Value of Certifi cation
T
echnology plays a role in virtually everything
we do. In the 20-plus years since Microsoft has
been certifying people on its products and technolo-
gies, millions of people have gained the knowledge,
expertise, and credentials to enhance their careers,
optimize business solutions, and create innovation
within just about every business and social sector
imaginable. Today’s Information Technology (IT)
hiring managers are more often using professional
credentials, such as Microsoft certifi cation, to identify
properly skilled IT candidates. Certifi cation becomes
a way to easily differentiate qualifi ed candidates in a
sea of resumes.
The job outlook for IT professionals, as reported in
a study prepared by the U.S. Department of Labor’s
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), is positive! The BLS
indicates an increase that will be “faster than the
average for all occupations through 2014” for
Computer Support Specialists, Systems Engineers,
Database Administrators, and Computer Software
Engineers. One signifi cant message resulting from
this study is that information and communications
technology (ICT) skills are the entry ticket to the
job market, regardless of the country, industry, or
job function. Information Technology is clearly an
area worth investing time, resources, and education
in – and technology certifi cation is a key part of the
education process, validating product and technology
expertise as a result of their learning experiences.
Microsoft IT Certifi cations provide objective validation
of the ability to perform critical IT functions success-
fully for worldwide IT professionals, developers, and
information workers. Microsoft certifi cations repre-
sent a rich and varied spectrum of knowledge, job
roles, and responsibilities. Further, earning a specifi c
certifi cation provides objective validation of the
candidate’s ability to perform critical IT functions
successfully. Embraced by industry professionals
worldwide, Microsoft certifi cation remains one of the
most effective ways to help reach long-term career
goals.
x Value of Certification