What are the top IT certifications?

When looking at the top IT certifications it’s important to remember that certifications are not only time consuming to obtain, they are also expensive, so before making the commitment to earn one, make sure you are making a sound investment.

The Top 6 IT Certifications for 2018

1. Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

Average Salary: $127,507

2. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

Average Salary: $122,448

3. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

Average Salary: $119,085

4. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Average Salary: $118,179

5. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

Average Salary: $110,634

6. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Average Salary: $105,324

The Industry Trends for the Top 6 IT Certifications: It’s All About Security and Risk 

When looking at the top six IT Certifications, it’s not hard to spot a trend: Security and risk management is in high demand, and it’s no wonder why. With headlines detailing the latest breaches of company and personal data, security spending is at the highest level in history. Furthermore, it is fair to say this trend will continue in the years ahead. Thus, IT certifications in information security would be a good investment.

Another trend that can be found on the list is the emphasis placed on management as the PMP certification appears in the top six. While not an IT certification itself, it does hold high value for employers since it speaks to a candidate having knowledge of fundamental project management principles.

How Do I Know if a Certification is Right for Me?

Looking at trends is useful, but one should make sure a certification aligns with their career objectives. For example, a PMP, while a great certification, may not provide immediate benefit for a junior IT professional. However, a more senior IT professional may benefit greatly from a PMP certification as they look to move into a management position.

Something else you must consider is that many of the listed certifications require professionals to have a minimum number of years of work experience. For example, the CISM and CISSP both require candidates to possess at least five years of work experience in the area covered by the certification. This criterion may rule out these certifications for most junior IT professionals.

Moving Forward

When in doubt about what certification may be best for you and your career, it’s best to contact an industry expert, a professional recruiter. A recruiter will be able to advise you on the best certification for your current situation and for your future.

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1: Skills Enhancement and Development of New Skills

Temporary assignments can expose job seekers to new skills and help enhance their existing skills. For example, if a job seeker is pursuing an IT certification (CISM, CISSP, etc.) and doesn’t meet some of the requirements such as time in a certain role or specific skills a temporary assignment can offer such exposure.

2: Networking

Like it or not, networking is a vital activity for a job seeker at any stage of their career. A temporary assignment can provide a job seeker with greater access to new connections that can then broaden their reach. This is especially true when talking about forming “loose” connections with other peers. Studies show that in most cases, it’s these loose connections that lead people to their next jobs.

3: Moving to a Different Practice Area

If a job seeker is looking to transition to another role but doesn’t have the necessary experience to catch the eye of a recruiter for a full-time position, temporary assignments may be to their benefit.

An example of this type of transition would be a data administrator who is looking to transition to information security taking on a temp position in a Security Operations Center. A temporary placement like this allows the job seeker to expand their skill set and get exposed to the industry while getting paid at the same time!

4: Business Specific Experience

In some cases, job seekers wish to make lateral movements within different industries. For example, an information security professional decides to go from a retail organization to a financial institution. While there are some similarities in these verticals, there are also huge differences. For example, in retail, aspects around ERP and supply chain management vary greatly from a financial institution. In a financial institution, there are many government banking regulations and rules that a very specific and don’t apply to other environments.

5: Experience with A New Technology

Finally, temporary assignments offer the ability to work for various companies all doing things in different ways utilizing different tools. Temporary placements allow a job seeker to gain exposure to new technology and tools that might not have been possible by having pursued a more traditional role.

Thinking Ahead

In conclusion, temporary assignments may not be ideal for everyone, but they can benefit a job seeker in numerous ways. They can provide many advantages such as networking and development of new skills. If a job seeker is interested in learning more about temporary assignments, its best to consult a professional recruiter. A recruiter can assist a job seeker in developing a career plan and find the best temporary assignment for them and their career.

 

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The Controversy Regarding IT Certifications

The importance of IT certifications depends on who you talk to. Organizations that provide training and conduct exams will tell you that they are absolutely necessary. HR professionals will tell you that certifications make their jobs easier by being a tool to validate candidate skillsets. Finally, technical professionals will say that while certifications can help, they are not a good gauge of a candidate’s knowledge base and that hands-on experience will always be more vital. So, what is a job seeker to do?

Employer Opinion: By the Numbers

First, it’s important to look at the numbers regarding IT certifications and employer value.

• 72% of employers require IT certifications for certain job openings.
• 67% of employers use certifications to measure a candidate’s willingness to work hard and meet a goal
• 60% of employers use certifications to confirm subject matter expertise.

Source: CompTIA 5 Reasons Why Employers Look for IT Certifications

In looking at the numbers, it’s important to point out that not only are certifications being used to validate skills but they are also used to determine a candidate’s drive.

IT Certifications: Let’s Get Personal

Secondly, IT certifications and their value are dependent on the person obtaining them. For example, if you are a low-level security professional and you obtain a CISSP it may be a huge benefit since it demonstrates capability. In certain parts of the IT industry, such as the security arena, certifications are quickly becoming essential.

Return on Investment (ROI)

When deciding on whether to pursue a certification, a job seeker must think about the ROI associated with the certification in question. Since certifications can run thousands of dollars, it’s important to determine if the investment will be able to be recouped in a reasonable time frame through salary improvement or increased opportunity. This greatly depends on your industry, your experience, your geographic location, and future career goals.

Planning Ahead

Finally, when deciding if a certification is best for you, research is key. One good practice is to look at the LinkedIn profiles. View the profiles of professionals who have the jobs you are aiming for and see what their certifications are. View open job postings to help you get a better idea of required certifications versus desired or preferred certifications. When in doubt, consult a recruiter, preferably one that specializes in your field, to get an idea of what certifications are setting candidates apart in the current market.

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