Are you pretty good at finding your way around Microsoft Office? Do you want to expand these skills into a professional credential that can make you a more desirable job candidate?
Consider becoming a Microsoft Office specialist.
In this article, we'll talk about the skills and exams necessary to obtain this credential and how it can help you advance your career.
What Is a Microsoft Office Specialist?
A Microsoft Office specialist is not a job title; rather, it's a credential that can give you an edge in many different types of jobs.
Microsoft Office is a common software program used by businesses and companies in a variety of industries. It contains various apps, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook.
Companies rely on Office to create documents and presentations, send emails, plan schedules and budgets, and much more.
Because Office has become such an integral part of business, companies prefer to hire candidates who know how to use it. They may even hire specific roles within the company to use and maintain Office.
That's where the Microsoft Office specialist (MOS) credential comes in, which can help give you a leg up when looking for a new job.
What's more, because the certification has to be renewed regularly, the ongoing training involved keeps your skills up to date, so you will always be ahead of the game when it comes to using Office.
So, are you ready to become a Microsoft Office specialist? Earning this credential requires studying, passing tests, and renewing certification on an ongoing basis.
Follow the specific steps outlined below:
Step 1: Decide on a Certification Level
The first thing you need to do is consider your professional goals and decide which level of certification you want to pursue.
There are three levels of Microsoft Office specialist:
- Associate
- Expert
- Master
As you might imagine, each level requires more advanced testing than the last.
To obtain the Associate credential, you choose three of four available basic examinations covering Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
To advance to the Expert level, you will need to pass two out of three Expert-level exams, in addition to the basic Associate exams.
Finally, to obtain the Master credential, you will need to pass three specific, advanced exams and one of two elective exams.
If you have your eye on a specific job opening, find out what level of certification that company prefers or requires. Otherwise, consider starting at the Associate level and move up as needed or desired.
Step 2: Register for an Exam
Once you've settled on the first exam you want to take, you can register for the exam through Certiport, a certification provider that administers all Microsoft exams.
Most exams can be taken either online or in person. Either way, you will need to provide location information when you register.
You will also need to schedule a date and time for your exam. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to prepare for taking the test; you'll want to schedule at least a few weeks in advance.
In addition to registering through Certiport, you'll need to create an account with Microsoft. That way, you'll be able to view your test results through your Microsoft dashboard.
Step 3: Study for Your Exam
Unless you are already a Microsoft Office whiz, you'll want to study for each exam you take. Even if you think you know about using Office, studying for the test is still a good idea.
Once you register for a test, you'll be provided with a skills outline. Download this, print it out if desired, and read it carefully. You may also be able to find practice tests online to get a feel for the experience.
You can also take a prep course through a college or university. Savannah Technical College offers several of these courses, which are self-paced and fully online.
Step 4: Complete the Exam
Be sure and get plenty of rest the night before the exam. You will want to be sharp and focused.
If you are taking the test online, make sure you find a quiet place that's free of distractions. You'll want to emulate the conditions of an exam room to give yourself the best chance of success.
Treat the exam as though you were completing a test for school. Take it seriously, even if you think it will be easy to pass.
Once you have completed the exam, you can view your results through the Microsoft dashboard. You can also view other relevant information about your exam and certification through the dashboard.
Remember, you will need to take multiple tests to obtain each Microsoft Office specialist certification, so repeat this process for each exam.
Step 5: Keep Your Certification Current
Once you have passed all of the necessary exams and obtained your credentials, you will need to maintain them.
Whether you become an Associate, Expert, or a Master, you will need to renew your certification yearly.
Recertification is free and can be completed as long as six months before your credentials expire.
To renew your certification, you can take ongoing training courses through Microsoft Learn and pass short assessments.
Each assessment is much simpler than the initial test. It simply verifies that you are staying up to date on your skills and maintaining the knowledge necessary to be considered a Microsoft Office specialist.
Become a Microsoft Office Specialist Today
If you are good at using Microsoft Office and want to use those skills to improve your job prospects, consider becoming a Microsoft Office specialist today.
