Evaluating Computer Certifications  

By Kforce Staff Writer

Continuing education is critical for IT professionals as new software packages and languages evolve and turn over. Many candidates turn to computer certification training as a way to enhance their employability. Before signing up for those expensive courses, it's important to assess their value in the job market.

While many employers consider hands-on experience more valuable than certifications, some use certifications as a weed-out mechanism to narrow the field of candidates. To determine whether a certification course is worth the investment, Kforce Technology Staffing offers the following tips:

• Review classified ads or speak with an employment consultant to determine the qualifications that employers are requiring.
• Ask training centers what types of certifications companies are paying their IT employees to take.
• Consider taking a lower-level position or salary with a company that offers a tuition reimbursement program for the certifications you need.
• Investigate vendor neutral courses that don't lean toward one specific type of software program or company. Instead, the curriculum is developed by an association.

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