I feel like getting a certification just to get it and look good on paper is a waste of everyone’s time. I do however feel like actually using your study time to learn the materials covered in the certification will help you become more knowledgeable and proficient in your daily Linux usage. So I recommend if you are going after certifications don’t just try and memorize answers for a test, but learn what you are being tested on and you will go a lot farther in your career. I have worked with people who had had certifications and looked great on paper but in the interview you could tell that they just learned enough of the material to pass a test and had not put anything they had learned into practice.
A great place to start learning Linux it to work towards getting your Linux+ certification. This entry level certification will teach you all the basics of Linux administration and give you a wonderful base on which to build your skills. Once you gotten your Linux+ certification I would recommend starting on the path to getting the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA). It is the entry level Red Hat certification. As you study for it and use Linux daily you will learn even more about Linux. Since the RHCSA is a hands on test many companies know that holders of that certification are knowledgeable in Linux. Once you have gotten the RHCSA certification you can start working on getting the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) certification. The RHCE goes into even more depth about Linux management. Once you get the RHCE you will stand out in the crowd and have a better chance of being picked when it comes to employment.
If you don’t want to get the Red Hat certifications the Linux Foundation has some certifications that on par with the Red Hat ones, although they are not as recognized in the field as the Red Hat certifications. Something I like about the Linux Foundations certifications is that you can test on CentOS or you can test on Ubuntu so you can really shine where you are comfortable.
First we have the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS). The LFCS will test you on the things you would use as a Jr. Linux administrator.
Next up is the Linux Foundation Certified Engineer (LFCE) it will test you on a Sr. Linux administrator level.