How is Zend certification going to help my career?

Question

Hi everyone,

I'm a web developer. I use opensource primarily PHP and mySQL for developing my websites, and use drupal and cakephp to shortcut the development time.

Us web developers especially in such "low wage" places like South East Asia like to learn on our own (of course since it's free) or if get certified, for proprietary systems only (i.e. Microsoft certified, or CCNA certified).

The question is, is it worth it to go through becoming a zend certified PHP developer? Or is certification in the PHP world only for those who can afford the high price of paying for the examination fee.

What would be the best thing to get certified in, especially during these changing times of new frameworks being constantly introduced..?

I think certification is gradually becoming irrelevant. I just need positive reinforcement of NOT getting a certification... it seems it's only relevant if you plan to show how smart you are by putting on your resume 'oh look here I'm certified so you should hire me'.

Preferably you can answer by saying no or yes and reason. I'm not sure but a certification may cost you guys a hundred bucks only, but that hundred bucks dollars is equivalent to 5,000 pesos already, which to us is already a big deal.

Answer 1

My experience with hiring says that certification speaks loudest to hiring managers who don't understand enough about development to evaluate applicants on their merits; they like the certification, because it (theoretically) means that someone else with more knowledge evaluated the applicant for them.

The upside of getting the certification is that you're more likely to be working; the downside is that you're more likely to be working for people who don't understand what it is you do.

By the way, your question came off like you're trying to guide us to acceptable answers; you'll probably get better answers in the future if you avoid that.

Answer 2

To be honest, of the 3 or 4 shops I worked at using PHP none of our developers were certified under any certification whether it be Zend or otherwise. In general, it seems like PHP experience is less validated by examination, but more by portfolio. That said, if you are looking to improve your salary the Microsoft and CCNA exams are creme of the crop. PHP is often branded cheap, because the platform it runs on is inexpensive as are the developers. I'm definitely not saying PHP developers are less valuable, especially not the good ones, but the mediocre labor pool is very large. (I know, I was one of them my first 2 years in the field!)

To really improve your salary, and position the best thing to do would be to diversify your skill set. Learn as much as you can, and take the exams when you or your company can afford it. Experience that you can prove, and demonstrate is far more valuable. Certifications will get you to the top of the list, but the portfolio will seal the deal.

Answer 3

I've been a ZCE since oktober 2005 and I haven't had much benefit from it, to be honest. I've had one job offer through the Zend Yellow Pages (the list of everyone certified) and that's it. However, I wouldn't know if the ZCE can help with job interviews because I'm not looking in that direction. (Still at university).

The cost of getting certified isn't that high $125 to become ZCE5 and another $33 for the study guide (which should be enough, really, the training seems to be overkill). Compared to any other kind of certification, this is peanuts and it's probably even worth it if it only gets you one job.

Answer 4

Cant't really tell, but PHP world is different than MCTE or CCNA, it's more based in your portfolio than is in your certification.

Start making pro-bono sites for institutions that matter, pheraps a department in your university but with people you feel you'll like working with and enrich your CV

Answer 5

I got PHP5 Zend Certified about a year and I would say it was definitely worth it. Don't expect it to totally change your career or double what you're worth, but a few employers do look out for ZCE's. You get on a short list of ZCE's per state, which I've been contacted as a result of (only a couple times, though) and it adds a touch of credibility.

I would, in some ways, disagree with people who say hiring for PHP is all about your portfolio. Much of my best PHP work is behind the scenes (internal), or a part of a bigger website / system.

For me it was something I personally wanted to do to make sure I felt like I really understood the finer details of PHP. I definitely learned a few things while studying for it (but you shouldn't need to spend a ton of time studying).