3 Reasons to Get IT Certifications

 comptia a+ entry level jobs

Actually, it has a lot to do with your personal why. Why do you want to pursue a career in IT? Is it the longevity of a satisfying career doing something you’re passionate about that’s attractive? Or is it having the flexibility to work from anywhere while still making a good salary that’s intriguing? Perhaps it’s both – or something else altogether. Whatever your reason for wanting to work in technology, IT certifications are a great place to start. Let’s explore why.

3 Reasons to Get IT Certifications

Earning an IT certification is advantageous for a variety of reasons.

1. A third-party credential validates the knowledge and the skills you claim to have.

   This is really important in the eyes of employers.

2. What you learn during your certification training will most certainly help you on the job.

   If you want to be successful, being good at what you do is essential.

3. Taking the initiative to obtain an IT certification shows that you are proactive and committed.

Employers like to see creativity, resourcefulness and leadership in employees.

Preparing for and obtaining an IT certification is a great way to stand out from the crowd. But these aren’t the only reasons to get certified. Again, let’s go back to your why.

How Can an IT Certification Help You Achieve Your Personal Goals?

Your goal: I want to build my foundational knowledge in technology and land an entry-level job.

Are IT certifications worth it? Yes. CompTIA A+, for example, is considered the industry standard for establishing a career in IT. If you want to learn the basic principles of technology, CompTIA A+ is a great starting point. And don’t just take it from us. Indeed, Monster and Reddit users agree!

Your goal: I want to explore a specialty like computer networking or cybersecurity.

Are IT certifications worth it? Yes. The 2020 IT Industry Outlook report says that 48% of IT pros plan on building technical skills within their current area of specialization, and 45% of IT pros plan on building a technical skill in a new area this year.

Your goal: I want to continue to further my IT career.

Are IT certifications worth it? Yes. Most of us want to be promoted, take on more responsibility and make more money. Staying on track takes a bit of planning. Consulting the CompTIA Career Roadmap allows you to see all job categories and career paths that are available with specific certifications.

Levels of IT Certifications

IT certifications are available at any experience level. Most could be categorized as beginner, intermediate or advanced. Having a beginning certification on your resume can very likely land you an interview for an entry-level position. But that’s not the case for positions that require more experience and training.Increasing your earning potential may require a specialized set of skills that eclipses the entry-level certification. CompTIA Stackable Certifications allow you to build (and validate) a specific sequence of skills to advance your career.

In order to win the job of your dreams, you have to adequately prepare for it. That’s why CompTIA not only categorizes its certifications by experience level, but also by career pathway.CompTIA has four IT certification series that test different knowledge standards:

• Core Skills
• Infrastructure
• Cybersecurity
• Additional Professional

Core certifications, like CompTIA A+, lay the groundwork for the specialized pathway certifications, and additional professional certifications cover necessary IT skills like project management. Let’s take a closer look at what it all means.

Core Skills

Every IT position requires a baseline knowledge on topics like operating systems, hardware, computer networking and more. CompTIA’s core IT skills certifications level the playing field and lay the foundation for a successful career in IT, no matter what path you take. An IT certification in this category can help you land your first job as an technical support specialist or at the help desk technician.