Ask ten people what they think about certification, and you'll likely get ten different answers. The term itself is a source of confusion for many, including job seekers and hiring managers. In addition, there are varying views on what's more valuable: getting certified or real-world experience. Before you invest hundreds or even thousands of dollars to get certified, check out these certification basics, which are designed to help you decide if certification is right for you.

What is certification?
America's Learning Exchange defines certification as, "Recognition by an occupational or industry association or private sector firm regarding an individual's demonstrated proficiency in work-related knowledge, tasks and abilities."

Certification requirements generally include one or more of the following: education, training, work experience and examination. It offers individuals a way to document their skills and strongly position themselves for highly coveted positions and better pay.

Do you need certification?
Training is an integral part of any career-planning toolbox, and with the right training and certification you will be able to stay competitive in your field, keep your skills sharp and move ahead.

That said, certification can be a substantial time and financial commitment (unless your employer is paying for it). So think before you plunge into a program and make sure it meets your needs. Research at the library and online, compare training providers and get feedback from others who have already been through the program. Here are some questions you might consider:

• Did they think the program was worth it?
• Will the program cover skills and technologies on a macro and micro level?
• How many classes are required for certification?
• What's the timeframe?

If you have the time, the money and the resources, by all means, get certified. However, if you're not sure about your career goals, you may be better off starting out with a class or seminar to find out if you really want to be in training for the long haul.

Will certification help me get hired?
In the highly competitive high-tech field, certification can help set you apart from other applicants and could increase your chances of being hired. Other factors to consider are the type of job you're seeking and both your long- and short-term career goals. If you have your heart set on working as an Oracle database specialist, certification is probably a good idea. But if you are starting out as a network administrator, hands-on experience may be more valuable.

You should consider whether a particular certification will be in demand in the future. Is the vendor's technology the industry standard or will it be in a few years? Are other technologies emerging that will make the certification obsolete? Look at the big picture and consider what type of certification you'll need a few months, a year or five years down the road.

The newest crop of certification programs center on Web development disciplines. For example, Prosoft Training [] offers vendor-neutral certification programs that focus on job roles and technical skills rather than on specific tools and technologies. In contrast, vendor-specific programs such as those offered by Novell, Microsoft and others are excellent as long as their products and technologies are in demand and widespread.

What should an individual look for in training and certification programs?
According to Prosoft, individuals should look for:

• Skills-based training, in tandem with product-specific training
• A curriculum that emphasizes hands-on experiences to prepare individuals for real-world applications
• Endorsements by leading industry organizations for validation and industry-wide acceptance

Will certification help me get a higher salary?
Probably. Most employers will pay more for someone who has already invested in their own training. It signals your commitment to the technology and lends credibility to your skills and experience. A recent Computerworld skills survey reports that such skills as SAP, Gupta SQL Windows and Novell GroupWise helped contractors command salary premiums above their normal compensation rates.

Although certification doesn't guarantee a higher salary, or even a more desirable job, it does give you better odds. And that just might be worth the price.