CHAPTER 9 | What are certificates and how to obtain them

Imagine you are in a room with people competing for the same job as you. You sit on a chair in a long corridor with many people, 10-20 or even 50 candidates are waiting to be interviewed for the same job. What can make you stand out and give you priority over others? Maybe a certificate in information technology from a globally recognized company. This is an advantage that can make the difference between being chosen or just being another name on a list.

In the world of information technology, certifications are proof of your skills and abilities. They are recognized by employers and professionals around the world, and they can open doors you may not have otherwise been able to open. In this chapter, I will discuss about the importance, utility, and diversity of IT certifications. These certifications can serve as an essential advantage in building a successful career.

There are several reasons why information technology certifications are important. First, they demonstrate that you have the skills and knowledge to perform certain tasks. Second, they can increase your chances of getting a job or advancing in a career. Third, they can increase your salary or open the door to better work opportunities.

A recent study showed that certified IT professionals earn an average of 15% more than their non-certified peers. This is a significant advantage and demonstrates the value employers place on certificates.

Additionally, certifications can boost confidence in your abilities. When you earn a certificate, you know you have the knowledge and skills to perform certain tasks. This can boost your confidence and help you perform better in your role.

Information technology certifications are useful for several reasons. First, they can help improve your skills. By studying for a certificate, you'll learn new skills and improve the ones you already have. This is a great way to keep fit and up to date with the latest trends and technologies in the field.

Second, certifications can help increase your visibility because they are quite a prominent point on your resume. By obtaining a certificate, you will be recognized as a qualified professional in your field. This can increase your chances of being noticed by employers and recruitment agencies among the hundreds of candidates applying for a well-paid job at a prestigious company.

Point by point, IT certificates offer the following benefits:

1. Credibility and recognition

An IT certificate demonstrates your dedication and expertise in the field. Often employers value certified professionals because they have proven their competencies through rigorous exams and hands-on assessments. Certificates add credibility to your resume and make you stand out from other applicants.

2. Career opportunities

With an IT certificate, you become eligible for a wide range of job opportunities. Many organizations require certifications as a prerequisite for certain roles. Many companies make partnerships with giants such as Microsoft, Oracle, Google, and in order to increase the prestige and professionalism of their company, they require specialists to hold certificates from these prestigious companies.

Certifications can lead to promotions and salary increases, so having the right certifications can give you a significant advantage in building a successful career.

3. Self-improvement

Taking new certification exams allows you to keep up with the latest technologies and best practices in the industry. You can improve your specialist profile through this continuous study. It gives you the opportunity to expand your professional knowledge and skills.

Many different certifications are available for software developers, and their classification can vary based on topic, technologies, programming languages, price, validity, and weight. However, a few stand out due to their recognition and relevance in the industry as they are offered by global companies such as: Microsoft, Google, Oracle, and Amazon. The following is a classification of certifications based on the company that offers them:

Microsoft offers a wide range of certificates that cover different areas of information technology, including systems administration, software development, databases, security, and many other directions. These certificates are recognized globally and are considered some of the most valuable in the industry.

For example, "Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate" validates your skills in developing applications using Microsoft Azure, topics like Azure App Service, Azure Functions, and Azure Storage. The "Microsoft Certified Web Developer" certificate demonstrates the skills you have in web programming using the .NET Framework technology suite. These certificates are ideal for IT professionals who want to improve their skills and increase their career opportunities.

Other popular certificates offered by Microsoft are:

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert,
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate,
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate,
• Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Application Developer Associate, etc.

Another major IT certification provider is Oracle. The company offers certificates covering a variety of fields, including database administration, application development, systems administration, and more.

For example, "Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer" demonstrates the knowledge and skills required for Java programming. This certificate is ideal for software developers who want to improve their skills and increase their career opportunities.

