When evaluating prospective candidates, employers frequently look to the certifications that the candidate may have earned as a measure of excellence and commitment to quality. They are willing to pay for these certifications.
Four of the top IT certifications that can boost your career include:
- Project Management Professional (PMP) is viewed as the most important certification for project managers. It highly sought after and employees who have earned this credential can earn over $100K a year.
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is considered the “gold standard” in information security certifications and education. Earning and maintaining this certification is required for many government, military and civilian security positions. Employees can earn over $100K a year with a CISSP certification.
- Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) certifies a person’s ability to design and build application solutions. It replaces the old Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer certification, and it can help those who earn it make between $95-100K a year.
- Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) verifies that the person has proven his/her ability to design, implement and manage SQL Server 2000 databases. People holding this certification can earn approximately $95K a month.
Earning a certification does cost – both in terms of time and money. As an IT professional, you might be expected to pay the full cost of earning and maintaining your certification. The workload can be arduous; you have tough eligibility requirements, and you will have to meet a minimum threshold of additional education via university programs, company-sponsored programs or distance learning. Then you will need to pass a test, and continue to maintain your certification by additional professional development units within a set period of time.
However, the benefits of studying and receiving your certification can boost your earnings potential greatly. For example, a CISSP certificate can add a 10-15% premium to your base pay, while the MCSD and MCDBA can add 8-13% to your base pay.
However, do not forget the non-monetary benefits.
Many certification programs have a prescribed method and level of study, which allows you to fill in the gaps of your knowledge and widen your overall knowledge base. When you are in the workplace, you tend to always use the same set of configuration options, commands and procedures. As a result, it becomes very difficult to develop an expertise in all features available within a technology. A certification program will help fill in the gaps.
At AZ Tech Finders, we can help propel your career ahead. If you are in IT professional in the Phoenix area and would like help in finding your home page next mid to senior level position, call us today!