How to Become an Excel Expert, Microsoft Certified
Microsoft Excel is an extremely versatile tool used by business professionals in a multitude of industries. From creating your grocery list to completing a project management assignment, Excel can be extremely useful for the organization and customization of data. Project management candidates who have Microsoft Excel experience are more sought-after when it comes to growing in their careers. In this article, we will explore how to become Excel certified so that you can improve your project management qualifications.
Why Get Microsoft Excel Certification?
You might be asking yourself: why should I bother getting certified in Microsoft Excel? Certification in Microsoft Excel can help prove to your team and potential hiring managers that you have the qualifications needed to get a job done right. Communicating conclusions after analyzing data, creating pivot tables, and understanding workbooks are all impressive skills every project manager should master. In some cases, jobs may require you to have a Microsoft Excel certification in order to apply for the job. If you want to set yourself up for success in the world of project management and heighten your career, getting a certification in Microsoft Excel is essential.
Completing your certification in Microsoft Excel will show potential hiring managers and current team members that you are willing to go the extra mile to strengthen your project management experience.
What Jobs Require Microsoft Excel Certification?
Did you know that over 80% of jobs require Microsoft Excel experience? Earning your Microsoft Excel certification and becoming familiar with Microsoft Office programs can increase your earnings by over 10%. The current job market is tight and any boost to your candidacy can help tremendously.
While having your certification in Microsoft Excel can certainly boost her candidacy, there are some jobs where having a physical certification can make a big impact. Below you will find top jobs and their average salaries that require Microsoft Excel experience:
- Project Manager – median salary $102,630
- Program Manager – median salary $145,947
- Operations Manager – median salary $103,019
- Business Analyst – median salary $90,454
- Senior Financial Analyst – median salary $119,858
- Business Development Manager – median salary $143,110
- Accountant – median salary $76,084
- Sales Manager – median salary $150,361
- Production Supervisor- median salary $139,525
- Marketing Manager- median salary $96,575
Being proficient in Microsoft Excel and having a certification to prove your talents can help you stand out from the rest when applying to jobs and asking for promotions.
How to Become an Excel Expert?
In order to become a Microsoft Excel expert, you must prove your ability to manage worksheets, work with cell ranges, apply formulas, and use functions in order to create charts and other projects successfully. The only official Microsoft-recognized certification program is the Microsoft Office Specialist program. You can earn two types of certifications by completing this program:
- Microsoft Excel Associate Certification
- Microsoft Excel Expert Certification
Next, we will explore the differences and similarities between the above 2 levels of the Microsoft Excel certifications.
Microsoft Excel Associate Certification
The Microsoft Excel associate certification will show your understanding of the basic fundamentals of Excel. This certification shows your proficiency in creating cells and ranges, and managing worksheets and workbooks. When taking the exam you will be prompted to create and edit a workbook while also using tarts and graphs in order to represent data in a visual way. The exam will also test your knowledge of creating budgets, financial statements, performance charts, invoices, and general data analysis.
When preparing for the exam it is important to use every resource available to you. From self-paced courses to online forms of study, there is something for everyone.
About the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS): Excel Associate Exam
Once the course is completed, you will be able to take the exam either online or in an authorized testing center, depending on your preference. You can find resources such as practice exams to help you prepare for the exam date.
Ensure you are taking the correct exam by checking to see that the exam name is Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate. During the exam, you will need to answer 18 questions in the span of 60 minutes. The exam will test your knowledge of the management of worksheets and workbooks, the organization of data cells and ranges, and the use of formulas and functions.
Microsoft Excel Expert Certification
By earning this certification you will prove your understanding of creating, managing, and distributing spreadsheets that can be used in various professional settings. The overall exam will help prove your ability to customize Excel operations in order to meet the needs of a project team or client.
Keep in mind that throughout the exam the F1 key will be disabled. So, be sure to rely on the facts you have studied and trust your preparation process. This exam will be unlike others that offer multiple-choice questions. Instead, you will need to show that you can successfully complete tasks in Excel on your own.
Conclusion: How to Become a Certified Microsoft Excel Expert
There is no question that the Microsoft Excel certification will help you advance your skills and move up in your career. By completing the certification you will help reinforce your technical skills and be able to become recognized by one of the most well-known companies in the world which is Microsoft. Since Microsoft Excel is a globally recognized certification, you will be able to showcase your proficiency both inside and outside of the U.S. By earning this certification, you make the commitment to set yourself apart from your peers, and prove your value both inside of the workplace and in your own professional life.
Dedicate yourself to improving your Microsoft Excel knowledge by enrolling in training courses and preparing for the exam. This way, you will be able to Showcase your true understanding of Microsoft Excel, and even ask for a promotion at work next time the opportunity presents itself!