Best certifications for working in IT?

[JDay]

MCSE isn't really needed unless you're getting into heavy Windows administration.

MCSE no longer exists, it is now the MCITP.

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-overview.aspx

[locosway]

MCSE no longer exists, it is now the MCITP.

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en...-overview.aspx

I don't keep up with Windows much. I've been a Linux Admin for years, and only recently had to deal with Windows.

[JDay]

I don't keep up with Windows much. I've been a Linux Admin for years, and only recently had to deal with Windows.

I just pointed that out because it has been over 3 years and many people still do not know that they have been phased out. It would also suck if he studied for a cert only to find out it no longer exists.

[tools2teach]

CCNA MCSE CCIE

[r3dn3ck]

I hire a lot of sysadmins, especially lately. Never 1 time has their certification been a factor of consideration. Not even when reading the resume. What gets you in the door is playing your skills year after year and gradually elevating your position to one of more responsibility and knowing your stuff. For the most part even complete motards get a phone screen. If you have the skills you'll pass the phone screen and get an on-site.

Things that we don't like to see: < 1 year on gig twice or more, terminology pumping (just put the stuff you know on the res)/ resume fluffing, and meandering career paths. Stay at a place 2 years or more if possible. More than 1 for sure. keep the resume full of what you know and empty of stuff you've seen. Don't fluff your skills, hire + train isn't always bad but be able to talk about what you write down so we'll know that that's the way it'll be. Typically, if you were a roofer or a cop or a plumber or a programmer and then you wanna jump to sysadmin, don't expect to get a mid/sr level gig. You start at the bottom like everyone else.

You want to grow professionally, learn Linux/Apache/MySQL/Perl and find an entry level operations system admin (not corp IT, production operations) and spend a few years trying hard. Usually I consider someone ready to move from IT to Ops when they've got 5-8 years of IT and are able to handle the server side of IT unaided.

[subrosa]

I work in IT and have assisted in screening applicants for these positions quite a bit.

The CCNA is great, in fact I am always happy to see it as I know a general understanding of networks will be present. Most the other certs are just sources of concern for me, if an applicant puts "Linux/Unix skills" and then I see he/she has a Linux cert. It makes me wonder if that is the breadth of his/her skill set or does the applicant have other preferably hands on training. I would much rather see that you gave a presentation at a local LUG (Linux User Group) and/or are active with the group. I was very active in my local LUG, still in college when the president approached me and asked if I would be interested in working with him. I have no college degree (drafted into IT at a young age) and no certs, however this all doesn't matter as I had already proved myself to a co-worker/sr administrator who wanted to give me a chance.

Nothing will ever beat hands dirty work experience in the field. Most IT managers are looking for someone with decent people skills, I know I do. I can teach you about Linux/Unix/Networking/SAN, but I can't make you more personable. Tech people can have a stigma as being a bit too arrogant and users don't want to approach them with questions. This is an obvious issue in a service organization.

[bigmike82]

"Tech people can have a stigma as being a bit too arrogant and users don't want to approach them with questions. This is an obvious issue in a service organization."
No it isn't, that's a friggin' solution to a problem.

Kidding, obviously. That's a great point. Personality is a huge bonus to any IT geek.

[tools2teach]

I've been in the industry for more then 15 years and jump 2-3 years moving up each time. I interview very well and my outgoing personality is a big factor in the in the hiring process. I've been blessed with my current job and I wouldn't be there today if I didn't take the right path in my career.

A good starting point is working entry level desktop support and prove yourself, you'll move up.

All of the interviews I've been to have never once asked about any certs, degrees, or training. It all boils down to Experience, experience, and experience. Nothing else matter. What company would hire someone who's had 10 years working at best buy as a geek squad. Learning through mistakes is not an option when your dealing with little to no downtime.

They can tell right off the bat if you are BSing. The resume will just get you in the door for an interview, but they will find out if you don't know your stuff and show you the door.

Personality is also a big factor as few people have mentioned here. IT is a customer service industry and who likes to work with someone that thinks that job security is not sharing knowledge.