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5 Top Certification Mistakes To Avoid
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In the Information Technology (IT) industry, certification has
become a globally recognized tool for professional development.
Globally there is a huge need for qualified IT specialists. This
has resulted in a mad or is it gold rush into certification.
Certification is now a buzzword in IT. Unfortunately, many who
go through the certification process get their fingers burnt.
Even though certification has been a powerful advancement tool
for some time, it has not been smooth sailing in all cases.
There are many fallacies running riot within the industry
regarding the requirements to get into and be successful in the
I.T. industry. Let us attempt to look at the most common
certification mistakes with a view to getting certification
candidates to avoid them.
We will look at why it is possible to spend money, time and
effort and still not get the desired results. We will not be
able to cover every single certification blunder, but let's look
at the 5 most common howlers.
1. Choosing a certification because it is hot This is a common
problem I encounter with most certification candidates. They
have no idea of what the certification involves but they love it
because it is hot. Should you be picking a certification that
does not match what you want to do or be? Do you know what you
want to do or be? Don't just go for an MCSE and assume you'll
make it. Going for certification for the wrong reasons is both
wasteful and unreasonable.
Are you new in IT? Your first step towards a successful career
should be researching the different options available. Learn
about these options. Yes, you may love computers, but what
aspect? What is your background? Skill base? Personality? All of
these factors can tell you not only if you're really cut out for
IT, but what type of IT field might be best for you. For those
already in IT, are you choosing a certification because your job
requires this specific certification or is it a crucial step in
the direction of your long-term career goals? Otherwise, it may
not be worth your time and resources. MCSEs, for instance, look
after Microsoft servers and networks. But if programming is your
passion, go for a developer's certification such as MCSD or
Java.
Whether you're new to IT or already in IT, certification should
not be seen just as a meal ticket. It should be part of an
individual's career development strategy. Don't rush into it
because it is the vogue in town. Depending on what stage you're
at and your career interests, your need for certification and
type of certification vary from individual to individual.
Certification is only for you if you have identified your career
goals and you see it as a tool for getting you from where you
are to where you should be. The worst thing you can do is to
choose a certification without thinking about your long-term
career path.
2. Underestimating the real cost of certification. How much does
it cost to get certified? Too often we underestimate the costs
involved. Most people believe it is just a matter of the funds
required for training, books, training CDs, manuals and the
certification exams. A good certification is built on the
realization that money is not the only resource you need to get
happily certified. I know quite a few people who register for
courses but who keep on dropping out due to one commitment or
the other. You've paid for the training and you've bought the
books, but how committed are you?
Do you have the drive and zeal that requires reading, attending
training sessions, and practicing? Do you love studying? How
will you handle your other commitments, social, work or family?
When it comes down to the crunch, can you make the effort?
Sometimes, it even requires extra effort. Most especially if you
already have a tight schedule. Are you capable or ready to read
and master (not cram) your certification objectives? Now and
then with certification, the going gets tougher. It is a shame
that many spend so much to acquire certification resources, but
they never really get off the mark when it comes to effort.
Candidates who are successful in certification ALL possess the
drive and motivation to succeed and advance their careers.
Success with certification costs more than just training,
certification tools and materials; without effort you're going
nowhere.
3. Going to sleep after getting certified Many certification
candidates believe that once they are certified they no longer
have to work to increase their skills (value). It will be a big
mistake for any professional to simply bask in the euphoria of
getting certified and forget about continuing requirements. Once
you achieve the certification you must set new goals. As stated
earlier certification is not an end in itself. It is a career
development driver. At each stage in your career you have to ask
yourself: Where am I? Where do I want to be? How do I get there?
If you stand still, your technical skills will stagnate.
