In the midst of staggering business and economic turmoil, you need all the tools at your disposal to help boost your career prospects

By almost any measure, the economy is in its worst state since records began. Consumer spending is down, credit markets remain weak, and uncertainty with the economy has everyone worried about the future.

Yet despite the grim financial picture, demand for certain types of IT skills, such as Microsoft .Net, SharePoint and help desk/support, remains strong.

A quick scan of the recruitment websites such as Findajob.ie indicates that there are still many companies hiring IT Pros. Skills required include Windows XP and Vista, Active Directory, Exchange and Windows Server 2003/2008.

With unemployment growing in 2009, competition for good jobs will only increase. If your CV is bolstered by new and timely certifications, you’ll gain an advantage over others applying for the same role.

Here is an overview of the 9 Certifications, that when added to your CV, will drastically improve your career opportunities in IT.

For more information on any of the below certifications please call New Horizons Ireland!

New Horizons Ireland

www.newhorizonsireland.ie

01 8898700

1 CompTIA A+

CompTIA A+ certification validates the latest skills needed by today’s computer support professionals.

It is an international, vendor-neutral certification recognized by major hardware and software vendors, distributors and resellers.

CompTIA A+ certification confirms a technician’s ability to perform tasks such as installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance and basic networking.

The exams also cover domains such as security, safety and environmental issues and communication and professionalism.

2 MCTS SharePoint

The MCTS: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 certification highlights your area of expertise and validates the knowledge and skills required to configure and deploy Office SharePoint Server 2007.

If you have the MCTS: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 - Configuration credential, you will have an understanding of how to configure Office SharePoint Server 2007, and you have a general understanding of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or SQL Server 2005 and .NET 2.0 as they relate to SharePoint Server 2007.

3 MCTS Exchange 2007

The Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 - Configuration certification highlights your area of expertise and validates the knowledge and skills required to deploy and administer an enterprise messaging environment with Exchange Server 2007.

Successful candidates will have experience installing, managing, monitoring, and troubleshooting Exchange Server 2007, and managing messaging security and recovering messaging servers and databases.

4 MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration

Technology Specialists pursue careers as database administrators, database developers or business intelligence developers. Candidates are IT professionals who are working with Windows Server 2008, or anticipate deploying or working in a Windows Server 2008 environment within the next year.

5 MCTS Small Business Server 2008

This credential is designed for information technology (IT) professionals who work in or consult with small businesses that use Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2008.

The MCTS candidate for this exam should have at least one year of experience deploying and managing network solutions.

6 Cisco CCNA

Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification demonstrates your knowledge to deploy, maintain, secure and operate a medium-sized network using Cisco technologies.

Cisco CCNA certified professionals can install, configure, and operate LAN, WAN, and dial access services for small networks (100 nodes or fewer), including but not limited to use of these protocols: IP, IGRP, Serial, Frame Relay, IP RIP, VLANs, RIP, Ethernet, Access Lists.

7 MCTS .NET Web Applications

Developers who earn the MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications certification have demonstrated breadth and depth of skills and knowledge of Web application technology and data access in Web applications.

Technology Specialists typically pursue careers as Web developers, Windows developers, or enterprise software developers.

They may also be database developers or systems administrators who do not work daily with the .NET Framework 2.0 but who want to show their breadth of technology experience.

8 MCTS Windows Vista Configuration

The MCTS: Windows Vista - Configuration certification is designed to validate the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the functions and features of Windows Vista and to troubleshoot network-connectivity and applications issues.

9 MCTS SQL Server 2005

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialists in Microsoft SQL Server 2005 (MCTS: SQL Server 2005) implement and maintain databases using specific instructions and specifications.

They have thorough knowledge of the product, understand how to use the tools and Transact-SQL language, and know how to explore the user interface.

Technology Specialists typically pursue careers as database administrators, database developers, or business intelligence developers. They may also be developers and systems administrators who do not work with SQL Server daily but who want to show their breadth of technology experience. 

The world of IT has always been one of the most lucrative, but it is also increasingly one of the most competitive areas of employment. The world of computers and computer technology is constantly changing and evolving, and this means that those in the industry must continue to grow and update their skills in order to remain valuable to their employers.

One of the best and most effective ways for those employed in the IT field to grow their skills and enhance their careers is to gain one of the most respected IT certifications.

These certifications are widely known and widely respected with recruiting firms and human resource managers around the world, and those who hold such certifications are often able to command much higher salaries and greater responsibilities than those who lack such certifications.

For more information on any of the above certifications please call New Horizons Ireland!

New Horizons Ireland

www.newhorizonsireland.ie

Tel: 01 8898700

Debbie O’Halloran