Do you list lower level certs on resume?

smg1138

I recently finished my MCSE which I'm really psyched about. Now I'm kind of wondering how I should update my resume. Obviously, I have an MCP and I also got my MCSA on the way to finishing my MCSE. So, should I still list MCP and MCSA or just leave them off completely? It seems kind of redundant to still list them, but at the same time it might be good to leave them for keyword filters. Ideas?

Chris:/*

I would leave it on just for the words searches that are done online and in HR departments. Many times they have no idea what the letters mean just that they want an applicant to have them.

That is my take, and from what I have seen though.
Cheers

Essendon

Chris:/* wrote: »

I would leave it on just for the words searches that are done online and in HR departments. Many times they have no idea what the letters mean just that they want an applicant to have them.

That is my take, and from what I have seen though.
Cheers

+1. HR pricks cant tell the freaking difference between a CCNA and a CCIE either.

Mojo_666

I do not list certs that have been superseeded by other certs. So I do not list MCP or MCSA, only the MCSE etc

kahn

Essendon wrote: »

+1. HR pricks cant tell the freaking difference between a CCNA and a CCIE either.

lol mate:D...very true.

gorebrush

I list them in descending order.

CCNP, CCNA
MCSE, MCSA, MCTS

I would leave out the lower ones, but as suggested - sometimes you are dealing with HR people who may not know wtf a CCNA is, let alone MCSE, MCTS, OMGWTFBBQ, etc.

j4s

These days I list them all, this follows a conversation with an recruitment consultant for an agency who did not put me forward for a job as I did not have a CCNA, I explained to them that I did in fact have a CCNP, but he did not know that to have a CCNP you would already have a CCNA, so now I list them.

erpadmin

j4s wrote: »

These days I list them all, this follows a conversation with an recruitment consultant for an agency who did not put me forward for a job as I did not have a CCNA, I explained to them that I did in fact have a CCNP, but he did not know that to have a CCNP you would already have a CCNA, so now I list them.

For this reason I agree with this. I list my and A+, Net+ but I assure you, I am not "unzipping my fly" for them. (Security+ has yet to be included on my resume as I just got it...I really have to redo it). I list them just to show that I did care about working toward certification and then would work on the "big boy" certs in my chosen career path. The experience I have definitely will supercede any room temperature issues (i.e. whether it's hot or cold in the room....lmao). [If you guys read that display logo thread, you'll know what I'm talking about....]

The only time I would include something like an MCP, MCTS, or whatever is if the job I'm applying for SPECIFICALLY makes mention of them. But if it's asking for a MCITP:EA/SA or MCSE/MCSA then I would include just that, as the MCP/MCTS is redundant.

veritas_libertas

I list them all when I post them on Careerbuilder.com, Monster.com, etc. If I am going to send a resume for a specific job then I will tailor it accordingly.

DevilWAH

veritas_libertas wrote: »

I list them all when I post them on Careerbuilder.com, Monster.com, etc. If I am going to send a resume for a specific job then I will tailor it accordingly.

I think this is the best and correct idea.

IF a job spec is asking for a Voice engineer, even though you may be a CCIE in router and switching, you may also want to list your CCNP VOce certification.

Personal I would only leave top level and one level below on mine though.

If you have a CCIE you are unlickly to be looking for jobs at the CCNA level. So no need to include that.

Claymoore

veritas_libertas wrote: »

I list them all when I post them on Careerbuilder.com, Monster.com, etc. If I am going to send a resume for a specific job then I will tailor it accordingly.

I agree, keep them on the public resume so you can match the keyword searches but tailor the submitted resumes.

In our proposals, we usually include sample resumes of consultants who may be assigned to the project. I have a couple of different resumes that highlight specific skills and only list the relevant certifications. The client reviewing our large-scale Windows 7 deployment project doesn't care that I have Exchange experience and several messaging certs, just as the Exchange client doesn't care about my Win7 work. If you are trying to market yourself as a specialist in an area, having too many certs listed can take away from that message. If you are applying for a JOAT position, then list everything.

earweed

I don't have a lot of certs yet and still at the bottom of the food chain so I list the pertinent CompTIA certs still (A+, Net+, Sec+) and list MCTS. I don't list my CIW certs anywhere as they wouldn't hit any search buttons anywhere anyway. If a specific position asks for Javascript though I would list my CIW JavaScript specialist on that resume.

