When does having multiple certs become "too much"?

si20

I'm a 25 year old guy, i've got the certs you can see to the left, on my profile and I am currently working on the Security+. I've just started working for a (very) well known computing company in their security department and am being paid the equivalent of $58k.

I'm currently doing the Security+ course (self-funded) and have been promised that i'll have ArcSight, TippingPoint, Checkpoint and SANS training. I'm really wanting to do an MSc in Digital Security, but as you can see by this list.... it's getting big. I don't want it to look like i'm collecting certs.

Also, I want to end up as a Director of Security or a Security Consultant. Am I going about it the right way?

anhtran35

InfoSEC? You'll be collecting SSCP, CEH, CISSP, etc...enjoy.

dave0212

I wouldn't consider your list of certs large when you look at others on here

If you enjoy learning and grabbing certs then go for it, if you're a little concious on the number you don't have to list them all. I generally only list the big certs on my CV

Chitownjedi

si20 wrote: »

I'm a 25 year old guy, i've got the certs you can see to the left, on my profile and I am currently working on the Security+. I've just started working for a (very) well known computing company in their security department and am being paid the equivalent of $58k.

I'm currently doing the Security+ course (self-funded) and have been promised that i'll have ArcSight, TippingPoint, Checkpoint and SANS training. I'm really wanting to do an MSc in Digital Security, but as you can see by this list.... it's getting big. I don't want it to look like i'm collecting certs.

Also, I want to end up as a Director of Security or a Security Consultant. Am I going about it the right way?

Easy solution is you can learn the content and not get certified. However if you do still want to get certified to cap out your experience of learning the material, there is no reason you have to list every single certification you have. Actually, if you didn't list your certs under your name here no one would know you had any! List the certs that are tailored for any position your are aiming for, and as long as you don't tell anyone how many you have, you don't have to worry about people's perceptions of you. Haters go hate regardless, but there is a point that it can seem ridiculous if you have 20+ certs listed


Security+ is a good start, definitely consider CCNA Security as well, as well as eventually heading down path to CISSP. The security forum here is great, and I'm sure that can assist

kohr-ah

The new replace the old.
Example I did A+,Net+,Sec+
Then MCP, Then Win 7,
Then CCNA
Then CCNA:Security
Then CCNP
Then CCDA
Then CCDP
Then ACMP

The new replace the old as a higher end and I leave off certs not aligned to that position.

danny069

Well the thing is, most certs expire if you let them, you can use them as stepping stones to a higher position, once you get that position you may or may not be required to hold them (ie: CISSP) To me if you have a lot of certs, and you maintain all of them that is impressive.

joelsfood

Your list of certs is too long when you no longer have the skills to back up what the certs claim.

As long as you have the skills to back them up, you don't have too many. Now, you might want to limit what you list on a resume/application and tailor the list to match the job if the list is too long.

E Double U

Do as many as you like, but on your resume just list the ones that are relevant to the position. I no longer list my CompTIA and Microsoft certs.

NetworkNewb

If your concerned about your list getting too big just take off the entry level ones or irrelevant ones. There people on here with 3 times what you have listed though.... Hard to say too much knowledge is a bad thing. Especially since it sounds like you have a decent job atm. Pile em on in my opinion! I think alot of certs just proves you have drive to improve yourself.

BradleyHU

Chitownjedi wrote: »

...there is no reason you have to list every single certification you have...

I was going to say this...

fuz1on

NetworkNewb wrote: »

Pile em on in my opinion! I think alot of certs just proves you have drive to improve yourself.

I agree. I think it's rather impressive to have many certs - entry-level to elite-levels. In my opinion, each cert builds on the last one - increasing your knowledge-base and ability to assimilate multiple IT domains. I have the utmost respect for anyone that has the thirst to continually improve themselves - like most people on this forum!

dave0212

Obviously given the nature of the forum we are all a little biased towards accreditation

But definitely agree that the more the merrier, I am personally less focused on certification these days as I have reached a point in my career that I pick and choose what I do as I have the main certs in my area of specialism, plus my learning is generally focused in all things security (or at least have at least a vague connection to security)

PC509

E Double U wrote: »

Do as many as you like, but on your resume just list the ones that are relevant to the position. I no longer list my CompTIA and Microsoft certs.

Exactly. I have a lot of certs. I don't list a lot of them when applying to some jobs. Network+ isn't too relevant when you're a CCNP. A+ doesn't matter much if you're applying for a development position. CIW... well.... List what is relevant for the position you're applying for. Always use a custom resume. If a position requires an oddball or older cert that you happen to have, then you have it there. Some places still have Windows NT. Normally, you wouldn't include that cert on your resume (the experience would be in the employment history, though). But, if they bring it up in the interview, or it's listed in the job listing, then you add it or bring it up.

ccie14023

fuz1on wrote: »

I agree. I think it's rather impressive to have many certs - entry-level to elite-levels. In my opinion, each cert builds on the last one - increasing your knowledge-base and ability to assimilate multiple IT domains. I have the utmost respect for anyone that has the thirst to continually improve themselves - like most people on this forum!

