The Microsoft Certification Program helps IT professionals and information workers increase their competitive edge while demonstrating their commitment to advancing their IT skills and Microsoft Office skills. Easily recognizable by hiring managers and well accepted as industry standards, Microsoft Certifications can help accelerate careers and open opportunities not previously attainable. Learn more about the Microsoft Certification Program benefits, community, and offerings.
In the 15-plus years since Microsoft launched what is now called the Microsoft Certification Program, millions of people have earned Microsoft Certifications—taking advantage of the growing demand for IT professionals, developers, and information workers who understand and know how to work with Microsoft technology. Today, that demand continues to grow as Microsoft expands into an even greater number of markets and regions.
The Microsoft Certification Program has also adapted to the realities of the market, which are that software requirements, applications, and administration have changed over the years. Software is more complex, interdependent, and central to businesses of all kinds. Workers dealing with Microsoft technologies have become more experienced, well informed, and sophisticated, and job roles are more diverse and specialized.
Our current certifications help managers clearly identify which certifications best meet their business needs, while helping individuals distinguish themselves from other professionals. Microsoft Certifications emphasize the primary technology skill set and job role of each individual, which helps managers identify the candidates that best meet specific job criteria.
Targeted
To reflect the reality of today's workforce with specific and well-understood job roles and technology skill validation
To help professionals identify their unique skill sets and work toward a certification that truly meets their needs
With streamlined certification paths that help enable individuals acquire relevant certifications and prove their expertise more quickly
Rigorous
With new testing technologies that better demonstrate the real-world needs of candidates and employers
With performance-based testing that uses simulation technology in some core exams
With more understandable and straightforward exam paths that thoroughly validate the knowledge and skills of candidates
Relevant
To fully identify the breadth and depth of a candidate's technology skills with exams that focus on professional job skills, best practices, and industry knowledge
With a simplified certification process that helps make it easier to understand qualifications while maintaining the level of distinction needed to use certification as a recruiting tool
To assist hiring managers in deciding who to hire, and for which job role
To help candidates clearly communicate their skills sets and knowledge to employers and customers
"43 percent of survey respondents report salary increases as a result of Microsoft Certification."
– Redmond magazine's 2006 survey of compensation for Microsoft IT professionals
When you earn a Microsoft Certification, you receive access to a suite of online tools—which can be found on the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) member site or the Microsoft Business Certification (MSBC) member site— to help you demonstrate your unique achievements to customers, peers, and employers.
Examples of these tools include:
Official Microsoft transcript and Transcript Sharing tool
Official Microsoft Certification logo and Logo Builder tool
Virtual business cards
"More than 40 percent of survey respondents report that Microsoft Certification was a factor in improving their ability to find or keep a job or get a promotion."
A Microsoft Certification on your resume helps inspire confidence in hiring managers and helps open doors to career opportunities for you. By earning a Microsoft Certification, you have access to resources on the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) site or the Microsoft Business Certification (MBC) site, depending on the type of certification you earned. These member sites house a variety of tools and resources to help you advance even further in your career.
Resources include the following (some are found only on the MCP member site):
Career-related tools in the MCP Career Center
A Microsoft job board where you can display your technical certifications
Microsoft Certification Planner
Technical subscriptions, products, and services
Potential college credit
As a member of the Microsoft Certification community, you can connect with other certified professionals worldwide, through Microsoft-sponsored events, local news groups, and online forums. Network and brainstorm with the community for technical help, certification suggestions, job seeking, or simple camaraderie.
Community and networking resources include:
Private and public newsgroups
Invitations to conferences, training sessions, and special events
Subscription to the MCP Flash newsletter
You already look to Microsoft technologies for the agility, speed, and reliability that your business needs to compete in today's marketplace. Did you also know that when you hire a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) or Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), your company benefits from a technically proficient or business savvy professional who has hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge?
