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Life After Certification - What to Do After You Have Passed the Test |
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Okay you have now passed your certification test, congratulations!
Now what? How is this going to actually improve your life,
your career? Have you thought about your plans after you have
passed the test? For many taking a certification exam is only
a stepping stone to true success.
The first thing I would do even before pursuing a certification
is to have a plan on how this is actually going to help you
in your career. Just because you have passed the test does
not mean you are an expert. You must first prove it to the
rest of the world. How do you do this?
Sit down at your computer or desk and write out your career
goals for the next year, five years, ten years and your entire
working career. How does this certification fit into those
goals? Can you use it to establish more credibility as an
expert?
The first step I would take is to start writing tutorials
on the subject matter that you claim to be an expert in. Post
these tutorials to your own website, blog or eZine distribution
websites. the more you write about a subject the more likely
a person is going to consider yourself an expert in the field
and the certification just backs that up as well. The more
visibility you receive the more likely you are to get clients
that are willing to pay for your services.
The second step I would take is not to stop studying! The
best thing for you to do is learn as much as possible about
your subject matter and to stay on top of it. Each time you
learn something new write about it. This not only helps you
stay visible but shows that you are up to date with the latest
technology. If you are studying for another certification
or an upgrade to your existing one learn all you can about
the material and then start writing tutorials that teaches
others on the same subject. Not only will this help reinforce
what you have already learned but it could lead to increased
job offers and other opportunities.
The third step would be to visit as many newsgroups as possible
to put your knowledge to the test. By helping others this
way you reinforce what you have learned and again gain valuable
exposure in the field.
Lastly I would find a local user group in your area and start
volunteering for it. This will greatly increase the number
of contacts you can network with and make your name known
in the community. Do not have a user group in your area? See
if you can start one and start speaking about your area of
expertise to a local crowd. Later I would connect with other
regional user groups to see if they are looking for speakers
and then start speaking at these user groups. For many the
certification test is the place where most people stop in
their careers and then complain that this test did not really
help them. The test is merely a stepping stone in establishing
more credibility. The rest is up to the individual. You reap
what you sow. Certification only contains some of the seeds
that you need to plant in order to become truly successful.
About the Author:
Richard Callaby is a Independent Computer Consultant, Writer,
Author, Speaker and Instructor. More articles from this author
can be reached at his blog at http://blog.richard-callaby.net
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