Is an IT Certification Really Worth the Time, Money and Effort?

Given the time and money you need to invest in obtaining an IT certification, how useful would a CompTIA Server+ certification or Cisco Certified Network Associate certification be? There are more than one ways to look at it.

Signifies Competence in Specific Domain

An IT certification is a quick and instantly recognizable benchmark of a person’s competence in his or her area of operation. Some corporates don’t even consider hiring candidates without role-specific IT certification. An IT certification is not given out easily and if accorded, is a validation of a candidate’s skills and knowledge in a specific domain. For instance, CCNA certification for routing and switching professionals demonstrates a person’s ability to install, configure, operate, manage and troubleshoot routed and switched networks.

Helps Stand out From Peers

Competition in IT sector is getting stiff. This is where an IT certification comes in handy. When there are two equal candidates applying for the role of a server administrator, the one having CompTIA Server+ certification will obviously have a competitive edge. It is proof of a person’s professional credibility which gives the candidate a better chance of getting selected. Even in times of industry slowdown, an individual with IT certification has a better chance of finding another job than someone who doesn’t.

Demonstrates Passion for Career

The exams for vendor neutral certifications such as CompTIA Security+ certificaiton are usually tough and they get more complicated as years pass by. A reason that IT managers prefer individuals with certifications for promotions and higher-level job roles is that they believe such individuals demonstrate character as well as technical competence. It takes determination, dedication, motivation and a willingness to invest time as well as money in obtaining career-advancing IT certifications. These traits are very useful and also desirable in higher-level jobs.

Evokes Confidence and Trust

Some fields, such as IT security, are critical for the successful running of businesses today. No business would like to jeopardize business operation or business reputation due to deficient IT security. They would want the best qualified IT security personnel to cover various aspects such as network security, operational security, compliance as well as protection against potential threats and vulnerabilities. This is what makes a person holding a CompTIA Security+ certification invaluable.

Best Way to Prepare

There are several ways you can go about preparing for an IT certification exam. You can order course material online, purchase books or enroll in an instructor-led classroom course. The benefit of an instructor-led classroom course is that you can receive guidance from an expert, do preparation in a disciplined manner, share experiences with fellow learners and also get a hands-on learning experience that will be of much use in your job.

Don’t have second doubts about sitting for a CCNA certification exam or any other IT certification exam – it will definitely add weight to your resume. For best outcome, partner a leading IT certification course provider in Trinidad and Tobago.