A+ certification

**Too Much Damage** · 04-28-10, 11:55 AM

As an employer what is the value of seeing A+ certification on a resume?
Is this just the first of many hoops to jump through to get better tech jobs?
Should I focus on other certifications first or not even bother with A+?

**Warprosper** · 04-28-10, 11:58 AM

It shows you that there interested in the computer field and that they are able to comprehend the basic foundation.

Personally I dont think certs or a degree hold a higher selling point when compared to actual experience.

**WileECyte** · 04-28-10, 12:17 PM

Certs and degrees generally aren't what catch an employer's eye, it's real world experience. Too many paper warriors out there who have/hold 8 million certs. Put them into a real working environment and they end up doing more harm than good. Certs & degrees matter most when you're trying to break into the industry with no experience, and even then the employer generally needs to take a chance on you. Once you've got a couple years of experience under your belt, it won't matter anymore.

CompTIA's certs (A+, Network+, Security+, etc) are all generally regarded as 'general knowledge' certs. They don't carry a lot of weight. Certs from vendors like Microsoft & Cisco mean a lot more to most employers since they require specific knowledge about products they use in their own environment.

**Too Much Damage** · 04-28-10, 12:33 PM

I am trying to break into the field. The issue I come up with a lot is that I do repairs, preventative maintenance, build systems, have no professional experience, and don't look good on paper.

**Warprosper** · 04-28-10, 12:38 PM

http://www.texasteamplayers.com/index.php?topic=83494.0

Want to move ?

**Keiron** · 04-28-10, 12:38 PM

Certs would probably help then. Just to show that you know what you are talking about to some degree. I plan to get mine later this year before I graduate in hopes that it'll help me get a job when I graduate in December.

I do have some connections in the field too so if you know anyone in the field already, that usually helps too.

**Glitch** · 04-28-10, 12:47 PM

I got my break in the IT field in '97. I got the opportunity not for my technical knowledge but for having a general basic understanding and desire but MOST importantly because of my "People Skills" the guy that hired me said they can teach anyone the technical aspect of the job, they cant teach how to interact with people.

MANY computer nerds with lots of technical knowledge have literally no social skills and do not reflect well on a business.

I have been doing this job for 12 years now. Has been a great career for me.

**Glitch** · 04-28-10, 12:50 PM

Forgot to mention I got my A+ cert the 1st week on the job. They paid for training and the test. Started down the MCSE path long long ago, but not worth it for a desktop tech like me.

Certs mean nothing to anyone that knows anything. Real World experience and basic trouble shooting skills (it worked till we changed "A" doesn't work now, does it work if you undo "A"?)are much more important.

**Phyrelight** · 04-28-10, 12:58 PM

At my work the resumes are filtered by experience first, then degree then certs. My work will allow me to take classes during the day to get a degree but it will not pay for nor give me free time off for certs. They are pretty useless in the real world. The A+ book I have as a reference tool for our student workers is really really basic (i.e. this is a mouse). When we hire we post for experience + degree, nowhere do we ask about or use metrics to evaluate applicants on their certs. Certs may be enough to get you in the door for entry level $10/hour job at the geek squad.

**Muqtar SGT_Clintok** · 04-28-10, 03:56 PM

The answer is that yes it is the first of many hoops you will need to jump through.

A blend of real world experience combined with certifications is what you want to get noticed. The ability to discuss PC and networking concepts and accomplishments is what it going to impress in the interview.

I never took my A+ because I wasn't focused enough to do the studying. Later I began to pursue certifications because my job implied it would be a good idea. I got my MCSE 2003 and will begin the process to upgrade to the MCITP: Enterprise in a few months.

You cannot study and get more time in the field. You can study and get certified. The time in service will accumulate on its own.

I don't discount certifications because following the process often sheds light on grey areas of things you work with. You cannot rely on certifications to be the man though. Paper champions get bounced right out the door like the worthless bums they are.

I would pursue the MCP (or its equivalent in the Windows 7/2008 realm). A single test that often kicks off a desire to feel the joy of passing another test.