10 Benefits of IT Certification for You (and Your Employer) (2023)

An IT certification is a recognized benchmark mapped to a specific skill set based on standardized testing. A certification demonstrates your dedication, motivation and technical knowledge on a specific platform.

However, preparation for certification exams, training and fees costs time and money. Some certification-issuers require a certain number of hours, or even years, of professional experience in a discipline, skill domain or job function before one can become certified.

Thinking about a new certification? View Global Knowledge’s certification prep training here.

Is it worth it? Why go through all the trouble? What’s the value of an IT certification to you and to your employer? These are the types of questions every IT professional must answer before embarking on the journey to earn their next certification.

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In many cases, you will end up with answers that affirm your decision to pursue continuing education or professional development.
Here are 10 benefits of becoming certified for both IT professionals and their respective organizations:

1. Certifications Help Job Seekers Stand Out to Hiring Managers

Many know well just how difficult it can be to land a job in IT. Competition can be stiff.

Having an IT certification that aligns with the job you’re pursuing gives you an advantage when hiring managers look at your resume.

In fact, a certification can be a qualifier for the position. Many organizations both in the public and private sectors require some professionals to certify and maintain certifications. Getting hired would be far tougher for those candidates who don’t meet the baseline requirements.

And if nothing else, a certification might get your resume a second look. And sometimes, that’s all you need.

Read also: How to Show Your Skills and Certifications on LinkedIn

2. Job Retention Increases When the Organization Invests in Employees

In a volatile economic environment, businesses are always looking for ways to cut costs. That may mean jobs are on the line.

Having an IT certification (or several) can mean the difference between keeping your job and having a chance to seek a new one. Earning a certification demonstrates that you are determined to enhance your skill set and knowledge, which benefits you and your employer.

If you’re undecided in pursuing a certification, look at it like an investment in your future. It’s likely to pay off.

Related Video: Prepare for Certifications with Exam Prep Challenges

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3. Certification Makes It Easier to Build a Case for Promotions

Want to move up the corporate ladder or into a better, higher-paying job in your company, then you will need to learn new technologies or enhance the skills you currently possess.

Earning a new certification is a surefire way to show management that you take your career seriously, invest in yourself, and have the ambition to improve. These traits, alongside the hard-earned skills and knowledge, are vital to building a case for earning a promotion or a raise.

4. Gain Access to Networking Opportunities After You Become Certified

Once you earn a certification with a specific vendor, you join a group of certified and skilled professionals. This is a perfect opportunity to grow your professional network.

This can prove to be an invaluable peer resource group when seeking answers to problems or sharing the solutions to your own challenging scenarios. This peer group of certified professionals can also pass along guidance on how to further enhance your career or where to seek specific technical knowledge.

5. Grow Your Professional Credibility and IT Subject Matter Expertise

Earning a certification, especially a series of certifications from the same vendor, will provide immediate professional credibility.

When it comes to their specific domain, it’s hard to question the judgement of a professional who holds a Cisco Certified Network Professional – Enterprise (CCNP), a Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

Having earned one (or more) certifications demonstrates your expertise in the related skill domain and establishes you as a subject matter expert.

Organizations with strong learning cultures provide those seeking professional development opportunities provide financial assistance and additional support. An increasing number of IT decision-makers (63%) say their organizations offer formal training, according to the IT Skills and Salary Report.

Ultimately, certifications and professional development benefit both the individual and organization, so it’s an advantageous investment.

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6. Partner Programs Require Certifications, Improving Services and Consultations

Some companies must employ a certain number of certified individuals to maintain a partner-related certification or status.

Some major manufacturers and many others have this requirement. Earning a vendor's certification benefits you and your organization since it enables the company to meet the required number of certified associates on staff, while providing a level of service to clients that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.

7. Organizations that Invest in Certification See Returns

IT professionals may have a requirement by their respective certification-issuer to recertify every two to three years.

For example, Cisco’s recertification requirements include earning continuing education credits, taking an exam, or attending training during each three-year cycle. Red Hat requires you to recertify every three years. Several others maintain similar requirements.

In this instance, a certification or recertification exam can benefit both you and your employer by demonstrating to customers a continued dedication to improvement and innovation.

By staying current with trends and technology, it helps provide more current recommendations and services to customers; in this case, recertifying can impact the organization’s bottom line.

10 Benefits of IT Certification for You (and Your Employer) (1)

8. Get Recognized as an Expert in New and Current Technologies

Earning a certification on a new operating system, platform or application will demonstrate that you have achieved what few have done up to that point: become certified on a new product.