To stay ahead, you have to keep on learning. If you don't
continuously develop your self the value of your certification
falls. How can you hate continuous self-development and hope to
succeed in the IT industry? It's no wonder that re-certification
requirements are becoming more common. Going to sleep after
getting certified means you wasted your time and money. Don't
become a dinosaur. Look here for More on lifelong learning:
http://www.jidaw.com/dinosaur1.html
4. Failing to prepare equals preparing to fail Poor preparation
is a major killer of certification aspirations. It is not enough
to choose a training center. Many fail because they choose the
wrong training center. How did you marry your training with your
exams? Do you need or did you take any time for revision after
training? Did you go for the test without knowing the exam
simply because you're an expert on the field? What are your
study habits like? Are you a smart guy that doesn't need to
study? Or are you the cramming expert? If you prepare for
certification based on cramming, you fool no one but yourself.
And you have to be truthful to yourself; do you have the work
experience needed for that certification? Too often candidates
don't prepare well due to overconfidence, ignorance of
preparation options and poor personal organization. How can you
succeed if your arrangements are too little, badly organized,
and too late? Look here for More on certification preparation
options: http://www.jidaw.com/article5.html
5. Unrealistic expectations Going into certification for the
wrong reasons breeds unrealistic expectations which eventually
leads to frustration and dissatisfaction. Here are some of the
expectations: "A certification is required to get a job in the
I.T. industry. Certifications are my ticket to success. Get
certified and get your dream job! Certification rules the IT
industry. Certification is a goldmine. A guarantee of career
success." But is certification really your gold card to IT
career success? Failure to understand what certification is all
about leads to unrealistic expectations
Let's smash these myths to smithereens once and for all.
Certification is no guarantee of career success! Period! In most
cases, it takes experience, dedication and a lot of hard work to
ensure IT career success. There are no free giveaways in life.
It's not certification, but job effectiveness and planning that
count most. You must consider these two factors in making any
certification decision. Employers aren't just paying for a piece
of paper--they want job effectiveness. You must not only be able
to do the job assigned; you must do it meeting high standards,
within budget and on time. Certification tests product
knowledge, logical thinking, and problem-solving approaches. But
clients and employers demand the combination of experience,
knowledge and skills. Certification can't give you experience.
The real world is more complex than the world of certification.
Quite often you have to get your hands dirty to gain important
knowledge that is not tested in any exam. Furthermore
certification focuses to a large extent on technical skills. You
cannot succeed in IT with tech skills alone. Do you know how to
deal with customers? "More often the industry is looking for
those who have experience, skills, and a solid ethics attitude
first, before education". To succeed in IT you need people
skills, resourcefulness, knowledge, experience and a corporate
focus.
So, if you are considering going in for a certification program,
make sure you understand what you are signing up for, and your
likely future once you complete the program. Get informed from
career counselors, past candidates, IT managers and from
industry, to have a more realistic view of the value of the
certification programs as well as its likely future prospects,
and how it fits into your career strategy. Look here for More on
the realistic approach to certification:
http://www.jidaw.com/realistic.html Mistakes are not the end of
the world So have you made mistakes? Who hasn't, you ask? First
face the facts. You don't help yourself by living in denial. It
can be painful when we make mistakes. But at the same time don't
let mistakes shut you down. Continue with your high energy,
positive outlook. What is important is how we respond. The
solution is not to worry or moan. Self-pity is wasteful and
pointless. You have the ability to turn your minus into a plus.
Try to look at the process as a learning experience. Learn from
mistakes, get over them and put them to positive use.
Have you invested, or are you about to invest, in certification?
The success of your certification choices depends on a sensible
combination of career focus, planning, resourcefulness and hard
work.
Avoiding certification mistakes is about being wise in your
decision-making. You need more sense than skills to create your
amazing future.
All the best in your IT Career!
About the author:
Jide Awe is a writer, speaker and IT consultant that deals with
career, training and certification issues. welcomes the
opportun"¯ty to share his experience through interviews, articles
and speaking engagements. Jide Awe is the Founder of
http://www.jidaw.com, an IT Career portal.
