Some employers requiring A+ or MCP?

[trmiv]

In my job searches, I often see stuff like "A+ Required" or "MCP Required" on job listings. When I read the job description, it's a job I can do easily, I have the experience, I have the knowledge, yet I don't have an A+ or MCP. I do have a Bachelors in MIS and about 4 years experience, so I know I'd have no problems with these jobs. But, when I submit my resume, they scan it over, don't see A+ or MCP, and throw it in the junk pile.

So what's the deal? I thought A+ and MCP (which is just taking one of the MCSE tests) where a dime a dozen, why would that be some major requirment for a job? Should I just go get one of these? I'm really low on cash from being out of work, so I'd have to know it was something actually worth getting. I'm starting to get a bit desperate on my job search. Six months out of work, unemployment running out, no hope in site. I've had 5 interviews lately, and none have lead to squat.

 

[KLin]

A 4 year degree should be enough, especially with 4 years of experience. They're not worth working for in the first place if they're tossing resumes because the applicant is not an MCP or A+ certified.

 

[SunnyD]

I saw a listing looking specifically for an MCSE - about 55k. I am wondering if I might want to go for a cert.

 

[TheNinja]

I applied for many jobs and got many interviews where it said "A+ required" or "MCP required" even though I don't have mine. The job descriptions are often times put together by somebody in HR who has absolutely no clue what the job requirements actually are. If you have a decent resume and get in for an interview the interview will carry you through (assuming you interview well).

 

[Gibson486]

MCSE, yeah, i can see that. A+, no, i doubt i would even work for a place that said it was a requirement....

 

[rh71]

They need a way to weed out people with the mentality that they are too good for A+. It's real simple, after all, no ?

 

[CVSiN]

Microsoft Certified Solution provider companies do require a MCP..
and there are alot of them now...

The company I work for will not take you unless you have at least those certs..
Degrees mean crap to most tech companies they want certs and alot of experience...
even helpdesks are now following this trend..

go get the certs...

A+ is easy
MCP depending on which one you take can be a bit harder...
most companies want either
MCP XP pro
MCP windows 2000
or MOUS if you need to know how to support office.

 

[trmiv]

I should go get a cert, but they are damn pricey. At this point, jobless, trying to pay rent, $125 for a test (or whatever it is) seems like a massive amount of money. I have a study book for the 70-210 MSCE exam that a friend gave me awhile back, which would get me an MCP. The practice tests in the book are super easy for me, so I'd have no problems with the test. It's the money thing that is the stumbling block right now. I might need to call up the parent's and see if they can help out.

 

[RagingBITCH]

The A+ was easy (took it last Saturday) - you could probably pass by just doing brain dumps. (Pass by the minimum margin)

MCP - I haven't taken any Microsoft tests yet but I'm in a class right now for Win2K Server. I don't see the XP Pro or Win2K test being hard at all. Just all the scenarios and stuff might throw you off if you don't read closely enough.

Experience really will take you a long way over certs though. Exp + no certs > certs + no exp, aka paper techs.

 

[trmiv]

I've got 4 years experience. I'm just trying to find something to increase my chances of a job. I'm getting a bit desperate here. I've even started applying for jobs completely unrelated to IT, just looking for work.

 

[txxxx]

Why the rush into tech support jobs?

Whoops, answered that in my head... those who cant code, fix.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: txxxx
Why the rush into tech support jobs?

Whoops, answered that in my head... those who cant code, fix.

Moron :roll:

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
The A+ was easy (took it last Saturday) - you could probably pass by just doing brain dumps. (Pass by the minimum margin)

MCP - I haven't taken any Microsoft tests yet but I'm in a class right now for Win2K Server. I don't see the XP Pro or Win2K test being hard at all. Just all the scenarios and stuff might throw you off if you don't read closely enough.

Experience really will take you a long way over certs though. Exp + no certs > certs + no exp, aka paper techs.

I had the opposite problem a few years back..
had solid exp 6 years+ 10 years military with big good companies.. good references
and was told that I would need to start getting certs if I wanted to continue my employment and the same carried true after I left..

my certs have gotten me in alot of doors now.
MCSE2003 with XP and using ISA Server as my elective
A+
Net+
Security+

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: CVSiN

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
The A+ was easy (took it last Saturday) - you could probably pass by just doing brain dumps. (Pass by the minimum margin)

MCP - I haven't taken any Microsoft tests yet but I'm in a class right now for Win2K Server. I don't see the XP Pro or Win2K test being hard at all. Just all the scenarios and stuff might throw you off if you don't read closely enough.

