Jesus Pimp

I just applied for a technical support engineer job. I have over three years experience doing related jobs. I have a BFA but I don't have any certs. What are my chances of getting the job? Are certs really important in getting IT/Tech jobs? When I worked at an insurance company I knew a guy who had a few certs but didn't really know that much. I actually knew a bit more about computers than he did. So what are my chances?

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rogue49

You're chances are fairly good, considering you have prior experience.

The certs get you through the door with the HR dept.
And justify your wage a little more with the management.

But as long as your background is cool,
then you should have no problem.

However, there is no guarantee either way.
Whether you had the certs or not.

I've been doing this for years, have gotten pretty high on the scale and I don't have one cert under my belt.
I'm getting one now, but I have the time & money, and it's just to help increase my pay when I get a new job. They finally have slowed down on the new versions to justify a cert that will stay legit for awhile.

Go for it, but don't put all your eggs in one basket,
apply at other places at the same time.

ratbastid

When I hire people, I don't even look at certificates. I'm not interested in the stamps on your ass, I want to see on-the-job track record of accomplishment. Or, if you're just out of school and don't have work experience, show me something cool you've hacked up in your spare time or as a class project.

Don't waste my time telling me about your cerficiations. Tell me what you can <i>really</i> do.

Daval

Getting your certs will only ever help you. Yes, real world experience is also immensly important, but having the pretty pieces of paper saying you are certified to do what you claim only makes you look better. And as rogue said - you'll command more money.

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LutherMac

I dunno... I'm a software developer with over 5 years of experience... no certifications... and well.. I haven't been able to get another tech job now for over a year. However, I feel my biggest problem is that I didn't finish college, but ended up joining the tech sector instead.

BBtB

I have no experince in the tech field nor do I plan on working in it (though I could) but what I would say is... you allready have 3 years experience. Why are you afraid of getting muscled out now? As rogue said, the most imporant thing is don't settle for one company. If you can get two companies wanting you then you are golden. In the mean time if you CAN get some certs then that can do nothing but help you.

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"I would like about three fiddy"

Frowning Budah

Where I work Certs are everything. The fact you can't do the work later doesn't matter. You will never get a chance to show you can do the job unless they are convinced beforehand.

VirFighter

I would get the certs eventually if you have the time and the extra money. However, I wouldnt' consider it a job. I'm 19 with three years of working summers doing tech type work. Part time jobs with tech seem to find me. I'm in school to be an engineer but I'm stuck in a rut of computer jobs.

Go into the interivews confident and cool. Be up front about what you do know and what you don't know. More likely than not they will be impressed. If it is a good employer they will understand that piece paper doesn't mean you know something, from what I've found it all comes down to experience in the tech field. I've talked to people that have worked in it for 20 years and I've talked to people that have started their own computer support business with a just a few years experience and no certs who are doing just fine.

Best of luck.

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Cynthetiq

I got no certs and I work in many Fortune 500 environments.

I can say that there are some Fortune 500's that it means everything, like the Finance comopanies... I don't have a BA either so they don't even look at me unless I come in from a completely different channel.

As a hiring manager, I'm going to weigh the certs if there is NO FUNDAMENTAL or SKILL difference between two candidates. I also would consider personality since at MTV we have some very liberal work guidelines, but you still have to get the work done with little to no supervision.

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