IT Professionals...will you please chime in

[Saint Nick]

I have a bachelor's in MIS. Most of my background is in software deployment, repackaging, ColdFusion, and SQL Server. I have been looking at a few of the Microsoft certifications, but, are there any other certifications I should be looking at that can really set me apart from other candidates when looking for a new job?

I am trying to get a new job, but, I don't feel like I have an edge. Any tips from some seasoned IT pros?

Forgot to add that I would be interested in maybe some certifications outside of my work experience.

 

[DesiPower]

What job are you trying to get? hardcore software developer? and why looking at MS? do you know .NET? how well do you know it? Why not ry Java? There are more java jobs out there than .NET... you can also try Flash/Flex.

Learn things like Ajax and nhibernate, (javascript, XML are abvious) those types of neutral technologies that are widely used these days... that might give you some edge IMHO

 

[Uhtrinity]

Check out this site:

http://www.techexams.net/forums/

Great source of information on certs.

 

[Saint Nick]

I'm mostly looking at generic IT jobs -- combinations of help desk, web dev, software deployments, etc. Around here, companies are small and usually only hire a couple or three IT guys that "do it all".

Currently I work for a large corp, and almost all of the IT jobs are highly specialized. I would sort of like to become a jack of all trades that the smaller companies are looking for.

 

[DesiPower]

I'm mostly looking at generic IT jobs -- combinations of help desk, web dev, software deployments, etc. Around here, companies are small and usually only hire a couple or three IT guys that "do it all".

Currently I work for a large corp, and almost all of the IT jobs are highly specialized. I would sort of like to become a jack of all trades that the smaller companies are looking for.

I guess, in that case, your best bet would be to find out what exactly those companies need from their IT guys and learn more about those specific things. Then make a resume highlighting those skills and get your resume referred by someone working there. Any generic certification or knowledge about some technology may not necessarily give you nay kudos in their eyes.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

I'd definitely at least look into scripting/programming (python, bash, csh, javascript, XML, Actionscript 3.0, .NET etc...).

 

[Saint Nick]

I do know JavaScript/XML. People say ".NET", but is that just an umbrella term? I can do VB.NET and probably C++ .NET if such a thing exists. Are there certificiations for scripting/programming?

 

[Alienwho]

I just accepted a position for the exact kind of job that you are looking for (jack of all trades IT manager). I am 100% positive I got the job because of my recently completed Masters in Science and Information Systems. Well actually, that just got me into the interview. My mad interview skills are what sealed the deal. Pay's pretty great too, $70k in an area where the average HOUSEHOLD income is $50k.

 

[child of wonder]

I just accepted a position for the exact kind of job that you are looking for (jack of all trades IT manager). I am 100% positive I got the job because of my recently completed Masters in Science and Information Systems. Well actually, that just got me into the interview. My mad interview skills are what sealed the deal. Pay's pretty great too, $70k in an area where the average HOUSEHOLD income is $50k.

lol

EPIC E-PEEN

 

[RearAdmiral]

I just accepted a position for the exact kind of job that you are looking for (jack of all trades IT manager). I am 100% positive I got the job because of my recently completed Masters in Science and Information Systems. Well actually, that just got me into the interview. My mad interview skills are what sealed the deal. Pay's pretty great too, $70k in an area where the average HOUSEHOLD income is $50k.

Welcome to my world.

 

[PricklyPete]

I guess everyone has different opinions on how to approach a career...but in my opinion it helps to specialize in something that has legs. A popular ERP system (like Oracle, SAP, etc) or a specific group of technologies that are often used together. I started out being a jack of all trades doing everything from database design to ERP system design to programming in various languages/technologies (Java, .NET, ABAP, etc). My career took off much more when I focused rather than continued to be a jack of all trades. Pick something that has a future as best you can see, become phenomenal at it. Keep up on every new development and how to incorporate it into current designs. If you have this level of knowledge...there will always be people out there that will need your expertise and be willing to pay for it. That's just my 2 cents.

 

[Saint Nick]

As far as Microsoft certifications go, a lot of the smaller companies are looking for MCSE certifications. I was checking out Microsoft's site on this and it looks like you have to take a few exams over the subject: four required exams, then several categories of exams in which you pick one from each.

Would an MCSE certification be worth the money? I can't even find a sure-fire cost of the certification...I think its $125 plus cost of books (if I choose to go that route).

 

[MiniDoom]

what about ms sql cert?