Passing an exam for a new certification presents several challenges due to the lack of study material and advice available from other certified individuals. Earning an IT certification on a new product can make you the subject matter expert in your organization — putting you in a positive light for your early efforts.

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Read also: How to Plan a Career Path in Cybersecurity

10 Benefits of IT Certification for You (and Your Employer) (2)

9. Adjust to Achieve Personal Goals and Triumph Over Challenges

You may have set a personal goal for yourself to earn a new certification, whether for professional recognition or personal achievement. Earning a certification this way may be the most satisfying, as you are rewarding yourself for your own efforts. If it happens to lead to a raise, promotion and recognition - even better. In some cases, these are also the hardest to earn because of the self-motivation and discipline required.

10. Meet Professional or Corporate Requirements

One way to ensure that IT staff have the necessary skills and experience on existing and new technologies is through certification and training. IT staff who have passed a certification exam or series of exams have the specific knowledge to respond to issues or challenges that the department faces, making them more effective in their jobs.

Companies that invest in their staff through training and certification will have a more technically advanced workforce that can respond to new challenges more quickly.

10 Benefits of IT Certification for You (and Your Employer) (3)

The Best Way to Choose a New Certification Starts Here

The benefits of becoming certified don’t end here. New technology, best practices, and processes continue to emerge as the collective IT industry progresses into the future. And as the industry changes, so will certifications and the benefits that come along with them.

But, how do you determine the best certification(s) for you right now and in the future? Your next step in the journey is to read our guide to selecting the right certification for you.

It’s a free and open resource that provides further insights into information and guidance to selecting certifications that will benefit you personally and professionally.

Read Next:
How to Select the Right Certification for You

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FAQs

Why is it certification important for your career? ›

By gaining certification, you develop your knowledge, experience and skill set. This can help you be more effective at work. Improving your skills helps you to take on new tasks and responsibilities and be more productive.

What are the advantages of industry certification for employers? ›

Some major manufacturers and many others have this requirement. Earning a vendor's certification benefits you and your organization since it enables the company to meet the required number of certified associates on staff, while providing a level of service to clients that wouldn't be possible otherwise.

What is the importance of certificate? ›

Certification helps in learning the new technologies, skills, and abilities for a specific promotion. Earning a new certification or an advanced certification in a particular area of expertise can help in advancing your career.

What is the value of a certification? ›

Certification provides an opportunity to grow personally and professionally. They can achieve goals—Whether certification is prompted by an employer mandate or personal achievement, the process shows that the certified individual can establish goals, has a certain amount of drive and is motivated by accomplishment.

What are the most important certifications to have? ›

10 in-demand certifications and their careers
  1. Project management certifications. ...
  2. Business analyst certifications. ...
  3. Supply chain certifications. ...
  4. Marketing certifications. ...
  5. Skilled trade certifications. ...
  6. Human resources certifications. ...
  7. Sales certifications. ...
  8. Accounting certifications.

Which certification is best for IT industry? ›

Best IT Certifications in 2022
  • Business Intelligence (BI) The significance of BI in making data-driven decisions is growing across industries in today's technology-led environment. ...
  • Big Data and Data Science. ...
  • Project Management. ...
  • Web Development. ...
  • Software Development. ...
  • DevOps. ...
  • Blockchain. ...
  • Cloud Computing.
12 Aug 2022

What are the benefits of professional development certification to IT staff? ›

5 Benefits of Professional Development
  • Increase Retention. ...
  • Build confidence and credibility. ...
  • Make succession planning easier. ...
  • Re-energize your staff. ...
  • Improved efficiency.

Is IT good to have certifications? ›

Having a certification can also help you gain credibility in your professional career. If you're a freelancer, for example, many companies prefer to work with professionals with certifications from recognized programs, because it shows your commitment to your craft.

Why do employers value having employees with professional certifications? ›

Improved Productivity: Various studies show that employees with professional certification are more productive. This is a result of their feeling more capable of handling daily challenges and getting the most out of new technologies. Often, certified employees work more efficiently than their uncertified colleagues.

What is an example of certification? ›

Types. One of the most common types of certification in modern society is professional certification, where a person is certified as being able to competently complete a job or task, usually by the passing of an examination and/or the completion of a program of study.

What are the benefits of having a certificate before even joining any related department? ›

Improved efficiency and reduced risk
  • Professional certification gives an organization confidence in the reliability, knowledge, and competence of its staff.
  • It can lead to improved adherence to formal standards of quality and industry compliance.

