In Demand IT Certifications for 2011

While the recession may be technically over, IT professionals know that jobs continue to be scarce. Manufacturers continue to close U.S. factories in favor of cheap overseas labor, taking with them the need for local IT support. Where IT pros once could pick and choose their jobs, the power has shifted back into employers' hands. Competition for available jobs is fierce! Your resume and credentials must be top-notch before you'll ever be called in for an interview.

Which IT certifications are in demand for 2011? Employers look for candidates with IT certifications relevant to the technologies that they're currently using or expecting to use in the near future. Among the hottest technologies being embraced today are: virtualization, Windows Server, VoIP, and information security. As such, IT certifications related to those technologies are in demand.

Virtualization Certifications
As more organizations recognize the value of virtualization, more or moving into the virtual realm. After all, virtualization reduces IT costs dramatically, allowing organizations to do more with less. IT professionals skilled in using VMware and Microsoft Virtualization technologies should be extremely attractive to organizations deploying these technologies.

Windows Server Certifications
Microsoft Windows Server technologies are widely used in industries of all types. From virtualization with Hyper-V to expertise with Windows Storage Server, earning a Windows Server certification could be a smart choice.

IP Telephony / VoIP Certifications
Because VoIP can dramatically reduce communications costs, organizations continue to adopt this technology. As such, IT professionals equipped with VoIP certifications are needed to implement VoIP. Certifications such as Cisco Certified Voice Professional (CCVP) can set IT professionals apart from the competition.

Information Security Certifications
Protecting informational assets has always been critical. As consumers demand more privacy protections and as hackers become more sophisticated, the IT professionals charged with securing information must be more skilled than ever. In addition, Department of Defense mandates require specific certifications of personnel working with information. From health care and finance to the military and e-commerce, organizations of all types need highly skilled information assurance professionals. Certifications such as the Certified Ethical Hacker and CISSP validate the certificate holder's skills in these crucial areas.

Other in Demand IT Certifications
Wireless networking, project management, software as a service, data center efficiency, and desktop support continue to be important to organizations. IT certifications such as CCNA, PMI PMP, and ITIL demonstrate that you have crucial skills in the areas of wireless networking, project management, and the IT Infrastructure Library respectively.

Getting Certified - IT Certification Courses are a Must
After exploring the various IT certification programs and in-demand certifications, the next step involves getting the right training. IT certification training courses designed for specific certifications such as CCVP, MCITP, PMP, CISSP, or CEH, are ideal in that these courses cover all of the certification program's defined objectives. By enrolling in a comprehensive certification course, you'll explore all of the exam objectives in depth and be ready to pass the certification exams. IT certification course providers such as CBT Planet offer courses covering the most popular certification programs in a variety of formats including certification boot camps, DVDs, online classes, live classes, and onsite classes.

The job market for IT professionals is crowded with many talented professionals competing for the same jobs that you're considering. IT certifications distinguish your skills and show employers that you have taken the initiative to become extremely valuable.