Is the A+ Cert worth it?

[SoloCamo]

Hey all!


I've been having a really hard time getting a new job around here, after I foolishly quit my last one thinking I was moving back to NY. I've applied well over 30 places since the beggining of this month alone, and have applied even more places since I quit...I've gotten a total of what, 2 or 3 call backs for these base jobs, such as overnight stock boy over at a grocery store, or even a cashier at 7-eleven...Got in for 2 interviews, and haven't got hired at any jobs yet...

Wallets dry with bats flying out, and i'm in no position to be broke. All the savings I had (over $600) are now bone dry as well due to the car insurance having to be paid, and other money I give to help the family out as it is really needed since we aren't exactly in a good financial situation by any means...and I mean in the situation where we are losing much more a month than making. AKA the road to complete debt.

Anyways!

Back about 5 years ago, my cousin had given me a copy of a A+ cert practice/study CD that he claimed was around 300 bucks...

Soooo.......... I whipped out the A+ cert disc and started studying......I then realized after a few hours that A+ has a 2003 and 2006 version and that this ancient 2000 version is obviously pointless to study... Which sucks as I'm in no position to shell out money.

So what i'm asking is....how bad/hard is the new A+ cert? Is it worth the money when your broke? As in will it help me boost up my chances of getting a job in the IT field a good amount?

These smalltime jobs aren't working out as we've got 99 year olds working 9/10 of the jobs that usually would have high schoolers doing them.

I guess i'm looking for quick cash in a sense...is the A+ at least a good start to get me in the field? I obviously have experience with computers, but employers don't seem to care unless you've got a degree/cert, and i'm really hoping the A+ can be that little nudge to atleast hold me over while I continue my studies.

Any other recomendations/suggestions?

At this rate, we might have to cut the internet

Thanks...

[Martoch]

Wow, are you sure you're not me? Your life is mirroring mine...scary!


I actually got passed up for an interview because I didn't have my A+, so after I get some sort of job (still looking, but this area is dry), I hope to work on getting some certs, starting with the A+.

[RobRich]

The A+ is pretty much a minimum requirement for cerfifcation, but to say it will automatically get you a job, I am not sure I would go that far.

You are right about the market for jobs around here. Retired seniors have jobs typically filled by teens and students in other areas.

Have you tried looking through the Employ Florida website?

http://www.employflorida.com/

I took a quick skim of a few pages for Hernando county. Sears needs various sales people, Home Depot has a few openings, and Office Depot needs a Customer Service Associate (sales). Yeah, none are professional positions, but all are definitely much better than $0 per hour.

[njolakoski]

I just paid $72 for my A+ Hardware Exam, test now just waiting to take it.

[SoloCamo]

To tell the truth, i've used that site (career central uses it), and I have actually applied at Home Depot, Office Depot, lowes, 7-eleven, blockbuster, and stores like that, that seem to be "mass hiring" (as in multiple cities) in florida.

So far no call backs besides 7-eleven, pet supermarket (I still should call them for some closure if they filled it or not), and kash'n karry. All had interviews, so far no calls.

I actually called kash'n karry and talked to the manager to see if they had filled the position, said they did, but I was there "second choice"....heh. Second choice isn't bringing me in any money.

I'm going to have to start begging at this rate. I head up to the local "Career Central" and skim over there and what not, and so far no luck with any of those jobs either.

Last place I applied was at "interlink cable" or some other thing I can't recall off the top of my head. Got to go give them a call tommorow to see if they got a chance to look at my application (which I hate doing as it seems to be pushing them to me atleast, but that's what people recomend).

Thanks for the advice so far though...

I'm currently taking college courses for the IT field, but it's not going to help me right now.

[RobRich]

Your going to Hernando/Pasco College, right? Does it offer an employment placement program for attending students? Do you have good relations with any of the IT professors? Ask if they know anywhere local hiring IT students.

Definitely do a call back on any submitted applications. You are not forcing the situation. You are showing interest in the job, which can go a long way with making an impression on managers and HR reps. Worst case is they will tell you no, at which point you move on to the next phone number.

[carl33p]

Try some restuarants. One day go fill out 20 applications.
Call some back, ask to speak to a manager, interviews.
Dress decent, bring your OWN pen.

Now is not the best time to be looking for a job though. You should of pushed hard before christmas break... a lot of places were hiring.

