| In the Information Technology (IT) industry, certification | | | | don't continuously develop your self the value of your |
| has become a globally recognized tool for professional | | | | certification falls. How can you hate continuous |
| development. Globally there is a huge need for qualified | | | | self-development and hope to succeed in the IT |
| IT specialists. This has resulted in a mad or is it gold | | | | industry? It's no wonder that re-certification |
| rush into certification. Certification is now a buzzword in | | | | requirements are becoming more common. Going to |
| IT. Unfortunately, many who go through the certification | | | | sleep after getting certified means you wasted your |
| process get their fingers burnt. Even though | | | | time and money. Don't become a dinosaur. Look here |
| certification has been a powerful advancement tool | | | | for More on lifelong learning: |
| for some time, it has not been smooth sailing in all | | | | 4. Failing to prepare equals preparing to fail |
| cases. There are many fallacies running riot within the | | | | Poor preparation is a major killer of certification |
| industry regarding the requirements to get into and be | | | | aspirations. It is not enough to choose a training center. |
| successful in the I.T. industry. Let us attempt to look at | | | | Many fail because they choose the wrong training |
| the most common certification mistakes with a view to | | | | center. How did you marry your training with your |
| getting certification candidates to avoid them. | | | | exams? Do you need or did you take any time for |
| We will look at why it is possible to spend money, time | | | | revision after training? Did you go for the test without |
| and effort and still not get the desired results. We will | | | | knowing the exam simply because you're an expert |
| not be able to cover every single certification blunder, | | | | on the field? What are your study habits like? Are you |
| but let's look at the 5 most common howlers. | | | | a smart guy that doesn't need to study? Or are you |
| 1. Choosing a certification because it is hot | | | | the cramming expert? If you prepare for certification |
| This is a common problem I encounter with most | | | | based on cramming, you fool no one but yourself. |
| certification candidates. They have no idea of what | | | | And you have to be truthful to yourself; do you have |
| the certification involves but they love it because it is | | | | the work experience needed for that certification? |
| hot. Should you be picking a certification that does not | | | | Too often candidates don't prepare well due to |
| match what you want to do or be? Do you know | | | | overconfidence, ignorance of preparation options and |
| what you want to do or be? Don't just go for an | | | | poor personal organization. How can you succeed if |
| MCSE and assume you'll make it. Going for | | | | your arrangements are too little, badly organized, and |
| certification for the wrong reasons is both wasteful | | | | too late? Look here for More on certification |
| and unreasonable. | | | | preparation options: |
| Are you new in IT? Your first step towards a | | | | 5. Unrealistic expectations |
| successful career should be researching the different | | | | Going into certification for the wrong reasons breeds |
| options available. Learn about these options. Yes, you | | | | unrealistic expectations which eventually leads to |
| may love computers, but what aspect? What is your | | | | frustration and dissatisfaction. Here are some of the |
| background? Skill base? Personality? All of these | | | | expectations: "A certification is required to get a job in |
| factors can tell you not only if you're really cut out for | | | | the I.T. industry. Certifications are my ticket to success. |
| IT, but what type of IT field might be best for you. For | | | | Get certified and get your dream job! Certification rules |
| those already in IT, are you choosing a certification | | | | the IT industry. Certification is a goldmine. A guarantee |
| because your job requires this specific certification or | | | | of career success." But is certification really your gold |
| is it a crucial step in the direction of your long-term | | | | card to IT career success? Failure to understand what |
| career goals? Otherwise, it may not be worth your | | | | certification is all about leads to unrealistic expectations |
| time and resources. MCSEs, for instance, look after | | | | Let's smash these myths to smithereens once and for |
| Microsoft servers and networks. But if programming is | | | | all. Certification is no guarantee of career success! |
| your passion, go for a developer's certification such as | | | | Period! In most cases, it takes experience, dedication |
| MCSD or Java. | | | | and a lot of hard work to ensure IT career success. |
| Whether you're new to IT or already in IT, certification | | | | There are no free giveaways in life. |
| should not be seen just as a meal ticket. It should be | | | | It's not certification, but job effectiveness and planning |
| part of an individual's career development strategy. | | | | that count most. You must consider these two factors |
| Don't rush into it because it is the vogue in town. | | | | in making any certification decision. Employers aren't |
| Depending on what stage you're at and your career | | | | just paying for a piece of paper--they want job |
