Reply to: Certifications for Application Support Role

[LondonManc]

Hi my apologies if i was not clear, i am a Contractor, but im looking at the finance sector and over the last year i have seen plenty of positions which require MCSA's etc, so im not just after a fancy bit of paper but also the knowledge which comes with it as that is more important, but i want to be able to guarantee i can get interviews and dont get passed over as there is someone else with a more fancy CV.

Thanks for the advice everyone !

For me, a certificate is a minor factor but that obviously can vary. It's more about your experience. How many years were you perm before going contracting?

[SimonMac]

TL;DR

As a contractor certification should come down to either:

Which one will help you earn the most money

or

Which one interests you most

MCSA's are ten a penny so you want to go for the higher levels of the quals you have rather to make you stand out than going for more low level paper quals

[MrMarkyMark]

Hi my apologies if i was not clear, i am a Contractor, but im looking at the finance sector and over the last year i have seen plenty of positions which require MCSA's etc, so im not just after a fancy bit of paper but also the knowledge which comes with it as that is more important, but i want to be able to guarantee i can get interviews and dont get passed over as there is someone else with a more fancy CV.

Thanks for the advice everyone !

The thing is, certs don't really teach you anything.
Use, experience, reading and research is what gives you the knowledge you seek.

I have hired quite a few people, I certainly don't pass over those without certification.

[Boney M]

CCA-V

It is only a 62% pass rate

[MicrosoftBob]

They gave out certificates? In my school they gave you chocolate bars...

Did you go to the same school as Marianne Faithfull ?

[sandybeach]

What applications were you hoping to support?


To be honest, knowledge and experience are more important than certificates (in most of IT).


Somewhere in the attic I have my Microsoft Office 97 Gold Cert - I think that was the last thing I did as a permie, while working for a company who were contracting me out.

Hi my apologies if i was not clear, i am a Contractor, but im looking at the finance sector and over the last year i have seen plenty of positions which require MCSA's etc, so im not just after a fancy bit of paper but also the knowledge which comes with it as that is more important, but i want to be able to guarantee i can get interviews and dont get passed over as there is someone else with a more fancy CV.

Thanks for the advice everyone !

[SueEllen]

Not only do I still have my 10 yard swimming certificate, but I also still have my certificate for coming 1st in the boys under-9 bean bag race!

They gave out certificates? In my school they gave you chocolate bars...

[greenlake]

FTFY

Somewhere in the attic I have my 200 meters, unassisted, swimming badge.

Not only do I still have my 10 yard swimming certificate, but I also still have my certificate for coming 1st in the boys under-9 bean bag race!

[MrMarkyMark]

BSc - Bronze Swimming certificate
SSc - Silver Swimming certificate

(Courtesy of Arnold J. Rimmer)

I didn't realise you were SO qualified, *Swoon*

How much do you want

[TheFaQQer]

FTFY

BSc - Bronze Swimming certificate
SSc - Silver Swimming certificate

(Courtesy of Arnold J. Rimmer)

[MrMarkyMark]

All contractors should be certified

There's nothing for you to see here, no references, or commission to be "earned"

[DodgyAgent]

All contractors should be certified

[northernladuk]

Sounds like you need to go down the permie route and find out more about career development opportunities, getting the company to fund your development.

Absolutely this without a doubt. And get some solid experience.

[MrMarkyMark]

FTFY

Somewhere in the attic I have my 200 meters, unassisted, swimming badge.

[LondonManc]

Sounds like you need to go down the permie route and find out more about career development opportunities, getting the company to fund your development.