Other popular certificates offered by Oracle are:

• Java Certified Foundations Associate,
• Oracle Certified Professional: Java SE 11 Developer,
• Oracle Certified Professional: Java SE 17 Developer,
• Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate,
• Oracle Database PL/SQL Developer Certified Professional etc.

Google offers IT certifications that focus on its products and services. These certificates cover areas such as cloud administration, data analytics, application development, and more.

For example, "Google Certified Professional - Cloud Architect", demonstrates the knowledge and skills needed to design, develop, and manage cloud infrastructure solutions using Google Cloud technology. This certificate is ideal for IT professionals who want to improve their skills and increase their career opportunities.

Other popular certificates offered by Google are:

• Google Certified Professional - Data Engineer,
• Google Certified Professional - Cloud Developer,
• Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate,
• Google UX Design Professional Certificate.

Amazon, based on its Amazon Web Services platform (AWS), offers certificates that demonstrate skills and knowledge in using and managing its cloud services. These certificates cover areas such as cloud architecture, application development, security and more.

For example, "AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate" demonstrates the knowledge and skills needed to design and implement solutions on the AWS platform. This certificate is ideal for IT professionals who want to improve their skills and increase their career opportunities.

Other popular certificates offered by Amazon are:

• AWS Certified Developer - Associate,
• AWS Certified Security - Specialty,
• AWS Certified Solution Architect - Associate,
• AWS Certified Data Analytics - Specialty etc.

The first step in obtaining an information technology certificate is to identify the best certificate for you. You need to consider the direction you have chosen for specialization and find the certificate that suits you best. Do not forget that the majority of certificates are paid and the difficulty of the exam varies from one level to another. There are certificates intended for beginners and there are certificates for professionals.

In the same way as any study, you will prepare for the exam once you have chosen a course. Here are some tips to help you succeed:

1. Gather resources for the study.

You should look for study materials such as textbooks, online courses, or practice tests; every exam has a so-called "self-passing training kit," a guide, but you will undoubtedly find more and even similar practice tests to assist you.

2. Create a Study Plan.

Develop a study plan detailing what topics you need to cover and allocate enough time for each. Break study sessions into smaller, more manageable chunks to avoid overwhelm.

3. Emphasize practice.

Take a look at the practical examples provided in the study manual. Practical exercises are very helpful for you. A well-written code values more than 100 questions answered correctly.

4. Consult with others on the forums.

Undoubtedly, there are other people who have passed or are preparing to pass this exam. Look on the forums for discussions about the certification you want and about the exam you need to take. Other people's support can help you a lot. Collaborating with others, and sharing opinions and recommendations is a key to success.

In my professional experience as a software developer, I also obtained certifications, such as those offered by the Microsoft company. Here are some recommendations for taking a similar exam:

1. Ensure you read the exam syllabus carefully, paying attention to the allotted time, the number of questions, and the basic topics. Appreciate from now how much time is allocated for each question. If the exam has 50 questions and you are allocated a maximum of two hours for completion, it turns out that for each question you must spend not more than 2 and a half minutes. You will have to take this into account so you don't waste too much time on some questions.

2. Try as much as possible to solve similar tests, which may contain almost the same questions and relate to the same topics presented in the exam syllabus. Because tests with multiple-choice questions will help you the most. Through this training, you will learn to manage time per question correctly and look for answers by excluding the wrong options.

3. Be confident and keep calm. It is desirable to pass the exam on the first attempt, but if you fail, it is not the end of the world, you can take it repeatedly after a period of time. The main thing is to not be indisposed, learn from every mistake, be persistent and you will succeed.

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Information technology certifications are valuable tools for career advancement. They validate your skills and knowledge, can increase your salary, and open doors to better work opportunities.

If you are interested in obtaining a certificate, I recommend starting by identifying the certificate most suitable for you. Then, devote time for exam preparation. Remember, the goal is to improve your skills and keep abreast of the latest trends and technologies in your field. This is not just to get a stamped paper. Career success is not only measured by the number of certificates you have, it is also about your passion for studying and self-improvement.