| interests, your need for certification and type of | | | | effectiveness. You must not only be able to do the job |
| certification vary from individual to individual. | | | | assigned; you must do it meeting high standards, within |
| Certification is only for you if you have identified your | | | | budget and on time. Certification tests product |
| career goals and you see it as a tool for getting you | | | | knowledge, logical thinking, and problem-solving |
| from where you are to where you should be. The | | | | approaches. But clients and employers demand the |
| worst thing you can do is to choose a certification | | | | combination of experience, knowledge and skills. |
| without thinking about your long-term career path. | | | | Certification can't give you experience. |
| 2. Underestimating the real cost of certification. | | | | The real world is more complex than the world of |
| How much does it cost to get certified? Too often we | | | | certification. Quite often you have to get your hands |
| underestimate the costs involved. Most people believe | | | | dirty to gain important knowledge that is not tested in |
| it is just a matter of the funds required for training, | | | | any exam. |
| books, training CDs, manuals and the certification | | | | Furthermore certification focuses to a large extent on |
| exams. A good certification is built on the realization | | | | technical skills. You cannot succeed in IT with tech skills |
| that money is not the only resource you need to get | | | | alone. Do you know how to deal with customers? |
| happily certified. I know quite a few people who | | | | "More often the industry is looking for those who have |
| register for courses but who keep on dropping out due | | | | experience, skills, and a solid ethics attitude first, before |
| to one commitment or the other. You've paid for the | | | | education". To succeed in IT you need people skills, |
| training and you've bought the books, but how | | | | resourcefulness, knowledge, experience and a |
| committed are you? | | | | corporate focus. |
| Do you have the drive and zeal that requires reading, | | | | So, if you are considering going in for a certification |
| attending training sessions, and practicing? Do you love | | | | program, make sure you understand what you are |
| studying? How will you handle your other | | | | signing up for, and your likely future once you complete |
| commitments, social, work or family? When it comes | | | | the program. Get informed from career counselors, |
| down to the crunch, can you make the effort? | | | | past candidates, IT managers and from industry, to |
| Sometimes, it even requires extra effort. Most | | | | have a more realistic view of the value of the |
| especially if you already have a tight schedule. Are | | | | certification programs as well as its likely future |
| you capable or ready to read and master (not cram) | | | | prospects, and how it fits into your career strategy. |
| your certification objectives? Now and then with | | | | Look here for More on the realistic approach to |
| certification, the going gets tougher. It is a shame that | | | | certification: |
| many spend so much to acquire certification | | | | Mistakes are not the end of the world |
| resources, but they never really get off the mark | | | | So have you made mistakes? Who hasn't, you ask? |
| when it comes to effort. | | | | First face the facts. You don't help yourself by living in |
| Candidates who are successful in certification ALL | | | | denial. It can be painful when we make mistakes. But |
| possess the drive and motivation to succeed and | | | | at the same time don't let mistakes shut you down. |
| advance their careers. Success with certification costs | | | | Continue with your high energy, positive outlook. What |
| more than just training, certification tools and materials; | | | | is important is how we respond. The solution is not to |
| without effort you're going nowhere. | | | | worry or moan. Self-pity is wasteful and pointless. You |
| 3. Going to sleep after getting certified | | | | have the ability to turn your minus into a plus. Try to |
| Many certification candidates believe that once they | | | | look at the process as a learning experience. Learn |
| are certified they no longer have to work to increase | | | | from mistakes, get over them and put them to positive |
| their skills (value). It will be a big mistake for any | | | | use. |
| professional to simply bask in the euphoria of getting | | | | Have you invested, or are you about to invest, in |
| certified and forget about continuing requirements. | | | | certification? The success of your certification choices |
| Once you achieve the certification you must set new | | | | depends on a sensible combination of career focus, |
| goals. As stated earlier certification is not an end in | | | | planning, resourcefulness and hard work. |
| itself. It is a career development driver. At each stage | | | | Avoiding certification mistakes is about being wise in |
| in your career you have to ask yourself: Where am I? | | | | your decision-making. You need more sense than skills |
| Where do I want to be? How do I get there? If you | | | | to create your amazing future. |
| stand still, your technical skills will stagnate. | | | | All the best in your IT Career! |
| To stay ahead, you have to keep on learning. If you | | | | |