Qualified Microsoft certified professionals utilize technology to ensure customer satisfaction and help companies improve operational results. For example, employers seek IT professionals who have the appropriate skills and knowledge to perform complex operations such as installation and troubleshooting tasks. Certification programs feature training opportunities ranging from instructor-led classroom training to self-paced study options. Passing a certification exam proves that a candidate has the capability required to accomplish complex technology tasks.
Business professionals can typically expect salary increases as a result of obtaining Microsoft certification. Newsletters provide timely and relevant technology-related information. Certified professionals can share knowledge (using forums and blogs) to find peer support worldwide. Social media technology also helps them promote their personal achievements as well. Seminars and other career-development resources provide additional opportunities to boost critical skills and knowledge necessary to maintain a technology-based career in a dynamic global marketplace.
Certification, offered based on a technology, ranges from entry-level through advanced. Microsoft certifies business professionals for servers (including Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft SQL Server and Windows Server), developer tools (including Visual Studio), Windows (including Windows client), and Microsoft Office (including Office SharePoint Server and Office Communications Server).
Microsoft groups certified professional certifications in series that correlate to job roles found in most companies. As of July 2010, IT professionals can choose from more than 30 certifications. Business professionals just starting out (with only one year of experience) typically begin at the Specialist Series level. Specialists must demonstrate in-depth knowledge of using a Microsoft product, including the ability to install, troubleshoot and debug. More experienced IT professionals and developers apply for Professional or Master Series certifications. Professional series certifications include additional skills such as project management and operations management. Master series professionals design and implement technology solutions for highly complex business problems. Architects achieve the highest level of certification after five or more years of proven leadership and technical expertise.
Information workers and students can broaden employment opportunities by improving skills, knowledge and productivity with Office applications such as PowerPoint, Excel and Word and then seeking certification to prove their capability. Microsoft provides free self-paced training alternatives for Office programs. Using these free resources before applying to take a certification exam prepares candidates for ensuring their professional development.