Experience really will take you a long way over certs though. Exp + no certs > certs + no exp, aka paper techs.

I had the opposite problem a few years back..
had solid exp 6 years+ 10 years military with big good companies.. good references
and was told that I would need to start getting certs if I wanted to continue my employment and the same carried true after I left..

my certs have gotten me in alot of doors now.
MCSE2003 with XP and using ISA Server as my elective
A+
Net+
Security+

Wasn't that during the whole IT boom though? From what I've heard now (and the company I start with next week) - they said experience >>>>>> certs, although they were impresed that I was going for my A+/MCSE.

So you took the Win2K3 Server route right? And you were Navy too, right?

 

[txxxx]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: txxxx
Why the rush into tech support jobs?

Whoops, answered that in my head... those who cant code, fix.

Moron :roll:

Your the moron for having to get an A+. If you really want to get ahead, should have started earlier. I'm involved in some open source projects right now, and run my own personal repair business which operates on word of mouth. No lack of experience here. No need for certs either.

And as for Win2K3 , I recently setup my own domain controller and other useful functions by myself, so the fact you need certs to learn that...well good luck

Fucktard...

 

[txxxx]

Originally posted by: CVSiN

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
The A+ was easy (took it last Saturday) - you could probably pass by just doing brain dumps. (Pass by the minimum margin)

MCP - I haven't taken any Microsoft tests yet but I'm in a class right now for Win2K Server. I don't see the XP Pro or Win2K test being hard at all. Just all the scenarios and stuff might throw you off if you don't read closely enough.

Experience really will take you a long way over certs though. Exp + no certs > certs + no exp, aka paper techs.

I had the opposite problem a few years back..
had solid exp 6 years+ 10 years military with big good companies.. good references
and was told that I would need to start getting certs if I wanted to continue my employment and the same carried true after I left..

my certs have gotten me in alot of doors now.
MCSE2003 with XP and using ISA Server as my elective
A+
Net+
Security+

Its changed now, in the UK industry HR are more aware of what "certs" can be like. Now your experience is useful. Too many retards in HR these days...

 

Originally posted by: CVSiN

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
The A+ was easy (took it last Saturday) - you could probably pass by just doing brain dumps. (Pass by the minimum margin)

MCP - I haven't taken any Microsoft tests yet but I'm in a class right now for Win2K Server. I don't see the XP Pro or Win2K test being hard at all. Just all the scenarios and stuff might throw you off if you don't read closely enough.

Experience really will take you a long way over certs though. Exp + no certs > certs + no exp, aka paper techs.

I had the opposite problem a few years back..
had solid exp 6 years+ 10 years military with big good companies.. good references
and was told that I would need to start getting certs if I wanted to continue my employment and the same carried true after I left..

my certs have gotten me in alot of doors now.
MCSE2003 with XP and using ISA Server as my elective
A+
Net+
Security+

Unfortunatly that is a very bad trend. These certs show nothing about your competency, any run of the mill moron can get a certification.

A few years back I was laid off from a major telcomm company and was given a grant to go to school for related subject matter. So me and about 100 other people from the company went through the MCSE and MCDBA tracts. Boy what a bullsh!t waste of time thoes classes and certifications are. I'm glad the only thing I had to pay for was the tests, otherwise I would be royally miffed.

Glad I'm not in the tech game anymore, because it's one huge joke now

Why the rush into tech support jobs?

Whoops, answered that in my head... those who cant code, fix.

Most programmers I know can't set up a decent network to save their lives. Just a bunch of number crunching desk jockeys who are as easily replaced as any tech support weenie.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: txxxx

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: txxxx
Why the rush into tech support jobs?

Whoops, answered that in my head... those who cant code, fix.

Moron :roll:

Your the moron for having to get an A+. If you really want to get ahead, should have started earlier. I'm involved in some open source projects right now, and run my own personal repair business which operates on word of mouth. No lack of experience here. No need for certs either.