[usslindstrom]

Is the A+ Cert worth it?

In short, yes: Every single penny you put towards it.

Please take Rob's advice and go the extra yard in the application stuff. IF all else fails, and you end up having to "settle" for a job you don't really want - then at least it would allow you to use the income to push for the certification track.

A+ is a start. I've since discussed with my current employer about their hiring practices, and they won't even look twice at someone who doesn't have that opening cert under their belt.

Most people say certs are pointless, and experience is key.... To which they're right on half of it. But please, trust me: If you want a job in the IT field (starting out) please go for the A+.

Don't stop there though, knock out the Network+, Server+. and on, and on...

[EvilRick]

Funny someone should ask this. Today I cert compared with another employee, he has CompTIA A+, N+, and is two tests away from MCSA.

I have CompTIA A+ and am an MCP . . . I make more than he does.

Moral of the story? I think it all depends on where you work and what you can actually do. A piece of paper means nothing IMO.

[Martoch]

It's too bad classes already started here and I have to go through the steps to get my GI Bill going...I'll either have to wait until summer or fall to start my A+ class.

[MadMan2k]

I got my A+ in 2003 - I think it's a good start. I got that and my Network+ and was hired part-time at a little computer store, and worked there for almost two years.

It definitely doesn't teach you everything you need to know to be a (good) technician, but it's kind of a baseline thing and employers can reasonably expect you to be able to do basic stuff.

[GroundZero3]

Martoch you shouldn't have to take a class to get it. Get the exam cram book for it and you should be good to go.

A+ classes are for people with no experience or those who do have experience but no confident with computers. I took the test several years ago and I was in and out in about 15 minutes for both parts.

I know you know your stuff, do like two chapters or so a week and you should be ready to test in no time.

To me the A+ is just an entrance exam. It doesn't mean anything really, just gets your foot in the door.

[famosbrown]

A+ is an entry level cert, but tells employers that you are at least serious about the field you want to go into. You will actually learn a lot about other OS's, different hardwares, legacy systems, etc. Since I chose the Networking/Systems field, I attained my A+, N+, MCP, and MCSA 2003, after graduating college. I'm still pursuing the certs...it's addictive, you learn so much, and you have more leverage for getting raises or demanding more money. A+ isn't a bad place to start to get the foundations.

[BluesMan1]

A+ certainly helped me to get jobs and having a degree in Networking also. Any certification will show your determination and like famosbrown is saying it will also show that you are serious about what you want to do.

The only culprit in getting certified is the money that it costs to get some of them. I paid $400.00 to get A+ certified but that was in 2000. I wanted to go further on but money was and still is an issue. I'm working in the field since almost 7 years now and by looking at it i can say that it helped me getting jobs. I live in a place that is not much populated, seems that everybody is in the business right now and i can only say that i would like to have the money to get more certification so i can get out there and get a better job and better pay

[SoloCamo]

Thanks for all the advice everyone, it's truly appreciated!

So it seems A+ is what I suspected, a necessary step that is needed to even get into the field at all. Well it seems I will start studying up for from what info I can gather online.

I heard 2006 was also different than previous exams because it mixes different parts together and throws in some customer support?

Hopefully that would make it a little easier, because it would really not be fun to spend $200 or w/e and fail. I've got confidence in myself to pass, but when taking tests I have a tendency to rush and make stupid mistakes.

As far as jobs go right now, I will definately take your advice about calling them back. It just always seemed like you were putting yourself in their face in a rude way, but the more I think about it the more it makes sense to get your name out there and show that you are really interested.

Today I went to apply to 3 places....

First one, Village Inn, apllication accepted no problems whatsoever. Got to give them a call tommorow.

Second, Blue Moon Diner which is a new restaurant and was hiring, gave them all the info, and am going to give em a call tommorow to see if the manager got a chance to look.

Third, PERKINS! This restaurant just pissed me off. I went through the entire pain in the rear application the lady gave me. When I handed in she noticed that the only day I can't work is Sunday (I happen visit my brother in prison over 3 hours away)...

She basically slapped me in the face when straight up told me "You can't work Sundays?" "We won't even look at you then."

What the? Considering I literally wrote I can work ANY hours *they are open 24/7* from Mon-Sat....and do have a good amount of Restaurant experience...they won't even look at my application because I can't work 7 days a week? That's a big bag of BS.

They can keep their minimum wage payments.....