If You Want an IT Job, You Had Better Be Certified

(Alberta, Canada) - In a survey of hundreds of software engineering professionals conducted by the IEEE Computer Society, the world's leading organization of computing professionals, more than two thirds believed IT certification helps assess IT job applicants' knowledge and skills.

Many organizations are trying to distinguish the IT haves from the IT have-nots by examining their numbers of industry certifications. But according to David Papp, author of "IT Survival Guide: Conquering Information Technology in Your Organization," this task is far from straightforward.

"Most companies have witnessed the so-called IT experts who carry an alphabet soup of letters after their names," Mr. Papp states. "But more commonly than not, these individuals have a poor overall understanding of the latest information technologies and how they apply to one's business."

Having several certifications is no guarantee that someone is knowledgeable about IT systems, according to Papp. He suggests using some key tools when assessing an IT person's credentials:

* Examine the specific requirements for the IT certification
* Don't neglect to look at IT experience in addition to a person's certifications
* Collect professional references from multiple sources
* Include existing IT personnel in the discussion about specific certifications and their relevance
* Look at dates of certifications to assess if active education is ongoing

"Pressure to develop greater standardization among IT industry certifications is coming from both professional associations and big business," David continues. "But so far, it is still quite a confusing maze."

For IT professionals, Mr. Papp recommends staying active in ongoing educational programs and gaining experience in as many different IT systems as possible. While certifications remain important, diversity of knowledge is one's greatest asset and awards the best chance of securing an IT position.

About the author:
David Papp is an international IT consultant with over twenty years' experience in IT systems. He is a popular keynote speaker on numerous IT topics. Mr. Papp has a computer engineering degree from the University of Alberta and holds multiple industry certifications.