Reply to: I don't do.....

[rsingh]

I found that the agencies tended to mention it more than clients. It saves them having to go through your whole cv to work out your competency. They will have a pile of cvs, and the logo will help a few of them stand out. These are the ones that they will look at in more detail and forward to clients.

As soon as I had the cert, agencies became a lot more more interested. Although I had the experience on my cv, the logo encapsulated it in a form that meant agents didn't need to expend as much time going through it.

I have no Ananlysis services experience so can't comment on that aspect. However, the BI track is useful for the Reporting Services and SSIS component as well. I have noticed an upturn in jobs requiring BI skills so it would be useful having an understanding of these areas.

[Ruse]

I did the developer track with a training company. It took three days but I had the advantage of having worked with various versions of the product for the last 10 years. It cost 2.5k but it was worth it. It meant less bench time for me.

One of the guys on the course had done the DBA track the previous week and found it very intense and dificult. He didn't think that he'd have been able to do it on his own (studying on his own time in the evenings).

The certs will be worth it, as you need to differentiate yourself from the crowd in the current climate. Recruiters are still quite impressed by an MS cert logo on cvs. It has a little visual impact that will help your cv stand out from the scores of identikit cvs that they may receive.

Do you find clients mention your certification at interview or is it really just to help you get a foot in the door ?

I'd like to do the BI track also but I think that would be very tough as I haven't really touched on Analysis Services previously.

[rsingh]

I did the developer track with a training company. It took three days but I had the advantage of having worked with various versions of the product for the last 10 years. It cost 2.5k but it was worth it. It meant less bench time for me.

One of the guys on the course had done the DBA track the previous week and found it very intense and dificult. He didn't think that he'd have been able to do it on his own (studying on his own time in the evenings).

The certs will be worth it, as you need to differentiate yourself from the crowd in the current climate. Recruiters are still quite impressed by an MS cert logo on cvs. It has a little visual impact that will help your cv stand out from the scores of identikit cvs that they may receive.

[Ruse]

I can recommend the value of the certs. If anything, they;ll give you an idea of some of the features that you may not have been too aware of. Are you doing the developer, DBA or BI track?

I'm doing the SQL2008 DBA track, it's a very dry topic when you're sitting at home with a book and BOL going through it, looked into training but they wanted about 3K for the certification course.

[rsingh]

Already doing that even though I'm not convinced of the value of the Certs, but I suppose if they get you interviews they're worth doing.

I can recommend the value of the certs. If anything, they;ll give you an idea of some of the features that you may not have been too aware of. Are you doing the developer, DBA or BI track?

[DimPrawn]

Already doing that even though I'm not convinced of the value of the Certs, but I suppose if they get you interviews they're worth doing.

I reckon it is worth doing. Better than ing into a sock.

[Ruse]

Surely if you are a Sybase expert, the learning curve to also include being a SQL Server 2008 guru is not that great.

Get yourself trained up on SQL Server 2008 and get the certs.

Already doing that even though I'm not convinced of the value of the Certs, but I suppose if they get you interviews they're worth doing.

[rsingh]

Read this thread http://forums.contractoruk.com/gener...sing-gown.html. It should kill a few hours

[DimPrawn]

No doubt that is a big factor. My primary skill set centres around Sybase which is pretty much limited to IB and those guys just haven't been hiring until recently. With .NET you have a far wider potential client list than me and also across multiple sectors.

Surely if you are a Sybase expert, the learning curve to also include being a SQL Server 2008 guru is not that great.

Get yourself trained up on SQL Server 2008 and get the certs.

[Ruse]

Maybe its the skillset, .NET has never left me wanting.

No doubt that is a big factor. My primary skill set centres around Sybase which is pretty much limited to IB and those guys just haven't been hiring until recently. With .NET you have a far wider potential client list than me and also across multiple sectors.

[Diestl]

Sorry to say this but there are going to be some very unlucky people who will be benched for well over a year during this down turn.

Set yourself targets for each day. Doesn't matter how small - winking, winking, winking, winking, bit of winking, winking etc etc etc. Try to feel that you have accomplished something each day.

FTFY.

[OrangeHopper]

Sorry to say this but there are going to be some very unlucky people who will be benched for well over a year during this down turn.

Set yourself targets for each day. Doesn't matter how small - decorating, garden, email, letter, bit of research, paperwork etc etc etc. Try to feel that you have accomplished something each day.

[Diestl]

FTFY - ya back pedalling bastard!

What the hell are you on about!

[threaded]

Streesed out / frustrated / fed up and argumentative....

Get a bicycle. Find a nice wood or hill, somewhere were people ride horses, i.e. not too many cars about. Work out a course, a route. Every morning when missus sets off for work, you go too, regular as clockwork just go out and ride it. Even if it is throwing it down with rain. In the evening do the same, but this time set to arrive back home about the same time as your missus arrives.

There's some psychobabble I could tell you about, just take it though that it works a treat.

[Churchill]

Maybe it's the skillset, I'm a rent boy!

FTFY - ya back pedalling bastard!