Get Ready to be an Expert
Ever hesitated when asked to describe your level of competency with Microsoft Office? If you’re anything like me it’s because you’re pretty familiar with the everyday tasks, but you’re also aware that there’s so much more you can do and you should really dedicate some time to get to grips with the entire package.
This is also followed by a slight twinge in my stomach. I’ve paid ‘that much’ and I’m only using ‘this much’! And am I now so far behind there’s no hope of me catching up? Oh the dilemma! In reality there isn’t one, as there’s a simple solution. From both a personal and work perspective I really feel it’s time to take action. So I’ve found out some more about the Microsoft Office Systems certification (MOS).
Why should I bother?
According to a recent IDC survey, information workers are key to an organisation’s success. They typically support 10 or more other employees and have a significant impact on the organisation’s external face – whether that’s customers or other business contacts.
Around 75% of information workers are required to have moderate or advanced Microsoft Office skills, yet less than 30% of companies actually test for this as part of the selection process.
The bottom line is that you become more valuable and therefore more marketable if you have an MOS certification. One of those interviewed as part of the survey said that certified staff are up and running with a new job much faster, and require less day-to-day supervision. This leads to more job satisfaction for you and less staff turnover for your company.
One Scottish law firm provides financial rewards for their staff who complete MOS certifications. They believe it’s important to recognise the additional benefits that certification brings, both for the worker and the company, and it can lead to better promotion prospects.
Increasingly, we work as part of project teams. A third of the supervisors in the survey believe that MOS-certified staff are more competent, more flexible and able to handle more responsibility than their non-certified colleagues.
Nearly 80% of MOS-certified staff play a key role in setting process standards within their organisations. An American accountant said that it was much more than just a qualification. He feels that it implies a greater and different level of trust in the worker, which shows in their commitment and competency.
In summary then, an MOS certification will give you:
| • | increased job satisfaction, which means you’ll feel more engaged and loyal to your organisation; |
| • | more confidence in your abilities, which will help you achieve greater work/life balance; |
| • | proper recognition for your enhanced capabilities. |
Sounds good. What do I do now?
Whether you’re looking to improve your skills for a new role, or if it’s simply for your own interest, the first step is to see what’s available, and which specific skills you want to boost.
Go to http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/msbc/offers/default.mspx which gives you loads of resources with which to plan your learning.
You’ll plan your chosen route, take a pre-test which will give you useful feedback about which areas you need to develop and study; then take the exam! To find an exam centre, go to http://www.certiport.com/Portal/Pages/LocatorView.aspx.
To support the new Microsoft Office 2007 learning activities, we’re offering an exclusive promotion on a different Microsoft Press book each month until December this year. You’ll get a massive 40% discount when you buy our book of the month!
The first book on offer is Advanced Microsoft® Office Documents 2007 Edition Inside Out.Learn everything you need to know for creating dynamic, robust, more secure documents with the 2007 Microsoft Office system – from the inside out! This book packs in hundreds of time-saving solutions, troubleshooting tips, and the workarounds you need for creating and sharing powerful documents and templates – all in concise, fast-answer format.
To get your promotional code and start saving, go to http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/FX100485361033.aspx.
Remember – there’s a different promotion each month, and they don’t always start at the beginning of the month. July’s promotion starts on 16th!
Good luck with your 2007 Microsoft Office learning !
