Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

ElementaryOS

I obtained the CompTIA A+ Certification in October but wasn't able to find a job in the IT field. It seems that I either need to own a car to drive from location to location or I need to learn Microsoft Office in order to get a Help Desk job.

I was told here that I may not be able to find a job unless I get my GED. So I bought a book to study for my GED and have been working on it for a couple weeks now, to no avail. In fact, I just threw the book down in frustration. I keep forgetting everything I read about Coordinating Conjunctions, Subordinate Clauses and Dangling Modifiers. Every time I sit down to study I find myself starting again at lesson #1, because I can't remember what I'm learning from one day to the next.

Instead of working on my GED I'm thinking that I should start learning something interesting, like Microsoft Office. I've done a bit of Googling and I see a Certification from Certiport called the MOS Certification: Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS.) Is this the best Certification available for learning Microsoft Office? Has anyone taken this Certification? What is the best study book available? Thanks!

Hammer80

This is from personal experience I have a GED. I also went to college and got my Associates and right now are working on my Bachelors. Forget all those certifications. Get out of your own head, passing any of those certifications will not matter if you don't have a GED. The GED is required to pass the HR screening process, nobody will hire you without it. Employers need to know that you at least have a High School Education and that you are not a moron, sorry to be that harsh but that is reality. Very few jobs will hire you without a Diploma or GED, and none are in IT/Tech field.

Regarding the Microsoft Office cert, forget it about its useless and will never apply to anything other than doing tech support or Help Desk for which you can get hired with an A+ or Network+ or something of the sort and at least those apply to higher level positions.

N2IT

Can you grab a mentor or instructor to help you learn the material on the GED? I really think you want to do this like Hammer mentioned.

I recall some of the community colleges offering GED assistance. This way you can transition into a associate degree and learn stuff you would like. Such as accounting, business, software development, networking, whatever your heart desires.

That's my advice.

I did the MOS Master back in 2007 and it did help me land an office support job, but that was part time and only for a brief period of time until the users going from 2003 - 2007 understood the new format and feature. So..... It can help but I still think you should grind out the GED.

WITH THAT SAID. Do what you want, at the end of the day it's your life and if you want to do SharePoint or PowerPoint do it.

ElementaryOS

Thanks for the responses guys. I read them before but I'm just replying now.

I managed to bluff my way through the English study part of the GED preparation book, but the Math part is a real ass pain. I'm thinking of going for the MOS right now. In March or April there is a live class starting to teach the GED. I can worry about getting my GED then, if it's needed.

Again, does anyone have a recommendation for a study book for the MOS? There doesn't seem to be any quality books out there, based on reviews.

N2IT

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Office-2013-Introductory-Cashman/dp/1285166027/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422850481&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=MOS+Shelly+Cashman This author is extremely detailed and comprehensive.

http://www.amazon.com/Study-Guide-Microsoft-PowerPoint-Outlook/dp/0735648751/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422850563&sr=8-1&keywords=Microsoft+office+specialist Bare bones but should do the trick

Certiport | Home - Certify to Succeed Link to take the exam

I wish I could remember, but there is a simulator out there that mirrors the test for each exam. It was very helpful for the MS Word, exam. That one can be a little tricky once you take the advance exam.

HTH

ElementaryOS

Thanks, I'll have a look!

ElementaryOS

I found a free trial of the 2010 version of Office. I also found an E-book to help me study. It looks like I can still do the 2010 exam, so I'll probably go ahead with this over the next few days.

Can anyone confirm that the 2010 version of the exam is still take-able? Thanks.

IIIMaster

The Microsoft cert is excellent for help desk support along with mcsa in win 7 or 8. In your case I agree get your GED. Im not sure how old you are but you may be able to attend a private GED course and some colleges have programs set up to earn your GED. Without out you are really holding yourself back.

N2IT

I agree on the help desk knowing Outlook, PowerPoint and Word was huge. Most Excel users are very well versed with their tool and rarely ask questions because most of those users realize their problem is more analysis related. However Outlook and Word you get nailed with questions on over and over again. Of course PowerPoint is the same way as Word depending on your environment.