Google Certifications: Worth Your Time and Money?

Google IT certifications are an affordable and convenient way to validate your expertise in the field of IT.

These certifications can help to boost your resume and may even open the door to entry-level job opportunities in the industry. Furthermore, Google certifications are a good starting point for those new to the field and may also be required for certain job positions.

This article explores whether Google Certifications are worth your time and money, how employers see them, and whether they can get you a job. We’ve mentioned a few examples of popular certificates.

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Is Google IT Certification Worth It?

Google IT Certificates (certified)

Google IT certification can help you get that entry-level IT job. It’s not expensive, you can do it from your home, and while it doesn’t carry the same weight as the CompTIA A+ certificate, Google IT certification still carries some weight and is definitely worth it.

They can be a strong foundation and an excellent starting point for further IT education or certifications. They will give you a competitive edge when applying for entry-level IT positions.

In fact, given the rise of remote work, showing proficiency in these tools is a clear indication to employers of your adaptability in a digital-first workspace.

Some of the Google IT certificates on Coursera are fairly cheap. And with IT jobs in high demand right now, it seems like a no-brainer to get that certificate for yourself.

Google certification training will help you a lot in getting a background before you go for the A+ or get an entry-level job. They may be the best starting point if you have no IT background.

Additionally, you’ll regain a lot of material and knowledge from trying to get the certificate. Depending on whom you speak with and what they ask you during the interview, you’ll have much to discuss with the hiring manager.

Furthermore, Google certifications offer a wide range of areas to specialize in, such as Cloud Architecture, Data Engineering, IT Support, Machine Learning, Security, and many more. This allows you to choose a field that aligns with your interests and career goals, making it more likely that you’ll enjoy the work and succeed.

Do Employers Take Google Certifications Seriously?

While most employers won’t hire you simply because of a Google certificate, they will usually consider them during the hiring process along with other qualifications. Google certifications complement a degree and/or experience and make you stand out from other applicants.

Applying yourself while learning and getting that certificate is essential to make the most of your Google Certification. By doing so, you’ll be able to ace most of the technical questions employers throw at you during an interview for an entry-level position.

A Google Certification can also be a stepping stone to higher-paying jobs and more advanced positions.

However, it’s important to note that while Google Certifications can be valuable, they are not a substitute for experience. Most companies will be looking for experience before they even consider your certifications, so if you’re just starting out, gaining experience with your certifications is essential. A Google Certification can help you get your foot in the door, but you’ll need much more experience for a higher-paying job.

Consider pairing your certification with internships or freelancing projects to apply what you’ve learned, solidifying both your practical and theoretical knowledge.

Can Google Certificate Get You a Job?

Indeed, having a Google Certificate alone will not guarantee you a job, but it can certainly help to improve your chances. Google Certificates demonstrate to employers that you have dedicated time and effort to learning and improving your skills in a specific area of IT.

Google certificates validate knowledge and experience and can give you an edge over other candidates who don’t have a similar certification. However, to land a high-paying job, you’ll also need experience and be a good fit for the company culture in the eyes of HR.

And while Google Certificate doesn’t guarantee a job, it shows potential employers that you are willing to learn and invest in your professional development, which is a positive sign for any candidate.

In summary, Google IT certifications are a valuable investment for anyone looking to start or advance in a career in IT. They are affordable, convenient, and recognized by many employers. They can help you get your foot in the door, move up the ladder, and specialize in your field of interest.

How Long Does It Take To Finish Google IT Certificate?

The time it takes to finish a Google IT certificate can vary depending on the specific certification and the individual’s learning pace.

Google offers several IT certification programs, each with its own curriculum and length. Some certification programs may take as little as two months to complete, while others may take up to 6 months or longer.

On average, it takes around two to three months to finish a Google IT certificate. However, for those new to the field who can commit four or more hours per day to study, it may be possible to finish most Google IT certificates in a shorter timeframe, potentially even under a month.

Most of the Google IT certification programs are self-paced, so you can complete them quickly and on your own schedule. However, some certification programs have deadlines for certain assignments or exams that need to be met.

How Much Does Google Certification Cost?

The cost of a Google certification can vary depending on the specific certification and the country you are located in. Google offers several IT certification programs, some of which are free, and some have a fee.

