|
|
Five Certification Mistakes You Don't Have to Make
Certification plans don't always go smoothly, but by learning from those who have gone before, you can bypass the most common mistakes and take the fast lane to certification.
By GoCertify Staff
Page 1 of 2 1 2
The time, money, and effort you put into achieving certification will depend upon the certification you choose and how much it's a natural extension of your current skill level. It's a calculated investment in your future, one that you can expect to provide dividends for years to come, and like any investor, you need to choose your investment options wisely and learn from the mistakes of others. Although a small misjudgment here or there isn't going to cancel out all of your hard work, you might as well benefit from other people's hindsight, which is always 20/20.
Error: Choosing a certification because it's "HOT"
Choosing a certification strictly because you hear it's a fast lane to a bigger paycheck is a huge mistake. Even if you somehow manage to obtain that top guru designation that you've heard lets you write your own ticket, the certification alone doesn't guarantee that you'll get the job to go with it. Employers look at the total picture, and certification is just one (potentially very important) part of it. The value of any certification comes when it complements existing professional experience. If a certification is totally unrelated to the job you already do or the nature of the experience you have, and isn't at the very least related to an area you want to move in to, it's not going to do a whole lot for you. You will be much better off to forgo the glitz and glamour in favor of earning a work horse certification that will pay back your investment of time and money for years to come, unless of course you just want a pretty certificate to decorate your cubicle wall.
Error: Choosing a certification because it's easy to get
If you've begun your certification research, you probably quickly discovered that some certifications are dramatically more involved, expensive, and difficult to obtain than others. Acquiring a Security+ certification LINK from CompTIA can happen much more quickly than earning a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) LINK from the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2), but if you already have significant computer security experience, the CISSP is definitely the way to go.
Although the extent of the requirements should be a consideration when choosing a certification, the most important aspect is how the certification will serve your career goals. If you're looking for a quick career fix and choose the program you can complete most quickly, you're most likely going to be disappointed. Does this mean that if a certification program doesn't involve a half dozen tests, hands-on laboratory sessions, and a slew of instructor-led courses that it's not worth your time? Absolutely not. You don't have to spend a fortune or devote a huge chunk of your time on certification to benefit from it, but in some cases the best course is also the longer course.
Error: Assuming your employer won't pay your way
Just because it isn't in the employee handbook doesn't mean your employer can't be persuaded to share the expense of your continuing education with you. Why spend your own money on professional training if someone else is perfectly willing to foot the bill for you? Prepare your case for certification, pitch it to the boss, and you may just be pleasantly surprised.
Page 1 of 2 1 2
|
|
