A certification is a symbolic achievement that makes a great addition to a resume, as well as a tangible addition to the development of an IT professional’s skill-set. With this in mind, CompTIA teamed with the International Data Corporation (IDC) to poll candidates, staff and employers in the IT industry to gauge job performance and quantify the value of certification.
A month of data collection across the United States and Canada yielded the resulting IDC white paper, sponsored by CompTIA, IT Support and Security Performance: The Impact of CompTIA Certification on Organizational Performance. The bottom line of its findings: Individuals with CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Security+ certifications perform better than those who are not certified.
The IDC study isolated five qualities these certification holders have that make them more attractive and accomplished professionals. Not listed among these qualities is their humbleness, which prevents them from bragging. So we’ll do it for them.
1. Certified employees are more confident.
Confidence is the key in accomplishing any difficult task and it’s no surprise that that’s what employers look for in IT staff. CompTIA-certified employees boast a level of self-assuredness that can only come from hands-on training in the equipment and environments that make up the current workforce. A belief in their ability to do great things is the perfect first step in a long and successful employee-company relationship.
2. Certified employees are more knowledgeable.
Fortunately, CompTIA-certified employees can back up their abundance of confidence with the competence to perform any essential task. These employees supplement important book knowledge with practical understandings of what companies need, anticipating jobs before they happen and leaving bosses in awe of their efficiency.
3. Certified employees reach job proficiency more quickly.
Consider CompTIA certification a head start in the pursuit of becoming an ideal employee. IT leaders generally have to administer their own training to get new hires up to speed, which costs businesses a lot of time and money. But a certified employee is as close to ready on day one as the job market gets.
4. Certified employees are more reliable.
With a wider and more varied skill-set to draw from than other employees, CompTIA-certified employees can really put their managers’ minds at ease. When tested with an objectively measurable task, certified employees completed it far more consistently than any other group. A to-do list in front of a CompTIA certified employee might as well be an already-done list.
5. Certified employees perform at a higher level.
The preparation process of certification alone helps certified employees meet the lofty demands of their industry. And certification’s ongoing training allows such staff to meet these demands consistently, preventing a drop off that a quarter of uncertified employees face. With certification, employers can rest with confidence knowing that what they see is what they get and will be what they get for years to come.
IT is no longer a small, separate niche in the larger corporate structure. It is now influencing everything that keeps a company going. For that reason, employers will have to put more thought than ever into finding the best candidates for jobs. To learn more about certification and this study, check out this helpful, informative presentation.
