Microsoft SharePoint is a web-based enterprise collaboration platform, which is used to design, manage, store, and collaborate on content. Ever since its inception in 2001, it has transformed into a powerful platform of content services.
As more and more organizations are using SharePoint to improve their efficiency and productivity levels, SharePoint has become a wider and more complex field today. As a result, there is a dire need for IT professionals and technicians who can manage and perform various operations within a SharePoint environment.
Although there is no particular tip to excel in different job roles for SharePoint, the following are some useful career tips you can use to build out your desired career path around Microsoft SharePoint.
1. Explore Microsoft SharePoint Options to Discover your Niche
If you are planning to build your career around Microsoft SharePoint, then this is the right time for you. The Microsoft SharePoint career guide can help you explore your options. You could either be a developer, consultant, analyst, architect, manager, engineer, trainer, or an administrator. A SharePoint developer is one who designs and customizes SharePoint pages, sites, and other components.
A SharePoint Architect usually plans, organizes, and supervises SharePoint implementations. A SharePoint Engineer is responsible for overseeing and fixing technical problems in SharePoint. A SharePoint consultant creates, supervises, and documents new projects on SharePoint. All these job roles require a different type of skills, aptitudes, and training.
2. Focus on your Area of Specialization
Once you have decided to build a career in SharePoint, the first and foremost thing you need to do is to evaluate your skills, expertise, knowledge, areas of interest, your future goals, etc. Once you have figured out your skills and the field you want to specialize in, you can be more focused on your career choice and how to take forward your career around SharePoint.
3. Opt for a Suitable Professional Role
After evaluating your strengths, skills, and expertise, the next step is to either opt for a technical or more research-oriented career path. If you have selected a technical career path, you can either train to become a SharePoint developer, architect, or an administrator. These job roles are perfect for such individuals who have hands-on practical experience with Microsoft Windows networking services and various other technologies, including Windows, SQL, and IIS Server.
If you have opted for a research-oriented job, then you can work as a SharePoint analyst, consultant, or trainer. This choice tricky as well as crucial, therefore, a careful study of the Microsoft SharePoint career guide is strongly recommended.
4. Familiarize Yourself with the Basics of SharePoint
Before specializing in a specific field of SharePoint, you must learn the basics of using SharePoint. Currently, there are two versions of SharePoint being used in the industry. The latest version is SharePoint 2016, and the previous version was SharePoint 2013.
You can even search for several SharePoint courses for beginners online. In case you are planning to specialize in a more research-oriented job role, and do not have enough knowledge about IT operations, then you can simply opt for a CompTIA A+ certification course where you can learn basic user support and troubleshooting skills. You can even go ahead and take the Microsoft Office Specialist certification exam to become more familiar with various SharePoint roles.
5. Get Training in Management and Administration Skills
If you plan to work as a SharePoint manager or consultant, you can consider getting the necessary training in SharePoint 2016 administration training or project management, you can consider taking the CompTIA Project+ course where you can learn some useful project management skills and techniques to pursue a career as a project manager within a SharePoint environment.
6. Obtain Professional SharePoint Certifications
To take your SharePoint career further, you may also need to go for some formal certifications and get certified to get your skills validated as a SharePoint professional. Microsoft recently retired some certifications that were designed for SharePoint in favor of those which include more functional topics. For example, Microsoft recently replaced the Microsoft Certified Solution Expert (MCSE): Productivity with MCSE: SharePoint certification.
If you plan to build a career in SharePoint administration, architecture, or management, then an MCSE: Productivity certification will be beneficial for you. However, you will first have to clear the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) certification to qualify for MCSE: Productivity certification program.
7. Earn the MCSE
To acquire the MCSE (Productivity certificate), you are required to clear at least one out of eight examinations. To prepare for any SharePoint job position, it is advisable to take any one of the following examinations:
- Exam 70-339: Managing Microsoft SharePoint Server 2016
- Exam 70-331: Core Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013
- Exam 70-332: Advanced Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013
8. Gain Some Practical Training
While acquiring necessary SharePoint training and certification, it would be better if you get practical training to qualify for better job positions. If your organization already uses SharePoint, then it is a good idea to let your manager know about your future plans regarding working as a SharePoint professional. Make sure to learn your organization’s administrative and other SharePoint activities and operations and gain the required SharePoint 2016 administration training. It will help you to easily move to a SharePoint role.
9. Apply for Jobs at Other Companies
In case your organization does not use or upgrading to SharePoint, you can drop your CV out to various organizations who have new job openings for SharePoint professionals. You can submit your resume personally or apply online. Make sure to apply in those companies who have a well-established SharePoint system.
10. Keep Your Road Map For Your Professional Career In Front
Once you have acquired some basic training and professional experience, you can now plan on your future goals. Whether you have opted for a technical path, then you can work towards getting more training and practical work experience of the core technologies required to operate SharePoint. In case you are more interested in a managerial role, then you can plan to move your career forward towards becoming an experienced SharePoint consultant, analyst, or trainer.
The Way Forward
If you are keen on becoming a Microsoft SharePoint expert, then you should enroll in an online certification or browse through some of the most popular certifications. Many online academies offer online courses that will help you get a boost in your career. Contact us now to learn more about SharePoint or to get access to the most powerful SharePoint tips and tricks.