by Kevin Mccourt

Created on: March 17, 2009

Whether you are a seasoned Information Technology professional, or a recent graduate trying to break into the field, obtaining one or more certifications can be very advantageous to your career. If you already work in a technical field, fulfilling the requirements of a related certification will help your current or future employers measure your expertise. For those new to IT, getting your feet wet with some certifications can be the first steps to proving yourself in the absence of previous work experience.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not difficult to break into the IT industry without a college degree. While there are many organizations that are bound by contract to only use professionals with a degree, especially in the public sector, there are many opportunities to be found that do not have this requirement. With that being said, potential employers are not going to higher someone without some type of qualification or experience. This is where certifications come in.

By obtaining a certification, you show a prospective employer that you have the ability to learn and retain technical knowledge. Certifications hold by far the most leverage when it comes to entry-level positions. With no on-the-job experience to analyze, certifications help an employer not only what knowledge you can be expected to have, but also your capacity to learn new technologies.

A good place to start your IT certification path is with CompTIA, or the Computing Technology Industry Association. CompTIA's A+ certification is the most commonly requested certification when companies are hiring for entry-level positions, such as Help Desk technicians. This can also be followed up by the Network+, which demonstrates a basic knowledge of computer networking. These certifications are a good place to start because they require taking a limited number of tests. In addition, CompTIA is completely vendor-neutral, so the material learned can apply to any organization you seek employment from.

Despite the occasional criticism certifications receive for being too easily obtained, outdated, or off-topic, the numbers show that those who take the time to further their technical knowledge are rewarded. Information Technology can be a very competitive job market, and as can be expected, hiring managers use any possible indicator to choose the best candidate. No matter how much professionals choose to downplay the role of certifications, if two candidates are otherwise completely equal, the one with the certification will generally rise above.

Even if a certification is slightly outdated, or does not do the best job at measuring real-world' knowledge, it can still tell a lot to prospective employers. Technology changes on a rapid basis, so how quickly and thoroughly one can learn a new product is important. Obtaining a certification related to the product demonstrates this ability, even if it may be replaced by something else in a year's time. Many organizations also offer bonuses for highly sought after certifications. Such an immediate return on your hard work is a great incentive to further your technical knowledge.

Regardless of your level on the IT ladder, certifications can be a great way to learn new technologies or prove yourself in various subjects already mastered. IT is an ever-changing arena, and those unwilling to continue learning will soon find themselves left behind.

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