All hype aside, it is very clear that Linux is recognized as a major operating system by data center administrators as well as CIOs. Linux is no longer of interest only to hackers and the open-source community. Today there are more web servers running on Linux than on any other operating system. Major organizations are deploying Linux in their data centers. According to a study done recently, more than 75% of the fortune 500 companies have already deployed Linux or are considering to do so in near future.
With this booming Linux deployment comes increased demand for professionals who are conversant with Linux. This includes users, administrators, programmers, as well as buyers of Linux systems. A recognized Linux Certification provides a tangible way to show prowess in the operating system. Many job postings already favor applicants with "Linux Certified" in their resumes.
While certification by itself does not make you a recognized Linux Guru, it provides a great start towards that goal. Many IT professionals feel confident to use a particular technology, but they need some practical experience to be deemed experts. Unfortunately, this practical experience may not be readily available, as employers look for prior experience with that technology. Professionals can break this Catch-22 situation with certification and erase any doubts in their ability to work with Linux.
Last but not least, certification is a great tool for self motivation to learn Linux in good depth. Certification test provides a clear-cut goal to brush up on broad aspects of this popular operating system.
