Filemaker Certification Question

[ejpvi]

Greetings fellow Filemaker Developers.

I am new to this board, but am glad to have such a wealth of information available to me. I have been using Filemaker for the last Year and a half. I have successfully completed 2 simple databases for a company, and am taking on my first big assignment for another.

My question is... have any of you found any benefits to being certified? I have been playing with the idea of getting certified. $150 seems reasonable to take the test. I wonder how many times I would have to take it to pass...

Could any of you briefly explain your experience with getting certified for Filemaker? I am sure it is different for everyone. But did you go in ready to take the test, and realize you were totally unprepared?

I don't want any of the questions, just the overall experience. Prep time, times taken test..etc..

I am definitely not a specialist, but I am somewhat advanced past the beginner level. I can script, and design very complex tables that maintain communication.

Guess I am just curious if anyone rushed into getting certified a bit too early, and learned their lesson the hard way.

Cheers.

[LaurenKuhlman]

I used the FileMaker Training Series and read every chapter from front to back before taking the FM9 Certification Exam. I passed the first time. It sounds like the first few chapters will probably be mainly old news to you but it is still worth reading for some little specifics you might miss otherwise. For FM10, I reviewed the new stuff in the FM10 FileMaker Training Series, took it and passed. I would highly recommend the FTS for study.

Here is a link to purchase the FileMaker Training Series for FM10:

http://www.filemaker.com/support/training/fts.html

You could also look into taking training from a certified trainer if you benefit from classroom instruction. There is information about this at the same link.

Good Luck!

Edited June 22, 2009 by Guest

[mr_vodka]

I would suggest getting the Training Series Manual.

http://www.filemaker.com/support/training/fts.html

[Colin Keefe]

Ditto the above: the FTS book is invaluable, and instructor-led training is helpful too. I've taken 4 of these things now, and can tell you the 10 cert is the hardest yet and rewards thorough preparation.

To the point of the value of having certification:

For the purposes of getting hired by a mid-range FileMaker consulting firm, having a certification under your belt is a big plus, though not a showstopper. Most will have you certified once you're on staff anyway.

From your perspective - new and still trying to establish a client base as a freelancer - there is absolutely no reason NOT to get certified. It's not going to hurt, and if there's little else to distinguish you on your resume from those with the same level of expertise who HAVE the cert, then you stand a good chance of getting pushed out of the prospect pile.

I suppose the best way to look at the certification program is as a differentiator: all other things being equal, the cert is one more qualification that separates you from other prospects as you look for projects/employment - and as prospects search for you. Why give them a reason to filter you out before they've even contacted you?

Additionally, if you're an FBA member, having a cert under your belt affects where you appear in search results in the FileMaker Consultant search function on the FileMaker website. Those without certs drop ALL the way down to the bottom.

You may also want to look at other avenues for promoting yourself, by the way. Look at findfilemakerdevelopers.com and consider joining for the listing it provides.