A+ certification. Is it worth is?

[Runamile]

I have been tossing around the idea of getting A+ certified. And maybe some of the others like N+ and the some of the various microsoft/novel ones. What are you guy's feelings on this?

I want to know if employers look favorably upon this when getting hired to computer related jobs.

 

[new2AMD]

search on a+...this has been discussed many times.

 

[Saulbadguy]

Well, ignore the people who will say "its worthless" because they are the elitests who think they are gods gift to computers. Truth is, its valuable when looking for an entry level job in computers (ones that require little or no previous experience). It can't hurt.

 

[marquee]

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
Well, ignore the people who will say "its worthless" because they are the elitests who think they are gods gift to computers. Truth is, its valuable when looking for an entry level job in computers (ones that require little or no previous experience). It can't hurt.

If some of those 'elitists' just happen to be in a position to hire you, maybe their opinion sHOULD count for something.
It cant hurt, but is it really worth the time getting? I don't think so.

 

[prvteye2003]

Originally posted by: marquee

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
Well, ignore the people who will say "its worthless" because they are the elitests who think they are gods gift to computers. Truth is, its valuable when looking for an entry level job in computers (ones that require little or no previous experience). It can't hurt.

If some of those 'elitists' just happen to be in a position to hire you, maybe their opinion sHOULD count for something.
It cant hurt, but is it really worth the time getting? I don't think so.

Considering some emloyers won't hire you without it, I'd say yes, it's worth it.

 

[Lynx516]

It isnt a wonderfully usefull qualification. THough it does give a good grounding in basic Computer maintanence and so on. I personally think it shoudl be a requirement before owing a PC (jk as I dont even has an A+ cert)

 

[Saulbadguy]

Originally posted by: marquee

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
Well, ignore the people who will say "its worthless" because they are the elitests who think they are gods gift to computers. Truth is, its valuable when looking for an entry level job in computers (ones that require little or no previous experience). It can't hurt.

If some of those 'elitists' just happen to be in a position to hire you, maybe their opinion sHOULD count for something.
It cant hurt, but is it really worth the time getting? I don't think so.

Those "elitests" are generally not the people who do the hiring / firing. They work in the IT field, generally not personnel. Worth the time? If you are familiar enough with computers/printers/software/etc, the test is very easy, and does not take very much prep time. Worth the $$$ is a different story, but i'd say its still worth it. It something that noone can take away from you (unless you are caught cheating on another CompTIA exam)

 

[bozack]

here in beantown if you don't have any experience and you are looking at getting into support then yes I would say it is worth it, since the dot bomb so many people look for A+ for their entry level positions it isn't even funny...

if you have experience then I would say no, don't bother...good luck

 

[Descartes]

As always, it depends. What are your vocational aspirations? Are you wanting to work for CompUSA? If so, then absolutely. If you're wanting to work in a higher-level professional environment, then acquiring an A+ is an exercise in superfluity.

 

[yllus]

If you'd like to work at the tech bench of a computer chain or mom and pop, sure. Otherwise it doesn't hurt, but it won't win you a job either.

 

[Witling]

I took the old A+ certification course at a community college in the San Francisco area. Although the course had a systematic approach to computer knowledge. Much of the knowledge was, in my opinion, irrelevant, like the boot sequence of Windows. I've never solved one of my problems by knowing that. Because I was so unimpressed with the A+ certification problem, I didn't bother to take the test for $100+ bucks. I talked with the IT guys here where I work. They once hired an A+ certified person who didn't know how to swap out a disk drive. Hey, if it gets you hired, go for it, but if you know computers, don't expect too much.

The old A+ certification was considerably different from the new A+ certification, with which I AM NOT FAMILIAR.

 

[Runamile]

Originally posted by: yllus
If you'd like to work at the tech bench of a computer chain or mom and pop, sure. Otherwise it doesn't hurt, but it won't win you a job either.

thats what I have somewhat thought the a+ was good for. Right now I am in college and always on the lookout for any computer job on the side. Maybe as a part time tech or something. I am working on a EE degree, so after I graduate the a+ would probally be worthless compared to a BS in EE. But right now it would be nice.

The other problem is I work full time during the day and go to school full time in the evening, so it would have to be something in the off-hours, which I don't think is possible. The only computer job I can think of thats from 9pm to 9am is a 24 hour telephone tech-support.

 

[CraigRT]

It's just a place to start.
if you are looking for a salary increase because of it.... GOOD LUCK.......
as a starting ground though, sure, it's worth it... gotta start somewhere.

 

[Ulfwald]

Go ahead and get the A+ and Net+. They are just more alphabet after your name, and the more you have, the wider some of those doors open. And you will be surprised at how many jobs actually will require that you have them, no matter how many years experience you may have. They just want to know that you have it.

 

[Ranger X]

Definitely can't hurt to get it.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Ranger X
Definitely can't hurt to get it.

I agree, although I've forgotten just about everything since getting it in Sept.1999. Not having to update the knowledge sure makes it useless... but it's not to say it will work against you.

 

[Foxman2000]

The main thing about A+ is getting it won't at all limit you from getting any jobs, so getting it only sets you back the money and the money isn't an issue, then go for it.

 

[Gibson486]

yeah, if you wanna work at compusa as a technician, it MIGHT help (i dont even think A+ cert is a qualification they require anymore). Anything higher than that, yeah, it's useless. I took the A+ cert class I never even paid attention because i knew pretty much all the stuff they taught. they should have an Anandtech++ cert

 

[TheNinja]

It might help to put you over the top if it comes down to you and another person but in most cases it doesn't matter. When I was contracting and looking for jobs, even the ones that said "A+ required", or "MCSE required" I applied anyway (I have a B.A. in Computer Science and MIS but I didn't have MCSE) and in most cases got an interview and/or a job offer. I think it mainly comes down to how you interview, the A+ and/or MCSE is just a piece of paper that shows you can take a test and memorize things, doesn't mean you can solve computer problems.