First, familiarize yourself with the different programs that are available to you. Start broad, and then go narrow. You can go to the Microsoft learning webpage to get a list of all the types of different certification programs that are available to you. Just to give you an idea, within the field of Microsoft certified IT professionals, there are Microsoft certifications in over 31 different general areas.

Of course, that is why we start broad. Find the area where you already have demonstrated expertise in, or would like to create a career path and think you have the skills required to pass the certified program. Then, pick the most basic course that will accent your skill level.

It's really easy to find a course that is in conjunction with your skill level. Each certification program has an audience profile created at the beginning of the overview of the program, on Microsoft's learning page. Basically, read the audience profile and determine if that is something that closely describes you.

If you're still not sure, you can actually look at the different exams that you will be required to pass before you get certification in that program. Here, on each exam you'll be given a list of skills that you are required to be accountable for. Do you have the skills, or can you learn them by the time you'll be required to take the exam? If so, this is a good choice for a certification program.

In any case, you want to do your certifications in logical order. Make sure that one certification program will help you with the next one up on the ladder, and so on until you get laser target certification in the area where you want to be the expert. If you are still lost, you can troubleshoot by sending an e-mail to a Microsoft representative to help you with choosing the programs.

In conclusion, I have given you a guide on how to best choose the right programs, when it comes to Microsoft certifications.