Comptia A+

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Anyone here have an A+ cert.?

Does getting one prove to be helpful in gaining employment?

I hold an A+, Net+, and my CCNA has expired. There are places that will require the A+, some that it's optional, and some that won't even know what it is, even if they are in the field. (I tried getting a position at a local computer shop, and when they looked at my resume, they asked what those certifications were.)

WTF?

I know I replied to this, but nothing's there....sigh... Once more into the breach.

I've had an A+ since '95. Back in the day, it was Mac stuff and PC stuff. If you'd been around for a few years, it wasn't all that hard (lot of DOS commands), but younger folks were sweating...

Nowadays, A+ has 3 different course tracks; hardware tech, remote support, and another one. I know that HP and Lenovo require an A+ to get certified on their stuff, possibly Dell as well. It can't hurt you if you're starting out, and it's designed (like all the Comptia stuff) to prove you have enough knowledge to only be slightly dangerous. It's all fundamentals; things like what's on a motherboard, what serial ports are, how to format drives, etc.

If you're just starting out, it's a good thing to get. I need to work on N+, L+, and S+ (I've been around the block in hardware for about a quarter-century... now all i have to do is find a way to pay for it.

Did you guys study and take your certs on your own, or take a structured class? I notice that my college offers classes geared towards taking/passing certs, but isn't it doable studying solo? I would rather spend the structured class time in classes specifically meant required towards my major.

The computer networking course I took in high school (a vocational program, lasting my junior and senior years) basically taught to both the A+ and the CCNA.

We got some expensive books, and I took about 50 pages of notes...

Computer certifications aren't worth the paper they're written on.

Things that count;

1. Experience
2. Having a strong interest in computers
3. Being able to learn by yourself (and on the run).
4. Having a good memory or documenting everything
5. Being around on blogging sites, linkedin and other computer sites.
6. Having a well written (not necessarily long) resume
7. Presenting well at interviews
8. Having great samples of past work

I could write more but I think I've gotten the point across.

Most places won't let you in the interview door unless you can wave a degree in their face. I don't present certifications and I don't think I've ever had an issue.

Once in the door, interviewers are much more impressed by good knowledgable speakers who have a lot of enthusiasm for the subject and make it clear that there's a lot they can offer the company.

People don't hire staff to be technical. They hire them to help their business complete its objectives.

It also really really helps if you've read through their annual report before you go for an interview and if you talk about it. This shows that you're interested.

all that's true, but that's once you're in the door. You have to get through it first. It depends on what you're going for as well. I know that I've seen most of our candidates either be asked for an A+, or told to get one (if they want to advance). Further on up the road, yeah, that and a quarter'll get you...hmmm...a quarter won't get you much of anything nowadays...

If you lack practical experience, just changed careers, or want to get started, an A+ isn't going to hurt your chances. If you want the big bucks, then there's probably other certs you can go for. It's whatever you need to do to get on the inside.