Top A+ certification study book/guide?

[TreyRandom]

I think comptia certifications are a joke. I got Security+ because my work required me to, and after I got it I was like what did that really do to prove I can do a job better? Nothing in my opinion; it's just a scam that's been institutionalized. That said if you need it to get the job you want go for the cheapest route possible for obtaining it.

Nobody says you have to get certified at all. Nor do certifications "prove" you can do a job better. However, they can make you look more attractive to some employers, and in this economy, you need every advantage you can get, particularly when trying to break into your first IT job. And, for entry-level jobs, nothing is more appropriate than the A+ and Network+.

That said, I will say that the CompTIA exams are among the worst written of all the certification exams I've taken. On top of that, they're among the most expensive, because unlike Cisco and Microsoft, CompTIA doesn't have hardware or software products they can promote (and ultimately sell) through their certification programs.

Would I recommend renewing the A+ at the three-year expiration? Unless you're still in an entry-level IT job, no. Would I recommend you get it in the first place? Absolutely. And you don't need to spend a ton of money to do it.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Nobody says you have to get certified at all. Nor do certifications "prove" you can do a job better. However, they can make you look more attractive to some employers, and in this economy, you need every advantage you can get, particularly when trying to break into your first IT job. And, for entry-level jobs, nothing is more appropriate than the A+ and Network+.

The Air Force said I had to actually. If they don't prove you can do a better job than what good are they? I'm in agreement though they don't really do anything and people that don't really understand that are fooled into thinking it means something and thus use them as requirements for employment.

 

[TreyRandom]

The Air Force said I had to actually. If they don't prove you can do a better job than what good are they? I'm in agreement though they don't really do anything and people that don't really understand that are fooled into thinking it means something and thus use them as requirements for employment.

Like I said... they can help you look attractive to employers. Now, as far as the Air Force is concerned, I'm sure your direct supervisor didn't need you to be certified. After all, he (or she) already knew whether you were a good tech or not. But if you were to ETS and try to get a job in civvie world, your Security+ certiifcation might just catch the eye of an employer. After all, THEY don't know you from Adam.

Some employers, particularly larger ones, use certification in a couple of other ways. One, they can advertise to customers that their techs are _________ certified, which can help increase revenue; certainly, this does NOT apply to the USAF. Two, they can use certification as a minimum benchmark standard. This can be beneficial when purchasing liability insurance for the business. In addition, it gives the company a little more accountability from their employees, as they won't be able to say, "Oh, I didn't know that!" or "I wasn't taught that!".

You might not think that certification is important, and it is well within your right to continue to believe that. However, others do, particularly employers, and ultimately, THAT is why we get certified... not to prove something to ourselves, but to show something to them. Although I don't believe that certifications "prove" you can do a job or administer a network, I do use certification as a hiring criterion, because I believe that a certification shows that you have theoretical knowledge about a technical field. In other words, it's better than having no proof at all of being a good tech.

As a tech, instead of certifications, what would you prefer to show potential employers? It's not like you can show them code like a programmer can, or a Web page you designed like a Web designer can. Sure, you can certainly highlight your experience (as you should!), but what's an entry-level tech with NO experience to do? And now we're right back to the usefulness of the A+ and Network+.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

You seem to fail what I'm getting at. The certifications MEAN nothing; there is no proof you know anything besides some useless multiple choice questions.. That people/businesses/organizations use them as if they do is the scam. So you have nothing to show... so you show them something that means nothing and now it's so much better? Yes, there are indeed many far better ways for them to vet potential employees. Are you financially vested in a certifying company or something; you seem extremely dense on what's actually going on but I'm guessing your just playing dumb?

 

[TreyRandom]

You seem to fail what I'm getting at. The certifications MEAN nothing; there is no proof you know anything besides some useless multiple choice questions.. That people/businesses/organizations use them as if they do is the scam. So you have nothing to show... so you show them something that means nothing and now it's so much better? Yes, there are indeed many far better ways for them to vet potential employees. Are you financially vested in a certifying company or something; you seem extremely dense on what's actually going on but I'm guessing your just playing dumb?

No, I simply disagree with you based on my experience in the IT industry. In any case, like I said, you can choose to certify, or you can choose to ignore certifications. Either way, you can do what you want.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

No, I simply disagree with you based on my experience in the IT industry. In any case, like I said, you can choose to certify, or you can choose to ignore certifications. Either way, you can do what you want.

