Entry Level IT Certification for Career Success
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Are you planning a career in an IT occupation? If you want to be successful in the information technology field, it's very important to earn one or more professional certifications relevant to the type of job that you hope to get. Whether you want to work in technical support, networking, hardware installation, or in any other type of IT position, getting certified before you start looking for a job is a good career advancement strategy.

Which Certification is Right for Me?
When hiring entry-level IT workers, employers tend to look for individuals with either CompTIA A+ or Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) credentials. Many hiring managers feel that these types of certifications provide important third party validation that candidates with little or no work experience actually have the skills they need to perform the essential functions of the jobs for which they are applying.

There is no hard and fast rule about which type of certification is best for every person seeking an entry level IT job. Different types of certifications provide validations for different skills, so preferences may vary from one employer and type of job to another. It's a good idea to contact human resources representatives from companies that you are interested in working for to inquire about their certification preferences for entry-level IT workers.

The Path to Certification
The reason that employers value professional certifications is that these credentials are believed to be an accurate indicator of skills. Before you concern yourself with passing a certification exam, the first thing you need to do is focus on getting the skills necessary to perform entry-level work. It's a good idea to select a training program or training materials that follow a certification track. That way, you'll be getting the skills you need and preparing for your certification exam at the same time.

Sitting for Your Certification Exam
When you have finished your training, it's time to register for your certification exam. Depending on the exam that you plan to take, you'll need to locate a PearsonVUE or Prometric testing center in your area. When you register for your exam, you'll be able to select a date and time that works well with your schedule. Be sure to show up a few minutes early so you'll have plenty of time to check in and get settled before you start testing.