Why are digital certificates Important? ›

Digital certificates ensure both the identity and secure encryption of a website, individual, organization, device, user or server. They are the foundation to implementing Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) security.

What are the three types of certification? ›

There are three general types of certification. Listed in order of development level and portability, they are: corporate (internal), product-specific, and profession-wide. Corporate, or "internal" certifications, are made by a corporation or low-stakes organization for internal purposes.

What are the types of certifications? ›

Types of Certificate Programs
  • Business Certificates.
  • Health Care Certificates.
  • Technology Certificates.
  • Criminal Justice Certificates.
  • Arts and Design Certificates.
  • Education Certificates.
  • Skilled Trade Certificates.
  • Legal Certificates.
1 Oct 2021

Will certification help my IT career? ›

Certification training can help you cover new technical areas while also reinforcing the skills you already have. Also, certifications can help you better network with other professionals in your area of expertise. This is particularly advantageous since networking is at the core of almost any successful career.

WHAT IT certifications are employers looking for? ›

Three certifications that are preferred by employers include the A+ , Cloud+ and Security+ credentials. They acknowledge foundational IT skills across a variety of devices and operating systems and skills to design, configure, manage and troubleshoot wired and wireless services.

What is the most popular IT certification? ›

1. ITIL® Foundation. Over 12% of IT professionals have earned their ITIL Foundation certificate, making it the most popular certification in North America. For those planning to pursue certification this year, 7.2% have ITIL Foundation in their sights.

Which IT certification should I get first? ›

Here are the top 5 entry-level certifications mentioned in most entry-level job descriptions:
  • CompTIA A+ ...
  • Cisco Certified Technician (CCT) ...
  • CompTIA Network+ ...
  • CompTIA Security+ ...
  • Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud Practitioner. ...
  • Looking beyond entry-level certifications.
19 Apr 2022

What are the top 10 IT certification Courses In demand? ›

Top 10 Certifications for 2022
  • Cybersecurity Certifications.
  • Cloud Architect Certifications.
  • Project Management & IT Service Management Certifications.
  • DevOps Engineer Certifications.
  • Database Admin Certifications.
  • Digital Marketing Certifications.
  • Network Engineer Certifications.
  • Web Development Certifications.
22 Jul 2022

Which certification is best for 2022? ›

Top Certifications to Acquire in 2022
  • Web Development Certification.
  • Cloud Solutions Architect Certification.
  • Salesforce Certification.
  • Big Data Certification.
  • Digital Marketing Certification.
  • Cybersecurity Certification.
  • RPA Certification.
  • AI Certification.

What certifications can I get? ›

Since many certifications are available online, it can be easier to obtain professional certificates to develop your skills in a short amount of time.
...
4. First aid in emergency certifications
  • healthcare worker.
  • firefighter.
  • coach.
  • volunteer.
  • teacher.
  • flight attendant.
  • government worker.
  • shop assistant.

What are the benefits of professional development to both employers and employees? ›

Offering professional development training programs allows employees to perform better and prepares them for positions of greater responsibility. But it can also help employers attract top job candidates, retain their best workers and identify future leaders.

What are the benefits of employee development? ›

Through employee development, you can give your team the skills they need to improve their day-to-day work, get better outcomes, and boost your bottom line. A better-trained workforce brings increased output for your company.

What are the 5 most important areas of development for you professionally? ›

In a recent PayScale survey, 38,000 respondents indicated which professional development opportunities they want most.
...
Below are the top five.
  • Management and leadership training. ...
  • Professional certifications. ...
  • Technical skills training. ...
  • Teamwork and interpersonal skills training.

How do I say I have a certification? ›

"I am certified as a hairdresser." Second: If you say, "I am ABC certified", "ABC" could be the organization that gave you the certification, or it could be the subject matter. Like, "I am Microsoft-certified", or "I am Java certified." Save this answer.

What is a certificate in IT? ›

An IT certification is a designation demonstrating a professional's competency in a certain aspect of technology. Certifications often follow some assessment, education or review. One difference with certifications in IT is that they are often vendor-specific.

What is certification course? ›

A certificate program is a specialized education designed to develop or strengthen specific career skills. A certificate program is considered continuing education in some cases because it builds on your knowledge of a particular career or industry.

What is certification name? ›

A certification is a document that proves you have specific expertise and is issued by an authorized organization. Earning such a document shows that you're devoted to your field of work and provides evidence of your skills.

