CV with a career-defining qualification.
CISSP certifications are in high demand, and the skills acquired are highly valued thanks to increasing cybersecurity threats and the constant influx of client data that requires protection. With a CISSP, you can expect roles including risk management specialist, IT security manager, and information security architect, all the way up to chief information security officer.
The CISSP certification exam costs $749 and a $125 annual fee. However, you can expect a significant jump in earning potential. According to Infosec Institute, the average salary for CISSP-qualified professionals ranges from $127,000-150,000 pa.
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CCP)
The AWS CCP is an entry-level certification offered by Amazon Web Services, one of the most in-demand cloud platforms in the world. The qualification builds on your foundational knowledge of coding, designing cloud architecture, troubleshooting, and more.
It improves your prospects as a cloud engineering intern, cloud architect or engineer, and Ccloud developer. It has a very high return on investment with the cost of certification starting at $100.
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
The CCNA is best for early career professionals looking to set themselves apart in the Cisco networking field. You’ll develop your knowledge base in network fundamentals like IP services, IP connectivity, network access, security fundamentals, and automation and programmability.
Another relatively low-cost course, the CCNA exam costs $300.
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
Data Center Certification
To improve your know-how in core data center technologies like the data processing pipeline, automation, and security, look no further than Cisco’s data center certification. There are no prerequisites to the course, but candidates typically have between 3-5 years of experience in data solutions.
Enterprise Certification
Cisco’s enterprise certification teaches candidates how to maintain enterprise networks to keep up with growing demands. You’ll improve your expertise in enterprise infrastructure, security, assurance, troubleshooting, and more. Like the data certification, no formal experience is required but candidates benefit from 3-5 years of industry experience.
CCNP courses are considered some of the most difficult and thus respected IT certifications. Each costs around $700, including both the core and concentration exam.
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
CEH certifications build knowledge in assessing the security of computer systems, spotting vulnerabilities, advising on how they might be exploited, and working to correct them.
A CEH course will cover the latest hacking tools available, typical methodologies employed, penetration testing, footprinting, malware threats, social engineering, and more.
The cost of qualifications will depend on the course provider, ranging from $2000-$4000. However, the long-term benefits are substantial as the CEH skillset is particularly in demand with the growth of cybersecurity risks in the global landscape.
High-value companies have been targeted and are at constant risk of cyber terrorism – there is therefore a high demand for hacking professionals.
Five Ways to Boost Your Career With IT Certifications
Once you’ve chosen the most suitable qualification for your goals, completed your exams, and added your new certification to your CV, you’ll notice an immediate boost to your career – from a new and improved skill set to increased job security.
Build your skillset
Specialized training is often used by employers as part of upskilling programs for teams. Here, they hope to improve employee capabilities with training that builds on their current skill sets. However, when this is not possible, employees are often replaced with candidates who already have these specialized skills.
Avoid this issue by pursuing certifications wherever possible and keeping up to date with new trends in your field. Certifications provide you with a broad skill set that appeals to employers and keeps you qualified within the evolving IT sector.
For instance, when your employer changes software solutions from what RudderStack calls a customer data platform vs CRM, you should be able to transition to the new software seamlessly.
Increase marketability
Having certifications on your resume makes you more employable. Not only does it show your career commitment and potential for growth, but it also demonstrates your willingness to take the initiative when it comes to building knowledge in your industry.
An employer is also more likely to take notice of your application when your expertise is quantifiable, i.e., you have proven your competence and skills, and these are recognized by an established certification provider.
Stay up to date with industry trends
What is a legacy system? It’s anything that becomes defunct or outdated. With the rapidity of digital growth, IT is becoming legacy with increased frequency. Completing certifications means you’re up to date with the latest computing software and industry trends. Course providers ensure that these reflect current (and future) practices and methodologies.
The more certifications you complete and the frequency with which you complete them means you stay in sync with the fast-changing field of IT.
Networking opportunities
Certifications also provide you with ample networking opportunities. Courses can often include memberships in specialist organizations that allow you to mingle with industry leaders and peers in your field. If you’re on the job hunt, this is especially beneficial and can result in job offers, referrals, and even internships or mentoring opportunities.
Improve job security
With continuous technical skills development, certifications improve job security. Employers are more likely to retain employees who are willing to learn and have demonstrated their commitment to professional growth.
Top Tips to Ace Your IT Exams
We’ve explored the benefits of IT certifications, which ones to pursue, and how they boost your career, but what about passing the exams? Below is a short guide on how to ace your qualifications.
Build an effective study plan
Exam preparation begins with an effective and well-structured study plan. This can be challenging depending on your current working hours and how much free time you have available to dedicate to studying.
You can maximize the pay-off of the time you have by assessing your exam objectives, setting clear goals, and breaking down your study materials into bitesize, manageable chunks.
Prioritize the most essential information and allocate time to topics depending on your exam timetable. Try setting targets to stay motivated and consider finding a study buddy so you can keep each other engaged and driven towards your goals.
Utilize study resources and materials
Just like content moderation software is available for managing your social media presence, you can find similar tools to help you study! Educational learning software can help you make notes, create flashcards, and even test your knowledge with auto-generated pop quizzes.
You should also evaluate all the official documentation and resources provided by your course provider as well as consult the books and study guides they recommend.
Understand exam format and objectives
Professional certifications require particular skills when it comes to examination. You need a strong knowledge of the format and objectives of the exams you’re sitting. Aim to familiarize yourself with past exams, their structure, question types, time limits, and section formats like multiple choice or scenario-based questions.
You should also review exam objectives and understand grade boundaries and the key competencies that are being assessed.
Practice, practice, practice!
Finally, you should give yourself as much extra time as possible to complete practice tests. Simulate an exam scenario with a timed paper and a silent study room to prepare yourself for the test environment.
Make sure to practice timing so you know you’ll have enough time allocated for each question and also to review your answers. You don’t want to rush – be prepared, and stay cool, calm, and collected!
Become an In-Demand IT Expert
With an IT certification, you prove your expert knowledge and skills in a chosen field. This improves your employability by meeting the requirements for specialist roles and proves to current and potential employers that you are dedicated and motivated in your career.
As new technologies continue to emerge and become industry disruptors, IT workers must keep up and ensure that they are obtaining the most relevant and valuable certifications.
Continuing to pursue skill improvement sets you apart in a competitive job market, ensures career progression, and gives you the self-confidence to pursue more challenging and rewarding job opportunities.