As I told you I couldn't choose. I was ordered to get them.

 

[TreyRandom]

As I told you I couldn't choose. I was ordered to get them.

So instead of complaining to your CO, you decide that the most productive thing to do is to rage on a forum about how you think certifications are useless. Oooookay.

Take care, Ayashi. Best of luck to you in your IT career.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

So instead of complaining to your CO, you decide that the most productive thing to do is to rage on a forum about how you think certifications are useless. Oooookay.

Take care, Ayashi. Best of luck to you in your IT career.

You don't know much about the military do you? Whatever doesn't matter to me.

You think I'm raging? I'm laughing my ass off at what's either the biggest sucker in history or some guy discreetly promoting his product.

 

[TreyRandom]

You don't know much about the military do you? Whatever doesn't matter to me.

I guess you didn't notice my signature.

You think I'm raging? I'm laughing my ass off at what's either the biggest sucker in history or some guy discreetly promoting his product.

I haven't promoted any product except for the AIO book written by Mike Meyers, who I have no affiliation with.

The OP has all the information he needs to make a logical, informed decision as to whether he should certify or not. As I said (which, like my signature, you probably also didn't notice), he doesn't HAVE to certify to succeed in IT. And certification isn't going to matter to SOME employers. But to SOME employers, certification will make a difference, only because certification means something to those employers.

Doesn't matter one bit what you or I feel about certification. Whether certification is "a scam" or not is irrelevant, because certification will catch the eye of employers who feel certification is important.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

I guess you didn't notice my signature.



I haven't promoted any product except for the AIO book written by Mike Meyers, who I have no affiliation with.

The OP has all the information he needs to make a logical, informed decision as to whether he should certify or not. As I said (which, like my signature, you probably also didn't notice), he doesn't HAVE to certify to succeed in IT. And certification isn't going to matter to SOME employers. But to SOME employers, certification will make a difference, only because certification means something to those employers.

Doesn't matter one bit what you or I feel about certification. Whether certification is "a scam" or not is irrelevant, because certification will catch the eye of employers who feel certification is important.

I don't know why you go on and on. I only spoke of what the certifications mean and said to get them as cheaply as possible. If he goes into getting the A+ thinking it'll prepare him for a career and is worth investing serious money in he's going to be severely disappointed. I never said employers don't look for it. As I said either you're being very dumb/obtuse or you're vested in them.

 

[KDOG]

Thanks for the info guys. I just want to do this right. Besides studying and getting the A+/Network will help me find out where my weaknesses may lie.

Anyone know or care to list what the progression of computer/IT training is? Thanks in advance for the effort.

By the way what standard of certs do most employers look for as in CompTIA or through someone else?

 

[KDOG]

What I mean is what would I go for after A+/Network+? And so on?

 

[mnewsham]

Network+ and then Security+ cert.

 

[TreyRandom]

What I mean is what would I go for after A+/Network+? And so on?

I would recommend that you hold off on any further certifications (other than the Windows client certifications: 70-270 for Windows XP, 70-620 for Windows Vista, and/or 70-680 for Windows 7) until you get a bit of real-world IT experience.

You won't typically be allowed to do server administration from square one. However, when you've got about 6 months of experience doing light Windows server administration, I'd recommend that you pursue the MCSA (and afterwards, the MCSE) if you have Server 2003 experience and/or the MCITP: Server Administrator if you have Server 2008 experience.

Similarly, you won't typically be allowed to do router administration from square one. However, as soon as you start being allowed to touch Cisco gear in a real-world environment, I'd recommend pursuing the CCENT and CCNA.

I'd recommend doing Security+ after you've got a little experience doing security admin work; CompTIA recommends two years of experience.

 

[shane0613]

I apologize for posting on such an old thread but I found it looking for a good A+ book. From my experience it will not hurt you at all to get the A+. As a matter of fact I would definitely get it first. I went to the local technical college over a decade ago and got an associates degree in computer networking. I also went to the cisco networking academy and took the 4 CCNA semesters and also took the HP IT Essentials courses which is basically Cisco's version of the A+(or was if it's not in use anymore). Bottom line is I made the mistake of not taking the A+ cert when the material was fresh in memory and was before Vista/7. It was also a lifetime cert at the time if I'm not mistaken. I lulled myself into thinking the A+ was a joke and for people who just wanted to fix pcs. In my mind I thought of it as being a car mechanic so I never bothered to take it despite taking the 2 HP IT Essentials courses and one A+ course strictly for passing the cert my local college offered. I took the course just to fill in my schedule b/c neither were requirements.

