Becoming Microsoft Certified (or similar)

Blighter · 02-03-2009, 15:35

Is it worth it?

I think my stong point in IT is network/server management so am thinking about getting a Microsoft Certification in Server 2003/2007 or maybe doing my Network+ and A+ exams.

Do you think they are worth it? Every single job I've looked at (and that's >100) say they want people with 2years+ experience. How are you meant to get into IT?

Admiral Huddy · 02-03-2009, 15:39

What do you actually need it for?

You can get MCP very easily, in fact you can call yourself MCP certified pass or fail

That said, you need this to go onto your MSCE/MSCA

Personally, after passing both A+ and Network+ I had had enough. These are only part of the way to MSCA not MSCE but were enough for me for a marketting gimick i.e. "Certified Engineer" with a nice badge that 99% of people don't have a clue what it is.. but it's a comforting gesture..

Blighter · 02-03-2009, 15:44

But don't you work for yourself? I'm after this to get a job in Network Support/Administration.

luke · 02-03-2009, 15:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blighter

But don't you work for yourself? I'm after this to get a job in Network Support/Administration.

just B/S your way in

Jingo · 02-03-2009, 15:54

My brother is an MCSE and works as a Senior Systems Administrator for the NZDF; he learned the lot through self-taught means and he is very successful due to the commitments he makes to his continued self-development.

He applied for the jobs against people with much greater levels of experience in the industry, and sure this made things harder for him, in terms of gaining interviews etc but when he did get them, he prepared well and proved his worth.

If you are able to covey yourself as a worthy candidate with the ability to adapt well, learn quickly and be a proactive employee then most switched on employers will give you a chance, greatly experienced or not.

luke · 02-03-2009, 16:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jingo

My brother is an MCSE and works as a Senior Systems Administrator for the NZDF; he learned the lot through self-taught means and he is very successful due to the commitments he makes to his continued self-development.

He applied for the jobs against people with much greater levels of experience in the industry, and sure this made things harder for him, in terms of gaining interviews etc but when he did get them, he prepared well and proved his worth.

If you are able to covey yourself as a worthy candidate with the ability to adapt well, learn quickly and be a proactive employee then most switched on employers will give you a chance, greatly experienced or not.

great advice and having met blighter i know he is a confident chap

just go for it blighter, apply for everything you can, your bound to get a few job offers mate

Burble · 02-03-2009, 16:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blighter

How are you meant to get into IT?

Start at the bottom and work your way up. It worked for me.

BTW I guess you meant Server 2008 not 2007?

Blighter · 02-03-2009, 16:32

Oops yea, had office on the mind

Admiral Huddy · 02-03-2009, 16:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blighter

But don't you work for yourself? I'm after this to get a job in Network Support/Administration.

I have two jobs

At the bank, MSCE and or MSCA is not a requirement on the desktop team. In fact, the guys here only have experience. One has A+ I think

Blighter · 02-03-2009, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Admiral Huddy

I have two jobs

At the bank, MSCE and or MSCA is not a requirement on the desktop team. In fact, the guys here only have experience. One has A+ I think

But this is my point... where do you get experience if you need experience to get it? GAHHHHHH

02-03-2009, 15:35	#1
Blighter Dubious Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Northampton Posts: 1,571	Becoming Microsoft Certified (or similar) Is it worth it? I think my stong point in IT is network/server management so am thinking about getting a Microsoft Certification in Server 2003/2007 or maybe doing my Network+ and A+ exams. Do you think they are worth it? Every single job I've looked at (and that's >100) say they want people with 2years+ experience. How are you meant to get into IT? __________________ Look at your signature, now back to mine, now back to yours, now back to mine. Sadly, yours isn't mine. But if you stopped writing about other things and made this your signature, yours could be like mine. Look down, back up. Where are you? You're on Boat Drinks, reading the signature your signature could be like. I'm on a computer. My Blog \| More Outdoors \| MSN \| Email \| Call Me

02-03-2009, 15:39	#2
Admiral Huddy HOMO-Sapien Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chelmsford Posts: 6,692	What do you actually need it for? You can get MCP very easily, in fact you can call yourself MCP certified pass or fail That said, you need this to go onto your MSCE/MSCA Personally, after passing both A+ and Network+ I had had enough. These are only part of the way to MSCA not MSCE but were enough for me for a marketting gimick i.e. "Certified Engineer" with a nice badge that 99% of people don't have a clue what it is.. but it's a comforting gesture.. __________________ I just got lost in thought.. It was very unfamiliar territory. Techie Talk \| My gaming Blog \| PC spec \| The Admirals log

02-03-2009, 15:44	#3
Blighter Dubious Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Northampton Posts: 1,571	But don't you work for yourself? I'm after this to get a job in Network Support/Administration. __________________ Look at your signature, now back to mine, now back to yours, now back to mine. Sadly, yours isn't mine. But if you stopped writing about other things and made this your signature, yours could be like mine. Look down, back up. Where are you? You're on Boat Drinks, reading the signature your signature could be like. I'm on a computer. My Blog \| More Outdoors \| MSN \| Email \| Call Me

02-03-2009, 15:54	#5
Jingo Smother me in chocolate and eat flapjacks with it! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: North Somerset Posts: 1,854	My brother is an MCSE and works as a Senior Systems Administrator for the NZDF; he learned the lot through self-taught means and he is very successful due to the commitments he makes to his continued self-development. He applied for the jobs against people with much greater levels of experience in the industry, and sure this made things harder for him, in terms of gaining interviews etc but when he did get them, he prepared well and proved his worth. If you are able to covey yourself as a worthy candidate with the ability to adapt well, learn quickly and be a proactive employee then most switched on employers will give you a chance, greatly experienced or not. __________________

02-03-2009, 16:32	#8
Blighter Dubious Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Northampton Posts: 1,571	Oops yea, had office on the mind __________________ Look at your signature, now back to mine, now back to yours, now back to mine. Sadly, yours isn't mine. But if you stopped writing about other things and made this your signature, yours could be like mine. Look down, back up. Where are you? You're on Boat Drinks, reading the signature your signature could be like. I'm on a computer. My Blog \| More Outdoors \| MSN \| Email \| Call Me