To A+ or to not A+

teknologikal

I am really not sure if I should pursue the A+ Certification. I have over 10 years of IT experience. No certifications.
I've done helpdesk, desktop support, sr. desktop support, jr. systems administration, some VMware, and everything in between. Most of it was just on the job training\learning. I was recently laid off and looking for a new job, I see that a lot of of places are asking for things I either don't know or don't know well enough. I don't know how to do things the Microsoft way, for example, I've always done things the way I understand them and it's been fun since I am good with technology.
I am looking at the objectives on 220-901 and 220-902 and while I do know most of the stuff, there is plenty that I don't know. Not going to list everything, but for example, I've never done too much besides the basics in the BIOS. I've rarely used the Performance Monitor, I don't know squat about printer hardware (although I've managed many different printers\print devices\print servers, etc.
I don't remember every type of CPU socket and all that. I understand the general concepts, but I really never had to dive in to the specific details. I've built desktops, servers, and generally understand how things work, when it comes to hardware. And I am pretty good with the software. Anyways, I am in no rush. I will find a job regardless of my certifications. Is it worth getting this certification or am I just wasting time when I can be doing other certifications? I am not doing it for the money or the certification paper. I am not doing it for the job. I just feel like I should start from scratch and learn this stuff the right way. I feel like I have to prove to my self that I can do this and that I want to know this stuff. Or is it totally pointless and I should just go on to the next certification?

Thank you in advance, ladies and gents!

akboyboy

Since you have 10 years of experience, you'd be safe skipping it.

thomas_

I'd say with the number of years of experience you should probably skip it. The types of jobs that require it are probably not the ones you want. If you want to brush up on the basics you can always buy a certification guide or just study the exam objectives on your own and just not test.

DatabaseHead

Get the resume cleaned up and get out into the job market.

Benj94

Skip it. I have four years IT experience and I passed the A+ really easy.
I used it as a means of getting back into revision and bridging any gaps in knowledge.
It did score me some brownie points in my most recent interview, but I think the majority of employers would value your 10 years experience more than an A+.

ITSpectre

I would skip it. You have 10 years of IT experience and you don't need a cert to get a job. You are fine.

danny069

Since you don't have any certifications, why not challenge yourself and do the A+ It doesn't matter if you have 10 years or 10 months experience. There is a lot you can learn from it. After you that you can move on from there, depending on what aspect of IT you want to go in.

tmtex

I have 20 yrs exp, old certs like Novell which means nothing today. Like you OJT, done it all, desktops, network, Telco, basically everything except configuring switches. I always seemed to walk into jobs from friends/ ex co workers. Last 3 yrs I was a Service Desk manager @ 45 yrs old I thought I was set for life in the 6 figure club. Company was acquired and I was layed off.
Many places laughed, hung up on me because I didn't have at least the A+. You might know everything about a PC but the Hot 20 something HR girl who is screening you doesn't care because her qualification sheet says "2 yrs exp, windows 7, A+ preferred" she then just puts you into a different stack.
IDK, I guess it would just be a plus. I took it and didn't think it was all that easy, actually learned some stuff * I got it free

johnnyqt25

I would get the A+. It'll pass many HR filters. My last job, HR said they wouldn't have interviewed me if I didn't have it, even though I also had network+ and security+. lol

doctorlexus

I'd only get it if you want to do desktop hardware support and PC repair for a living. If those are your favorite things and you ultimately want to do primarily those things, then sure, get A+. If you have other goals, I'd skip. Unless someone else is paying for it...then get it because it's free.

revbox

About two months ago I had 15 years of experience and zero certifications. I got a job in enterprise IT a long time ago and just moved along from there. My company is splitting next year, so I started doing certs just to pad my resume. I'd say get the A+ just because it demonstrates functional knowledge and will pass the HR filter for large companies. You just need to make it known if you go through a recruiter or post your resume on a job site what you are looking for otherwise you are going to have every company looking for a bench tech try to send you an offer or be contacted by a million of those companies that want to pay you part-time hourly wages to go out and replace hard drives in storage arrays.

tpatt100

For the cost of the A+ you could get a couple of Microsoft certifications that would probably help more since you already have some experience.

Though the A+ is a good way to get past HR depending on the type of job.

Chinook

A certification can never hurt, but in the case of A+ it's a lot of time & money with almost no return. The only time I'd say it's important for someone with lots of experience is if you architect for an MSP. Being up to date on hardware can be beneficial if you're recommending purchasing options for clients.

ITSpectre

Honestly you would be better off getting Net+ or Sec+ over the A+. You can also get a MTA then get your MCSA if you want as well....

Kreken

Skip A+ and do either CCNA or MCITP.

Benj94

An overwhelming amount of people saying go for the A+. I didn't expect that kind of response.
I suppose if you have the cash knocking around, book your exam, read the Exam Cram book, do the practice tests and watch Professor Messors videos and you could have it all over and done with in two weeks or so. Just remember to make flash cards for the bits and bats you have to remember, e.g. RAM speeds, CPU sockets, port numbers.

markulous

For your experience-level, the A+ would be a waste of your time. Even if you were going for a help desk job, your experience would get you in. And if you're going for a sysadmin (or other mid-level/high-level tech position), no one is going to give a rat's behind about that cert. Use your time more wisely towards a CCNA, MCSA, etc (depending which path you're taking).

Pmorgan2

I would take the A+ exam only if your company will pay for the exam vouchers. You shouldn't need to purchase any study materials. At a total cost of $398, that's pretty hefty for something that will only help you in a few situations.

That $398 and study time could be better spent on a more meaningful and progressive certification. I would go for an MCSA in Windows 10 for $300, or a CompTIA Security+ for $311 if you are looking at government jobs. You also mentioned VMware; you could solidify your skills there and certify with a VCP6 for $530 plus whatever study materials you need.

tmtex

2nd reply) I still say get it. You sound like me. There are many simple basic things that you will learn from it. As with me, you have real world experience and it will all be easy and you will understand it compared to someone who is just getting into it. Not sure where you live but in my area I have been grilled with what is this, how does this work, what do you do if this does work and I am not talking just about PC's, all networking/Servers also.