The Benefits of Certification

 

Each individual has his/her own unique skills and abilities. However, there should always be something as proof about our skills and abilities and this is where certification comes in. Although it may be possible to display your prowess in actual experience, someone might need to ask for proof for it. The importance of certification starts right from the academic journey in the initial stages. You get certificates as proof of completing your school education, high school, college, and university education.

Furthermore, certificates help you find jobs with employers you want to work for or showcasing your abilities. Even if all these benefits of certification are generalized, let us take a look at the reasons for the importance of certification. The following discussion outlines different pointers that describe how certifications can prove to be beneficial.

Certifications are the credentials that recognize and validate one’s knowledge and expertise. Certificate programs involve a specific period of education and training. When the period of the certificate program ends, you get a certificate of completion. Certificate programs are suitable for training individuals in a specific task or develop competencies in a particular skill. You can get certificates after completing various courses in a specific subject area. One good example of an in-demand certification is the PCNSE or Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer. It is a third-party proctored certification that indicates that those who passed it possess the in-depth knowledge to design, install, maintain, configure and troubleshoot most implementations based on the Palo Alto Networks platform. To help prepare you for the exam, some reviewers even release a real pcnse exam dumps questions to ensure of passing smoothly with flying colors. You can buy it now if you want an updated set of exam reviewers. 

Check out these advantages:

·         Improved opportunities for employment

The first and foremost entry among benefits of certification refers to employment prospects. Any certification can help you achieve an advantage when employers take a look at your resume. Nowadays, competition for almost any job is very stiff, and certification shows that you have better knowledge than others.

In some cases, the importance of certification is very high when certification is mandatory criteria for a job. If two candidates having similar backgrounds apply for a specific job position, the certified candidate would have the advantage. Simply put, a certification can ensure that hiring managers give your resume a second look. Definitely a promising way to secure a job, isn’t it? According to Payscale, PCNSE salary of certified IT professionals can expect around $93,000 per year. That's whole lotta money, right?

·         Better opportunities for retaining your job

The importance of certification for experienced professionals is in the form of job retention prospects. The present volatility in the economic environment forces businesses to find new ways of cutting costs. Therefore, you can face concerns about losing your job in certain cases. In such cases, a certification could help you prove your case for staying on the job for employers. The certification shows your dedication to improving your skillset and knowledge, which implies benefits for employers also. So, you invest in your personal development with a certification.

·         Advancement in your career

Another factor that shows the importance of certification for experienced professionals is the facility of promotions. Individuals who want to progress ahead on the corporate ladder or a better job with a higher salary need skill enhancement. Certification helps in learning the new technologies, skills, and abilities for a specific promotion. Earning a new certification or an advanced certification in a particular area of expertise can help in advancing your career.

·         Establishing professional credibility

Professional credibility is one of the foremost factors that shows the importance of certification for newbies. When you earn a specific certification and the subsequent certifications from the same vendor, you can show instant professional credibility. After all, nobody would question your capabilities if you are certified. Furthermore, earning these certifications shows your commitment to achieving professional development. Many organizations also provide support for employees to earn certifications for validating their credibility.

·         Staying relevant to the existing professional landscape

You should also note that the importance of certification is not limited only to obtaining certification and getting high-paying jobs. Certain certifications require renewal and retention. Recertification is a prominent requisite for maintaining your credentials as a certified professional. For example, Red Hat demands recertification at an interval of three years.

On the other hand, AWS demands recertification at a gap of every two years. The recertification exam may appear as an unnecessary burden. On the contrary, recertification is ideal for realizing benefits for your employer as well as yourself. Recertification helps professionals cope up with updates in technologies and tools in a particular area.

Showcasing uniqueness

Certification courses for new products and services could also help in your professional development substantially. The importance of certification is very evident in the case of acquiring expertise in new products and services. Professionals could focus on obtaining these new certifications. These certifications can help them in becoming subject matter experts on the new offerings.

As a result, such professionals could stand out from the rest of the crowd. Another noticeable improvement that we can note here refers directly to the efforts needed to score such certifications. Generally, newly launched products and services do not have substantial documentation and learning materials. Therefore, candidates have to invest considerable effort and time in clearing such certification exams. Definitely a way to showcase your advantage over others, isn’t it?

·         Driving personal development

The most crucial factor that highlights the importance of certification is personal development. Professionals could pursue certifications for showing their capabilities before employers or to achieve personal goals. Certifications set as personal goals could help in realizing a satisfying experience. It is satisfying to get rewards for your efforts. Certifications drive a feeling of self-motivation, discipline, and commitment, which could be the intangible rewards with certifications.

The importance of certification for newbies and experienced candidates do not bear stark differences and tend to overlap in many cases. However, the most important factor before choosing a particular certification course is suitability. An individual should follow their interests and preferences for finding out the most appropriate certification courses for them.

The next important concern on the mind of readers should be the appropriate planning and commitment in order to achieve the desired certification. Other important factors under consideration in this context refer to the selection of appropriate sources for learning materials and resources. After all, every certification has a lot to do for the career advancement of an individual, and you can’t risk it!

So you better prepare if you want to get ahead into the corporate world. Good luck!