Certifications - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Flippy · 09-01-2003, 09:40 PM

Hey,

I've been reading up lately, and I read that certifications, especially in the tech fields, seem to be quite important in impressing prospective employers, and that some are relatively easy to get. In the past, I've been discouraged from taking any of these because of the high prices I see with them.

My questions are ...

Are they worth it?
What certifications can I get if I have fairly decent programming knowledge (both in web apps and regular apps) and pretty intimate knowledge of how to use applications and operating systems?
Are there any that aren't very expensive to take, or are there any recommendations?

Thanks for any responses

Boner · 09-01-2003, 10:16 PM

I don't know that I'd say that they are easy to get, but having one doesn't automatically mean that someone is an expert.

I haven't tested for any certifications for quite some time now (CCNA in 2001 was my last). I've had some friends tell me that some of the certification tests having been getting tougher. For example, the MCSE for Windows 2000 is supposedly quite a bit harder than the one for NT 4.

They can be handy when the person making the hiring decision doesn't know squat about IT.

I would go take a look at the Microsoft developer certification (used to be MCSD I believe). It was one cert that I heard was taken seriously.

ack32 · 09-02-2003, 01:29 AM

They are very expensive to take and prepare for, and it definately is possible to be certified for a product or job that you are not "qualified" to do...

That said, large companies are more inclined to take notice of certifications when hiring. Smaller companies don't really care all that much for the most part, they look more towards your track record and the projects you've been involved in.

There's nothing inherantly wrong with certifications though, and if you feel prepared and are sure you'll pass them on the first try ($$$ to try again!), go ahead, it certainly doesn't hurt. But also consider the time, money and effort you'll be putting into it, and depending on the companies you'll be interviewing for (large vs. small).

Pragma · 09-02-2003, 04:42 AM

If you're prepared enough to study without taking the training courses, they can be pretty cheap to get (figure up to 200$ for the books, then the test itself).

Certifications definitely won't hurt you in the job market -- and depending on the cert can really impress your boss.

Flippy · 09-02-2003, 04:55 PM

Great, thanks for the info guys!

I think I'll be looking up some more info on these, jsut to be sure, but the info y'all gave really helped out. Thanks again =)

cheesemoney · 09-02-2003, 06:57 PM

I used to place people in the IT field, and I have to say, in these tough times (I was in the Bay area)--certifications aren't really what they are looking for. Certainly, there are uses for certs. But they really want to see that BS in computer science. Its a brutal honest truth. There are way too many qualified out of work BS's out there that certs aren't really needed.
Exceptions exist, of course.

Cheese

Flippy · 09-02-2003, 07:23 PM

Ah, thanks cheesemoney

I guess I forgot to mention that I was going to look to acquire these certs alongside a BS in comp sci. Thanks for pointing this out though

oiekeooiyw · 09-02-2003, 08:00 PM

certs are very good if you are trying to get past the HR idiots that screen resumes. they get a list of things to look for and seeing a cert is better then seeing real world experience. just my opinion.

undulav · 09-02-2003, 08:18 PM

It can depend on the company. Some companies pay bonuses for certs.

09-01-2003, 09:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Flippy Banned Location: Greater Vancouver	Certifications Hey, I've been reading up lately, and I read that certifications, especially in the tech fields, seem to be quite important in impressing prospective employers, and that some are relatively easy to get. In the past, I've been discouraged from taking any of these because of the high prices I see with them. My questions are ... Are they worth it? What certifications can I get if I have fairly decent programming knowledge (both in web apps and regular apps) and pretty intimate knowledge of how to use applications and operating systems? Are there any that aren't very expensive to take, or are there any recommendations? Thanks for any responses

09-02-2003, 04:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
Pragma I am Winter Born Location: Alexandria, VA	If you're prepared enough to study without taking the training courses, they can be pretty cheap to get (figure up to 200$ for the books, then the test itself). Certifications definitely won't hurt you in the job market -- and depending on the cert can really impress your boss. __________________ Eat antimatter, Posleen-boy!

09-01-2003, 10:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
Boner Insane Location: Plugged In	I don't know that I'd say that they are easy to get, but having one doesn't automatically mean that someone is an expert. I haven't tested for any certifications for quite some time now (CCNA in 2001 was my last). I've had some friends tell me that some of the certification tests having been getting tougher. For example, the MCSE for Windows 2000 is supposedly quite a bit harder than the one for NT 4. They can be handy when the person making the hiring decision doesn't know squat about IT. I would go take a look at the Microsoft developer certification (used to be MCSD I believe). It was one cert that I heard was taken seriously.

09-02-2003, 01:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
ack32 Tilted	They are very expensive to take and prepare for, and it definately is possible to be certified for a product or job that you are not "qualified" to do... That said, large companies are more inclined to take notice of certifications when hiring. Smaller companies don't really care all that much for the most part, they look more towards your track record and the projects you've been involved in. There's nothing inherantly wrong with certifications though, and if you feel prepared and are sure you'll pass them on the first try ($$$ to try again!), go ahead, it certainly doesn't hurt. But also consider the time, money and effort you'll be putting into it, and depending on the companies you'll be interviewing for (large vs. small).

09-02-2003, 04:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
Flippy Banned Location: Greater Vancouver	Great, thanks for the info guys! I think I'll be looking up some more info on these, jsut to be sure, but the info y'all gave really helped out. Thanks again =)

09-02-2003, 06:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
cheesemoney Loser Location: Paradise	I used to place people in the IT field, and I have to say, in these tough times (I was in the Bay area)--certifications aren't really what they are looking for. Certainly, there are uses for certs. But they really want to see that BS in computer science. Its a brutal honest truth. There are way too many qualified out of work BS's out there that certs aren't really needed. Exceptions exist, of course. Cheese

09-02-2003, 07:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
Flippy Banned Location: Greater Vancouver	Ah, thanks cheesemoney I guess I forgot to mention that I was going to look to acquire these certs alongside a BS in comp sci. Thanks for pointing this out though

09-02-2003, 08:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
oiekeooiyw Insane	certs are very good if you are trying to get past the HR idiots that screen resumes. they get a list of things to look for and seeing a cert is better then seeing real world experience. just my opinion.

09-02-2003, 08:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
undulav Insane Location: Northern California	It can depend on the company. Some companies pay bonuses for certs.