Devilsbane

Mojo_666 wrote: »

I do not list certs that have been superseeded by other certs. So I do not list MCP or MCSA, only the MCSE etc

Same. But I still list my A+. At some point I will remove it (when space becomes an issue) and then it can be just something to reference at an interview. Or maybe I will put a spot saying 42 unlisted certifications, and then they can ask about them.

Devilsbane

Essendon wrote: »

+1. HR pricks cant tell the freaking difference between a CCNA and a CCIE either.

True, but would someone with a CCIE really want to work in a job where they are only looking for a CCNA? Talk about a massive paycut.

ColbyG

Some of this logic seems flawed. Yes, if I have a CCIE, I'm probably overqualified for a position listing a CCNA requirement. But what if the job is looking for a CCNP? Then I'm not so overqualified and might be a good fit. I list my lower level certs because a recruiter is usually clueless.

Consider a scenario where a client has told a recruiter they require someone with a CCNA, but make no mention of the CCNP. Does that mean the job is too low-level for me? Not necessarily. What if they said CCNA required, CCNP is a plus? The recruiter could be that clueless and pass me up because my CCNA isn't listed, or maybe the keyword search excludes me without a human even laying eyes on my resume.

I don't think it hurts to list low level certs, but it could hurt if they aren't listed. So I list them.

Devilsbane

ColbyG wrote: »

I don't think it hurts to list low level certs, but it could hurt if they aren't listed. So I list them.

Where do you draw the line?

Look at Mike, he has like every Cisco certification there is. (Not picking on you, just know you have a lot off the top of my head.) What goes on the resume?

ColbyG

Straight from the resume:

CCIE Written (Currently preparing for lab exam)
CCNP – Cisco Certified Networking Professional
CCIP – Cisco Certified Internetworking Professional
CCNA: Voice – Cisco Certified Network Associate: Voice
CCNA – Cisco Certified Network Associate
JNCIA-ER - Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate: Enterprise Routing
ITILv3 Foundation

Yes, I have the CCIE Written on there mentioning that I'm prepping for the lab. I'd rather not get into the debate of whether or not to list unfinished certs on a resume, if that's cool with everyone.:)

earweed

CCIE written is a major plus so that should be on there. ESPECIALLY if applying to a Cisco partner as they would have a vested interest in getting you and having you complete it.

ColbyG

Oh, I didn't answer the "where do you draw the line" question. I guess I draw it pretty low, lol. The only cert I have but don't list is the CCENT.

From personal experience on the matter, the current job I have only listed the CCNA. They were very happy and willing to interview me (and pay me fairly) even though I had a higher cert than what they were looking for.

RobertKaucher

Devilsbane wrote: »

True, but would someone with a CCIE really want to work in a job where they are only looking for a CCNA? Talk about a massive paycut.

No, but a person who does not understand certification might think this noob doesn't even have their CCNA! And then pitch the resume. There might also be some sort of ranking program that is scoring resumes based on keywords adn it would see the person with CCNA, CCNP, CCIE and rank it higher than a person whose resume only listed CCIE.

Paul Boz

I have CCNP and CCDP but still list CCNA and CCDA because it gives my resume more search targets.

erpadmin

ColbyG wrote: »

Oh, I didn't answer the "where do you draw the line" question. I guess I draw it pretty low, lol. The only cert I have but don't list is the CCENT.

From personal experience on the matter, the current job I have only listed the CCNA. They were very happy and willing to interview me (and pay me fairly) even though I had a higher cert than what they were looking for.

Like it matters to you, but I think accomplishing anything Cisco is an accomplishment in itself. Alot of folks don't even have a CCIE written, so for those folks to talk crap about including that in a resume should have an effect on you that's akin to water landing on a duck's back....or some other action that would be negligible to you.

Even though I'm a MS guy, I definitely respect a Cisco cert more than MS and would like to see MS at that level....but it's not quite there yet (IMHO). But it will be... But when I do earn my MS certs, it will be the same way I would have earned a Cisco cert....labbin'.

Cisco--certs you can "unzip your fly" for and not have to worry about room temperature! LMAO!! (that line still has me dying of laughter, for real too...)

snokerpoker

I think if you took the time to study and pass a certification, it should be listed on your resume.