When To Stop Listing Low Level Certs

CIO

Wonder if anyone remove some of their lower level certs from their resume. Or perhaps list only certifications pertaining to a particular role.

Ex. Omitting A+,N+ S+ for a Cisco network admin role and only mentioning something like the CCNA

Ex. Omitting MTA & MCITP certs when they have the MCSA or the MCSE

Pmorgan2

Since companies are looking for well rounded individuals, I would like to keep everything on my resume. They may be looking for a network technician, but they might still want you to get into Windows Server and configured DHCP and DNS. That server might be hosted by vSphere. However, you should draw a line somewhere, especially if you have a ton of certifications.

I may even keep superseded certifications, such as MCITP 2008 with an MCSE Server 2012. Never know what keywords HR put into their filters. But I'd also keep it under 10 certifications (not a problem for a noobie like me).

OctalDump

It depends. If the higher level certification implies the lower level because of prerequisite knowledge, then yeah (eg CCENT to CCNA R+S to CCNP R+S). If the higher level certification sort of assumes that you know the easier level stuff, then probably (eg Network+ vs CCNA R+S, or MCSA Windows 7/8/2012 etc vs A+). If they are in different domains, then maybe not (eg CCNA vs Security+, or Network+ and RHCE).

But, if you are applying for a job and it says A+, and you have A+ and MCSA Windows 7, then I'd put both down because there will be someone who will assume that MCSA Windows 7 means that you don't know anything about A+. I'd probably do that even if it was a case of 'CCNA desirable' and I had CCNP. I'd put both so that there was no confusion.

I think Security+ is probably worth leaving on the resume whatever Microsoft certifications you have, and probably still worthwhile for Cisco up to CCIE Security. I say this because Security+ covers a lot of security stuff quite explicitly, whereas CCNA Security or MCSA or MCSE only cover parts of it.

markulous

I have 12 certs and I only list 6 typically. I don't bother listing the Network+ cert since I have a CCNA unless like Octal said, it specifically states that cert in the job.

Now if you only have 2 certs and it's the CCNA and N+, I don't see a reason not to list both of them. I'd only omit them if you've got more than a handful. But in my case I'm not going to put N+, P+, MTA, and a CIW cert on my resume. I don't see that helping my cause much.

mbarrett

If it is not relevant to the job I'm applying for, and/or it's an outdated skillset I'm not current in anymore.

mog27

My thinking is this... If you list all of your certs you may get HR who knows nothing or very little about certifications to go "look at all those certifications he/she has. He must be an excellent candidate." Resumes just look more impressive when listing 10 certifications compared to 4 to the uninformed.

Kreken

OctalDump wrote: »

It depends. If the higher level certification implies the lower level because of prerequisite knowledge, then yeah (eg CCENT to CCNA R+S to CCNP R+S). If the higher level certification sort of assumes that you know the easier level stuff, then probably (eg Network+ vs CCNA R+S, or MCSA Windows 7/8/2012 etc vs A+). If they are in different domains, then maybe not (eg CCNA vs Security+, or Network+ and RHCE).

I list all the certs (all Cisco) on my resume because there is no guarantee HR will know CCNA R&S is a prerequisite for CCNP R&S.

mbarrett

The other issue is if you have maintained all the certs you're listing on your resume - maintenance fees, CEU's, re-testing, etc. I won't list something I might get called out for, and get screened out & possibly blacklisted as a result.

DatabaseHead

I try to keep it current, anything not it use is removed. I like to omit a little more than most. Currently I am only listing two certifications and once I get my MCSA it will be just that one.

cyberguypr

Job hunting fact #26: HR drones are not IT people, and no one would expect them to be. If the job posting says "Security+ REQUIRED" and all you have listed is GIAC, CISSP, and/or ISACA, the HR drone (or the automated system) will push you to the reject pile. Never assume better/higher certs will be valid for a particular employer in lieu of whatever the job post specifically wants.

gespenstern

I have a few dozens of various certs that I don't even list on linkedin in full, in resume it would eat just too much space. List only a few major ones and add that I have more lesser ones.

