There is little substitution for hands-on experience. However the right certifications can increase a job candidate's chances of being hired or promoted. While a company may not always pay extra for certifications, it is hard to deny the role they play in making a candidate more marketable.
Clients often request candidates that are certified Project Management Professionals (PMP). The Project Management Institute (PMI), who issues the PMP certificate, uses methods that are becoming the standard on managing projects. A PMP has a proven process that can be used no matter the industry or project.
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Client companies seek out PMPs because of the versatility individuals achieve while using proven methodologies to handle diverse projects. PMP certified candidates have necessary skills to relate information not only to individuals working on the project but also to executives at the "C" level to explain processes and forecast an accurate project life cycle.
I am finding more and more that companies want cross-functional employees. While they want an individual for a particular area, IT for instance, they need someone that can adapt to different projects within the business unit. A PMP certification helps candidates whose backgrounds are based in one area, such as networking for example, and makes them more marketable as they will have the foundation to handle other IT-based project management opportunities.
Certifications demand higher dollars especially as a technology field expands and matures.
This is what we see happening with Linux. One certification that helps a candidate to standout from other Linux professionals is a Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE). An RHCE brings the candidate prestige.
When I conduct a search and put a RHCE professional in front of a client, three facts are almost always a given. One, the candidate will command immediate attention. Two, the individual will be able to handle the technical questions asked of them. And three, the candidate will command top dollar in comparison to other non-certified professionals.
Not to say that non-RHCE certified individuals could not reach or surpass the compensation levels of certified candidates, however, there is a trend that supports professionals seeking this certification to help improve their marketability.
Currently our company is working with a Big 4 client that asked us to keep a continuous watch for IT auditors. The client is a nationwide organization and open to all candidates no matter where they reside. While the company is looking for entry-level individuals as well, their greatest needs are at senior and management levels.
In order for anyone to be considered for such a role they must have the correct amount of experience in terms of years and be a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM). In this example you can see where having a certification can mean a difference of $20,000 annually.
Because of this, it is of the utmost importance for candidates to evaluate the career path that they are on, and where they are trying to be.
Individuals that want to base their careers solely off one technology will find that certifications, such as a RHCE, will help them immerge as experts within their field. It is important for candidates to stay informed on trends, and to predict which direction the technology will move in order to know which certifications to focus on.
Five years ago having an RHCE did not carry the weight that it does today, and the trend points to companies adopting Linux into their IT departments continuing to rise. Any time there is a situation similar to the one described above it helps to elevate the level of importance that companies put on a given certification. Candidates must stay ahead of the ballgame to help drive up their value.
Yet be aware that certifications become lose value if they are not kept current. Candidates that do not keep their certifications up to date in terms of new versions, or adopted methodologies will find that it will not help on their resume.
A certification can only be used to drive up one's expected salary if it is properly matched with the required skill set/qualifications
There are no guarantees with certifications, but anything that recognizes you as an expert in your field never hurts.
S. Blake Coleman is a healthcare IT consultant with FGP International.
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