The benefits of a Microsoft Certification

By Sarah Morgan

Obtaining new certifications has several benefits, such as fuelling your new career and getting you a higher salary. With the rapidly increasing job opportunities in IT, certifications are the guarantee for your progress.

Get Hired

According to the findings of CompTIA, 91 per cent of hiring managers consider certification as part of their hiring criteria, while 86 per cent indicate IT certifications are a high or medium priority during the evaluation process. (CompTIA, Employer Perceptions of IT Training and Certification, January 2011 & Microsoft, Microsoft Certification Program Satisfaction Study, April 2012)

Knowledge is Power

Employee skill levels are directly affecting an organisation’s performance in key areas of IT. 75 per cent of managers believe that certifications are important to team performance. Companies with Microsoft Certified Professionals experience shorter server downtimes and greater productivity in the help-desk function.

Get Ahead

In a survey of 700 IT networking professionals, 60 per cent said getting a certification led to a new job. (Network World and SolarWinds, IT Networking Study, October 2011). Employers will choose a candidate with a certification over one who lacks it, when all other qualities are equal.

Many IT Managers agree that certifications demonstrate that an IT professional is devoted to their career. This is supported by CompTIA’s findings with regards to hiring managers’ perceptions on certifications:

• 59% of hiring managers said that it showed a candidate’s commitment to a career in IT
• Another 61% said that certifications show subject matter expertise
• While 58% think certifications demonstrate initiative.

Job Satisfaction

Certifications will secure your job, because they are rated highly in validating your skills and expertise. And at the same time, they will increase team productivity and performance, benefiting both you and your employer.

Improve IT Operations and Increase ROI

According to TechRepublic.com, 45% of employees strongly agree that when their employers pay for training and exams, it provides a strong incentive to stay in their jobs. Microsoft Certified Professionals are also more confident and productive. As an MCP you’ll know how to better utilise technology for your business by creating more secure and effective solutions – saving time and eliminate risk to your company.

About the Author:        

Sarah writes for Firebrand Training on a number of IT related topics. This includes exams, training, certification trends, project management, certification, careers advice and the industry itself. Sarah has 11 years of experience in the IT industry.