Most Google Certificates cost $39 per month until they’re completed. These include the Google IT Support Certificate, UX course, Data Analytics, and Project Management courses.

In addition, Google Android Developer Certification costs $149, while Google Ads Certification is free.

It’s also worth noting that some certifications offer a free trial or a discounted rate for students and educators. I recommend checking the Google Cloud website for the current pricing of the certification you are interested in and also to check for any discounts available.

It’s important to note that the certification cost is an investment in yourself and your career, and it can help you open new opportunities and increase your earning potential.

Once you finish the courses, you can access them forever and don’t need to pay the monthly fee again. You only need to pay as long as they are incomplete.

Is Google IT Support Professional Certificate Worth It?

The Google IT Support Professional Certificate can be a valuable investment for those looking to start or advance in a career in IT support. The certification covers various topics, including troubleshooting, customer service, and networking, which are essential skills for an IT support role.

The certificate is designed to prepare students for an entry-level role in IT support and can serve as a stepping stone to higher-paying jobs. The certificate is recognized by many employers and can demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers.

The Google IT Support Professional Certificate is a comprehensive program that can help you acquire the skills and knowledge for an entry-level IT support role and beyond. It’s highly detailed, useful, and recommended by many IT professionals.

This certificate is a valuable investment for anyone looking to start or advance their career in IT support.

Additionally, the certificate is self-paced and can be completed online, which makes it convenient and accessible for those with busy schedules. It is also relatively affordable at $39 per month, making it a cost-effective way to gain new skills and improve your resume.

Google IT Support Professional Certificate is not just an entry-level certificate. With the amount of information they’re pushing and the detail it goes into, this certificate falls more into the advanced level.

Is Google Cloud Certification Worth It?

Google offers various cloud certifications, from foundational to professional levels. These certificates validate your own knowledge and expertise in the field of working on the Google Cloud Platform. One of the popular ones is Google Cloud Architect on Coursera.

Google Cloud Certification can be a valuable investment for those looking to start or advance in a career in cloud computing. These certifications demonstrate your skills and knowledge in specific areas of the Google Cloud Platform, such as Cloud Architecture, Data Engineering, or Security.

This certification is best for data engineers who want to learn how to apply their skills on the Google Cloud Platform. It’s worth it if you’re applying for a position at a GCP (Google Cloud Platform) company or if you’ll get a bonus/raise for becoming certified.

This course won’t make you a data engineer. For that, you’ll have to round your skills with several other courses on Python, classic data modeling, and classic ETLs. 

Google Cloud Certified Associate Engineer

To make it clear once again, the Google Cloud Data Engineering course is focused mostly on Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and is most suited if you’re already a data engineer and want to learn how to apply your skills on GCP. It doesn’t give you the background you need to understand what a data engineer will need to do, other than what’s on GCP. It won’t teach you where to start, what systems to implement, what the architecture should look like, and what other tools your team will need.

This means that those skills are entirely Google-ecosystem-specific. You’ll learn how to do things on GCP and some extra stuff about BQ, Dataflow, and others. It’s a “nice to have” certificate and will depend on your personal needs and whether it can help you.

The price is $39 a month on Coursera.

Is Google Data Analytics Certification Worth It?

Google Data Analytics Certification is aimed at beginners, and you’ll learn skills used by junior and associate data analysts. These skills are invaluable if you’re new to data analysis, so the knowledge is worth it, and the certificate will complement your degree and give you a slight boost.

This course is intended to get you into SQL, R programming, Data visualization tools, and spreadsheets. By itself, the course doesn’t guarantee a job, but it’s worth having on your resume, especially if you’re applying for an entry-level position as a data analyst.

The certification covers a range of topics, including data collection, data visualization, and statistical analysis, which are essential skills for a career in data analytics.

One of the main advantages of getting Google Data Analytics Certified is that it demonstrates your knowledge and skills in using Google’s data analytics tools, such as Google Analytics and BigQuery, which companies and organizations widely use. This is especially relevant for companies looking to make data-driven decisions, as they need professionals familiar with the platform.

For businesses heavily reliant on digital marketing, understanding Google Analytics can be a game-changer, allowing for real-time adjustments and better-targeted campaigns.

