Information Technology jobs are on the rise with shortages of available and qualified employees expected. As a result, IT jobs are available and waiting for you. Being qualitified for an IT job means you need the right skills and certifications. Having these skills and certifications will be critical to your success.

What are the best ways to get training?

There are many ways to get the skills you need including books, videos, and courses.  The most important things to consider when you are selecting a method of learining is how you learn and what method of learning is best for you.  For example, if you love to investigate and figure it out yourself, then a book or searching for videos would be fun for you.  If you are limited on time and what to make sure you get the most complete learning available, then you will want to take a course or a learning path made up of several courses.  Courses, built by good instructional designers, take you from start to finish.  They include hands-on exercises where you practice what you learn.  Practicing what you learn is the most important feature of any training as it allows you to master the skills you are learning.

If you like turn-key progarms that give you all the tools you need and make the very best use of your time, then you will want to consider The Technology Career Success Program.  The Technology Career Success Program gives you access to 24 Career Paths in Technology.  These paths were designed by experts and allow you to start at anypoint in the path.  If you are new to the technology you will start at the beginning.  If you have skills arleady, you can jump in at any point.  All courses come with detailed prerequisites so you know ecactly where to start.  The courses are all taught by experts who work and teach in their area of expertise.  They are online so you can learn anytime of the day or night and best of all, they are affordable.   Courses are all designed to allow you to implement the skills you are learning and will  prepare you to expand your employment opportunities.

Here are three examples of  IT areas  that can benefit your career:

1. Oracle– Oracle is the world leader in database development and management solutions, including CRM.
2. ITIL– Thousands of organizations around the world use Information Tecnology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), which consists of using best practices for the delivery of IT services and management of IT.
3. Programming– Progamming is a key skill.  There are a multitude of progarmming languages to learn and there is a critical shortage of skilled progarmmers in the world today.

What Are the Benefits of Obtaining Certification?

In addition to mastering a skill, there are many testing organizations that allow you to take a certification exam so you can say that you are certified in a particular field.  Having a certification can further enhance your marketability.  Most hiring professionals often make their hiring decisions based upon whether potential candidates have certification in key IT areas. For example, a hiring manager could have two potential candidates for a position, with equal job experience, but one is certified and the other is not. Since being certified has added credibility within various industries, the person with the certification would most likely be offered the job.

Another benefit of being certified is it allows you to demand higher salaries, compared to IT professionals without certifications. In cases where you are already employed, most employers will recognize your training and certification, and tend to reward you with higher compensation.

Certification also opens up potential career path development and other employment opportunities if you desire a change from your current position. Cloud-based employment and independent consulting IT services are two such careers you could pursue with the right certifications.

To learn more about IT certification programs, or to enroll in training today, call GogoTraining at 877.546.4446 to speak with a representative about advancing your career.

Based on a NetworkWorld November 2011 survey, the answer is YES.  Of the 700 network professionals surveyed 60% said certification led to a new job; 50% said they earned more pay, 40% said their pay increased by more than 10% and 29% said that getting certified led to a promotion.

The other fact that came out in the survey is that EXPERIENCE is mandatory.  Taking courses and passing exams alone will not do the trick. I’ve been in the field of technical training for 22 years and think that certifications help employers and perspective employers asses candidates.  If you are employed and up for a pay raise and can show certifications among your accomplishments that may boost your bottom-line.  If you are competing for a job and show certification in key areas, that may boost your chances when compared to the other candidates.

My bottom-line where training is concerned is to make sure that whatever is being taught that learning actually takes place.  If you decide to get certified make sure you pick a training partner that uses instructors that work and teach in their field.  Make sure the courses teach by example and include hands-on labs so you get to work with the technology and implement what you are learning.  Make sure your training provider offers after class support.  This is especially important if you are taking a live classroom course.

If you have any questions or I can help in any way, you can reach me at 1.877,546.4446 x707 or by email at marianne@gogotraining.com.

View full article:  http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/111411-it-certifications-lead-to-higher-pay-252852.html