And as for Win2K3 , I recently setup my own domain controller and other useful functions by myself, so the fact you need certs to learn that...well good luck

Fucktard...

Wow, so what's your point? I wanted the A+ for the hell of it. I certainly didn't want to code for 40+ hours a week which I did all through HS and the first 2 years of college.

And way to presume stuff you don't know about people! I'm taking classes b/c I didn't have to pay for it and they they'd pay me more in addition to the knowledge I already had working for them. It's also interim before I get the first of 2 masters degrees. So thanks for trolling, enjoy your "I Build PCs" business that competes against 8th graders.

 

[txxxx]

Most programmers I know can't set up a decent network to save their lives. Just a bunch of number crunching desk jockeys who are as easily replaced as any tech support weenie.

When was it a programmer's responsability to setup a network? Stick to one field and be good at it, or bye bye.

 

[txxxx]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: txxxx

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: txxxx
Why the rush into tech support jobs?

Whoops, answered that in my head... those who cant code, fix.

Moron :roll:

Your the moron for having to get an A+. If you really want to get ahead, should have started earlier. I'm involved in some open source projects right now, and run my own personal repair business which operates on word of mouth. No lack of experience here. No need for certs either.

And as for Win2K3 , I recently setup my own domain controller and other useful functions by myself, so the fact you need certs to learn that...well good luck

Fucktard...

Wow, so what's your point? I wanted the A+ for the hell of it. I certainly didn't want to code for 40+ hours a week which I did all through HS and the first 2 years of college.

And way to presume stuff you don't know about people! I'm taking classes b/c I didn't have to pay for it and they they'd pay me more in addition to the knowledge I already had working for them. It's also interim before I get the first of 2 masters degrees. So thanks for trolling, enjoy your "I Build PCs" business that competes against 8th graders.

My point is real experience is still more valuable than your sh1tty certs anyday...deal with it.

 

Originally posted by: txxxx

Most programmers I know can't set up a decent network to save their lives. Just a bunch of number crunching desk jockeys who are as easily replaced as any tech support weenie.

When was it a programmer's responsability to setup a network? Stick to one field and be good at it, or bye bye.

That's funny, because realistically you should diversify your skills. That's like a mechanic saying, "I only work on the steering wheel, nothing else".

In the past programmers did more than just churn out code, they also understood how systems worked, and could taylor thoes systems to meet the needs of the software they were designing. Now micromanagement has effectively killed the rein of an all around tech, and brought about silly monoskilled zealots. I'm going to make the assumption you are one of thoes.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: txxxx

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: txxxx

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: txxxx
Why the rush into tech support jobs?

Whoops, answered that in my head... those who cant code, fix.

Moron :roll:

Your the moron for having to get an A+. If you really want to get ahead, should have started earlier. I'm involved in some open source projects right now, and run my own personal repair business which operates on word of mouth. No lack of experience here. No need for certs either.

And as for Win2K3 , I recently setup my own domain controller and other useful functions by myself, so the fact you need certs to learn that...well good luck

Fucktard...

Wow, so what's your point? I wanted the A+ for the hell of it. I certainly didn't want to code for 40+ hours a week which I did all through HS and the first 2 years of college.

And way to presume stuff you don't know about people! I'm taking classes b/c I didn't have to pay for it and they they'd pay me more in addition to the knowledge I already had working for them. It's also interim before I get the first of 2 masters degrees. So thanks for trolling, enjoy your "I Build PCs" business that competes against 8th graders.

My point is real experience is still more valuable than your sh1tty certs anyday...deal with it.

Um, I have real experience. So does CVS. Taking a class to get a cert doesn't make you a paper cert, unless you're not actively working in that field anyway.

When was it a programmer's responsability to setup a network? Stick to one field and be good at it, or bye bye.

So those who can't fix or work with computers code?

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: txxxx
When was it a programmer's responsability to setup a network? Stick to one field and be good at it, or bye bye.

Then why say something idiotic like:

Originally posted by: txxxx
Whoops, answered that in my head... those who cant code, fix.

 

[trmiv]

Man, I didn't think this thread would turn into flamefest.

Anyway, how much are the A+ tests? I've heard $130 each or so?

 

[EyeMWing]

Awesome. A+ is FULL of incorrect information! (I'll dig up the IRClog where we pick apart an A+ test if I can)