What are the best certifications for IT jobs?

 it certification salary

IT certifications can open many doors throughout your career, especially when you’re searching for your next opportunity. Recruiters and hiring managers tend to look at the Certifications section of a tech resume before anything else.

Why? They want candidates with up-to-date knowledge, and IT certifications quickly show them a person’s mastery of a particular technology or practice — from help desk basics to mastery of complex cloud environments.

So whether you’re a recent graduate or seasoned tech specialist, preparing for and attaining a certification is a great way to expand your skill set, impress prospective employers and stand out from the crowd.

These are some of the most valuable IT certifications today, according to the 2020 Robert Half Technology Salary Guide:

• Certified data professional (CDP)
• Certified information systems security professional (CISSP)
• Cisco certified internetwork expert (CCIE)
• Cisco certified network associate (CCNA)
• Cisco certified network professional (CCNP)
• Certified information systems auditor (CISA)
• CompTIA A+
• Microsoft technology associate (MTA)
• Project management professional (PMP)
• Oracle certified professional
• Salesforce certified development lifecycle and deployment
• Certified Scrum master (CSM) 
• AWS certified solutions architect
• Certified ethical hacker (CEH)
• Global information assurance certification (GIAC)
• ITIL

Each offers specialization in different aspects of IT. Here’s a guide showing which of these and related certifications may be best for you, depending on your experience level and areas of interest.

Best IT certifications for beginners

Just starting out in the IT field? The following are some of the best introductory certifications to help you get your first IT job:

CompTIA certification

CompTIA issues certifications for a variety of technologies and platforms, but one stands above the rest in terms of value to IT pros:

• CompTIA A+: Get started in IT with this foundational certificate. It’s all about hardware, technical support and troubleshooting. It also covers best practices in security, networking, operational procedures, mobile devices and various operating systems.

Microsoft technology professional (MTA)

Tech giant Microsoft offers a selection of entry-level certifications covering a range of subjects, including:

• Windows operating system fundamentals
• Software development fundamentals
• Database fundamentals
• Windows Server administration fundamentals
• Networking fundamentals
• Security fundamentals
• Introduction to programming in Java/Javascript/HTML and CSS/Python

Each of these topics is a separate MTA. You can acquire multiple MTAs in a range of subjects if that’s what you need to get your career started. There’s no mandatory study or minimum professional experience required. Just take the exam when you feel prepared.

Best midlevel Microsoft certifications

When you’ve completed an MTA or other entry-level certification, you may consider an intermediate certification from Microsoft.

• Microsoft certified solutions expert (MCSE): MCSE certifications come in several specializations and show that you have the skills to manage servers, data systems, storage, private clouds, networking and more, depending on which you complete.
• Microsoft certified solutions developer (MCSD): Getting the MCSD certification shows that you have what it takes to design and create apps across a wide range of Windows products.

MCSE and MCSD are two of the most highly regarded certifications in tech. Either of these will add some sparkle to your IT resume.  

Best certifications for networking

As Cisco is a leading provider of infrastructure products, a certificate from this company confirms that you’re versed in the latest developments and best practices in networking. The most essential are:

• Cisco certified network associate (CCNA): A step up from Cisco’s entry-level certification, CCNAs can specialize in one of the following areas: cloud, collaboration, cyber operations, data center, industrial/IoT, routing and switching, security, service provider and wireless. 
• Cisco certified network professional (CCNP): After the associate level, the CCNP is a more advanced IT certificate in one of the above-mentioned specialty areas.

Best certifications for IT security

Hacking and cyberattacks are hot topics today, and many jobs in security and risk management are going unstaffed. The following are some of the most valuable IT certifications in this booming field.

ISACA certifications

A professional organization devoted to IT security and governance, ISACA manages five global certification programs, including:

• Certified information systems auditor: According to ISACA, the CISA is its cornerstone certification. As the name indicates, this exam is aimed at information systems (IS) professionals who monitor, control and assess a company’s IT or business systems. This certificate requires five years of professional experience in the field.
• Certified information security manager: The leading credential for information security managers, the CISM is designed for people who design, build and manage information security programs. To qualify, you must have at least five years of IS experience and three years as a security manager.
• Certified in risk and information systems control: The CRISC (pronounced SEE-risk) accredits professionals and project managers responsible for information security and its overall impact on the enterprise. It covers risk identification, risk assessment, risk response and mitigation, and risk control monitoring and reporting.
• Certified in the governance of enterprise IT: The CGEIT demonstrates your understanding of enterprise IT governance principles and practices. It is one of the most sought-after certifications in IT, commanding some of the highest salaries.