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Certification for Freelancers and Home-Based Business Owners
When we think of technical certification, most of us think of the seemingly endless jumble of letters that follow the names of information technology experts-MCSE, MCSA, A+, CCNA, etc. These certifications serve as standardized, objective validations that the person holding them possesses a certain set of skills and a certain level of professional competency. In today's increasingly competitive business environment, however, certifications aren't just for "computer geeks." There are now a number of highly valuable certifications available in areas beyond information technology. If you are a work-at-home parent or a freelance professional in any field, investing the time and effort to get a non-technical or semi-technical certification can reap tremendous benefits. Why get certified? I believe that there are three fundamental reasons for you to consider adding a professional certification to your freelance portfolio. First, just like the classic IT certifications, holding a professional certification demonstrates that you are competent. It's one thing to state on your resume, website or promotional materials that you know how to use Microsoft Word, but it's quite another to state that you are a Microsoft-Certified Office Specialist in Word. The difference is just one passable exam, but to a business considering who to hire for a freelance word processing or data management project the difference is significant. That brings me to the second advantage. As a freelancer (or the owner of an at-home business services business), being certified always gives you a "leg up" on the competition. This is particularly true if you are fairly new to the freelance market and haven't yet acquired an impressive list of satisfied clients. Holding a certification is a quick and reliable way of letting prospective clients know that you are a professional. Finally, certification in a relevant field can enable you to parlay entry-level freelance jobs into more lucrative contracts. Data entry work, for instance, is typically one of the most available freelance opportunities; unfortunately, it is also usually the worst paying. Microsoft certification in Access or as a database administrator can help a data entry freelancer transition to a database design and management contract. Today, there are professional certifications to facilitate such a business development strategy for freelancers in virtually every field. Here's a look at the best certifications for freelancers and work-at-home professionals. CompTIA The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) offers the most widely-recognized vendor neutral certifications in the world. As the name suggests, most of their certifications are in the IT field; however, many are valuable for freelancers of all stripes. For general business services, including any type of consulting service, CompTIA's Project+ is invaluable. Project+, as the company's website states, is "a global credential that validates the knowledge required to effectively manage projects throughout the entire project life cycle." In addition to project management basics, the exam includes skills such as conflict resolution, negotiation, and team building. In short, holding Project+ certification demonstrates that you know how to do what the typical MBA graduate has only learned about. Yet, there is no academic requirement for the Project+, and the exam, though rigorous, is definitely passable for those willing to study. Sitting for the Project+ exam costs $207 USD, but you can almost always find discount test vouchers online for about $150. CompTIA's e-Biz+ certification demonstrates a degree of proficiency in the concepts, issues and technologies of IT-enabled business processes. Don't panic, though-you won't have to memorize html code! Rather, e-Biz+ demonstrates knowledge of e-commerce, e-marketing and other issues related to maximizing the benefit of utilizing technology in a business environment. This certification could be highly valuable for freelancers and work-at-home professionals working as business consultants, or for those with Internet-based businesses. The retail exam fee for the e-Biz+ test is currently $225. CompTIA also offers the i-Net+ certification. This exam covers Internet basics, web development, networking and security issues. Don't let the word "networking" scare you, though. This is a semi-technical certification that is of far more value to e-commerce and marketing freelancers than to network administrators. The i-Net+ exam currently costs $207. Microsoft You don't need to be a networking guru to benefit from the prestige and recognition of official Microsoft certification. The company also offers universally-recognized certification options for end users of the Office suite and Microsoft Project. Microsoft Office certification is available at three levels. For certification as a Specialist, you must pass an exam in Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Access. That's right-you're just one test away from being Microsoft certified! The next level is Expert certification. That requires the passage of a somewhat more rigorous exam. Currently, the expert-level tests are only available for Word and Excel. To attain Master certification, the candidate must pass a total of four exams: Word 2003 Expert, Excel 2003 Expert, PowerPoint 2003 and either Access 2003 or Outlook 2003. That's a lot of tests, but holding Microsoft Office Master Certification can really set a freelancer apart in the eyes of a prospective client. Test vouchers for each Microsoft exam can be found online for approximately $70. Conclusion Like the rest of the global business climate, the world of freelancing and self-employment grows more competitive every day. Professional certification is not a panacea that will guarantee success, but it can certainly help you stay ahead of the competition and win new clients. Sean Dunagan is the president of Pinnacle Associates (http://www.pinnacleassociates.50megs.com), a web-based resource for freelancers and work-at-home professionals.
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The site also features a ton of free resources for anyone who already is ? or dreams of ? working for themselves. For other free resources for people who want to start their own businesses visit http://www.ChangingCourse.com/newbiz.htm Okay, but what if you don't see a trend, market, or business here that speaks to you? Then find the one that does! I had a client who is crazy for horses and photography. It took me all of 30 seconds on Google.com to find a group called the Equine Photographers Network. In addition to their conference this February in Florida, the group offers a free public online discussion group with over 700 members who range from top-of-their-field working pros to amateur photographers to magazine editors and writers to horse owners, all interested in improving their equine photography skill and knowledge. Learn all about the Equine Photographers Network at http://www.EquinePhotographers.net. 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You may have to consider an interim position or part-time work or even volunteering to bridge to your new career and gain valuable experience. Resume Writing Tips Resume Writing doesn't have to be a solo gig Business & Career: Know Your Ruling Star! "Know your Ruling Star. One man is better received by one nation than another, or is one welcome by one city than another. He finds more luck in one office or position than in another, and all though his qualifications are equal or even identical. Let each man know his luck as well as his talents. Follow your guiding star and help it without mistaking any other for it. Know how to transplant yourself. There are nations with whom one must cross their borders to make one's value felt."- Balthasar Gracian, (Spain, 1600's) Are You Busy Living or Dying? If you are not busy living, then you must be busy dying. Most of us do this subconsciously and are unaware of which side of this equation we reside on. It must follow then that if you have lots of money, you are probably busy living and living well. Everybody wants more money. But is it the money itself or is it the freedom it buys? Lots of money = lots of freedom. Tell Me About Yourself The need to tell people about yourself may present itself during an informal conversation with a colleague, on the Little League field with a neighbor, on the phone with a past acquaintance, or in a face-to-face meeting for a job opportunity. "Tell me about yourself" is a favorite question that has befuddled many an unsuspecting candidate. An RX For Your Résumé Whether you are an accountant, virtual assistant, or a corporate executive, your job skills are constantly refined. A new sales presentation you've organized or the new spreadsheet package you've mastered should be included on your résumé. You may have new skills that could turn your dead-end job into a new career in another field. If you update your résumé continually, it makes it easier to send it out at a moments notice. Your résumé should be well written, typeset and laser printed. It should also be suited for your targeted employer and field, focusing on your key experience. It should be free of all grammatical errors and appealing to the eye. Preventing The Runaway Candidate Municipal and law enforcement officials in Georgia are still calculating the final costs associated with the "runaway bride". Much like the runaway bride, the "runaway candidate" can have a devastating effect upon a potential employer. In today's competitive market for top candidates, most employers consider a candidate "onboard" once they have accepted the job and signed their offer letter. I would counter we're not at the finish line, or "honeymoon", just yet.
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