Certification expiration 2

[iolair]

Sadly, my CCNA is about to expire and I can not do anything to avoid that now. My question is this, what happens when it expires? I was wondering, can I no longer call myself a CCNA? Do I have to take that cert off my resume? Do I have to turn in my certificate to Cisco? Do I have to shut down my Cisco routers and switches? I did try the BSCI and the CCNA Security over the last three years, came close, but I did not pass, and I know I can't take those now. I have searched Cisco's website for this info, but so far, haven't found it. Thanks.

Iolair MacWalter
Network Engineer

 

[lerdalt]

I would say for the resume, just put the years you were certified. That way you can always say it expired because of <insert explanation here>, and whether or not you are planning on taking the exams again to obtain it. I think I'd probably leave out the part about failing the next exams to re-certify it unless you rushed through it.

As far as everything else, no you don't have to turn your stuff off, and no you don't have to turn in your certificate.

 

[iolair]

Thanks, lerdalt. Yes, I wasn't planning on announcing the failures. And I'm not really sure I want to tell people that the reason I didn't recertify was due to cancer. (I've been cured now.) Yes, I do plan to retake the CCNA test again sometime in the near future. Thanks for your kind reply.

Iolair MacWalter
Network Engineer

 

[Dinkytoy]

I would go further and say don't even mention your CCNA is expired. If they are interested in you they've got to talk to you to find out and that gets you a stage further than binning your CV based on an expired CCNA a week ago.

 

[iolair]

Thank you. At the time I sent out some of the resumes, I was a CCNA. Actually, I still am until Monday. I didn't think I'd really ever have to worry about this, but, life happens.

Iolair MacWalter
Network Engineer

 

[Quadratic]

I think it's pretty dishonest to put CCNA on a current resume if it is expired. Specifying the timeline in which you were certified is probably fine though.

I also suggest that you rewrite it. If you were close to passing BSCI and CCNA Secuirty, the composite CCNA hopefully won't give you too much trouble.

I always get paranoid about expiration. I've yet to let my Cisco certs go more than 6 months without renewing in some way. It helps when your company covers the costs.

CCNP, CCDP

 

[Dinkytoy]

You don't need to claim to be CCNA certified on the CV, you can simply state that under your training or certs section that something along the lines of:

MCP Windows (XP) 2005
MCSE 2006
CCNA 2007
Currently Studying for CCNP Route and Switch

You're not being dishonest or trying to scam them, simply painting the best possible picture to get to an interview stage.

I would then be asking during an interview when it expired and if you were planning to recertify.

 

[iolair]

The last thing I want to do is be dishonest or unethical.

I would hope that an employer wouldn't base his decision on whether or not I actually have the certification, but that I can do the work. Maybe I should remove the cert, but leave all the experience with routers, switches, PIX, ASA, etc. in the experience section. That way they know I can do it, just don't have the cert.

Thanks for all the replies, best of luck to all of you.

Iolair MacWalter
Network Engineer

 

[Dinkytoy]

A tech employer should be ok if he got his hands on it, an HR drone with a job spec stating CCNA however, and you lose out.

Just food for thought.

 

[iolair]

Yes, I see your point. The main thing is to bone up and retake the exam ASAP. Then, I hope to move on to the next test, probably ROUTE. Being a one man shop, it isn't always easy to take time out and work on these things. Thanks to all who responded.

Iolair MacWalter
Network Engineer