 

[mrCide]

If i didn't have my current experience i'd look into programming. .Net/C# specifically. MCSE only helps a resume with experience usually unless they're looking for a junior position. You need a good looking resume and be able to sell yourself that you're capable of anything.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

I do know JavaScript/XML. People say ".NET", but is that just an umbrella term? I can do VB.NET and probably C++ .NET if such a thing exists. Are there certificiations for scripting/programming?

There's C# dot net. It's very close to java. I learned java first and learning c# afterwards was very easy. VB.net is terrible imo (currently converting a bunch of code from vb to c#).

 

[Saint Nick]

I am thinking about getting the CompTIA A+ certification, then applying that towards an MCSE/MCSA certificate (apparently CompTIA and Microsoft have some sort of partnership with certifications). I would rather do the MCSE since I could do designing, implementing, and maintenace of Microsoft Servers, rather than only maintenance. Then, after that, getting a Microsoft SQL Server certification. And, once I finally graduate my master's program, I should be a good candidate for almost any job.

I'd like to get some more programming experience with .NET technologies, but will people hire me if I have no experience in those specific languages? I mean, I have programming skills, and I think I'm pretty good at it. But no work experience with .NET or Java. I only know HTML, ColdFusion, AJAX, and C++.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

I do know JavaScript/XML. People say ".NET", but is that just an umbrella term? I can do VB.NET and probably C++ .NET if such a thing exists. Are there certificiations for scripting/programming?

C#

 

[Saint Nick]

I definitely plan on picking up C#. Programming is programming in my book, just need to learn the syntax and the little tips and tricks about it. Likely will start with the express version of Visual Studio and SQL Server and go from there. At least I will then be able to add it on the resume.

Should I still learn Java?

 

[yllus]

Things certainly differ by area but around here I'm seeing an enormous move towards languages that work best with the agile development methodology: Ruby on Rails, Python and to a much lesser extent, .NET MVC. I'd also get familiar with Git for source control and Amazon S3 / Rackspace / etc for cloud hosting services.

 

[classy]

what about ms sql cert?

Bingo. Specialize in sql and you'll be gold. Sql and Exchange are the two most sought after skillsets when you start talking Microsoft. If you are getting the experience with sql, get the full database certification to be a certified DBA. All the other stuff is great, but if you want to get employed, earn a decent salary, and stay employed in Microsoft those two are the gems.

 

[ultimatebob]

If I were you, I'd specialize in a specific technology like SAP or VMWare and become a consultant. Seriously... good SAP or VMWare consultants can make $100K a year salaries, or can net over $90 a hour for part time work.

If you don't want to learn something completely new, just get better at SQL server and try to get a DBA job.

 

[Joemonkey]

Another vote for SQL certs

 

[steppinthrax]

I have a bachelor's in MIS. Most of my background is in software deployment, repackaging, ColdFusion, and SQL Server. I have been looking at a few of the Microsoft certifications, but, are there any other certifications I should be looking at that can really set me apart from other candidates when looking for a new job?

I am trying to get a new job, but, I don't feel like I have an edge. Any tips from some seasoned IT pros?

Forgot to add that I would be interested in maybe some certifications outside of my work experience.

It depends what you want to do and where you want to go. In your situation (if you have no exp) you will probably be at 60 - 80. But with exp you can demand you can usually go 80 - 100+. I'm talking Maryland area salaries here. Certifications aren't everything, I think in terms of software development you need to understand the fundamentals of OOD, Design patterns and the SDLC. They have been hit hard on almost every single interview I've been at. I don't know any cert other than PMP that teaches these. Only a formal degree deals with these philosophies in great detail.
Interviews usually go like this, they call you and get a general interview of what type of person you are (non-IT), then an IT team will talk to you and pop some technical questions. If you’re good they will bring you in and discuss further. I find most interviews deal with what type of person you are and how you handle you work rather than technical questions. I find having a portfolio of work helps…

 

[Genx87]

I havent held a cert yet. I just flash my experience and dont seem to have a problem. The certs are a nice add on I am sure. But really, experience is what matters it seems. Plus I think a lot of companies have now been burned enough by cert holders who crammed in a boot camp for 2 days to pass a test then cant figure out how to create an account in active directory and take computers out of the domain while logged in as a domain admin not knowing the local admin account. In other words lots of people with certs who dont know their ass from a hole in the ground.

If you want to go the more general IT route. I suggest getting on the help desk of a big company for 2-3 years and go from there. You will learn a shitload about how the inner workings of the beast happen while also gaining a lot of valuable experience for future situations.