[NTLUG:Discuss] Which Certification to pursue first?

Val Harris val.harris at attbi.com
Mon Feb 3 07:22:25 CST 2003


Vaidya, Harshal (Cognizant) wrote:
> Hi,
> 
>    Guys I need to know how much these certifications hold value in the job market. 
>    If I go with a some cool Linux certificate for a job do I stand a higher chance 
>    than an other person who does not hold a certificate?
> 
>    Any thoughts on this?
> 
> Harshal Vaidya
> 

My Solaris certification doesn't seem to be a compelling reason to hire
me.  I've been out of work for almost 18 months.  The value of the cert
depends on the decision makers involved in the hiring process.  My
opinion is that a cert can be viewed from one of two perspectives:

1. It says that the applicant is knowledgeable, more likely to do a good
   job and therefore less of a risk to the hiring manager.  (Presumably,
   a GOOD thing.)
2. It says that the applicant is knowledgeable, more likely to expect a
   larger salary, and therefore, more of a risk to the hiring manager.
   (Definitely, a BAD thing.)

Presumably, a cert would tip a balanced scale in favor of the certified
applicant; but an applicant has no way of knowing who the competition
is, or the decision making process of a potential employer.

The short answer is "It doesn't seem to have been valuable to me.", but
maybe I've just been looking for work in all the wrong places ;-)

Sorry I couldn't have given a more definitive answer,

Val
-- 
Val W. Harris                                      val.harris at attbi.com

"Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is
 someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down."
- Oprah Winfrey





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