A+ : can I get a job with just that as my education?

[mentat_void]

Here is my situation. I have a job making $11.36 an hour running machines that make industrial products. It is not real hard. But it is a dead end job and boring. I don't even have a high school diploma or a GED. But I am quite intelligent enough to know how to run, upgrade, install, and troubleshoot computers. I have a lot of experience in troubleshooting computers thanks to all the **** I do with my own. I have learned by my own mistakes. Linux installations, windows problem solving, installing hardware, and such has gotten me pretty confident in computers with all their problems. My problem is that I would like to take the A+ certification, but without anything else in education, would someone hire me with just a cert? I'm not looking to get rich. Hell, anything above what I make and in a nice environment is a plus. What should I prepare for? How should I go about convincing a employer on hiring me? I have had the same job for almost 10 years now. It was my first job and I got stuck with it taking care of my disabled brother and mother. So the money kept me there with no place to expand. My supervisor just graduated from DeVry with a networking or something degree, but like all the people I talk with who have a degree, he is totaly clueless about computers. Man, he didn't even know what USENET was or newsgroups! And he thought you had to have a ZIP drive to program in C++!!!!! I'm no programmer, but I do know that a storage medium has nothing to do with programming! But I degress. Is there a market for guys like me? I know that some kids are still in high school and running unix servers for big companies. So I guess it's who you know and if you have a talent. So, any suggestions? Besides 4-year college, etc? Once I get my foot in the door, I can get more degree's as I move along hopefully. Also, what other small degree's, like MSCE and such would help? I intend to quit my current job about after the end of the year, becuase I will be getting my 401k money out and do not want to pay the penalty tax until 2003. Not to mention I will get all that vacation time!

[Goldwingnut]

No, but...

It's like a High School Diploma. Either you have it, or you don't. Having it is better.

The hiring process is not about hiring the best people. The best people already have a job, and a boss who knows how good they are, and treats them accordingly.

The hiring process is about eliminating as many applicants as possible, then interviewing a few, then eliminating all but one of the few.

Having an A+ cert removes one reason for eliminating you. If you seek a job in the IT world, you may rely on the fact that sooner or later an A+ will be necessary. When most of us have one, not having one will be a reason to eliminate those who didn't bother.

I'm A+, Network+, i-Net+, Windows 98 certified and working on Server+ while waiting for Linux+ to come out. My theory is that having an endless string of certs demonstrates that I can still learn at my advanced age; and that I see things through to the end.

[surrealchereal]

But what is the layer you have beneath the pluses? Are you working somewhere because of the pluses? Would you share your process?

[justy]

I used to be on the interview panel in my old job. We would get copies of the CV's ( resumes )handed to us. I would put it to one side, and talk to the prospective employee. If they knew what they where talking about, it would be fairly obvious after about 30 sec's of conversation.

The panel was made up of, 3 management rep's. one engineering rep, and one sales rep. The three management rep's didn't have a clue. The sales rep, depending on how sharp you looked would view you as a threat, or as a techie.

I didn't care what you looked like, as long as you knew what you were talking about.

Yes, A+ will get you a job. Without it, you will still get a job. Just be honest, it will shine through. Talk about what you know.

Pick up the yellow pages ( I don't know what the equivalent is where you are ). Send a letter to everyone you are interested in working for. You will get more " Dear John's " than positive replies, but somewhere along the line, you will get a break.

Good luck, Justy.

[crockett]

well I have my A+, but I didn't need it for the job I have. It will help you get your foot in the door. Deffently cant hurt you but its really nothing that big to have. Just with an A+ alone you can expect to make in the area of about $6.00 to about $12.00 an hour (central Fla). I'm above that pay scale, but I install Road Runner so the computer end really isn't the hard part its running the cable. I plan on moving into installing networks in the future.. seems the most logical step for me.

Also the MSCE is starting to get to point that it don't seem to be that big of a deal (atleast around here). 2 of the guys I work with have it and they make the same money I do (and I don't have it). Not to say they couldn't get a better job, but I don't see employers beating at their door either.

[tantone]

Sure you can.

Jack in the Box is hiring.

[unfguy]

LOL "Jack in the Box..."

Anyway, yes it is possible to get a better job without a degree. Generally getting more certs is a good thing BUT I have met and interviewed folks with some big name certs but no real experience or useful knowledge. Make sure you know what you are talking about when interviewing.

It would be to your advantage to get a GED at the minimum. Then pursue certifications in your interest areas. MCSE can be a value-- some places pay top dollar for an MCSE while others don't pay as well and expect you to have the cert. You really have to shop around.

You may want to try a staffing agency-- you can get your foot in the door of many companies this way. This is the perfect arena to "prove yourself" to an employer.