If you are a technology professional planning to launch a job search, you may not need to look long for a new role, depending on your skill set and experience. Many businesses across industries are eager to hire skilled tech talent to help them keep their critical initiatives on track this year.
What types of projects do they need to staff? According to research for the Robert Half e-book, Building Future-Forward Tech Teams, these are the top priorities for technology leaders in 2024:
For roles in tech, including jobs relating to the areas above, credentials are required. Employers want candidates with up-to-date knowledge, and IT certifications help to demonstrate that a candidate has mastery of a particular technology or practice.
Robert Half surveyed U.S. employers to learn if they consider certifications “necessary” or “nice to have” for technology professionals who work in the following fields. The percentages below are the results for “necessary”:
As technology continues to transform how we work and live, the demand for qualified IT professionals is booming. IT certifications are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to employers while advancing your career. But with hundreds of IT certs out there, how do you decide which one is right for you?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the most valuable certifications for IT pros at every stage of their career. Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned vet looking to update your credentials, we’ve got you covered. Read on to find the perfect IT certification to take your career to the next level!
Top Entry-Level IT Certifications
If you’re new to the world of IT these foundational certs are a perfect place to begin
CompTIA A+
Considered the starting point for anyone pursuing a career in IT support and technical services, the CompTIA A+ credential covers everything from troubleshooting and networking to operating systems and security. It’s a vendor-neutral cert that provides broad knowledge you can apply across various roles.
CompTIA Network+
This follow-up to the A+ establishes your skills in IT infrastructure and networking. It covers network technologies, installation and configuration, media types, management, and security. Ideal for those looking to specialize in network administration or engineering roles.
Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
Cloud computing is one of the most in-demand hard skills today. This beginner-level cert from Microsoft introduces you to their Azure cloud platform. Great for those aiming to become cloud administrators, architects, or engineers.
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
While not vendor-neutral, the CCNA is popular since Cisco dominates the networking hardware market. This foundational Cisco cert verifies your abilities to configure, troubleshoot, and manage network infrastructures.
CompTIA Security+
Cybersecurity threats continue to grow, creating high demand for security professionals. The Security+ establishes baseline skills in network security, compliance, cryptography, and attack prevention/detection. It’s a springboard to higher-level cybersecurity certs.
Mid-Level IT Certifications
Once you have a few years of experience under your belt, these intermediate certs can help take you to the next level:
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
This certification from Amazon Web Services (AWS) validates your expertise in architecting distributed systems and applications on the AWS platform. Crucial for cloud engineers and developers.
Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
Building on the Azure Fundamentals knowledge, this cert shows you can implement, manage, and monitor an organization’s Microsoft cloud services and workloads. Key for cloud admin roles.
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
This advanced Cisco certification covers skills in enterprise networking, wireless networks, security, and automation. Proves you can manage complex enterprise infrastructures and network environments.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
A globally recognized credential for senior security pros. CISSPs must demonstrate expertise across cybersecurity operations, architecture, management, governance, risk, compliance, and more.
ITIL 4 Foundation
ITIL practices are used to manage IT services across the globe. This entry-level certification evaluates your comprehension of ITIL 4 best practices for IT service management. Useful for IT project managers.
Advanced IT Certifications
For IT pros seeking senior or leadership roles, these high-level certs really make you stand out:
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
This certification demonstrates your skills and expertise in provisioning, operating, and managing distributed application systems on AWS. Perfect for DevOps engineers and system admins.
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
One of the most prestigious Cisco certifications, the CCIE requires written and hands-on lab exams proving expert-level networking knowledge and complex troubleshooting skills.
Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
This advanced certification validates your ability to design and architect Azure infrastructure solutions based on best practices. Ideal for IT pros managing enterprise-scale cloud environments.
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
This globally-recognized advanced certification is tailored for technical professionals taking on information security management roles. CISMs prove expertise in infosec strategy, governance, program development, and risk management.
ITIL 4 Managing Professional
The ITIL 4 MP credential is aimed at IT practitioners moving into IT service management roles. It evaluates your ITIL skills related to creating, delivering, and improving IT services across organizations.
How to Choose the Right IT Certification
With so many options, how do you determine which certification is the best fit? Here are some key factors to consider:
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Your experience level – Beginner certs like CompTIA A+ and Network+ are better if you’re just starting out. Advanced certs require proven hands-on experience.
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Your career goals – Align certs with your target job roles. Cloud certs for cloud computing jobs, security certs for cybersecurity roles, etc.
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In-demand skills – Certs that teach in-demand tech skills like cloud, cybersecurity, networking, project management are smart choices.
