A lot of people ask me: “Mike, should I get CompTIA certifications?”
My answer isn’t just yes, it’s YES and here’s WHY these are steppingstones for you. Becoming a great IT Tech is about learning the fundamentals and adding to your skills one building block of knowledge at a time. Any successful career is about starting with a firm foundation.
In 2025 CompTIA will be releasing some new certifications. The CompTIA “little a+” certifications represent a new approach to IT certification that is more flexible, targeted, and accessible. This new series is designed to help more people enter the IT field and develop the skills they need to succeed. Not all the details regarding their content is available yet, but if you are are new to tech and working toward certifications, keep an eye on these certifications. The intent is for them to be bite sized approach to tech careers. This new series aims to broaden access to tech careers by offering a more flexible and targeted way to gain IT skills, we will keep watching for more details.
Whether you are looking at taking the bite sized approach or just jumping in to a certification, getting your A+ and Network+ certifications makes the Security+ journey easier and more rewarding as you invest in bettering yourself. This breadth of knowledge will open doors of opportunity. Having these foundational certifications gives you a better understanding of a growing body of knowledge and builds your confidence. Knowing the terminology helps you master each next step.
Increased Job Prospects: In a competitive job market, certifications make your resume more noticeable. They demonstrate a commitment to professional development and a proven skillset.
Meet Employer Requirements: Having the right certifications can make you a more attractive candidate and increase your chances of getting an interview.
Higher Earning Potential: Certified IT professionals often command higher salaries and receive faster promotions.
Specialization: Certifications allow you to specialize in a particular area of IT, such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, or data analysis. This specialization can open doors to higher-paying and more in-demand roles.
Industry Recognition: Certifications from reputable organizations (like CompTIA, Cisco, ISC2) are highly regarded in the IT industry.
Employer Confidence: Certifications build trust with potential employers. They demonstrate that you have the necessary skills and expertise to perform the job effectively.
Recruiters use automated scanners to scan for credentials. These CompTIA Certifications helps your resume get to the top of their list. Having certifications makes it A LOT easier to get an interview, and tells interviewers that you love tech much that you were willing to put in the time and effort to learn the basics and build your skills. In other words, the certifications provide tangible proof of your commitment; talking the talk in an interview lets potential employers feel confident in your skills
Then they ask: “How do I get prepared for the certifications?”
Everyone learns differently, and you have to be honest with your study skills. Self-study is ideal for basic IT skills both for building certifications on your resume. As you build your skills and advance your career there comes a point where you need hands-on training to learn the material properly.
Research and select certifications that align with your career goals and the specific IT roles you’re interested in obtaining, don’t just load certifications.
Thoroughly prepare for certification exams to increase your chances of success. Certifications are expensive, so know spend your time and money wisely.
The IT field is constantly evolving. Consider pursuing additional certifications to stay current and maintain your competitive edge.
When do you need to move from self-study to hands-on? As you advance, the skills become harder but from a learning standpoint it depends on how hard you want to work with self-study and your own learning ability, it is different for everyone. You will know when you need the extra help that hands-on provides when you find it hard to fully understand the skills through only self-study.
DON’T FORGET! CompTIA will be increasing their exam prices February 1st. If you are taking CompTIA exam in 2025, purchase an exam voucher now and pay 2024 prices for your certification exam in 2025! Vouchers are valid for eleven to twelve months, so it can be a good motivation to keep you on your study track!
In the IT industry more certifications is key to not only getting in to a career, but also advancing in your career. We are almost to the New Year, start working on your certifications now and get where you want to be in your career in 2025. While not a guarantee of employment, IT certifications are a valuable asset in your job search. They can significantly improve your employ-ability, boost your earning potential, and accelerate your career growth in the dynamic IT industry.
Talk to you next week!
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