When we think of technical certifications, most of us think of the seemingly endless jumble of letters that follow the names of information technology specialists – MCSE, MCSA, A+, CCNA, etc. These certifications are standardized, objective verifications of the holder. They have a certain skill and a certain level of competence.
However, in today’s increasingly competitive business environment, certification isn’t just for “computer geeks.” There are now many very valuable certifications in fields other than information technology. If you’re a work-from-home parent or a freelancer in any field, it can be hugely rewarding to invest the time and effort to earn an unskilled or semi-skilled certification.
Why get certified? I believe there are three fundamental reasons why you should consider adding professional certifications to your freelance portfolio.
First, having a professional certification, just like classic IT certifications, demonstrates your competence. It’s one thing to show on your resume, website, or promotional materials that you know how to use Microsoft Word, but it’s quite another to say you’re a Microsoft Certified Word Office Professional. The difference is just a fair exam, but it’s important for companies considering who to hire for freelance word processing or data management projects.
This gives me a second advantage. As a freelancer (or owner of a home business services company), getting a certification always gives you a “point of view” against the competition. This is especially true if you’re new to the freelance market and haven’t gathered an impressive list of satisfied clients yet. Having a certification is a quick and reliable way to let potential clients know that you are a professional.
Finally, certification in a related field can enable you to turn entry-level freelance work into a more lucrative contract. For example, data entry jobs are often one of the easiest freelance opportunities to get. Unfortunately, it is also often the worst reward. A Microsoft Access certification or database administrator can help data entry freelancers transition into database design and management contracts. Today, freelancers in almost every field have professional certifications to facilitate this business development strategy.
These are the best certifications for freelancers and work-from-home professionals.
CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) offers the world’s most recognized vendor-neutral certification. As the name suggests, most of their certifications are in the IT field; however, many are valuable to freelancers in all walks of life.
For general business services, including consulting services of any kind, Project+ from CompTIA is invaluable. As stated on the company’s website, Project+ is “a global reference that validates the knowledge needed to effectively manage projects throughout the project lifecycle.” In addition to the basics of project management, the exam covers conflict resolution, negotiation and team building, and other skills. In short, a Project+ certification shows you how to do things that typical MBA graduates only learn. However, Project+ has no academic requirements, and while the exam is rigorous, it is certainly acceptable for those willing to learn. Taking the Project+ exam costs $207, but you can almost always find discounted exam vouchers online for around $150.
CompTIA’s e-Biz+ certification demonstrates proficiency in IT business process concepts, problems and techniques. But don’t panic – you don’t have to remember the HTML code! Instead, e-Biz+ demonstrates e-commerce, e-marketing, and other knowledge related to maximizing the benefits of technology in a business environment. This certification can be very valuable to freelancers as business consultants and professionals who work from home or on the Internet. The retail exam fee for the e-Biz+ test is currently $225.
CompTIA also offers i-Net+ certification. This exam covers the basics of the Internet, web development, networking, and security issues. However, don’t be put off by the word ‘network’. It’s a semi-technical certification that’s much more valuable to e-commerce and marketing freelancers than it is to web administrators. The i-Net+ exam currently costs $207.
Microsoft
You don’t have to be a network expert to take advantage of the prestige and recognition of an official Microsoft certification. The company also offers widely recognized certification options for
You’re just one test away from getting Microsoft Certified!
The next level is expert certification. This requires a stricter exam. Currently, the expert level test is only available for Word and Excel.
To earn the Master certification, candidates must pass a total of four exams: Word 2003 Expert, Excel 2003 Expert, PowerPoint 2003, and Access 2003 or Outlook 2003. That’s a lot of testing, but holding a Microsoft Office Master certification can really stand out as a freelancer in the eyes of potential clients. Exam vouchers for any Microsoft exam can be found online for about $70.
Finally
Like other business environments around the world, the world of freelancing and self-employment is becoming more competitive every day. Professional certification is not a panacea for guaranteed success, but it can certainly help you stay ahead of the competition and win new customers.
