Anyone with a CCNA

[E3Art]

im in the middle of getting my CCNA certification, my question is for those of you who already have it. How easy is it to get a job with just that cert. What are potiential employers looking for? Have most of you gotten other certifications as well, what about CCNP? Also, what kind of starting salary can an entry level person expect with a CCNA?

i know thats a lot of questions but id appreciate any info. you can give me.

 

[Tallgeese]

It's all about experience, right now. The job market for technology professionals has really changed within the last 1 1/2 to 2 years.

What you will make as an entry-level person depends entirely upon the type of company, industry, and the geographical area.

 

[xyyz]

i'm almost at the end of my course... i'll be taking the test before the end of the year...

the market isn't like it was 2 years ago... the CCNA really holds no real value now... the market has been totally saturated with CCNA's.

right now experience really counts.... one of the best students in my class scored really high in his CCNA... because he had no experience it took him over 6 months to find a job... and he started at 31k.

definately consider getting your CCNP... it'll give you the edge you need over all the CCNA's out there.

 

[Saltin]

If you do it right, a cert will ensure that when you *do* get a job you won't look like a dummy. As far as it's value re: actually landing a job, it's like the other fellows said. Experience is king.

 

[E3Art]

catch 22

no experience, no job......no job, no experience


im kind of lucky right now im in the air force, my primary job is to fly on AWACS, but when im not doing that i work as an assistant System Administrator, I guess that will count for something.

 

[techweenie]

Without any experience, you will probably find an entry level position. If they people are your school said that you'ld get $70k a year, they were slightly lying. You need experience. I did it backwards... I learned at work, then got my CCNA. Good luck with it, and just remember. It has a HIGH failure rate! Good luck though, really.

 

[Nutz]

<< . I did it backwards... I learned at work, then got my CCNA. Good luck with it, and just remember. >>



Quite honestly I wish everyone did it this way. Its the only way that makes sense. And this way the certs dont get devalued from people who are just studying for the test (and then fall flat on their face when they get a job). Those people are taking jobs away from those of us that truely deserve them (IMHO). Just look at what happened with the MCSE.

 

[FFC]

I did my CCIE before the CCNX train of certs came out. It's worth having it because it makes your CV more attractive at the initial selection point, and hopefully you gained knowledge whilst taking it. In the last year or so though tere has been a lot of discussion as to it's real worth in skill/talent terms. The more certs you get the better your position will be with regard to getting new employment or a raise. One of my primary motivations as a contractor in getting certified was to get a better rate in the good times and a job interview when things got tight. Nowadays however there are nearly 8000 CCIE's so the exclusivity has moved along a bit.

Anything that helps you learn stuff in networking is good if that's where you want to make your career. It can be helpful to diversify away from cisco a little as there are other vendors selling lots of kit today. Most of all you need experience which as you say only comes after you get a job. It's not easy to get on the ladder but CCNA won't hinder you in any way.

 

[certifyexpress]

Experience is everything today and certs are only complementary or helping you to secure the interview.

CCNA is still a very valuable cert in the place where I'm staying, pay isn't so great but at least it will get me the job.

 

[Nutz]

This about sums up most certs nowadays anyway...

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