Preparing for Microsoft Office Certification

All over the world, if there is one thing that binds all the corporates and their workers together, it’s the use of Microsoft Office tools. From writing proposal on MS Word to making PowerPoint presentation and from organizing data in Excel to managing emails on Outlook – using Microsoft Office technologies have become second nature to most professionals. In fact, why just professionals? Even students at various stages of their academic life make proliferous use of these tools to complete a variety of school projects. So universal and complete is the use of Microsoft Office suite of software that it’s difficult to separate it from a computer system. Necessary Skill The knowledge of MS Office has become one of the most essential skills to have on your resume. Employers often expect their employees to be basic to advanced-level users of MS office tools depending on the profile they’ve been hired for. So, if your lack of proficiency with Microsoft Office tools is holding you back from conquering the job market, it’s time to take corrective action. It’s time to start thinking about getting Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification. MOS certification is the most authentic instrument to validate your proficiencies in the use of one or more Microsoft Office suite of desktop publishing software that includes MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, MS PowerPoint, and MS Outlook. The certification is recognized globally as a career management tool used by professionals to keep their IT skills current and competitive. No matter where you are in the world, whether you are fresh into the job market or a seasoned professional, having MOS certification is one way of standing out from the crowd! Types of MOS Certifications There are several ways one can prepare for MOS certification. But before you start preparing, you should know the different types of Microsoft Office certifications available. Microsoft Office Specialist Master: Suited for those who need more than working familiarity with Microsoft Office programs. Microsoft Office Specialist Expert: Designed for individuals who need to demonstrate their expertise in specific MS Office programs. Microsoft Office Specialist: Ideal for professionals who need highly developed skills in MS Office 2010 & 2007 as well as other MS desktop software. So, you must start by choosing the Office tools you will be working with most and become certified in those. For example, if most of your work is documentation related, then it may make sense for you to become MS Word certified. On the other hand, if your core job requires you to collect, collate, and analyze data; then the knowledge of MS Excel and its wondrous world of formulas and macros will make your life so much easier. Preparing for MOS Certification Once you have chosen the MOS certification you want to get, it’s time to get down to business. If you’re the self-help variety, then there are a number of resources on the Internet you can use to prepare for the certification tests. You can take online tutorials and sample tests in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. that lay a good preparation ground for the MOS certification exam. The official Microsoft website also has preparation guides that you can use understand what to expect in the exam. These guides have information on a range of topics related to the exam – from the skills measured and number of questions asked to completion time and scoring methods. The website contains recommendations on preparation materials and practice tests as well. Alte atively, you can enroll for Microsoft Office courses at a vocational school. These Microsoft Office courses can be completed online and are an excellent tool to learn the skills required for the MOS certification. Depending on your need, you can enroll for a bundle Microsoft Office training program or take courses in individual MS Office programs. After you have completed your Microsoft Office training, you can register for the exam and take the test at an authorized testing center on the due date.