What's more attractive to an employer?

Alright, now that I am FINALLY an MCSE, I need you guys to throw some suggestions my way. I have changed my mind multiple times, but that time is here where I have to make a decision, and this i where I officially stand at the moment:

A+ IT Technician, Network+, and MCSE (270,290,291,293,294,298,299)

Because I took the 299 as my elective for my MCSE, I now need only one more security elective to complete my MCSE:Security specialization. I am torn between:

Option #1 - taking the Security+ now (exam cost of $250 and the price of a book) and essentially adding 2 new things to add to my resume at the same time (Comptia's Cert and MCSE:S)

or

Option #2 - take the 70-284 MS Exchange exam (Academic discount so exam is only $60, plus free second shot, I have already purchased study materials for it, and would leave me only one exam short of having the MCSE:Messaging Specialization).

I know that Exchange or SQL skills are frequently listed in job ads, but security is a popular "buzzword" these days and I cant decide which might get more attention when applying for a new job. I am counting on you guys for your usual sound advice. Don't be shy people!

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Comments

dynamik

Any reason besides the discount that you're looking at 2003 instead of 2007?

I think you know the answer already, and it's "both"

The real question is which one do you want to do first...

jnwdmb

I am actively job seeking, and I do plan on doing both eventually, but in this difficult economy I would like to complete them in an order that would be more desirable/attractive to potential employers. I obviously see ad's listed that include Exchange knowledge preferred, but it is not like you ever see a job with Security+ listed, but the term "Security Specialist" I would imagine is quite an eye catcher and not something you see on many applicants.....I was just wondering what you guys think might be more attractive.....if you had to choose, which would you rather have on your resume?

famosbrown

I agree with Dynamik...do both. Security+ has the added advantage of an extra certification and also a certification requirement for government I.T. Specialists working for the DOD.

darkerosxx

I'm pretty sure neither of those certs would allow you to put "Security Specialist" on your resume.

I, personally, would get CompTIA certs second. Lots of people don't have respect for the vendor, so my immediate plan if I had a CompTIA and another cert to get would be to get the other cert first and follow with CompTIA second.

jnwdmb

darkerosxx wrote: »

I'm pretty sure neither of those certs would allow you to put "Security Specialist" on your resume.

If I Take Security+ in addition to the 70-298 and the 70-299 exams which I have already taken, I will have the MCSE:S. I take it that you are not aware of these specializations by the looks of your comment. I never said that I would consider myself a "security specialist", but that is MS's terminology, not mine, and the goal is to stand out from other applicants. This is straight from Microsoft.com/learning:

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcse/default.mspx

MCSE on Windows Server 2003

Specializations
• MCSE: Messaging on Windows Server 2003
• MCSE: Security on Windows Server 2003

Daniel333

Why not get your MCTS: ISA server 2006 rather than Comptia? Skills are more applicable.

Psoasman

I would hit the Security+ since you have already done the 298 and 299, security+ should be easy to finish up. IMO, if MS says you are a security specialist, then feel free to put it on your resume.

darkerosxx

jnwdmb wrote: »

If I Take Security+ in addition to the 70-298 and the 70-299 exams which I have already taken, I will have the MCSE:S. I take it that you are not aware of these specializations by the looks of your comment. I never said that I would consider myself a "security specialist", but that is MS's terminology, not mine, and the goal is to stand out from other applicants. This is straight from Microsoft.com/learning:

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcse/default.mspx

MCSE on Windows Server 2003

Specializations
• MCSE: Messaging on Windows Server 2003
• MCSE: Security on Windows Server 2003

I gotcha..."Security Specialist" actually sounds good, I was just noting that you'd want to add to it and say "Security Specialist on Windows Server 2003". That would be refreshing to see on a resume, in my opinion.

Good luck to ya.

j938

IMO I would go with the 284 seeing as your are actively seeking an job opportunity and your right Exchange does come up in alot of job ads. So I would get the 284 as it "may" help while searching for jobs and then eventually down the road get the Security +

What are you currently working as now if working?

contentpros

darkerosxx wrote: »

I gotcha..."Security Specialist" actually sounds good, I was just noting that you'd want to add to it and say "Security Specialist on Windows Server 2003". That would be refreshing to see on a resume, in my opinion.

Good luck to ya.

I have to agree with Darkerosxx on this about giving the specialist title some context. Using specialist is like using the word "expert". It may get you past the HR department but chances are at the interview you'd probably get hammered on some obscure questions on Merkle-Hellman or such.

BigTex71

From my experience, I would actually say get the Exchange certs (Messaging.)
Security is great to have, but in the last two jobs I have had (Network Admin), the messaging cert is more important than the security- unless you don't know security at all.

jnwdmb

Thank you all for the advice. I am leaning towards the 70-284 exam at the moment, but will sleep on it one more night before cracking the books tomorrow. I appreciate the input and suggestions.

Meast

As I reviewed all the post, everyone is right in their own sense. I'm a IT Manager for General Dynamics that specializes in government contracts for the military. If you want to go Government, Security+ and Cisco will get you interviewed immediately but then you have to get a TS Clearance which weeds alot of applicants out. If you're looking at standard companies, MS Exchange or SQL is very valuable, if I were in your position, I would definitely go the exchange route FIRST and then eventually go into security. It all depends on what you have a passion for, but by all means get as much as you can, the skies the limit.