IT Certifications Can Boost Your Career
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Popular Item
53% of technology professionals surveyed hold one or more IT certifications. -
Known Commodity
65% of HR managers are very familiar with IT certifications, and 89% either likely or definitely include requirements about these certifications in job postings. -
Precious Asset
Two-thirds consider IT certifications very valuable, and 53% think general certifications are. -
Increasing in Importance
94% of the respondents expect the importance of IT certifications to grow over the next two years. -
Critical Distinction
72% said IT certifications are often a requirement for certain jobs. -
Educational Option
72% said IT certifications often serve as a professional development/training tool for potential hires. -
Commendable Qualities
67% said certifications often define a candidate's willingness to work hard and meet goals, and 60% said they frequently confirm a candidate's subject matter knowledge and expertise. -
Real Deal
92% of respondents said IT certifications help ensure the credibility of current IT employees, and 95% said they provide a baseline of knowledge for some IT positions. -
Quick Study
90% said these certifications enable IT employees to learn faster once they start a new job. -
Compensating Factor
92% of respondents said IT-certified individuals receive higher starting salaries than those who lack these certifications.
IT certifications are increasingly serving as potent career-boosters for today's technology professionals, according to a recent survey from CompTIA. The accompanying report, "HR Perceptions of IT Training and Certification," indicates that most tech pros have at least one certification. However, HR and business executives have traditionally been unsure about the true value of these certificates, according to the report. Fortunately, such impressions are changing, as many executives now attribute a wide range of strategy-supporting benefits to them. As a result, you're very likely to make more money with an IT certification than without one, findings show. "Having IT job candidates with industry certifications saves time and resources in evaluating applicants, ensures a candidate's credibility and demonstrates that they have a baseline set of knowledge," says Amy Carrado, director of research and market intelligence for CompTIA. "But the benefits to the employer don't end when the certified IT pro is hired. … Certified hires get up to speed more quickly; are more likely to stay with the company long term; have a higher likelihood of being promoted; and generally perform better than non-certified IT staff." HR executives, managers and professionals representing a total of 400 U.S. organizations took part in the research.