I need Certs ( Computer related ) What do you recomend for Resume Visability?

[Evadman]

Well, I never thought I would have to, but it seems that I am getting no call backs on my resume. I had a job lined up, but the opening of that buisness is going to take longer than expected, so I need a decent job in the intern. I have enough cash to last a few years if need be, but I don't really want to. Sitting around playing games all day gets boring.

I run 2 web servers, and a few e-mail and game servers, but aparently that is not enough to get my foot in the door of a decent company. I need something on my resume that will catch their eye, and at least make them read my name before tossing my resume in the circular file. I have No real experence that I can list besides my own buisness. It seems like that does not count ( which I understand ) About the only thing I did was at my last job at HD, which was fixing problems that the computer room could not handle. But I doubt they will admit to it if someone calls for a referance, because it would make them look really bad.

Basicly looking to see what Certs you guys recomend to catch a prospective employer's eye.

What I am good at:

Computer hardware
Web design ( HTML )
Decent at networking
Been using Win 9X systems forever, recently moved to 2000 and XP. Not as knoledgeable as I could be.
DOS ( who isn't )
Lerning Linux. I still suck at it.
Know a little about EE.

I totaly hate coding (programming)

So what I am looking at doing is this...

#1 A+ Hardware Cert.
#2 Network + ( but I do not know too much about what is covered on the test. )
#3 I don't know.

Keep in mind I am trying to save a few bucks, so super expensive tests are a big no-no. I can do them if they are worth it though.

So, Lets hear your thoughts. And Thanks

 

[ScottMac]

I'm not much of a paper chaser, but I've been around the biz for a while.

The Cisco certs are always a popular choice, CCNA / CCDA is a pretty easy hit if you've been around for a while, but because they're are so popular, many of the competing resumes will also be CCNA/DA. I think you're on the right track looking at the "generic" certs.

If you have some background in Security stuff (firewalls, IDS ...) there are some certifications along thoses lines, and, IMHO, Security is still a growing field. You could start with some flavor of IDS / monitoring position and work deeper into the more technical end from there.

Cisco just came out with a couple Wireless certs (design and service/suppport), maybe you could get in early enough in the "wave of the future" (that would be the wireless wave of the future versus the VoIP wave of the future or the Video over IP wave of the future or the ....). Wireless is also a growing field, and wireless bridging is always a good thing in dense urban environments. Like cabling, wireless implementations are not always as easy as it looks.

If you are cable/wiring-wise, you could look at something like a RCDD (www.bicsi.org), or start at a cabling (installation) company and study for RCDD. The cabling industry tends to be fairly steady work as the cabling standards and bandwidth needs evolve.

Depending on your background and experience, maybe take a look at Sun, Novell, Nortel, Nokia (server hardware used in firewalls and utility servers), even Microsoft has field software SEs ....

Check around in your area to see who's doing satellite installations ( for the satellite Internet stuff). The installation of the satellite hardware isn't that hard; the rough part is usually configuring the user's system or LAN ... stuff we deal with here alla time. Trying to get in an organization like that might be worthwhile.

You probably have already done this, but, maybe scan some of the job boards and see what employers in your area are looking for, compare it with what you know, and proceed from there.


That's about it for me, good luck!

Scott

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: Evadman

Computer hardware
Web design ( HTML )
Decent at networking
Been using Win 9X systems forever, recently moved to 2000 and XP. Not as knoledgeable as I could be.
DOS ( who isn't )
Lerning Linux. I still suck at it.
Know a little about EE.

No offense, but everyone on these forums can do those things. There's absolutely no shortage of self-taught techies who know how to use windows and assemble PCs. An A+ cert isn't gonig to get you much more than a job installing hard drives at staples. In the current economy, there's plenty of college grads with Comp. Eng. and Comp. Sci. degrees who can't find a job. I don't think passing a couple certification tests is going to do you a lot of good right now. Could always go back to school, and as always, experience counts more than anything.

 

[Anghang]

10 Hottest Certs for 2002 according to CertCites...