Certifications are an important factor in IT hiring decisions and professional development plans. Knowing how the certification exam is created and administered is key to judging the quality of the certification. Don't hire based on a certification, or spend money on employee certification without knowing its quality.

The Basic Considerations

Certifications can help an IT leader in the hiring process and when developing existing staff.

• A recruit with a certification shows a commitment to the skill or competency area. While it doesn't prove the person can do the job, it demonstrates a base level of knowledge.
• Certifications help standardize and build consistent language and understanding between practitioners and between the potential employee and the potential employer.
• Providing support for certifications shows employer commitment to employee professional...