The Role of IT Certifications in Hiring: Do They Really Matter?

Published On - March 11, 2025

admin Recruitment
IT certifications in hiring.

Introduction: The Changing Landscape of IT Hiring 

The IT industry is advancing at an unprecedented pace, with cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and DevOps redefining the skills required for tech roles. Companies are in a constant battle to attract top-tier IT professionals, making the debate on IT certifications vs. hands-on experience more relevant than ever. 

Some hiring managers value IT certifications as a structured validation of technical expertise, while others argue that real-world problem-solving ability is more important. So, do IT certifications really matter in hiring, or are they just an extra credential? More importantly, how should businesses integrate certification-based hiring strategies into their recruitment processes? 

At Serigor Inc, we specialize in hiring the best IT talent by balancing certifications and hands-on experience, ensuring businesses build high-performance tech teams.

1. The Growing Need for Certified IT Professionals

With the increasing tech talent shortage, more organizations are turning to IT certifications as a way to verify skills and accelerate hiring. Certifications help employers: 

✅ Quickly assess technical proficiency without extensive interviews 
✅ Hire professionals trained in the latest technologies 
✅ Reduce hiring risks by ensuring candidates meet industry standards 

With businesses moving toward skills-based hiring, IT certifications serve as trust signals that professionals have the knowledge required to perform specialized tasks.

2. Top IT Certifications That Matter in 2025

The relevance of an IT certification depends on the job role and industry. Here are the most sought-after certifications in 2025 and beyond: 

Cloud & DevOps Certifications 

  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Amazon Web Services 
  • Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert 
  • Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect 
  • Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) 
  • Docker Certified Associate (DCA) 

Cybersecurity Certifications 

  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) 
  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) 
  • CompTIA Security+ 
  • Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) 

AI & Data Science Certifications 

  • TensorFlow Developer Certification 
  • Google AI Certification 
  • IBM Data Science Professional Certificate 

Networking & Infrastructure Certifications 

  • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) 
  • Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) 
  • Cisco Certified DevNet Associate 

Project Management & Agile Certifications 

  • Project Management Professional (PMP) 
  • Certified Scrum Master (CSM) 
  • ITIL Foundation Certification 

These certifications help validate technical expertise and make professionals more competitive in the job market, making them a valuable factor in hiring decisions. 

3. The Role of Certifications in a Skills-Based Hiring Market

The traditional approach of requiring a four-year degree for IT jobs is becoming less relevant as skills-based hiring takes over. This means: 

🔹 Certifications are replacing degrees for many IT roles 
🔹 Hiring managers focus on real-world problem-solving skills rather than formal education 
🔹 Bootcamp graduates and self-taught professionals are entering high-paying tech roles with certifications 

With online learning platforms and micro-credentials growing, professionals are constantly upskilling, making certifications a key marker of competency. 

4. IT Certifications vs. Hands-On Experience: Which One Matters More?

While certifications validate technical knowledge, they don’t necessarily prove a candidate’s ability to solve real-world problems. How should employers balance this? 

✅ Entry-Level Roles → Certifications provide a strong foundation for junior professionals 
✅ Mid-Level & Senior Positions → Experience matters more than certifications 
✅ Emerging Technologies → Certifications help bridge the skills gap for cutting-edge fields like AI, DevOps, and cloud computing 

At Serigor Inc, we help businesses evaluate both certifications and real-world expertise, ensuring they hire qualified professionals who can perform effectively in live work environments. 

5. How Certifications Impact Salaries and Career Growth in IT

IT certifications can increase salaries and accelerate career growth. Studies show that certified IT professionals: 

💰 Earn 10-25% more than non-certified employees 
📈 Receive promotions faster due to industry-recognized expertise 
🛠 Stay competitive in fast-evolving fields like cybersecurity, AI, and cloud computing 

Employers who invest in certified professionals gain a competitive edge by ensuring their teams have the most up-to-date technical knowledge. 

6. Do Certifications Reduce Hiring Bias & Improve Diversity in Tech?

One major benefit of certification-based hiring is that it promotes diversity and inclusion by: 

✔️ Providing opportunities for non-traditional candidates without formal degrees 
✔️ Helping self-taught professionals and career changers enter IT 
✔️ Encouraging companies to focus on skills rather than educational background 

At Serigor Inc, we focus on diversity hiring, helping companies build inclusive, high-performance tech teams by prioritizing skills, certifications, and experience over traditional hiring biases. 

7. How Employers Should Approach Certification-Based Hiring

To effectively incorporate IT certifications into hiring strategies, companies should: 

🔹 Use certifications as a qualifier but not the only factor 
🔹 Prioritize practical experience for senior and leadership roles 
🔹 Encourage continuous learning and upskilling 

Recruiters should integrate certification requirements into job descriptions strategically while considering candidates with real-world experience. 

8. The Future of IT Certifications in a Rapidly Evolving Tech Industry

With AI, automation, and emerging technologies reshaping the workforce, IT certifications will likely evolve toward: 

📌 Micro-certifications for niche fields like blockchain and quantum computing 
📌 Hands-on certifications with real-world projects 
📌 AI-driven skill assessments replacing traditional exams 

As businesses adopt new hiring trends, certifications will remain important but must be complemented by real-world experience and skills assessments. 

At Serigor Inc, we help businesses hire certified IT professionals with practical experience, ensuring they build future-ready tech teams. 

Conclusion: Do IT Certifications Really Matter in Hiring? 

✅ YES – Certifications provide structured learning, credibility, and industry validation 
✅ BUT – They should be paired with experience to ensure job readiness 
✅ FINAL TAKE – Companies should take a balanced approach, valuing both certifications and hands-on expertise 

🚀 Looking to hire top IT talent? Partner with Serigor Inc today visit serigor.com to build a highly skilled and certified tech team! 🚀