Additionally, obtaining a Google Data Analytics certification can open up new job opportunities and career paths, as it allows you to specialize in a specific area of data analytics, such as Digital Analytics or Marketing Analytics.

Cost: $39 per month until the course is completed.

Is Google Education Certification Worth It?

Google Education Certification can be a valuable investment for educators and trainers looking to start or advance in a career in education.

The certification covers various topics, including using Google tools in the classroom, creating engaging and interactive learning experiences, and integrating technology into the curriculum.

Google Education Certification teaches you how to use Google apps such as Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, Chrome, and YouTube. They’re highly informative and useful and will teach you about Google Services. Google Educator Certificates verify that you know how to use the Google tools in the classroom as an educator.

Moreover, educators with this certification often find they can design more interactive and dynamic lessons, leveraging Google tools to cater to diverse learning styles.

One of the main advantages of getting Google Education Certified is that it demonstrates your knowledge and skills in using Google’s education tools, such as Google Classroom, Google Meet, and Google Forms. These tools are widely used by schools, colleges, and universities and can help educators to create more engaging and interactive learning experiences for their students.

If you’re already using these Google services, it should be fairly easy to finish Educator Level 1, and there shouldn’t be much to study. You can even Google the answers in a separate window while you take the test. It costs $10, takes 180 minutes to finish, and is valid for three years.

Educator Level 2 covers apps like Google Drive, collaborating with Google Docs, research with Google Scholar, advanced data analysis with Google sheets, and many other skills and apps. It costs $25, takes 180 minutes to finish, and is valid for three years, just like the Level 1 certificate.

Is Google UX Certification Worth It?

Google UX Certification can be a valuable investment for those looking to start or advance in a user experience (UX) design career. The certification covers a range of topics, including user research, usability testing, and design thinking, which are essential skills for a career in UX design.

Google UX certification covers all major aspects of UX, and you’ll be able to add three projects to your portfolio, which are UX and UI related. It gives a nice summary of UX and may help you land an entry-level job if you’re new or junior-level. 

One of the main advantages of getting Google UX Certified is that it demonstrates your knowledge and skills in using Google’s design tools, such as Google Design Sprint and Google Material Design, which companies and organizations widely use. This is especially relevant for companies looking to improve their digital products and services, as they need professionals who are familiar with the platform and have the right knowledge and skills to create user-centered designs.

Google UX certification is fairly new, and so far, the consensus is that it’s a good intro to UX. The projects are nice and give you an idea of how UX design works.

You’ll be able to add three projects to your portfolio, you’ll get solid content related to UX and UI, which covers all UX and UI aspects, and you’ll get the opportunity to build networks with other colleagues. 

Being a course for beginners, it can get boring for those who already know a bit about UX. 

Cost: $39 per month after the 7-day trial until the course is completed.

Is Google Ads Certification Worth It?

Google Ads Certification can be a valuable investment for those looking to start or advance in a digital marketing or advertising career, specifically in Google Ads. The certification covers various topics, including setting up and managing campaigns, measuring and optimizing performance, and targeting specific audiences.

Considering that Google Ads Certifications are free, and all you need to invest is your time and effort, they will always be worth it. Not only will you gain knowledge, but they’ll also help you out when the HR recruiter compares you to someone else.

Employers are always looking for professionals with the right knowledge, skills, and experience to run their ad campaigns effectively, so certification in Google Ads can help you stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of getting a higher-paying job.

Google is a recognizable name, and having its certificates on your resume will help you during the hiring process. The same goes for Facebook Ads and Microsoft Ads. If they’re free, they’ll always be worth your time.

In summary, the Google Ads Certification is not only a cost-effective way to gain new skills, but it also gives you access to exclusive resources and support from Google and can increase your earning potential. It covers essential skills, and many employers recognize it, and it is self-paced and can be completed online. It’s a great way to start or advance in a digital marketing or advertising career, specifically in Google Ads.

Cost: Google Ads Certifications are free

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  • Alex_profile picture

    Hi, I'm the founder of HowMonk.com! Having been in finance and tech for 10+ years, I was surprised at how hard it can be to find answers to common questions in finance, tech and business in general. Because of this, I decided to create this website to help others!

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