Putting A+ on a Resume

Alright so possibly I am putting the cart before the horse here but I need a job, I'm impatient, and want to know what y'all think about this.

I am making a career change so my resume has nothing on it as far as technical experience. I have changed the skills involved with my previous job to be on the technical side of things, but I was a mortgage broker, so most of my "technical" experience involved checking my email and making sure my cell phone rang when my desk phone rang.

There is a help desk position open at an insurance company not far from where I live and it looks like it would be a nice fit for me. I want to put A+ on my resume but I haven't passed my 802 yet. I have it scheduled for July 20th, but I still want to apply for the job.

Should I put A+ on my resume and put to be completed and a date? Should I not put it at all and just write about it in my cover letter? OR should I just wait until I take the test, hope I pass it and then apply for the job hoping it's still available?

Any help is appreciated.

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ramonrdz1986

place a expected date of receive.

nascar_paul

ramonrdz1986 wrote: »

place a expected date of receive.

Done in one!

SeaRip

Thanks ramonrdz. I ended up putting if just like you said and I got call back. They said they are looking for someone with more experience but have a help desk assistant position opening up soon and are recommending me for that.

xD Lucas

SeaRip wrote: »

Thanks ramonrdz. I ended up putting if just like you said and I got call back. They said they are looking for someone with more experience but have a help desk assistant position opening up soon and are recommending me for that.

I've never even heard of a Help Desk Assistant. Is that like a secretary?

srabiee

I agree, if it's a two-part exam and you've already passed the first half, I don't see a problem with listing the cert on your resume and including the expected date of completion.

Techie19

I agree. I have on my resume CompTIA Network +; expected completion xx/xxxx. Even though you are not technically A+ certified, as you have to pass both exams to get the cert, you still passed the 801. The exams qualify as hands on experience so you can actually list it under experience. I've seen some people do it. Employers like to see someone who is trying to better themselves and are always learning. Good luck.

dark3d

You shouldn't list list A+ with an 'expected date'. I would list completion of A+ Exam 801 and then let them ask you about it during the interview. When they ask you about your certification, tell them you have the second half scheduled August 1st (or whenever). It sounds like you're trying to get keywords listed on your resume and the first recruiter to lay eyes on it will call you out. You don't want to have that awkward, explanatory conversation during an interview. Simply having already passed the 801 is a positive step showing drive and motivation for IT work.

Don't get discouraged.. It should be motivation to finish up the cert.. If you are currently unemployed, you should have your nose in the book 24/7. You can sleep after your first day of work. Set the exam date today so you are forced to study.

As always, these are just suggestions.

SeaRip

xD Lucas wrote: »

I've never even heard of a Help Desk Assistant. Is that like a secretary?

According to the HR dept, it's just an entry level help desk position where they don't allow to be on your own until they feel you are acquainted with all the systems they use. To be honest without having any experience, this is exactly what I need. Also, assistant wasn't the best description of the position it's an associate PC tech. position is how they formally described it.

SeaRip

dark3d wrote: »

You shouldn't list list A+ with an 'expected date'. I would list completion of A+ Exam 801 and then let them ask you about it during the interview. When they ask you about your certification, tell them you have the second half scheduled August 1st (or whenever). It sounds like you're trying to get keywords listed on your resume and the first recruiter to lay eyes on it will call you out. You don't want to have that awkward, explanatory conversation during an interview. Simply having already passed the 801 is a positive step showing drive and motivation for IT work.

Don't get discouraged.. It should be motivation to finish up the cert.. If you are currently unemployed, you should have your nose in the book 24/7. You can sleep after your first day of work. Set the exam date today so you are forced to study.

As always, these are just suggestions.

Thanks for the advice. When they called me I did end up having that awkward conversation about explaining what I was doing, what the test was, that there were 2 parts ect... So I think I am going to change to how you said with having the 801 portion completed. I ended up moving my 802 test date up to this Friday so hopefully it won't be an issue for too much more. I can't afford to wait any longer.

Thanks again!

stryder144

Good luck, SeaRip.

@dark3d, very good suggestions.