What's the Point of IT Certifications?

erica_ann asks: "Fact: You can have the knowledge without having to pay to be Certified when it comes to computers. Another fact: Just because you have the certification does not mean you actually know the material as well as someone who is not certified. You might just be good at taking tests. So what is the point of getting IT Certifications? To have a piece of paper?"

"I have had this conversation with many friends and co workers. One thing I like out of all the conversations is getting more than just one point of view. I know my standpoint on it. I rambled on it for quite a while. But, what I would like to ask of everyone on Slashdot, is what is your opinion? Do you have certifications? Was it worth getting certified? How do employers, employees and management feel about them? Do you pay for them? Does the company pay for them? Is it worth being certified if you do not get a pay raise for it? What certifications bring more than others? Are specialized more employable than general certifications?

I think many people would benefit from hearing more than one side of the controversy. Maybe it will encourage more employers to reward for certifications. Maybe it will help the next person attain the career he or she wants. Is there such thing as being TOO certified for a job?

Or is the whole idea of getting alphabet soup behind your name just certifiably insane?"

What would the little kid say?

[nokilli]

Do not try to understand the point -- that's impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth.

What truth?

There is no point.
--
You didn't know. [tinyurl.com]

Re:What would the little kid say?

[HTTP Error 403 403.9]

How about IT certification is an attempt to create a barrier to entry in order to create scarcity and subsequently higher wages and professional prestige (i.e. chicks).

The truth?

[deviantphil]

What truth?

There are FOUR lights

Re:There is no point unless...

[Anonymous Coward]

So why would that matter to you? Seriously. I'm curious.

Because he is insecure and has a little penis. Why else?

Re:DUH!

[Ruprecht the Monkeyb]

Not funny, too true.

I've worked in places where I didn't get to vet the resumes or write the classified ad. The most HR would let me do was reject the subset of resumes they deemed worthy and ask them to set up interviews with those that remained. It's quite interesting when they post ads asking for experts in 'Windows 97' or 'Novel Netwear'.

A telling point

[Wingchild]

I recall a job interview I attended in 1999. The job itself was a pseudo-network-engineer position with heavy client interaction; I would have worked out of a co-location facility and managed equipment for a tiny list of clients. The position was quite junior. This particular job required an MCSE, which I possessed.

My interview was multi-stage, including a technical process. The questions they asked were laughable; "What is TCP/IP" and "What is DNS" and so forth. I pointed out that I was, in fact, an MCSE. They replied "We know - that's why we're asking."

Re:There is no point unless...

[Dr. Evil]

I don't think I would want to work for a company which makes such sweeping generalizations.

I throw my certifications on a one-liner under my education and training. You know, something like:

• Astral Basket Weaving B.Sc.
• CCNA, MCSE, CLS, A+
• 4 day training course in demolitions

Re:DUH!

[Anonymous Coward]

exactly.

HR: do you have MCP?

me: I have MCSE on my resume.

HR: yes, but do you also have MCP?

me: *click*

Re:There is no point unless...

[Nodar]

so... you are in a hiring posotion... Hey, buddy, i'm looking for a job, great news too, I don't have any certs. Hell, I don't even have a degree, I figure, why do I need one? I'm sure by this point, I'm pretty much a sure bet for getting this job, but if you want to actually do an interview as a free write off lunch or something, I would understand. We'll be in touch, nice doing buisness with you. ass

carefull carefull .....

[Anonymous Coward]

might be that pin ball was their religion ....

Re:The Point is Simple

[RAMMS+EIN]

``They think: "this guy doesn't even know X, how can he be an MSCE?''

Well...why would one need to know X [x.org] to be a MSCE?

You don't expect an RHCE [redhat.com] to know Solitaire, either, right?

Re:DUH!

[sconeu]

\i{ To get past the HR Trolls!}

After you're past them, does saying "Fee Fie Foe Foo" get your money back?

Re:There is no point unless...

[qwijibo]

Why do you list the MCSE on the second AND third lines?

Re:The truth?

[GreyWolf3000]

What are the Federation defense plans for Minos Corva?

Re:What would the little kid say?

[ahaning]

What you and Mr. Jobs do behind closed doors is of no interest to us. Thanks.

Re:solution

[Ruprecht the Monkeyb]

I took option B -- switching to a job where I didn't have to hire people. On other words, I exchanged one set of frustrations with another, but at least now when I refer to one of my co-workers as a flaming moron, I can do so with a clean conscience knowing I wasn't the one that hired him :)

Re:Open Sourced certifications?

[budgenator]

Think it's hard getting dev's to write documentation, try getting them to write cert test questions

Re:DUH!

[Halfbaked Plan]

No, and typing 'xyzzy' doesn't make them disappear in a puff of greasy smoke, either.

Re:What would the little kid say?

[el_chicano]

in our program we include... 3) HTML & Web design;

Let me guess... You were out sick the day they covered the <br> tag! :-)