MOS Certification: Improve Your Computer Skills at Work and at Home

Many of us use Microsoft Office on our computers every day, whether at home or at work. But how many of us have ever thought about getting some sort of formal recognition for our ability to use this popular package?

At Work and at Home, Microsoft Office Is on Our Computers

If you have ever worked on a computer--whether at home, or in any of your jobs over the years--you have almost certainly come across one or more of the programs that make up Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Access).

You might use one or more of these computer programs on a regular basis, maybe even at an expert level. If so, have you ever thought about earning a certification that would formally validate your skills, and prove your proficiency when applying for jobs in the future? This is the purpose of Microsoft's Office Specialist Certification.

How to Earn the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification

First, choose which version of Office you want to be certified in:

Office 2003
Office XP
Office 2000

Next, choose which certification level you want to aim for. (The exam requirements are the same whichever track you choose, although the content differs).

Specialist: one exam (in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access or Outlook)
Expert: one exam (in Word or Excel)
Master: three core exams (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) plus one elective (Access or Outlook)
Master Instructor: three core exams (Word and Excel at expert level, plus one PowerPoint exam) and one elective exam (Access or Outlook). In addition, your instructional experience must be verified by an educational institution, a past or present employer, by Microsoft (in the form of a presentation skills or training certificate), or by an instructor's certificate from a recognized vendor such as Cisco or Oracle.

So why not go ahead and legitimize the computer skills and knowledge you've been building in Microsoft Office over the years? You can start today by qualifying as an MOS.

Sources
Microsoft.com