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If you have experience using your technical expertise with both Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 to implement and extend sales solutions for your organization, the Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Sales Functional Consultant Associate certification could be just right for you. It’s designed to highlight those same in-demand skills. This certification demonstrates that you know how to apply technical knowledge to implement simplified experiences for sellers that enable them to focus on building customer relationships. A Microsoft Certification validates to the world that you have these skills—whether you’re just starting out, looking to use your functional consultant prowess to advance your career, or wanting to change to a new, in-demand career. Use this industry-recognized Microsoft Certification to help shape the direction of your journey.
Companies are investing heavily in new technology, such as cloud infrastructure and the next generation of automation. There’s a need for employees and consultants who can adapt innovations that bring better solutions to customers. The Microsoft approach to certification focuses on building a strong learning culture and encouraging learners on their journey. This drives tech intensity. A Microsoft white paper on role-based tech training and certifications reports that 91 percent of IT professionals with certifications believe that the effort employees put into acquiring new skills strongly contributes to their success in digital transformation.
The sales functional consultant role and certification
You fit the profile for this certification if you’re a functional consultant, a sales or business professional using Dynamics 365 Sales to empower your organization, a developer looking to hone your consulting and configuration skills, a solution architect on a path to the solution architect certification, or an IT professional. As a candidate for this certification, you must have knowledge and experience configuring Microsoft Power Platform, plus you need to know Dynamics 365 model-driven applications and data modeling principles. This certification lets you market yourself more effectively for projects and lets your organization know that you can use Dynamics 365 Sales to empower the sales force. It’s a great way to help advance your career.
As a candidate for this certification, you work with your organization’s stakeholders, such as solution architects, developers, and testers, to gather requirements and implement Dynamics 365 Sales solutions. You model Dynamics 365 Sales data, and you extend Dynamics 365 solutions using Microsoft Power Platform components, including Power Automate and Power Apps. You perform key tasks, like configuring the Dynamics 365 Sales application and Dynamics 365 organizational security.
In this role, you need experience with both Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365, so you’ll take two exams to earn this certification:
Benefits of certification
Many people in technical careers have more than one certification, especially when they feel an urgency to validate skills in multiple areas. Like you, they want to do great work and be rewarded for it. So it’s no surprise that 80 percent of respondents in the 2020–2021 Microsoft Dynamics Salary Survey from Nigel Frank believe that Dynamics 365 certifications are important for increasing earning potential. Plus, 74 percent listed “understanding business models” and “having business acumen” as hard skills that would make them more attractive to employers.
Obtaining a variety of certifications can help you as you explore different pathways to success. Certifications can give you career flexibility and promising earning options. The Global Knowledge 2020 IT Skills and Salary Report found that IT professionals with certifications, on average, earn more than their peers without any. Interestingly, the survey found that the more certifications a professional holds, the higher their average salary. In fact, 12 percent of individuals who received a raise attribute it to new skills. IT professionals who obtained a new certification saw their salary increase nearly $13,000.
In a Pearson VUE Value of IT Certification report, professionals list their top reasons for certification as improving professional standing, increasing technical knowledge, and increasing their chances of a salary increase. Plus, 67 percent of the respondents indicate greater self-confidence in their abilities, and 55 percent note that the knowledge they gained was transferable to actual work situations.
Other certifications for you
Depending on your own unique career path, you should investigate the different Microsoft Certifications available to you. They signal that you have the skills that organizations are looking for when they hire and advance employees. Certification, combined with your expertise and experience, can help you take the next step in your career.
If you’re new to Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365, check out Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Fundamentals (pass Exam PL-900) and Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Fundamentals Customer Engagement Apps (CRM) (pass Exam MB-910).
If you want to use your skills to open up your career options, consider exploring other Dynamics 365 associate certifications:
To further your career, when you’re ready, you might want to pursue an advanced solution architect certification: Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Solution Architect Expert (complete a prerequisite and pass Exam PL-600).
How do I get started?
To get started with this certification, check out our Dynamics 365 Sales Functional Consultant Associate certification journey map. You can also find the journey map in the resources section on the Dynamics 365 Sales Functional Consultant Associate certification and exam pages.
Check the journey map to explore taking a practice exam for this certification.
After you pass the exams and earn your certification, you can continue to add to your technical expertise by taking one of the other certifications described in this blog post or by exploring other certification offerings. Consider our associate and expert certifications when you achieve the next milestones on your career journey. Use this diagram to map out the possibilities: Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 certification paths.
Source: techcommunity.microsoft.com
