If you are starting in the IT field as a technician, a network engineer, or a network administrator, a certification can really help set you apart from your competitors. The IT certificate shows your dedication to your profession and your ability to obtain more skills and adapt to the ever changing technologies. What can be a better way than to get a credential from Microsoft?It has been known for the best certification program that has become an industry standard with their rigorous and extensive tests. With this, you will be able to reap the benefits in your desired job much faster. The certificates usually assist to get a raise in current work. With a Microsoft credential, you will be able to cope with a wide range of working tasks. The Microsoft certified employees have been found to be 90% more productive and 60% more efficient than their non-certified colleagues.
What Certifications Does Microsoft Offer?
Microsoft offers many different certifications depending on your job and the role you play. You can select a certificate based on your job, the technology, the certification type, or the certification level.The program itself is divided into categories, namely:Dynamics 365, Mobility, Productivity, App Builder, SQL Server, and Windows Server. The levels of credentials are fundamental, associate and expert.
- Fundamental certifications
There are 3 fundamental-level certifications that Microsoft offers. With these credentials, you prove that you understand the platform you are using. You should also be able to understand Cloud concepts and services and ways in which you can adopt them. Each certification deals with its own platform and gives new and different skills that you can later integrate in your job. The fundamental-level certifications are a foundation to build other certificates on. They also act as a great first step for people who don’t know where to start.
- Associate certifications
Nowadays, there are 17 certifications you can choose from in this category. You have the option of a data engineer associate, a data scientist, an Azure developer, and etc. The credentials of the associate level are mid-tier ones, so it is helpful to have a fundamental-level certification before you apply for the relevant exams because they can help you understand the basics before you advance to a more complicated skill set. However, that is not a requirement. Therefore, even if you do not have a fundamental certificate, you can still try at the associate level. Before you apply to take the test, you need to make sure you have at least 2 years of experience working in the field of your desired credential.
- Expert certifications
There are 3 expert-level credentials from Microsoft. This is the most advanced level of certification you can receive, and each one requires its own associate prerequisite that you need before you can apply. You also need about 2-5 years of in depth experience in the field. It also helps if you have had a leadership role.
Benefits of Having Microsoft Certifications
- It builds a foundation.
When you send your resume to a company or appear for an interview and they see a Microsoft certification, it proves to them that you are a capable and noteworthy candidate. It makes a positive impression on the employers and makes them more likely to hire you.
- It provides in-depth knowledge and skills.
Every certification exam you study for, whether it is the fundamental, associate, or expert level, teaches the candidate new skills or even relearn something that they might have forgotten. Nevertheless, they always get to know new ideas and ways to improve what they already have. With technology moving so fast and new methods evolving quickly, the certifications also provide a way to keep updated with the latest tech and to incorporate that into your own line of work.
- It validates one’sabilities.
With a Microsoft certification, you willget valuable skills and knowledge that you can later implement in your job. It has a much more powerful impact on any employer when you are able to prove with a credential that you are an expert in a certain field.
- It guarantees promotion.
A Microsoft certified employee is much more useful to any company than a regular one. You are likely to receive pay raise and promotions while improving the overall productivity and efficiency of a company with your expertise.
How to Study for Microsoft Certification Exams?
There are many methods you can use to prepare for a certification exam. The best is to learn with the help of online platforms like Examsnap. It is a community-based website, which offers many services to help you excel in your certification test. Examsnap has 3 types of learning a candidate needs. The first is self-study. Examsnap has study guides that you can buy at reasonable prices to gain in-depth knowledge on a particular topic. They are great if you need to revise the course material. The study guides are neatly organized and available for almost all types of certifications that Microsoft offers. Examsnap also has instructor-led videos, which can aid in problems that you are not able to solve on your own. These are advisable if you prefer the classroom environment or simply learn better through a professional teaching. Last and possibly the important way of scoring well in your exam is through practice. Examsnap has the largest collection of exam dumps and practice questions for their users. With them, you will never run of questions to answer and become more confident. With itsexam engine, you can also download the tests offline and practice on the go.