How do you use certificate in a sentence? ›

Examples of certificate in a Sentence

Noun She has a certificate in midwifery. He earned his teaching certificate last year.

How will this training certification course benefit my team *? ›

From software to soft skills, training certification ensures your employees maintain the highest standards of competence. This in turn boosts employee morale and customer confidence in your organization.

Is getting a professional certificate worth it? ›

These certificates are especially important if your career path doesn't require a degree. With a certificate, you can demonstrate that you are a trained professional in your field and hold important hard skills to potential employers.

How do certifications prepare you for the future? ›

Learning new skills makes you marketable and relevant to employers. Certifications prove that you are both well-trained and committed to professional growth. They verify your skills and also your ambition. By enrolling in a course or training and getting certified, you'll gain valuable experience to add to your resume.

What is an example of certification? ›

Types. One of the most common types of certification in modern society is professional certification, where a person is certified as being able to competently complete a job or task, usually by the passing of an examination and/or the completion of a program of study.

What are the types of certifications? ›

Types of Certificate Programs
  • Business Certificates.
  • Health Care Certificates.
  • Technology Certificates.
  • Criminal Justice Certificates.
  • Arts and Design Certificates.
  • Education Certificates.
  • Skilled Trade Certificates.
  • Legal Certificates.
1 Oct 2021

Which certification is best for IT industry? ›

Best IT Certifications in 2022
  • Business Intelligence (BI) The significance of BI in making data-driven decisions is growing across industries in today's technology-led environment. ...
  • Big Data and Data Science. ...
  • Project Management. ...
  • Web Development. ...
  • Software Development. ...
  • DevOps. ...
  • Blockchain. ...
  • Cloud Computing.
12 Aug 2022

Which IT certification should I get first? ›

Here are the top 5 entry-level certifications mentioned in most entry-level job descriptions:
  • CompTIA A+ ...
  • Cisco Certified Technician (CCT) ...
  • CompTIA Network+ ...
  • CompTIA Security+ ...
  • Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud Practitioner. ...
  • Looking beyond entry-level certifications.
19 Apr 2022

Is a certificate enough to get a job? ›

Earning a certificate can help you get a job in your desired field or advance in your career. You might also earn a certificate to prepare for an associate or bachelor's degree or to supplement your current degree. Some jobs and states require a particular certification to get hired in that field.

What does IT certificate mean? ›

An IT certification is a designation demonstrating a professional's competency in a certain aspect of technology. Certifications often follow some assessment, education or review. One difference with certifications in IT is that they are often vendor-specific.

How do I say I have a certification? ›

"I am certified as a hairdresser." Second: If you say, "I am ABC certified", "ABC" could be the organization that gave you the certification, or it could be the subject matter. Like, "I am Microsoft-certified", or "I am Java certified." Save this answer.

What is a certification in a career? ›

A certification is a credential that you earn to show that you have specific skills or knowledge. They are usually tied to an occupation, technology, or industry. Certifications are usually offered by a professional organization or a company that specializes in a particular field or technology.

What is certification course? ›

A certificate program is a specialized education designed to develop or strengthen specific career skills. A certificate program is considered continuing education in some cases because it builds on your knowledge of a particular career or industry.

Which certification is best for 2022? ›

Top Certifications to Acquire in 2022
  • Web Development Certification.
  • Cloud Solutions Architect Certification.
  • Salesforce Certification.
  • Big Data Certification.
  • Digital Marketing Certification.
  • Cybersecurity Certification.
  • RPA Certification.
  • AI Certification.

What certifications can I get? ›

Since many certifications are available online, it can be easier to obtain professional certificates to develop your skills in a short amount of time.
...
4. First aid in emergency certifications
  • healthcare worker.
  • firefighter.
  • coach.
  • volunteer.
  • teacher.
  • flight attendant.
  • government worker.
  • shop assistant.

What are good certificates? ›

Here are 11 role- and industry-specific certifications that are easy to obtain.
  • Information technology (IT) certifications. ...
  • Human resources certifications. ...
  • Language certifications. ...
  • First aid certifications. ...
  • Project management certifications. ...
  • Software certifications. ...
  • Government certifications. ...
  • Notary public certification.

What is certification name? ›

A certification is a document that proves you have specific expertise and is issued by an authorized organization. Earning such a document shows that you're devoted to your field of work and provides evidence of your skills.

Is a certificate a qualification? ›

Most certifications expire after a certain period of time and have to be maintained with further education and/or testing. Qualifications show that a person has reached a certain standard in a programme of study.

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