Get Microsoft Certified: Everyone else is!

Get Microsoft Certified:  Everyone else is!

If you haven't taken the time to earn your Microsoft certifications, you just may be severely limiting your opportunities in the IT industry. In the early 90's there were only a handful of IT certifications available, in 2005 however, you'll be hard pressed not to find one that fits your particular skill set.

Although certifications are considered useless by some hard-core techies who don't believe they need a one to prove their skill levels, the job market continues to remain competitive. The lack of certifications just may be moving your resume to the bottom of the pile. If you currently don't hold any Microsoft certifications or are considering whether or not they're worth the effort, there are a few things you should know.

Microsoft technology remains the king in the workplace, consequently when considering certification, Microsoft is going to be the best place to start. Microsoft Certifications are available for almost everyone and every job title in the IT marketplace and Microsoft has probably done the best job of making this process easy to understand. Whether you're providing support on a help desk or a .NET developer, Microsoft has a certification program for you.

Who would you hire?

Employers see certifications as a way to validate the skills of IT professionals. Being able to list these Microsoft certifications on your resume will go a long way in proving to a potential employer that you do have an investment in your career and are willing to stand behind the claims of your technical expertise. Think like a prospective employer for a minute. Are you more likely to look twice at a resume that includes certifications or one that doesn't? Unfortunately, for those considering certification, getting there can be a little daunting. Microsoft experts suggest that a clear career goal is important as a basis for selecting certification options. It's a lot easier to figure out how to get there if you know where you're going. The first step in the certification process is to take the Microsoft Skills Assessment for Individuals.

This is basically an assessment that will give you an excellent idea of where you stand in your technical expertise. This assessment includes Microsoft products such as SQL Server and Visual Studio .NET. It will also provide opportunities and recommendations for additional learning resources. Two excellent resources to help you find your way in this maze also include the Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine available at http://www.mcpmag.com and the Microsoft Press. The magazine focuses on Microsoft certifications, provides tips and advice and even includes salary surveys. The Microsoft Press showcases books that provide training tips and advice on navigating the certification process and Microsoft Technologies. You can visit this website at http://www.microsoft.com/learning/books/default.asp

The most popular certification categories

The most popular credentials for developers, network engineers and other professionals being offered by Microsoft today include: Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician, Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Microsoft Certified Solution Developer, Microsoft Certified Application Developer and Microsoft Certified Database Administrator. Regardless of your current level of technical ability, it's an excellent idea for any IT professional to understand the importance of Microsoft certifications and how they can affect marketability. If you don't currently have any certification credentials, it's time to do your homework, define your goals and put together a plan to get there. Certification needs to be an important part of that process. Microsoft is only one of numerous companies and organizations that offer certification testing. We've focused on them in this article because of their current dominance in the industry. The decision on where to get your credentials, however, needs to be one that you take the time to research. The idea is to get the most impact.