I agree with the latter statement, that it's important to improve yourself. However, I think time is best spent on a couple of high-level certifications that show focus, rather than a smattering of different certifications which usually indicate someone whose knowledge isn't that deep in any one subject area. I would also say that most technical hiring managers look with suspicion on resumes that have 10,000 certifications listed. How did they get them all? How do they keep them recertified? Either they are cheating with brain **** or else they are spending all their time at work studying. This may not be true, but that's often the perception. I'm far more interested in experience than certifications when hiring, particularly for mid- to high-level jobs. Someone who is light in experience but has that list of 10,000 certifications is not too likely to get a call back. I know this is rank heresy to say this on techexams.net, but it's just reality. If you really want to spend a lot of time broadening your knowledge, I would only list a few relevant certs on your resume when applying for a job and leave the others off.

fuz1on

ccie14023 wrote: »

I agree with the latter statement, that it's important to improve yourself. However, I think time is best spent on a couple of high-level certifications that show focus, rather than a smattering of different certifications which usually indicate someone whose knowledge isn't that deep in any one subject area.

I agree with perception but sometimes it's more than meets the eye - and I'm not talking Transformers! Sometimes people don't have the cash/employer benefit to go after more expensive certs so they have to go with what could be the best ROI. For me, I have experience so I wanted to validate them by getting certifications. I'm moving towards infosec and vendor networking certs now but it was good for me to get a strong foundation.

N2IT

Obviously you can leave off the certifications that aren't relevant and of course (IMO) should always leave off the certifications if you no longer possess the knowledge to speak to the material. That piece of house cleaning alone should wack out a bunch of certifications.

Moving forward focus on one big hitter and not a bunch of little fish. Like another poster mentioned study the material and increase you knowledge/skills but drop the paper addiction.

Hondabuff

More certs say "I'm better than you" in the IT world.

PJ_Sneakers

I think you should just list them all after your name in your email signature line. I hear that's what the real pros do.

N2IT

PJ_Sneakers wrote: »

I think you should just list them all after your name in your email signature line. I hear that's what the real pros do.

If you don't do this you are cheating yourself. I would even put them up in your cube at work.

NetworkNewb

PJ_Sneakers wrote: »

I think you should just list them all after your name in your email signature line. I hear that's what the real pros do.

I usually just send a mass email out to everyone at work everytime I get a new one. Just want to make sure they have that "I'm smarter than they are" idea engraved in their heads. I'm pretty certain I'm getting my point across...

nster

I work at an insurance broker company... They do a mass e-mail every time someone get's a title and the put it after their name in their e-mail signatures... For the harder ones they also hang it on their wall in their office

GForce75

Push for all you can. The more you take, the more you continue to learn. I love technology and to be honest, I learned that by studying for a cert... it provides focus. If you have extra certs, just list the extras in their own block (for resumes, not signatures lol) as additional or as a secondary. In this economy, it's always best to stand out from the rest. I'm 30 and I still go to college for no reason and still test. Funds of course matter, but it's better to be proactive than reactive or worse, having nothing. I get questioned why I am studying for CASP when I passed the CISSP exam. Just to learn and stack what I have learned. Best of luck!

MrAgent

I've got a bunch of certs, but I also have 20 years of IT experience. So for me it compliments my experience.

wolfinsheepsclothing

PJ_Sneakers wrote: »

I think you should just list them all after your name in your email signature line. I hear that's what the real pros do.

I just get them tattooed. Bummer when they expire though.

Hondabuff

N2IT wrote: »

If you don't do this you are cheating yourself. I would even put them up in your cube at work.

I started getting my certs silkscreened onto banners and I hang them from the ceiling above my cube. Mad swag when you walk in our NOC!

MrAgent

wolfinsheepsclothing wrote: »

I just get them tattooed. Bummer when they expire though.

Be a real man, get them branded!

PJ_Sneakers

My license plate is "MCSE74". MCSE 0-73 was already taken.

yeah yeah

My license plate says CERTGOD. Seriously, you know when it gets too much when you're paying a fortune on AMF's.

EC-Council is starting AMF's this year. ISC2 (CISSP - $85/yr, ISSEP - $35/yr), ISACA (CISM - $85/yr), and CompTIA ($25-$49/yr) AMF's are expensive.

dave0212

yeah yeah wrote: »

My license plate says CERTGOD. Seriously, you know when it gets too much when you're paying a fortune on AMF's.

EC-Council is starting AMF's this year. ISC2 (CISSP - $85/yr, ISSEP - $35/yr), ISACA (CISM - $85/yr), and CompTIA ($25-$49/yr) AMF's are expensive.

Really when are they planning that??

I'll have to add that to mine (CISSP, SSCP, CISA - making work pay this as they wanted me to do it )

yeah yeah

When I logged into Delta and whatever that new portal is called, there was a notice stating that AMF's will begin in 2015. When I emailed them, they couldn't confirm when in 2015 that would begin. Sucks. I can't log into that new portal from where I'm at, so I can't remember how much the AMF is going to cost.

jibbajabba

The question should be, when does having multiple certs and putting them on a cv / resume become too much. I got around 30 or 40 or so Microsoft Exams going back to NT4 times and my cv / resume got ... 4 ...