A+ required for help desk? <Net+ and Security+ not enough?>

I started a thread in Jan on becoming A+ certified after being Network+ and Security+ certified. I was unable to edit, or add-to that thread. So I started a new one.

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When starting on my certifications I skipped A+ and opted for other higher certs. I recently passed Security+, and a few weeks before that Network+. It looks as though I may have to get my A+ certification to get a job. I intended on going back to work and working on the Linux certification path. As stated in a previous thread my experiences consist of a year as a communications tech with an internet service provider, a year as a PC tech (mostly software and home networking) work for my own small company I had a few years ago, and as an RF Network Operations Technician for Ericsson supporting Sprint's nationwide network.

I've applied left and right to help desk positions...and can't get anyone to call me back. My wife and I are moving apartments soon, and we have another little one on the way. I honestly don't have time to screw around anymore, and need to get back to work. I wasn't looking for anything grand, just a run of the mill 15 dollar an hour help desk/desktop support gig to have "real" enterprise IT experience on my resume while I'm getting my Linux certs done with the overall goal of becoming a Linux Sys Admin.

I don't feel like A+ is beneath me....but I'm also not happy about shelling out damn near $400.00 for the test either after already completing Network+ and Security+. I'm HDI Desktop Support Technician certified, I thought that might have counted for something when applying to end-user support jobs.

If I could get some honest opinions, what do you think? Best way to land the first "real" enterprise IT job, is A+ the ticket? Or should I just continue on with advanced certs? Orlando is a decent tech town..quite a bit of help-desk/technical support/desktop support roles floating around on indeed, CareerBuilder, and Monster...just no interviews yet...

Thanks!

Travis

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NetworkNewb

I'd recommend posting your resume on here for people to review(editing out all the personal info of course). If you aren't getting any response at all, the resume might be the problem.

orlandofl

So, just to update the thread. I've decided to bite the bullet and do the A+. I have a few job interviews coming up in the next week with one particular tier II opportunity that i'm very interested in (it stated A+ and Net+ preferred). I'm starting to study for the 801 exam...in 10 mins or so

I bought the test voucher and plan to sit 801 Wednesday the 29th, and the 802 exam May 6th..the day before my interview for the the gig I really want.

So this is the 12 day A+ challenge...let's see how this goes

Messer videos bound

-Travis

Edit: had a question. beyond the examcompass.com, ProProfs: Knowledge Management Software for Tests, Training, Flashcards, Knowledge Base, and the CompTIA A+ Tests, websites for free practice questions, does anybody recommend any other free practice test resources?

DoubleNNs

I had the same experience - Did Net+ 1st then Sec+, but couldn't land my 1st IT job until I completed the A+.

Good luck on the exam!

When I took my A+ i simply used the questions in the book I was using (Exam Cram) and looked thru Professer Messer's daily quiz questions.
A tip - you can watch the Professer Messer Videos in VLC player at an accelerated playback speed if wanted. That's what I did.

Kandinsky

I was thinking of doing what you did but actually taking the Security+ first and then maybe the network+ and then the a+ or possibly skip the A+ altogether but I didn't. What convinced me was that these comptia certs expire now after 3 years, but you can renew them for another 3 years if you take a higher level comptia cert.

So I took the 801 in december of last year and passed that and then the 802 in january of this year, then the network+ in march which renewed my A+ to march instead of january. I'm working on the security+ now and when I pass that (hopefully next month) it will reset the expiration date on all 3 to may 2018 so it buys more time.

There are a lot of help desk jobs out there, indeed is pretty good, dice is pretty good and careerbuilder is pretty good too. From my experience so far, A+ seems more valuable than Network+. You mention you're A+ certified to people and they sort of light up with recognition. You mention Network+ and they're sorta like "that's nice, call me when you get your CCNA". I also have four MTAs but I never even mention those because I don't think anyone even knows what they are yet.

Don't understimate the A+ either btw. Especially the 802 exam. It encompasses a lot more than just motherboards and sound cards and stuff. There were some tricky questions on there. I'm interested to see what the response is when I get Security+. If it will be as lackluster as the reaction to network+ or will it impress people and possibly open some doors.

orlandofl

Don't understimate the A+ either btw. Especially the 802 exam. It encompasses a lot more than just motherboards and sound cards and stuff. There were some tricky questions on there. I'm interested to see what the response is when I get Security+. If it will be as lackluster as the reaction to network+ or will it impress people and possibly open some doors

I keep hearing this. I may buy the 802 'bundle' with Certmaster and the free retake. I'd hate to waste a couple hundred dollars because I underestimated the exam.

-Travis

orlandofl

I'm interested to see what the response is when I get Security+. If it will be as lackluster as the reaction to network+ or will it impress people and possibly open some doors.

To be honest I've had a few job interviews this week...and nobody really gave a crap about Security+ or Network+.

I guess i'm hoping having the CompTIA "Trinity" with LPIC-1 in progress might make me seem better rounded. I'm just trying to get my foot in the door to get a couple years worth of experience. Eventually i'd like to make my way over to DOD land. I never expected it to be easy, but I also didn't expect it to take this long to find an IT job transitioning from telecommunications. Hopefully A+ will fill the void on my resume (and get me hired on May 7th!)

-Travis

Skynet9

To what extent this is true? I have a CCNA and you are making me bit nervous.

Comptia certs are way too expensive and carry less value then Cisco certs.

I would be able to knock out all three A+, Net+ and Sec+ within 2 months, but price tag is holding me.

orlandofl

I would be able to knock out all three A+, Net+ and Sec+ within 2 months, but price tag is holding me.

wish you the best of luck

-Travis

Kandinsky

orlandofl wrote: »

To be honest I've had a few job interviews this week...and nobody really gave a crap about Security+ or Network+.

That's what I was afraid of. I have seen SOME jobs that have listed network+ and security+. I also know Security+ is required for some government jobs where you have to have some kind of secret clearance. It fulfills some requirement towards that. I think the knowledge is useful. I'm actively studying for security+ now and it's really interesting learning about the attack surface and various attack methods. So in short, I don't think they're a total waste, but I don't think they're going to "wow" anyone. I think after Security+ I'm going to try to specialize a little and get a higher level cert like an MCSA or a CCNA. I think that's the ticket.

orlandofl

I think after Security+ I'm going to try to specialize a little and get a higher level cert like an MCSA or a CCNA. I think that's the ticket

Completely agree. I recently changed my plan of certifications for 2015, just for that reason. I was going to go from Security+ straight into Linux certifications (LPIC-1 and Red Hat). As stated I’m expediently doing A+ now (hope to be done with both exams on May 6th) and then will be diving into the CCENT/CCNA exams. after Cisco I’ll get back on track with Linux (decided to just do LPIC-1 for now) and security certs (SSCP, CASP) and will more than likely do a Microsoft cert in the near future.

It would be next to impossible to get a Linux admin job with little to no 'real' IT experience after working primarily in telecommunications even with certs. Trying to put together a realistic cert pathway that can help land a job now (and not when I become more experienced) and having to swallow my pride and realize I will have to start in end user support was the hardest part of transitioning from telecom to traditional IT. Having three years of telecom/network experience that doesn’t directly apply to the computing industry has been frustrating to say the least.