As technology professionals move forward in their careers, many face the question of which developer certifications to pursue. One key question to answer is whether or not to go after a vendor-specific or vendor-neutral certification. Vendor-specific certifications cover specific developer technologies, products, or software platforms and are focused on giving expertise in a specific tool. By contrast, vendor-neutral certifications deal with best practices and concepts in a particular area of development such as security or project management.
Which type of certification is best is an open question--and one to which there's no one-size-fits-all answer. The best certification path for career advancement varies from individual to individual.
Developer Certifications for Beginners
The options are broad--and in a sense, the choices, more difficult--for developers who are looking to break into the field. Some industry insiders suggest vendor-neutral certifications are best for developers who are looking to gain broad knowledge in the field and shouldn't limit potential career options by opting for vendor-specific certifications.
Others cite the value of having specific certifications on a resume, and suggest new developers figure out which certifications are in demand at the companies or positions to which they are applying, and focus on gaining those credentials.
Vendor Certifications for Industry Veterans
For professionals with some experience in the industry, the choices may be easier. Developers who are looking to advance within their current careers should look to build on previous certifications and work experience. For those who are working with a particular software or in a particular area of the tech field, it may make sense to get a vendor specific certification (Cisco, Red Hat, Microsoft, Sun/Oracle Java, ColdFusion). However, some developers may work on many different systems, making vendor-neutral certifications a good option.
The CompTIA A+ certification provides a well-recognized foundation for a devloper's skill set and resume, but few have the A+ and only the A+. Many developers go on to earn higher CompTIA certifications, or specialize in the vendor's offerings.
In the Linux area, some prefer the CompTIA certifications, with their broad overview, while others swear by specific Linux distributions such as Red Hat.
Vendor-Specific or Vendor-Neutral Certification: Making the Decision
For some, the choice of certification comes down to cost in terms of both money and time. Red Hat's vendor-specific certifications are notoriously expensive, require study time, and have a high failure rate. Of course, this makes these certifications all the more valuable and impressive to current and potential employers.
In contrast, CompTIA's vendor-neutral exams are multiple choice and cost a lot less money. Many of these, such as A+ and Linux+, are seen as the foundation of a resume, the first of several certifications developers want to take. Microsoft certifications are in the middle in terms of difficulty and cost.
A recent list of the 10 best certifications for 2010 by TechRepublic contained a mix of vendor-specific and vendor-netural certifications, suggesting that the industry as a whole doesn't have a strong preference for one type of certification or another. The "best" certifications really depend on what's right for the individual--certifications that meet the specific needs of an employer or fill certain holes on a resume are solid choices for developers.
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