I figured getting an associates degree in computer networking and getting the CCNA would suffice. I finished my degree in 2004 and wrapped up the 4 CCNA semesters in early 2005. If I lived in a large city or even an area with a decent population I probably would have been set but I live in a small town outside of a resort city. The IT jobs were just not here at the time so I did what many techs do and started a life of contract work to gain experience and hopefully get my foot in the door somewhere. I did get steady work but now years later I was laid off from my job which I left another job to take. In the past 2 weeks I have had 2 calls about decent jobs. The first one wasn't that great but today I got off the phone with a guy looking for basically a desktop support role which isn't my dream job but it is a job. He told me the A+ is a requirement which I kind of figured. Now I have to run out and get a book and hopefully pass the test before the position is filled.

My A.S. degree and CCNA is useless for this position and there have not been any real job postings for network admins around here lately. It is fine to think that the A+ is a bottom feeder cert but it is surprising how many jobs require it. No matter how much experience I have and the thousands of computers I've worked on they still want the little ole A+ cert. I thought the same ting about the Network+ and it is fine to not get it if you get the CCNA. You never know when you might get laid off or lose your job and have to work as a contractor or work in a desktop support or tech support position until you find something better. I guess the main point of my post is don't neglect certs that you feel are substandard or ones you feel that you are too smart for. Paying and studying for certs is one of the best investments you can make in yourself. Many companies (even the ones that just require the little old A+) will pay for you to take any cert you please once you get your foot in the door. I made the mistake of underestimating minor certs and it's not that big of a deal but having to rush out and get a book to refresh your memory and then paying out of pocket to take a cert after being laid off is a hassle. A lot of the impact having certs affects you seems to be dependent on the area you live or plan to live. They never hurt but when you have a good amount of experience, training and other certs it is no fun to not be a candidate for a position over something you took for granted and watching a greenhorn get the position after reading A+ for dummies sucks. I've seen it on quite a few occasions, from a hiring standpoint and as a potential candidate for a job.

 

[RelaxTheMind]

A+ certs are so easy to get, it's surprising to me that companies even list it as a requirement anymore.

 

[unokitty]

I apologize for posting on such an old thread but I found it looking for a good A+ book..

Many people find the Meyer's All in One book to be useful. And depending on your learning style, you might also find Professor Messer's free video tutorials worth a look.

Regarding the value of certifications, each person can make up their own mind. But my experience is that DoD's 8570 can be a useful data point.

Best of luck,
Uno

 

[Juddog]

The A+ and Net+ are the starting level reqs for many base level IT positions. For the people saying jump ahead to CCNA, the CCNA exam is much more expensive and difficult. Going from the A+ to CCNA is a pretty steep curve in terms of difficulty, personally I'd say get your feet wet with A+ and Net+ just so that your resume gets past the HR screeners, then go for the more difficult exams.

 

[Fayd]

IMO, don't get an A+

THIS.

I have an A+. it never once landed me even an interview, let alone a job.

 

[bfdd]

unless you're pretty green, I'd skip A+ and Network+ and start working on MCITP: Server Administrator on Windows Server 2008 or a CCNA (ICND1 then ICND2).

A+ and Network+ have 3 year lives and both become unnecessary once a MCITP Server 2008 or CCNA is obtained, although I wouldn't be surprised if HR has tossed resumes out before because they were looking specifically for CompTIA certifications and didn't understand what the higher level certs represented.

the MCITP Server 2008 and CCNA certs will also provide you much better insight on whether you want to pursue a career in system or network administration.

I was under the impression there's little to no reason not to have an A+ cert? It's easy to get and just adds to the resume.

 

[Red Storm]

I was under the impression there's little to no reason not to have an A+ cert? It's easy to get and just adds to the resume.

I know a few people who do IT interviews and they say seeing an A+ cert on someone's resume can work against them since it's kinda useless and very low level. So someone putting it on there either is fluffing their resume too much or they don't know a whole lot.

 

[Juddog]

I know a few people who do IT interviews and they say seeing an A+ cert on someone's resume can work against them since it's kinda useless and very low level. So someone putting it on there either is fluffing their resume too much or they don't know a whole lot.

I work at a company that has literally hundreds of recruiters and I've never heard this once from any of them.