If you’re considering a change in career or hoping to enhance your current position, you might have thought about pursuing a technical certification. When you are faced with a decision that could involve the devotion of your time and money, it only makes sense that you would want to know whether or not this investment will ultimately be worth it in the end.
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Overview
Technical certifications can make a great impact when you are a job-seeker. In simple terms, a certification shows that you are qualified. By obtaining a technical certification, you are showing potential employers that you have the ambition, drive, and dedication needed to be your very best. In fact, according to blogger and business professional Benjamin Roussey, studies show that 80% of hiring managers look toward certifications as a way to find candidates that will be more efficient than their non-certified counterparts.
Hiring
When you are on the hunt for a new job, one thing is certain: it can be very hard to get noticed. Many companies utilize programs that look for keywords on resumes to weed out under-qualified candidates before a human ever lays eyes on candidates’ credentials. By adding certifications to your qualifications, you’re much more likely to be noticed. According to CompTIA, approximately 53% of hiring managers use certifications to save them time when evaluating candidates, and 86% of hiring managers place a high or medium value on certifications when it’s time to hire new employees.
Promotions & Pay Increases
If you’ve chosen the technology field, you’ve far from chosen a stagnant career path. Technology is ever-changing. With new things to learn all the time, your superiors will likely pay attention to your ambition to obtain technical certifications when it’s time to evaluate your potential for promotions and pay raises.
The pay scales of IT professionals vary greatly depending on both experience and industry. The average entry-level salary across all industries is reported to be fairly consistent at around $50,000 annually across all industries. Salary discrepancies begin as professionals climb their career ladders; the top earners are reported to work in the legal and insurance industries. Page 17 of Robert Half’s Salary Guide exemplifies how certifications can be attributable to increases in pay. The chart shows that certifications increase salaries by an average of 5 to 10% annually.
Technical certifications are absolutely worth the investment! No matter where you are in your career, technical certifications can help boost you to the next level.