Certifications???? 4

[Bluesmoon]

What certifications would be the best way to go since I have experience in several areas? The company I worked for recently went out of business and I have noticed most companies want you to be certified even I probaly know more than someone who just got a paper saying they are certified. The company I worked for dealt with IBM AS/400, laptops and PC'c in which I did all the programing and hardware repairs on them but I am not certified. Also I was in charge of the network and can do TCP/IP. What is the best way to go in getting certified and which ones would be the best to take. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Blue

 

[MasterRacker]

Start at comptia.org and look at A+, Network+, Server+, Inet+, etc. Most of these are "entry level" certs. but you may be able to pass the tests cold. If not, you would have a starting point for your studies. These are also vendor independent and inexpensive. Got to

http://www.cramsession.com

for quick references for these and other tests.

Other certs are vendor specific and therefore it really depends on what type of position you are going to look for to determine what to certify in. Most other certs I know of are also quite expensive.

Companies whose hiring is driven by HR look for certs and degrees heavily while those whose hiring is driven by IT in the know will also look at experience and proficiency, not just alphabet soup, so it's not hopeless without certs.

The best way to certify of couse, is to find somewhere that will hire you based on experience, that pays for training.
Jeff
masterracker@hotmail.com

If everything seems to be going well: you don't have enough information.......

 

[Bluesmoon]

Thank you Jeff for the information and I will check those out. The main thing I was wondering was what basic certs I need before i decide what area i would like to specialize in and you answered that for me thank you.

Blue

 

[eramm]

it sounds like you know what you are doing already. if you just want to get a cert on your wall i suggest the cisco CCNA. it is easy, you will learn a lot and you can find a crash course to get you through it in a week.

the CCNA will give you enough concepts and buzzwords to get you to your next job.

eramm

 

[Bluesmoon]

Thanks alot eramm i will check that....

 

[jondyke]

You may me wise to also look at the MCP, MCSE certifications. Although they are now a lot more difficult (they now use an adaptive method) they are still a big plus with a lot of Employers if you can get them. Especialy Windows 2000. Many companies will be looking to Migrate this year and next to Win 2000 and will need expertise in that area. Nothing beats experience though. Any good company should be looking at that.
Good Hunting,

JD

 

[SheTiger44]

I think you should get cert. in working with Routing (Cisco) and at this time anything for networking, expecially sence you are able to network now and know and worked with TCP/IP.
Windows NT is the in thing for security at the moment because there is not may companies set up for Windows 2000 and I consider this program (Win 2000)to be the best of the two and their are not many who have the knowledge with Windows 2000 Networking.
Something to consider. Good Luck!