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Vendor-neutral vs. vendor-specific – Vendor-neutral certs like CompTIA give you flexible skills. But vendor-specific certs like AWS and Cisco carry clout in those ecosystems.
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Your interests – Certs tied to your areas of interest will be the most motivating and rewarding to earn.
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Budget – Some advanced certs can be pricey. Weigh the cost against the career benefits.
IT Certification Tips for Success
Once you’ve chosen the right certification, these tips will help you succeed:
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Study smart – Use official exam guides, training courses, practice tests, study groups, and other prep resources.
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Get hands-on experience – Apply the concepts and tools through internships, volunteer projects, or home labs.
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Take practice exams – Simulate the real test experience so you know what to expect and identify knowledge gaps.
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Earn industry experience – Many advanced certs require 1-2 years of experience. Get that work experience before testing.
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Maintain your credential – Renew certifications when required through re-testing, continuing education, etc. Keep skills updated!
Key Benefits of Earning Valuable IT Certifications
There are many excellent reasons to invest the time and effort into getting certified:
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Prove your skills and knowledge to employers
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Increase your competitiveness for in-demand tech jobs
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Qualify for higher salaries – certified IT pros earn on average 15-20% more
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Expand your technical skills and expertise
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Specialize in fields like cybersecurity, cloud computing, and networks
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Display your commitment to ongoing career development
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Gain confidence and credibility as a technology practitioner
Best certifications for networking
As Cisco is a leading provider of infrastructure products, a certificate from this company confirms that you’re versed in the latest developments and best practices in networking. The most essential are:
- Cisco certified network associate (CCNA): A step up from Cisco’s entry-level certification, CCNAs can specialize in the following areas: cloud, collaboration, cyber operations, data center, industrial and Internet of Things, routing and switching, security, service provider, and wireless.
- Cisco certified network professional (CCNP): After the associate level, the CCNP is a more advanced IT certificate in one of the above-mentioned specialty areas. You can specialize in CCNP Enterprise, Data Center, Security, Service Provider or Collaboration.
Best certifications for cloud computing
As cloud computing becomes the new normal in IT, more cloud-related credentials pop up. Many of them are specific to individual vendors, such as Microsoft, VMware and Amazon. There are also a few certifications that focus on more general practices across this fast-growing area. Top certifications include:
- CompTIA cloud+: CompTIA cloud+ covers all major elements of cloud computing, including configuration, deployment, security, management and troubleshooting.
- VMware Certified Professional — Cloud Management and Automation: The VCP-CMA certificate shows that you know how to configure and administer a VMWare vRealize environment. You’ll also understand how to use process automation to handle day-to-day operations.
- AWS certified solutions architect — professional: Amazon is the largest provider of cloud computing services, and this certification affirms your ability to design and deploy cloud environments using Amazon Web Services.
- Salesforce certified development lifecycle and deployment: Employers are desperate for high-end specialists in this cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) system. This certification is the first step toward becoming a Salesforce certified systems architect.
Project management is indispensable to IT operations. And because it involves planning, scheduling, budgeting and execution, certification can be a key steppingstone to managerial positions.
- Certified associate in project management (CAPM): Offered by the highly respected Project Management Institute (PMI), the CAPM is an ideal entry-level management credential.
- Project management professional (PMP): Also offered by PMI, the PMP credential is among the most prestigious in the profession. A number of subspecialty certifications are also available.
- Certified ScrumMaster (CSM): The entry-level CSM certification is offered by the Scrum Alliance. It is an excellent way to show your knowledge of scrum and agile management practices.
Top 5 Online Certifications That Are Actually Worth It
FAQ
Is a certificate in IT worth IT?
Can I get an IT job with just certifications?
What is the easiest certificate to get in IT?
What certifications can I take after security+?
Certification path: After the Security+, candidates can go on to take other security certifications like the ISC2 Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) or ISACA Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). 4. Microsoft Fundamentals
What certifications can you get in the IT industry?
Here’s a list of 17 popular certifications you can earn to stay current in the IT industry: 1. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Solutions Architect – Associate The AWS Certified Solutions Architect certification demonstrates your ability to create and use cloud initiatives and scalable systems on AWS.
What certifications do you need for a career in it?
MCSE and MCSD are two of the most highly regarded certifications in tech. Either of these could help your IT resume stand out. As Cisco is a leading provider of infrastructure products, a certificate from this company confirms that you’re versed in the latest developments and best practices in networking. The most essential are:
What are the best introductory certifications to get a job?
The following are some of the best introductory certifications to help you get your first IT job: CompTIA certification CompTIA issues certifications for various technologies and platforms, but one stands above the rest in terms of value to IT pros: CompTIA A+: Get started in IT with this foundational certificate.
