Whether you want to impress your current boss and (hopefully) get a promotion or you want to change career completely, being certified not only shows that you take your profession seriously, it can also help you achieve your career goals.
But is it worth the time and money to study an IT course? Couldn’t you just hit the books and teach yourself? Let’s take a closer look and find out why you should consider becoming certified in IT.
Stand out from the crowd
Most employers are looking for proof of your knowledge and experience in your specialized area. While it’s possible to earn a job in IT from being self-taught, it’s far quicker (and easier) to take a course that offers a recognised certification. This will show your current or future employers that you are career driven, educated to a certain level and willing to grow in your field of choice; this gives them the confidence that you can hit the ground running in your new career or job role!
Top tip: Did you know that 91% of employers consider a certification as part of their hiring criteria? Make sure you flaunt those skills on your CV, it could be the difference between getting an interview or not!
Earn more money
Not only will your certification help you to stand out from the crowd, it will also demonstrate that you are committed to your profession and are willing to invest your time and energy into furthering your career.
Top tip: According to some reports, having a recognised certification can bump your salary potential up by 10% or more!
Stay up-to-date
One of the most popular reasons for taking a course (other than the extra earning potential of course) is to show that you are clued up on the latest technology and legal regulations, helping you to stay ahead of the competition. In today’s world, the certification you earned 10 years ago doesn’t hold the same validity it did when you first earned it.
IT is one of the most rapidly evolving job sectors and it’s important to stay current with the latest programs and keep your knowledge base as up-to-date as possible. That’s why it’s a great idea to study for a new certification.
Top tip: There has been a 46% increase within the last 5 years of people earning a certificate, this means that employers can be a little more picky about who they choose to interview and hire. You don’t want to miss out on a fantastic job opportunity!
Make your life easier
Studies have shown that people with a professional certification are much more successful in their daily work life. That’s because studying to become certified better prepares you for the day-to-day challenges in IT and allows you to get the most out of new technologies. This means you’ll be able to make greater use of a program’s advanced features, for example. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want an easier life at work?!
Starting over
If you are considering switching careers and don’t want to waste any time starting back at square one, being certified in a specialized area can help you skip a few rungs on the job ladder and allow you to start in a higher level role than if you didn’t have the certification.
Top tip: When applying for a new job role, having the latest certification on your CV can be the deciding factor between landing the job or missing out to someone else. Spending a little money to advance your career and earning potential is definitely a worth-while investment.
The most important part of getting certified is making sure you are choosing the right course for your career goals, both long term and short term.
Take the time to sit down and do your research. Think about what you want to achieve in the long run and what you’ll need to do in order to achieve it. Research a few different educational options and make sure they offer the correct certification and support for your needs.
Don’t forget to factor in the way in which you want to learn, do you want to study in a classroom on set days with other people or
would you rather do an online e-learning course so you can fit it around your personal life? These are all things you’ll need to think about before making a decision so it’s a good idea to write a list and keep it to hand while you do your research.
So whether you want to be a
software developer or a
network specialist, writing down a clear goal path can help you ensure the course you choose is perfect for your needs.
Top tip: Look for training centres that have connections within the job sector you wish to work in, they may be able to help you find a job once you graduate your course, making it quicker to start earning.
If you are already working for a company you love and simply want to further your knowledge in your field, it’s well worth asking your employer about helping you enrol on a course - they may be able to offer you an educational grant to help with the course costs as they’ll be benefiting from your new skillset. They’ll also be impressed that you are actively looking to grow in your role and appreciate that you want to offer those new skills to their company, so pluck up the courage and have a quick chat with the boss.
Are you ready to move onto the next phase of your career?
Learn more about our IT courses here