| Okay you have now passed your certification test, | | | | write about it. This not only helps you stay visible but |
| congratulations! Now what? How is this going to | | | | shows that you are up to date with the latest |
| actually improve your life, your career? Have you | | | | technology. If you are studying for another |
| thought about your plans after you have passed the | | | | certification or an upgrade to your existing one learn |
| test? For many taking a certification exam is only a | | | | all you can about the material and then start writing |
| stepping stone to true success. | | | | tutorials that teaches others on the same subject. |
| The first thing I would do even before pursuing a | | | | Not only will this help reinforce what you have |
| certification is to have a plan on how this is actually | | | | already learned but it could lead to increased job |
| going to help you in your career. Just because you | | | | offers and other opportunities. |
| have passed the test does not mean you are an | | | | The third step would be to visit as many newsgroups |
| expert. You must first prove it to the rest of the | | | | as possible to put your knowledge to the test. By |
| world. How do you do this? | | | | helping others this way you reinforce what you have |
| Sit down at your computer or desk and write out | | | | learned and again gain valuable exposure in the field. |
| your career goals for the next year, five years, ten | | | | Lastly I would find a local user group in your area and |
| years and your entire working career. How does this | | | | start volunteering for it. This will greatly increase the |
| certification fit into those goals? Can you use it to | | | | number of contacts you can network with and make |
| establish more credibility as an expert? | | | | your name known in the community. Do not have a |
| The first step I would take is to start writing tutorials | | | | user group in your area? See if you can start one |
| on the subject matter that you claim to be an | | | | and start speaking about your area of expertise to a |
| expert in. Post these tutorials to your own website, | | | | local crowd. Later I would connect with other regional |
| blog or eZine distribution websites. the more you | | | | user groups to see if they are looking for speakers |
| write about a subject the more likely a person is | | | | and then start speaking at these user groups. |
| going to consider yourself an expert in the field and | | | | For many the certification test is the place where |
| the certification just backs that up as well. The more | | | | most people stop in their careers and then complain |
| visibility you receive the more likely you are to get | | | | that this test did not really help them. The test is |
| clients that are willing to pay for your services. | | | | merely a stepping stone in establishing more |
| The second step I would take is not to stop | | | | credibility. The rest is up to the individual. You reap |
| studying! The best thing for you to do is learn as | | | | what you sow. Certification only contains some of |
| much as possible about your subject matter and to | | | | the seeds that you need to plant in order to become |
| stay on top of it. Each time you learn something new | | | | truly successful. |