The process to prepare it is very useful/helpful. Talking about the certificate itself, it's just an extra factor. If two candidates are exactly the same, one with certificate and the other one without, the first one may have some advantage. Working experience is way more important. About architect position, not many companies are hiring architects actually. It's easier to be an architect in smaller company. Bigger company? Very hard. For example, EBay put architect as one level above staff engi