You’re seeking a promotion in mobile app development. What certification do you need to get ahead?

1 Your goals and interests

Before you decide on a certification, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and what kind of apps you want to develop. Do you want to specialize in a specific platform, such as iOS or Android, or do you want to be able to create apps for multiple platforms? Do you want to focus on the front-end design and user experience, or the back-end functionality and performance? Do you want to work on native apps, web apps, or hybrid apps? Depending on your goals and interests, you may need different types of certifications.

3 Your budget and time

A final factor to consider is your budget and time for pursuing a certification. How much money can you invest in the certification exam, preparation materials, and courses? How much time can you dedicate to studying and practicing for the certification? How soon do you need to obtain the certification? Depending on your budget and time, you may need to prioritize certain certifications over others.

4 Some popular certifications

When considering certifications for mobile app development, some of the popular ones include the Apple Certified iOS Technician (ACiT), Google Associate Android Developer (AAD), Xamarin Certified Mobile Developer (XCMD), and Mobile Web Specialist (MWS). The ACiT certification requires passing a multiple-choice exam and having at least six months of experience in iOS service and support. For the AAD certification, you must pass a performance-based exam and submit a portfolio of Android apps. The XCMD certification requires passing several online courses and exams as well as having at least six months of experience in Xamarin development. And the MWS certification requires passing a project-based exam and submitting a portfolio of web apps. All these certifications cover the fundamentals of their respective topics, such as UI design, data management, testing, debugging, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, progressive web apps, and web performance optimization.

5 How to prepare for a certification

Once you have chosen a certification that suits your goals, interests, skills, experience, budget, and time, you need to prepare for it. To do this, review the certification objectives and requirements to ensure you understand what is required of you. Additionally, study the relevant materials and resources that match your learning style and preferences. Furthermore, practice your skills and knowledge to improve your confidence and competence. Moreover, take mock exams and quizzes to test your readiness and identify strengths and weaknesses. Finally, seek feedback and support from other developers, mentors, instructors or peers in online forums or communities for advice and tips.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?