Yes. A Microsoft certification gets you shortlisted, and helps you win the interview. 92% of IT and HR leaders say they require or strongly prioritise certification (Pearson VUE, 2026). Most Microsoft exams can be prepared for in 10 days with a focused plan.
7 reasons a Microsoft certification helps you get hired
Nine in ten leaders expect certification to matter more within 3–5 years.
Source: Pearson VUE, Apr 2026 (505 IT and HR leaders)Only 19.3% of US job posts required a bachelor’s degree in Nov 2025.
Source: Indeed Hiring Lab, Jan 2026Employers using skills-based hiring, up from 81% a year earlier.
Source: TestGorilla, 2025 (1,084 hiring decision-makers)Share of the skills in most jobs that will change by 2030.
Source: LinkedIn Work Change Report, Jan 2025Two-thirds of leaders wouldn’t hire someone without AI skills. Show yours with AI-901 or AI-103.
Source: Microsoft and LinkedIn Work Trend Index, May 2024The global cybersecurity workforce gap. See the security path.
Source: ISC2 Workforce Study, Sep 2024Estimated extra annual value per certified IT employee; 93% report a positive return.
Source: Pearson VUE, Apr 2026The catch: “skills first” isn’t always hiring practice. Dropping degree requirements changed hiring for only a small share of roles (Burning Glass Institute and Harvard Business School, 2024). So don’t just claim the skill. Bring proof.
Pearson VUE delivers certification exams and TestGorilla sells skills tests; their figures are surveys.
Which Microsoft certification gets you hired?
Match the certification to the job you want. Each opens our guide.
Why interviews fail without proof
Interviewers test whether you keep learning without being told to. Without proof, you sound like every other candidate.
“I read blogs when I can.”
“I passed AZ-104 in March, studying evenings on a 10-day plan.”
“A little.”
“Yes. Threat hunting is a full SC-200 skill area. I can walk you through a query.”
Your opinion of yourself.
A credential they can check before you leave the room.
Nobody made you earn it. That answers the question an interviewer can’t ask: will you keep learning once you’re hired?
Bring the proof: share a link to your Microsoft Learn transcript. Verified credentials carry an “Online Verifiable” tag (Microsoft Learn).
What certifying pays
Self-reported by certified IT pros.
Source: Pearson VUE, 2025 Value of IT Certification Candidate Report (nearly 24,000 IT professionals; self-reported). Pay by certification: our salary guide.
Pick your certification
Practice questions with explanations that teach you why, in a 10-day study plan.
Questions people ask
Yes. 92% of IT and HR leaders say they require or strongly prioritise certification (Pearson VUE, 2026). It won’t replace experience, but it gets you shortlisted and gives you proof for the interview.
The one that matches the job you want: AZ-104 for Azure administration, AZ-305 for cloud architecture, SC-200 for security operations, AI-103 for AI development. New to cloud? AZ-900.
Fewer jobs ask for one: 19.3% of US job posts required a bachelor’s degree in November 2025 (Indeed). A Microsoft certification shows a specific, current skill.
Most Microsoft certification exams can be prepared for in 10 days with a focused plan.
Related guides
Written by the CERTIFY-Pro editorial team. Sources named and dated above.