A+ Certification Noobish Question

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Boogalou

Weaksauce
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Jan 10, 2005
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I'd really appreciate some advice guys. I'm kinda in a bad spot. I've been working for myself for the last few years selling art, but unfortunately due to reasons beyond my control, have to find a different job.

So I was wondering about A+ Certification? I've been building computers for more than 10 years as a hobby, for friends, colleagues, etc... I was looking at a couple A+ books yesterday and found that I was actually familiar with most of the material I came across. I don't think it would be that difficult to get certified with a little bit of studying. Would it be realistic to expect to land a job with only A+ Certification and the limited hands on experience I presently have? Or would I be considered a clueless hack? Do you guys know anywhere that would hire me with my type of experience? Is it worth getting certified? If anyone would have any advice they could share with me I'd really appreciate it. I'm returning to school this summer after stupidly having been away for years :rolleyes: But it will take me at least 2 years to finish a Comp Science degree.

I just don't want to be flipping burgers until I finish my degree.
 
Boogalou,

Will the A+ cert get you a job? Probably not. Will it hurt? Certainly not. It the IT arena, even the small stuff (Geek Squad doesn't count :rolleyes: ), experience is king.

Given the money is not an issue, I really don't see how it could hurt. It's a lifetime cert as well, so once you're certified, your always certified.

So, unless the expense is an issue (2 exams for A+), I'd say do it. (Especially if you alre already familiar with the material.)

A+ can also be used (in conjunction with some other CompTIA exams) as Microsoft certification elective credit, if you are planning to go that route.

Orwick Alefgard
 
Boogalou said:
I'd really appreciate some advice guys. I'm kinda in a bad spot. I've been working for myself for the last few years selling art, but unfortunately due to reasons beyond my control, have to find a different job.

So I was wondering about A+ Certification? I've been building computers for more than 10 years as a hobby, for friends, colleagues, etc... I was looking at a couple A+ books yesterday and found that I was actually familiar with most of the material I came across. I don't think it would be that difficult to get certified with a little bit of studying. Would it be realistic to expect to land a job with only A+ Certification and the limited hands on experience I presently have? Or would I be considered a clueless hack? Do you guys know anywhere that would hire me with my type of experience? Is it worth getting certified? If anyone would have any advice they could share with me I'd really appreciate it. I'm returning to school this summer after stupidly having been away for years :rolleyes: But it will take me at least 2 years to finish a Comp Science degree.

I just don't want to be flipping burgers until I finish my degree.
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If you've got 10 years experience building computers, there should be no reason why you can't pass the A+.

As orwick mentions, it's not going to guarantee you a job.

A+ costs under $250 to take [hell, I sell the vouchers with study materials for that]


That, paired with passing at least one test of the MCSE [to become an official MCP] and maybe network+, server+, etc.. would be much more helpful.
 
A+ would be a great idea, Im actually starting my classes for it in a few weeks.

Best bet is to do the A+ and then do the Network+. Network+ is pretty good and is probably a bigger qualification. It will have more rewards.
 
I have My A+ as well as many other Certs. May I recommend cert21.com They are simply amazing in test prep. I use them on everything from a+ to cisco.

as for getting jobs, No its all a fluke, I live in NYC and cant find a job anywhere.
 
As others have said, A+ isn't going to get you very far (if anywhere), but it is an excellent place to start.
 
I actually disagree with the people saying you cant get a job with an A+. I got my first IT corporate job w/ my A+ and in fact the supervisor interviewing specifically asked me if I had my A+ and when I said yes she smiled and said "ok good" as though that sealed the deal. I got the job on the spot (after the drug test) and then I got my Network+ a few months later. The A+ is an entry level certification, but it does look good on paper to HR and other hiring individuals. I would also look at it knowing you will learn a lot by studying and learning things you have forgotten or never known. If anything, take it just for the hell of it.. sounds like you're capable of passing without too much studying. I mean, it's not going to HURT is it? ;)
 
I don't know, from what I've seen, people hiring like to see paper, no matter how meaningless. Ten years' experience is great, and by all means, SHOULD land you some kind of job. However, there are probably a great deal of employers out there that will pass you over completely, simply because you lack the pretty paper of the A+.

If the money's not a problem, go for it.
  1. You might just need it
  2. It never really hurts to get a certification.
  3. If nothing else, you can impress your less-than-technical friends.
 
it really doesn't hurt to get a cert but with A+ its kind of saying haha look at me im a noob and this is because all the computer tech rejects working at bestbuy and future shop have their A+ and its like, if you get A+ you are going to work at bestbuy for futureshop. more or less a stereo type. ppl will laugh. if you want to do it [H] go get your CCNA and MCSE and just skip the A+
 
Wow, I didn't expect to get this many replies. Thanks so much for all the input guys. I really really appreciate it.

After reading all your posts I guess I'll go ahead and get the A+ and not expect to gain much from it right away. Might be able to get an internship or something (Although vk99x's post gives me some hope). Then I'll go for Network+ and then move on to MSCE. Hopefully between now and before I graduate college I can get enough done to land a decent entry level IT job somewhere.

Again, thanks everyone for taking the time to post, you guys rock :)
 
A+ can be very important in finding a job. Many places, require it. Without it, HR drops your app in the trash.
 
It all depends on the area where your applying, in my area there are several places looking for anyone with any kind of IT training. I plan to take my test in the next couple of weeks just for the hell of it and explore the possibilities.
 
JTY said:
A+ can be very important in finding a job. Many places, require it. Without it, HR drops your app in the trash.
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This is pretty funny because when I sit down to look at apps screening them for interviews, the first ones I drop in the trash are the ones with certs and/or college degrees with no practical experience. The more certs, the more likely you are to go into file 13. We dont have the time or manpower to retrain and prefer people who spent their time actually working rather than studying. Even experience at Bestbuy, an internship or working as a cable puller is prefered to certs here.

Although I will admit a lot of companies whose hiring is done by HR people and not techs will look for and expect certs.
 
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