Techytach

I would err on listing more certs than not. I have heard stories of people getting jobs because the HR/manager said something along the lines "I have no idea what these certs are but you had so many I was impressed!"

beads

Its really a personal call and where you fit into your career path, space constraints and relevancy to the position. If your early into your career you may wish to use some older/retired certs for filler if not don't hold on to the past by any means. Can you imagine still listing the MCNE or Lotus Notes Administrator 3, 4, 5, etc on a resume? How about my A+? I grandfathered that one back in 1994!

Maybe not. LOL!

- b/eads

danny069

I will always list all my valid certifications no matter how old they are because I will never devalue them.

DatabaseHead

LOL @ Beads. Yeah listing a bunch of certs is silly IMO, takes away from the experience. Like you mention to each their own.

chrisone

As I got into network engineering and security engineer jobs, I stop placing A+ and the like on my resume.

If its helpdesk or system support, list A+ and everything else.

TacoRocket

beads wrote: »

Its really a personal call and where you fit into your career path, space constraints and relevancy to the position. If your early into your career you may wish to use some older/retired certs for filler if not don't hold on to the past by any means. Can you imagine still listing the MCNE or Lotus Notes Administrator 3, 4, 5, etc on a resume? How about my A+? I grandfathered that one back in 1994!

Maybe not. LOL!

- b/eads

To give you perspective I was born in '93. So you've got some years on you...

NOC-Ninja

CIO wrote: »

Wonder if anyone remove some of their lower level certs from their resume. Or perhaps list only certifications pertaining to a particular role.

Ex. Omitting A+,N+ S+ for a Cisco network admin role and only mentioning something like the CCNA

Ex. Omitting MTA & MCITP certs when they have the MCSA or the MCSE

I place my lowest certs in my resume.
IMO I like to show where it all started.

beads

@TacoRocket;

I'm still relevant for that matter. Today has been typical. Found half a dozen pwned machines, all cleared new controls in place. Now, doing the paperwork. That is six intrusions, non related to the other and not virus related but true pwnage.

Did my first hack of a mainframe in November 1979. I was a teenager at the time. From there we went on to changing grades and phreaking every phone we could because long distance being what it was, was expensive back then and everything outside the first three digits of your phone number was likely "long distance".

So I got into IT by way of being a broke farm kid.

- b/eads

EnderWiggin

It depends. If I need to push another couple lines to make the second page of my resume look a bit more full, I'll put every cert I have down. If I only have one or two lines or the second page, I'll remove the unnecessary ones.

Also, as others have said, I never remove the typical HR filter certs. Those stay no matter what.

networker050184

My view on this has changed over time. The higher I get the less I care about some HR person or recruiter not knowing that CCNP means I have a CCNA already. Not interested in those types of jobs anyway. I can afford to be much more selective.

If you're in major job hunting mode hitting the job boards and all that I'd list them all though.

volfkhat

NOC-Ninja wrote: »

I place my lowest certs in my resume.
IMO I like to show where it all started.

Agreed.
I have a dozen certifications acquired over the past 15 years or so.

I list them all; along with the year:

Cisco CCNA (2012)
Comptia Net+ (2010)
Comptia A+ (200
etc.


It lays out the natural progression of your career.
(and also shows that you didn't **** through a bunch of certs in the past year)

/shrug

Moldygr33nb3an

Certifications are HR tokens. Like said above, chances are someone who is reviewing your resume on whether or not it should be reviewed by management in the position you're applying for, knows certification names but that's the extent of it - e.g. they don't know the prestige in each.

mbarrett

danny069 wrote: »

I will always list all my valid certifications no matter how old they are because I will never devalue them.

Yeah, the only problem is when the stuff you certified on is 10 years old (or more) and it's not relevant at that point in your career. In a world where nobody wants to read superfluous stuff on a resume, it becomes conter-productive to list older stuff. I know what you mean though - I spent quite a bit of time & effort becoming an expert on things that are not relevant anymore - it sucked, but that's life in IT.

gkca

mbarrett wrote: »

Yeah, the only problem is when the stuff you certified on is 10 years old (or more) and it's not relevant at that point in your career. In a world where nobody wants to read superfluous stuff on a resume, it becomes conter-productive to list older stuff. I know what you mean though - I spent quite a bit of time & effort becoming an expert on things that are not relevant anymore - it sucked, but that's life in IT.

Exactly the reason I don't list my Windows 2000 and 2003 certs anymore.

DatabaseHead

Sounds like it boils down to preference! Works for me!