- Introduction
- Why Java Certification?
- Starting the Java Certification Process
- Passing the Exams
- Conclusion
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Why Java Certification?
Java is rapidly becoming the most sought-after skill in the IT industry. It's already number one on the list of required technical development skills in the U.S., and the UK market looks set to follow the U.S. market within a year or two. With students flooding the market who have a little experience in Java, gained while at college or university (having been lured into the IT world by the impressive salaries of a few years ago), it's becoming imperative for seasoned IT professionals to distinguish themselves from these eager but inexperienced novices. Meanwhile, programming work increasingly is going to "offshore" companies with well-trained employees offering to carry out projects for less money; this development makes it important for "homegrown" IT professionals to prove that they're at least as well-skilled as their much cheaper competition.
One of the best ways of proving understanding of Java is to get certified. Some employers now refuse to employ a Java professional who is not certified. Provided that an established and reputable certifier is used, certification allows potential employers to quickly determine that a candidate has the required skills.
More importantly, if the résumés of two candidates with the same skills and experience land on an employer's desk, the one who is certified is more likely to get the job. The fact that the potential employee has gone to the trouble of getting certified reassures the potential employer that the candidate is committed to the chosen career path, has the motivation to study and work toward a goal, and—even if he or she hasn't recently been employed—has been using time productively to improve and prove his or her skills.
Employers are very aware that revising for certification exams in a technology such as Java is an ideal way of crystallizing knowledge and reinforcing on-the-job learned skills.