I have 10 certifications of which some are on this list. Are they hot??? Good question! Apparently not where I work! It's all about who you know and the a$$ you kiss as to what psoition you can get! Another reason I am looking outside my current employer.

Well, having been on the job market for 3 months now after a 7 year stint in-house working on essentially one project, I can attest that it's definitely "about who you know". Regardless of your certification level (I am an MCSE), keep your contact database current and growing. If you think that just being the smartest and nicest guy in the room is enough to remain gainfully employed, you're mistaken.

I have zero certs and I don't believe in them. They just prove that you can study hard. I have a co-worker with a Degree in Computer Science that once asked me how to remove a floppy drive from a system he was working on. I believe in hard core proof. You can be book smart and not know anything.

To NONE - it is not just the certification that the employer cares about. The fact that you took the time to achieve the certification also counts for a lot. It shows you have the ambition and drive to get something accomplished. Not working on certification and believing that your skills will carry you on can be detrimental to your career eventually. I've been around people with PhDs that probably couldn't figure out how to remove a floppy drive - but they are making serious $$.

I'm currently working on my CISA - didn't see that on the list, but it is becoming pretty popular.

I currently do not have any Certifications at this time and wonder if it will really be necessary for my current career since I work for local government. I know when the day comes and I want to move into the private industry either the degree will need to be completed or some certification will be needed according to the local job listings. The comment of who you know stands firm on getting either into the job or moving up in the company. On going education is still needed or you will get left in the dust regardless of how smart you think you are. I run circles around some of my co-workers with degrees but I am constantly taking classes at the local community college to keep up with technology where they do not.

I've had many work for me over the years with certification that don't live up to the expectations of that certificate - more than I would like to count (many of them MCSEs). As others have said, with or without certifications, if an individual can demonstrate through practical knowledge, "hands on" experience than the theoretical means a lot less.

The value of certifications is only apparent once there is real experience behind it. For example, some professions regardless of credentials provide for a period of apprenticeship or as in the example of Doctors, residency. They're called "doctors" but are still learning their craft. They're given access to treat increasing levels of health issues only after "experiencing" them in live situations.

It's the same in IT. You can be a network analyst but until you've broken in a network a time or two you are a paper analyst.

If I have a position open with two applicants competing, which do you think I will go for? The newly minted certified "XXXX" or the 5 to 10 year experienced "XXXX" with no certification? If I could offer them both the position, the certified "XXXX" will be hired as a junior with hopes that they can meet the professional level already achieved by the 5 to 10 year practicing "XXXX".

At the end of the day, certifications of any ilk only lets you through the door. You must live up to the demands that will come from being certified and only time can give you that.

I am a computer Science Graduate since the days when IT was facing its dotcom crash.

I must say it has been a rocky ride but I cannot complain.

Certifictaions, Yes or NO, depends on who you ask.

If you ask me, I have NONE, But I do say it is an important variable for a good IT career equation. It might not be the only variable but it is an important one.

Ask one of my friends who started his career just before that time and is a succesful IT professional. He would be all against it.

So this is my take from my years in IT and from speaking to so many different people about the subject: If you think your IT career is at a stall and you can't seem to make headway in terms of money and promotion, then yes, go for a certification that better suits your background.

By the way I am going for an SAP BI certification and I don't see much on it in many articles, but I know that it suits my background experience and that it would eventually shine out on my resume.

Sheeva pretty much summed it up though I would give extra credit to anyone who passed certs while on the job - that often shows dedication and the willingness to go the extra mile.

One way to add real value is to directly show your manager how 'skill x' learned and practiced while studying for ' cert C', will be of use in a particular project, especially a major one.

Tracking a list of these practical examples via your performance reviews can be career enhancing over the medium to longer term. And provides good resume and interview material.

I have 30 years in IT, a fist full of certificates from vendors, schools, and the like. The truth is I never even list them on my resume anymore (after 30 years in the business, guess why).

I have yet to get a job because of a certificate, nor have I been denied one because I do not have one.

I am moving to another part of the country to KEEP an existing job though (I am pushing 50).

I do wonder why the title says "Top IT Certs Will Be Less Microsoft-Centric" when 3 are MS certifcates, including two of the top three?