In the fast-paced and constantly evolving world of Information Technology, professionals in the field frequently face the challenge of staying updated and relevant in the market. And one of the best ways to demonstrate these skills is through IT certifications.

IT certifications act as an attestation that the certified professional has extensive knowledge of an area. Certifications can even be prerequisites for a position of greater prominence and responsibility in a particular company.

As such, we will understand what an IT certification is, how it works, what steps to take in order to achieve it and, especially, when they are worth it and when they are not. Keep reading until the end and delve into the topic. Enjoy!

What is an IT certification?

An IT certification is a formal recognition that attests to an individual’s competence and ability in a given set of knowledge, skills, and practices related to information technology.

These certifications are awarded by specialized organizations and institutions, and usually involve taking training courses and passing exams for specific areas.

Areas of evaluation in IT certifications may involve systems administration, networks, information security, software development, data analysis and even project management, for example.

With this context established, we will next understand how a certification in Information Technology works.

How an IT certification works in 7 steps

IT certification is a very simple process. Therefore, we decided to divide it into 7 easy steps in order to facilitate an understanding below:

1. Choice of certification: The professional chooses the certification that best aligns with their career goals and areas of interest. This often involves researching different certifications, understanding the requirements and benefits, and evaluating the investment of time and money required in order to achieve it;
2. Preparation and study: Most IT certifications require candidates to acquire specific knowledge and skills before taking the certification exam. Some certifying bodies offer official study materials and training programs, while others allow candidates to utilize third-party resources;
3. Fulfillment of prerequisites: Some IT certifications require candidates to meet certain prerequisites, such as years of professional experience, academic degrees, or other certifications before they register for the exam. Therefore, it is imperative to verify whether these prerequisites exist beforehand;
4. Exam registration and scheduling: After meeting the prerequisites and preparing properly, the professional registers and schedules the certification exam. This usually involves paying an application fee and choosing a date and place to take the exam;
5. Taking the exam: The certification exam can be taken online or at an authorized testing center. It usually consists of multiple choice questions, case studies, simulations, or practice questions, depending on the certification. Exams may be timed and usually have a minimum passing grade;
6. Results and certification: Upon completion of the exam, the results are usually made available within a short period of time. If the professional reaches the minimum required score, they will receive the certification and be able to use the credentials on his resume, business cards and professional profiles, such as on LinkedIn;
7. Maintaining certification: Some IT certifications require professionals to keep their credentials up to date through continuing education, attending events, or taking recertification exams. This helps ensure that certified professionals stay up-to-date with changes and advancements in the field of information technology.

Most importantly, each IT certification has its own set of requirements, processes, and benefits. Therefore, it is essential to research and fully understand what each certification offers before investing time and money in pursuing one.

Is an IT Certification Worth It?

This can be a very controversial question, because there are professionals who will thoroughly defend and swear by the certification process, while others will not give it its due value because they think an IT certificate does not represent true domain and expertise within an area or study field.

In all fairness, both sides have a point, because a given certification that only acts as proof of perceived knowledge does not indeed hold much value. However, a particular certification that attests to a working knowledge of years of experience counts for a lot in the market, and it is precisely this idea that you need to bear in mind.

So if, for instance, you work with Cloud Computing and want to be able to demonstrate and prove such knowledge, in addition to showing the world that you are a qualified professional in this particular field, then holding an IT certification would certainly be very welcome.

However, if your idea is to first get a certification in a specific technology area, without any practical work experience, in this case we would recommend that you refrain from pursuing it. Although fully possible, this might in fact generate more headaches than positive solutions in your career.

Therefore, professionals should use the certification in Information Technology as a tool to enhance their experience and interest in a certain area, and not just in the hope that it might create new opportunities.

Use an IT certification in order to gain better positions through what you already know and have an interest in evolving.

Important: we are not considering cases where getting a certification is a requirement in order to perform in a certain function. In this case, having the certificate is a professional requirement and should therefore not be ignored.

Read also: Specialist developer or generalist: which way to go?

Top IT certifications in the market

Although there are dozens of important certifications, we have separated 4 options that are among the most sought after in 2023. It is important to reinforce that there are other very important ones, so be sure to look for the one that makes the most sense for your professional career:

1. Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL): The ITIL certification covers a wide range of relevant specializations, including capacity management, technical support management, high availability computing, and incident management and IT operations;
2. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner: Designed for the professional interested in gaining comprehensive knowledge of AWS cloud services, this certification is considered entry-level in the IT field. Typically earned early in your career, it often serves as a starting point for getting more specific AWS certifications in the future;
3. Project Management Professional (PMP): This is the most widely recognized project management certification at present. In summary, the PMP title demonstrates that the IT professional is competent to manage projects of various sizes, including specific aspects such as budgets, goals, and teams;
4. Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect: Google-certified professional cloud architect accreditation is one of the most sought-after certifications currently in 2023. It allows the IT professional to be recognized as an architect on the Google Cloud Platform (GCP), one of the most widely used cloud platforms around the world.

In conclusion, IT certifications play a crucial role in developing skills and advancing the career of technology professionals. They serve as a reinforcement of knowledge and experience in IT areas, helping professionals to stand out in the competitive job market.

So, if you are interested in being a certified professional, do your homework well in order to understand the benefits of getting certified and how it could boost your career.

Until next time!