pixelbend

I have been a Systems Analyst at a smallish company for about 11 years now. I am getting to the point where moving may be in my near future (probably the Austin, TX area) and I'm wondering how difficult it is going to be finding a new job.

I have a lot of experience in networks, hardware, servers of various flavors, VoIP, web coding and management, database management, etc. BUT, my actual degree is in Art (graphic design to be specific). Although I have taken a lot of CS and IS classes, I don't have any degrees or certifications in this area.

My question is, do I need to look into certifications and if so which ones? I think I can get through A+ without much trouble, but is it worth anything? Network+?

Thanks guys

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meanSpleen

If you're a Systems Analyst, and probably going to be in the same function when you move, an A+ cert will probably not help you at all. It is too low level for what you are already doing.

I would focus on the experience you already have on hand. 11 years of work must have yielded a lot of different functions and projects, regardless of company size. You can sell yourself based on what you know, as experience usually outdoes certifications any day of the week.

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Cynthetiq

echoing meanspleen... real world trumps a cert any day. 11 years is nothing to sneeze at especially the past 11 years.

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Lasereth

The certifications and even the degree most likely won't be a problem. 11 years of experience is what employers want. I had to apply for 275 jobs before I got mine because I had no work experience (I was straight out of college with an IS degree). All they wanted was experience. You should be fine.

kurty[B]

To quote everyone else. Experience is the ticket. An A+, or Net+ certification will actually hinder your application in some places where an employer may think "Wow, he actually thinks that will help him out".

If you're looking at certs to expound your experience then decide what you want to go for. Network administration, go for a CCNA. Systems administration, go for a MCSE.

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Leto

I'm curious, was it just chance that the 276th application did the trick? If you had applied at that particular place in the first group of, let's say 10, would you have gotten it at that point?

Or was there a progression that really required you to apply to so many places?

pixelbend

Thanks for all the info guys. Good to know my experience is going to back me up in the workplace. I think I may go for CCNA. Is a study/prep book sufficient prep for the test?

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xepherys

Just another toss into the mix saying the same thing. Unless you are going for a high-level cert for a specific job function, it's not worth it. CompTIA certs are all but useless unless it's your first IT job. Even Microsoft certs are sorta meh. If you want to move into Networking, than Cisco certs can never hurt. If you are doing process analysis or want to work in the healthcare industry, then there are certain certs which can help, such as HIPPA training on the healthcare side and CISSP (or other (ISC)^2 certs) on the security systems side.

All of the above take a great deal of training and $$$ for exams, especially on the ISC^2 side. But, as was said above, experience generally trumps all.

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Lasereth

I applied for 275 jobs. The one that I finally got was among the first 10 I applied for...it's just that the application process of working at a police department is truly incredible and takes a loooong time. So basically, I got my job after applying for 10 but didn't know it until after I had applied for 275.

Redjake

Graduated with a 3.83 cumulative overall GPA, and a 3.98 major GPA - President of Association of Information Technology Professionals, all that good stuff - major of Computer Information Systems with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration -


and no one gave a fuck. The interviews went like this: No experience, you say? Hmmmm....... *eye brows crease*

Internships and related job experience would have helped me so damn much!

I got one job offer, and I took it. Experience trumps all in this area. I work in the IT department of a major financial institution, and many of my coworkers don't have a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, or any certifications - they just have 20 years of IT experience. And they are making a LOT.

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robot_parade

Depends on how good you are. :-)

I would at least take a recommended prep book for whatever test you take. Whether you need more really just depends.

I agree with the others that say that, for your level, A+ and Network+ are nothing. CCNA is a little better. MCSE is somewhere in between - hard enough that you have to actually put a little effort into it, but easy enough that there are a billion schlubs out there with it, especially with the certification 'industry'.

When you get an interview (which can be hard enough to get to), be sure you've practiced up on your interview skills. Be confident, but not cocky. Talk about things that *you* personally did. Not "I was on a team that implemented X, Y, and Z", but "I set up Y, which was part of project Q, which had effect D on the company's bottom line." Things that you did, the results, and why you did them (were you a leader, or a follower?).

Oh, and don't lie. Unless you're really good at it.

kurty[B]

Exactly! I got more pluses on interviews talking about using my IT skills to negotiate repairing a company vehicle when there was no service contract for it in trade for helping that auto repair company's PCs operate faster (by clearing out viri on their PCs). This impressed HR interviewers more than "I helped establish the guest network in a 300+ room conference center hotel, and ensure complete functionality of said network".

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ticket

I have been in IT for about 25 years. I have lost more certs than I can remember. Most of mine have been for various flavors of unix. The problem with those is that the certifications expire, and they are expensive to keep up to date, and not nearly as useful as OTJ experience. But I would include them on your resume if you have some behind you. If not, wait and get them on the employers dime.

Be prepared to talk at length about specific projects you handled, the difficulties you overcame, and the benefits it provided your employers, coworkers, and yourself. Interviewing is an art in itself, and you get much better at it as you go thru the process. The problem is you may be unprepared and caught off guard on early interviews for great jobs, and you only get one shot. You learn a lot when they ask you those questions you know you should have rehearsed but you did not, and they will!

Your employment history will definitely help, so review your entire career, and make notes of your accomplishments, and be ready to sell yourself.

pixelbend

Starting this thread has made me go back and redo me entire resume, so I find myself trying to enumerate all of my accomplishments over the years. I suppose that is a good exercise to go through every so often, even if you are not planning on looking for a career change.

Going back over everything made me realize a big thing I had missed. A couple of years ago, I started a consulting business, mainly so I could do Mac work for a local hospital's marketing department. I can't believe I forgot to put that down on my resume.

I still may go for the CCNA, if for nothing more than the learning experience.

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robot_parade

Another thing to keep in mind is that more recent experiences tend to get more weight than older stuff. So provide the most detail about your more recent gigs, and the biggest, most impressive things about older ones. And while I'm thinking of it, have a good answer for any gaps in employment.

Mr Mephisto

CCNA is good.

CCDA is better.

CCNP is better still.

CCDP is better again.

CCIE is best.


Start at CCNA, and work your way up.

Don't even think of aiming for the CCIE without some serious background in networking though.


Despite what everyone on this thread says, certifications help. Your experience is paramount though. Make sure to enumerate and detail your skills, achievements and responsibilities on your Curriculum Vitae. Be honest. Don't exaggerate. It will be noticed.


Mr Mephisto

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Cynthetiq

nice to see you again!

yes, certs can tip the scales if someone else with 11 years experience and he's got certs and you don't.

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Jinn

I'd take someone with 11 years over someone with 5 years and a certification. Education is important to prove you can do the job; once you've been doing the job, it's generally very obvious if you know what you're doing, cert or not.

I'd vote no on the cert, unless you have time and money to spare.

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pixelbend

Thanks for the advice everyone. As I'm really not going to be thinking of moving for another year or so, I have the time, but more than that I really would like the knowledge. I have a good grasp of networking and security, but I can't help but imagine I probably have gaping holes too.

Plus, it seems impressive to have acronyms after your email signature

Can anyone recommend any good CCNA books (preferably with a lab work CD included)?

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