TechMisoWhere Apple training fits in more closely with a focused industry niche and is somewhat limited in its IT scope, Microsoft on the other hand offer full blown horizontal and vertical depth in their IT curriculum.

Maybe you’re looking for a new job? Maybe an entry-level tech position? Chances are that if you show up to an interview with ‘certificate’ in hand, your potential for being accepted for the job will increase substantially.

You may just want to get a leg up on your peers — or you’re shooting for that next promotion.

With classes and certifications that cover everything from finance applications to word processing, and to server/client technologies, Microsoft can give you that decisively sharp advantage in leveling the IT professional playing field.

Being certified makes a difference.

With literally thousands of available resources, we’ll cut through most of Microsoft’s training and take just a high level look at those that will help you break IT ground.

Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS): It is highly likely that an Office product will show up as a production tool at just about every desk you sit at. Whether it’s Outlook, Word, Excel or PowerPoint, chances are you’ll see at least one of these products and be required to use it.

Microsoft’s current version of Office is 2007. What could be better than showing your employer that you not only have experience using Office, but you are ‘certified’ on the latest Office system on the market.

Microsoft say this-

The MCAS credential validates the skills that individuals and organizations depend on. Candidates who successfully complete the program by passing a certification exam prove that they meet globally recognized performance standards and are able to work productively and efficiently.

Ratchet things up a bit more and take Microsoft certs to the next level: Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS). Rooted in Server 2008 technology — MCTS piggybacks on the [more commonly known] Server 2003 cert, MCSE.

Microsoft again say-

With a Windows Server 2008 [MCTS] certification on your resumé, you have an excellent opportunity to catch the eye of early adopter organizations.

But Microsoft training doesn’t stop yet at MCTS. It is possible to ramp up even further by delving into Microsoft’s Professional, Master and Architect series of certifications. At these levels of qualification you become better known as a seasoned industry expert capable of delivering complete IT solutions.

Specialties in the Professional and Master series include Exchange 2007, Microsoft SQL 2008 and Windows Vista.

Folks certified through the Architect Series are frequently experts on large scale Exchange messaging rollouts, online transaction processing (OLTP) with MS SQL, and cradle to grave infrastructure solutions.

As vast as their product line, vast too is their training curriculum to back it. Microsoft offer IT professionals a complete track from basic to pro, from pro to master, and from master to architect.

Are you certified?