General Forums >> Bonehead User Moves >> You're really A+ Certified?!
You're really A+ Certified?!
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Posted 2 months ago Back in 2001, I was interviewing a candidate for a PC Technician position. Some of the qualifications included: A+ Certification, some experience connecting PC's to a network, some experience installing the Novell NetWare Client, etc. So, the interview was divided up into two sections. During the first section, I asked some of the general interview questions, plus a few specific technical questions, and this particular candidate did very well. Then, during the "hands-on" portion of the interview, I had a stand-alone PC with Windows 98 installed. The candidates job was to physically connect it to the network with a CAT5 cable, renew the IP address, and then install the Novell Client from a CD. Well, the computers we were using at the time were COmpaq Deskpro 2000's. They were those flat, desktop PCs with the floppy drive in the middle and two 5.25 inch bays on the right. The CD-ROM drive was in the top bay, and beneath it was the plastic "blank." So, this particular candidate plugs in the PC, gets the IP address, and I'm thinking "she's EXACTLY what we need." Well, she takes the Novell Client CD, then examines the face of the computer, and proceds to slide the CD into the small gap between the bottom of the CD-ROm drive and the top of the blank. The CD drops into the case with a proverbial THUD, and my thoughts changed to "WTF?!" We looked at each other, and before I could reply, she says, "Sorry for wasting your time," then she gets up and simply walks out. I was left there thinking, "people like this are the reason some people don't view certifications as important as they COULD be..." |
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| Posted 2 months ago LOL!! |
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| Posted about 1 month ago I've never been certified and just don't care. The cert's are meaningless. If I do any hiring I give all candidates the same 'test'. I don't care about their qualifications as they lie more often then tell the truth. For a programmer I give em a PC with all the tools and a spec. Everything counts rorm time to quality to being able to solve the problem. Screw the third party testing because it usually doesn't fit what I need anyways. Some people can't think on their feet and make stupid mistakes out of nervousness. Some are poor salesmen but great out of sight. I put em in the environment they will be working in and see just what they can do under 'real' conditions. That is the only 'real' test. Then again, I once watched as the owner of a very prodigious company put a metal screwdriver into a very expensive and new piece of electronics. There was a big flash and then quite a bit of smoke. Anyone else would have been gone before the smoke cleared. The boss just ordered us to purchase another box then walked away. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago every interview i went to after graduating wanted to know if i was A+ certified. at first i told them no, but after a while i said yes. no one ever ask to see proof. they just put a check mark on the paper and went on to other things. with the high cost of the test, i don't think i'm even going to bother. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago LOL, wait...she could physically connect AND renew the IP but failed at putting in the disc like that? ....EPIC |
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| Posted about 1 month ago It's a bit sad to hear how many people these days view certifications as nothing more than a piece of paper and a waste of time. I remember when, for the technical professional, the certification was just as important if not more so than a degree! I can't, in all honesty, say that I'm not hoping to get a better job or more pay from a degree and some certifications but it is certainly not my primary motivation. I beleive that if we stop learning, we might as well be dead. What's more important to me than anything is that the certs and the degrees let ME know that I've accomplished something not everyone has and I feel better for it. Incedentally, I also learned a great many things I otherwise wouldn't had I not taken the time to really study and learn the material. So for people to say that certs and degrees are useless is a bit troubling. D. White, A+, Net+
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| Posted about 1 month ago if i came across as not caring about certifications i'm sorry. i have a degree in network technology and a novell certification. both of which i worked very hard to get and am proud of. my point is, if the buisiness comunity doesn't care about them then what is the point. if you want to blame someone, blame them. it is true that i have known people who get 100% on every test they take, but i wouln't let them near a pc with a screwdriver if my life depended on it. there is a catch 22 in the IT field when it comes to certifications and that is sad. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Shadowguard says ...
I wasn't trying to single you out. And you're right, it is a shame that companies don't put as much stock into certifications and degrees as they used to. There are a lot of people out there who are great test takers but can't think on their feet when the situation calls for it. That's why more involved interviewing techniques should be utilized when searching for prospective employees. A few simple scenarios at interview time with real equipment will more often than not weed out the "test techs." D. White, A+, Net+
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| Posted about 1 month ago i agree whole heartedly. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago One of the things with some of the certs is that you can get the test questions and answers for the tests and employers know this so some certs have become rather useless for judging the abilities of the holder. I am not saying everyone does this, there is probably still a majority that get the certs the old fashioned way by studying and learning the SKILL and not cheating the system. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
'Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid.' --John Wayne |
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680 posts back to top |
| Posted about 1 month ago catch 22 |
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| Posted about 1 month ago it's because of this why i have never taken any of the certification tests, also the area i live in doesn't make it worth the financial dump either. if i was still living in the phoenix area right now i'd probably have a few under my belt, but even then i don't really know if it would really make a difference |
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| Posted about 1 month ago rdm381 says ...
same word rolled through my mind lol
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