Do people who take CCNA or MCSA also take A+ certification exam?

Does it help to have A+ certificate (not just knowing he material) of
rht epurpose of job hunting in networking for someone whose career
goal is in Networking?

If not necessary, I'd rather not spend money on A+ certification. I am
taking the second class of A+ at a local college.

 

The issue here isn't will it help you in your job, its will it help you on
an interview. And herein lies the problem. Letters after your name always
help when the HR Monkey is looking at your resume, the actual hiring manager
for the Network job in question wont really care I imagine, but he may not
see your file if you don't get passed the first layer.

Personally I didn't take my A+ untill the fall of 2004 because I had no need
for it. Then someone asked me to teach it so I took the two exams one day
before lunch. I later added the 3 specializations when they came out for the
same reason, did again just becuase I was asked to teach them. A large
number of people still look at the A+/Net+ combo as a good starter
certification pack to have when moving forwardi n IT. But honestly it
doesn't matter if you don't care about the letters and don't feel like
spending the insane amount of money per exam. what are they now? Something
like 160 per for A+? Over 200 for Net+ now too IIRC....

I know my blood runs blue but MS does at least have the least exepensive
exam fees in the US anyway...

 

My employer requires A+ and Network+ before you can get hired. For most
MCSE's though, the MCSE seems to carry more weight though. Here are the
pro's and con's of A+ and Network+, in my opinion.

Pros: A+ and Network+ show more experience. You might have a better chance
at a job overs someone who is a 'paper' MCSE. Network+ will help you prepare
for other exams like the CCNA and 70-291 exams. A+ and Network+ NEVER expire
or reach 'end of life cycle'. CompTIA exams are non vendor specific, so if
Microsoft goes belly up your credentials will still be valid. CompTIA A+ and
Network+ together count as an elective for the MCSA/MCSE certifications.

Cons: Not as well known as MCSE. Some people have never heard of CompTIA.
A+ and Network+ aren't as well recognized outside of the US. The exams cost
almost double the price of Microsoft exams. To take both A+ and the Network+
exams will cost almost $700, ouch! The high price tag is why most MCSE's
skip these exams.

I've also taken Security+, which is a good exam and not that hard. I've
seen test questions similar to Security+ on some Microsoft exams like 70-622
and 70-649. This exam will help prepare you for other exams. Security+ is
also an elective for the MCSA/MCSE certifications. Security+ is non vendor
specific. If you take A+ and Network+, I also recommend that you take
Security+. Maybe your employeer will reimburse you for the exam fees?
Security is a big issue these days.

I've also taken CompTIA i-Net+, which doesn't seem to help much unless you
are a Webmaster. Some of the exam questions were similar to Security+ and
some Microsoft exams. It did help me study for other exams, but I don't
think it was really worth the exam fee. A+/Network+ and Security+ will do
more to help you get a job than i-Net+.

Ok, there is my $0.02 about CompTIA. I hope this helps.

 

Does it help to have A+ certificate

I'm A+ certified and well, just look at me!


*shows some leg*

 

It helps a lot. Earlier this year, I told myself to take A+, Network
+,,and security+ in summer as soon as this current semester is over.

I might have to postpone Security+ because my plan to study for it
along with a course in fundamental of Security didn't work out when
the instructor for that class was extremely lousy and I dropped the
class. I can study on my own but I decided to just do A+ and Network+
first as soon as this semester is over and then study for security+ -
hopefully, I get to take it before fall semester starts - ssince I am
also taking classes that would prepare me for MCSA, a class in Active
Directory and also Advanced Windows Security.

I do not plan to take MCSA or MCSE. I plan to take Cisco classes in
coming fall and take exams in December (for 1 & 2level).

Thanks.

 

Well then, I can say "A+ certification" with a future date next to
it

Good point.

I am in US.

 

I ordered a used 'Security+ for Dummies' book from Amazon.com to study for
this exam. It was under $10 including shipping. The material in this book
is easy to read and humorous. I even laughed at the section about MD5 hash
algorithms. It covered the exam objectives very well. For this price it was
totally worth it. Between reading this book, 1 chapter a week, and some
practice questions, I passed the Security+ exam no problem.

 

I got A+ back around '97 or '98 I guess. It definitely helps get you headed
in the right direction.

- Jason

 

If it helps any in your decision-making process, you can take a look
at information about average salaries for people with different
certifications. I saw one recently at http://careersaver.com/SalaryByCertification.asp
that compared 2006 to 2007, so that you can see the trends. The same
site (it's a cert prep company, in case you were wondering) also has
tools to show you what exams are required for each certification, so
that you can figure out what's involved in each one. Those are at
http://careersaver.com/CertificationTracks.asp
Of course, just remember what was said earlier in the thread: the
certifications get them to look your way. Make sure that you develop
the real-world skills to hold their attention.

 

Actually, after making my previous post, I noticed that the site I was
mentioning also has an article about 2008's "hottest" certifications
-- http://careersaver.com/TopCerts.asp
Sorry for my absent-mindedness in not noticing it before, but it looks
like it could also be useful in helping you decide what you want to do
with your career. Good luck.

 

I've been job hunting since last September. I notice that in my area, most
employers were requiring A+ at a minimum. I decided to start studying even
though I was sending out resumes continuously. In December I took
Essentials and in January I took the IT elective. Since I passed in
January, my return call rate from employers has dramatically increased. I'm
not necessarily "smarter". Everything on the exam I knew from my 25 years
of being an electronic tech for 3M and Kodak, but I never stopped to
actually memorized this stuff! The exam forced me to memorize a lot stuff
that is generally easy to noodle out. However, I do not regret one minute
of study. It helped to reinforce what I picked up setting up networked
medical and library machines with Windows based pc's and servers all these
years. I'm now prepping for Network+, once again, knowing a lot of the
subject already, but getting it drilled in.

Best of luck to all applicants.

 

According to this web site I am underpaid by $33k. Anyone hiring?

Hello ,

 

Will you work for $3 a day?

kp "Meals not included" g

 

Are you running one of those I.T. sweatshops that I keep hearing about
on the news?

 

Hello kpg,

Yes, I currently do work for that. Some days I get paid in meatballs.

 

Hello ,

Hey, don't knock it. My staff of 8 year olds Bangladeshi admins work for
only 6 cents a week!

 

<HomerFx>
ahhhhhhh...meatballs
</HomerFx>

 

Yabbut, are they certified?

 

Who is the youngest MCSE to achieve cert. Plz send reply to my email ID.
Thanking you.