The Best Microsoft SQL Server Certification Path to Accelerate Your IT Career and Salary

Business intelligence and big data are top priorities for businesses in 2018. Organizations rely on databases to give insights that impel important business decisions, which means Microsoft SQL Server skills are in high demand.

A Microsoft SQL server certification is an essential addition to any IT professional’s CV. Getting it not only shows that the person has the skills required to manage complex database software; it helps distinguish the employee in a job market well known for being remarkably ambitious.

One of the best ways to demonstrate your Microsoft SQL Server expertise and acquire a well-paying job profile is by achieving a Microsoft SQL Server certification path. Holding Microsoft SQL Server certifications confirms you can generate and maintain the complex database and information solutions, making you a worthy asset to employers.

The job recruitment procedure starts with an excellently written resume. Listing a Microsoft SQL Server 2016 certification on your CV provides you a professional edge that increases preference for both seasoned professionals and entry-level workers. Hiring managers know that a certified applicant will own preferred knowledge about the distinct functionalities. They need not consume time training a new employee; rather, they can appoint the worker directly to projects.

The Microsoft SQL Server certification will help with any projects that use the new SQL Server technology. With the successful fulfillment of your work, you will gain generosity from your organization. Your expanded skills will empower you to help team members increase productivity. Consequently, you will be assigned to new responsibilities that boost your confidence level.

Staying up to date in modern technology is the best way to stand out in a crowd. Fair return of your work is an encouraging element. With the new skills and proficiency you’ve obtained from the Microsoft SQL Server 2016 certification, your paycheck will be in good figures.

The database management field has evolved significantly in the last ten years. With considerable investments made in the fundamental technology by corporate business leaders Microsoft, IBM, and Oracle, it is vital to understand the present to anticipate the future.

A Microsoft SQL Server Certificate does this in three distinct ways:

Database architecture is a complex topic that requires years of careful study to appreciate fully. SQL technology has been developed since the mid-1970’s, lending itself to both a well-documented and complicated existence.

A Microsoft SQL Server certification shows that the engineer knows how databases work and are qualified to manage them in an extensive variety of conditions. Considering the continuous need for new databases in every aspect of society, this opens the door to nearly every average or large company around.

Database management befalls in two distinct stages. The first is the backend, and the second is the user-facing interface.

By having a solid understanding of how to maintain the back-end (the actual databases), it is probably to quickly execute a complete solution that the consumer or company will be able to employ directly. This will reduce the time required for debugging operations, conceding projects to be developed faster and at the lower cost.

Additionally, SQL Server databases are gradually used in everything from online shops to corporate applications and gaming. Having a thorough understanding of SQL Server will qualify the holder to easily integrate and use tools from this system to efficiently perform a wide range of tasks.

By having a rooted understanding of the Microsoft SQL Server functions, it is desirable to perform a security audit of your databases quickly. This relevant skill will become even more valuable in the years ahead, as people give more attention to software and database security.

Microsoft offers database-related certifications at all expertise level, from Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) to Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) to Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE). The more certifications you earn, the higher your opportunities for senior-level positions.

Here’s everything you need to know about the SQL Server certification path that will boost your career and salary opportunities.

If you have limited to no experience, the MTA certification is a great place to start.

The MTA: Database Fundamentals certification comprises prior knowledge and skills related to databases, including SQL Server.

You don’t need prior job experience to earn this certification, but a basic understanding of relevant database technologies is required.

Prerequisites: Basic IT knowledge

Earning Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012/2014 Databases certification proves your skills with database installation, maintenance, configuration, and provisioning. It entitles you for a position as a development lead, architect, or infrastructure specialist.

If you don’t feel you possess basic IT skills, you can achieve one or more MTA certifications first to qualify you for the MCSA certification. If you already have basic experience working with databases, you can skip the MTA certification.

Prerequisites: Foundational IT skills and an MTA certification

Developing Microsoft SQL Server Databases certification validates your professional skills working with both on-premises and cloud-based databases. Passing this exam qualifies you for a mid-level position as a database developer.

Prerequisites: Foundational IT skills and an MTA certification

If you’re interested in becoming a BI developer, Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server certification reinforces your extract, transform, load (ETL) and data warehouse skills. It also proves you know to implement BI solutions using online analytical processing (OLAP) cubes and multidimensional and tabular data models.

Prerequisites: Foundational IT skills and an MTA certification

This expert-level certification confirms you have excellent skills in SQL administration, building enterprise-level data solutions and managing data in both on-assumptions and cloud environments.

Earning your Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server certification qualifies you for a role as a database analyst, database designer or business intelligence analyst.

The certification expects you to hold an MCSA certification and pass an elective exam.

Prerequisites: Earn your MCSA certification in one of the following: SQL Server 2012/2014, SQL 2016 Database Development, Database Administration, BI Development, Machine Learning, BI Reporting or Data Engineering with Azure.

To keep this certification, you are expected to pass an additional elective exam each year. Adding each new exam to your cv proves your commitment to staying current on new technologies to potential employers.

SQL is a universal coding language, which means it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Pursuing a SQL Server certification path will help you acquire valuable skills that will stay relevant for years to come.

Achieving Microsoft SQL Server Certification offers you three valuable things: the capability to get access to your skill set, exposure to the significant features of Microsoft and a proof that you are dedicated to achieving your career goal.