Do Certifications Really Help Your Career? The Truth About Credentials in 2025

Are job certifications worth it in 2025? In this episode of Tech It From Me, Mike breaks down when credentials actually help your job search—and when they don’t. He looks at cloud & data analytics certifications (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), why prestige alone often fails to deliver, how ATS systems screen your resume using certification keywords, and a practical checklist for choosing the proper credential. Mike also shares a personal note about earning the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification—how it boosted credibility, opened doors, and gave him the confidence to take on bigger projects. You’ll learn: When certifications do pay off (cloud, data, cybersecurity) Why brand-name programs can disappoint if they’re not job-relevant How ATS filters work—and how certs help you get past them A step-by-step plan to pick and certifications that tell a clear career story If you’re considering your next certificate—or wondering whether one you have is pulling its weight—this episode gives you an honest, data-driven guide. 📖 Read the full write-up: Do Certifications Help Your Job Search? Here’s When They Do