Web Certification Programs
When employers hire web professionals, they are choosing from a multitude of potential hires, with different skill levels and types of experience. It is difficult for a hiring manager to determine what a potential hire can do based on a resume or interview since the candidates own assessment of their skills is subjective and prone to exaggeration.
Certifications provide an unbiased assessment of a person's skills and knowledge and are increasingly being used by hiring managers as an important consideration in selecting a candidate for hire. Many web professionals change jobs regularly or work on contract jobs, so obtaining web certifications is a great way to gain an advantage when looking for the next job.
Web Certification Options
Certified Internet Web (CIW) Program
The CIW program provides about 15 web certifications that are vendor-neutral and well-respected in the industry. The various certifications are targeted at all web professions including application developers, web administrators, security professionals and many others.
Read BrainTrack's article "Web Certifications – CIW" to get more information.
Microsoft
Microsoft offers two levels of certification for its Visual Studio and .NET Framework products. Within the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) level, there are six certificates available, each of which focuses on a specific area of knowledge. At the Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) level, there are three certificates which validate advanced skills in a general area.
BrainTrack's article "Web Certifications – Microsoft" provides detailed information about these certifications.
Certification Benefits
- Employer Recognition - Whether looking for a new job or being evaluated in an existing job, obtaining web certifications shows an employer what skills a person has and indicates a person's dedication and desire to advance their career.
- Job Opportunities – Hiring managers may use certifications to compare capabilities of job applicants. Those with certifications will have an advantage over those who don't.
- Improved Productivity – Gaining the knowledge needed to pass the relevant certification exams ensures that a web professional has all the skills needed to perform their job. Those who have not obtained certification may find themselves impeded by a lack of knowledge in some areas.
Choosing a Certification
For IT professionals working with web technologies, the choice of certification can be guided by a few factors:
- Current Job – Assuming a person has an interesting and fulfilling job, choosing a certification that is relevant to their current job or the next step up from their current job, is an obvious choice. Choosing a vendor-specific certification is preferable in this case.
- Future Goals - For someone who is looking ahead to their next career move, certification relevant to their current job may not be appropriate. Instead, they should choose a certification that will help them get the job they want and will help them be successful in that job.
- Level of Experience – Those who are new to web technologies may want to start with vendor-neutral certifications such as those offered by the CIW program. These will result in well-rounded knowledge that can be used in any environment.
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