Autor: Codenga 15.04.2024

IT certifications can be a great way to increase your chances in the job market. We've prepared a list of the most popular certifications covering various specializations: programming, cybersecurity, testing, and project management. At the end of the article, you'll find considerations on the importance of certifications when applying for a job.

Programming/Software Development

The first group consists of certifications covering skills in software development. They are often associated with popular cloud platforms. Certifying institutions in this case, are major companies such as Google, Amazon, or Microsoft.

• AWS Certified Developer - this certification confirms skills in creating, deploying, and maintaining applications on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform.
• Google Cloud Platform Professional Cloud Developer - this is a certificate for developers who want to confirm their skills in building applications on the Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE Programmer - this certification confirms knowledge and skills in the Java programming language.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate - confirms skills in creating solutions using Microsoft's Azure platform.

Cybersecurity

The next group of popular certifications covers skills related to cybersecurity.

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) - this is a certificate for professionals involved in penetration testing.
• CompTIA Security+ - a general certificate that confirms basic knowledge and skills in cybersecurity. A good choice for beginners.
• CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) - a certificate for experienced professionals in cybersecurity.

Software Testing

In the field of testing, the most popular certification is ISTQB Certified Tester. It is offered by the ISTQB organization. The organization offers many more IT certifications: you can view the full list here.

Other Popular IT Certifications

Now it's time for certifications covering less technical and more organizational skills related to IT project management.

• Project Management Professional (PMP) - confirms skills in project management and can be significant for IT Project Managers.
• ITIL Foundation - this certification confirms basic knowledge of best practices in IT service management.
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) - this certification confirms knowledge of the popular Scrum methodology.

It's also worth considering some language certifications. A good example is the Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), confirming a very high level of English language proficiency. Another popular certificate is the Business English Certificate (BEC).

Such certifications can be an additional advantage when looking for a job, especially if it requires proficiency in a foreign language.

Are IT certifications worth having?

There are different opinions about IT certifications. Generally, it's better to have them than not.

A certification is a relatively reliable way to determine a candidate's skills. Many companies process a large number of applications. They are somewhat forced to quickly screen out individuals who do not meet the specified criteria.

In such a situation, an IT certification can be a way to stand out from a wide pool of candidates. Therefore, a certification can facilitate the transition to the next stages of recruitment.

There are also companies or organizations that explicitly require candidates to have the right certifications. Such situations occur in highly formalized industries: administration, banking, healthcare, etc.