Opinions on which certifications I should remove

N2IT

I was wondering if you all remove certifications from your resume because, (A). You don't really remember the technology, process, framework anymore. (B). Don't see value you in the certification, or listing it for this particular job?

Example: CompTIA's listed for a Project Management position or A+ for a Network Architect.

I am in a dilemma right now. I have 5 CompTIA's and the others listed in my signature. Opinions on which certifications I should be listing if I am going for Project Management positions and/or Business Analyst positions

Listed below are my education and certifications. ***Curious which ones I should leave off of my resume when going for the positions mentioned above.

Inprogress Master MBA
Complete Bachelors of Science Mgmt

Below are my certifications.
CompTIA A+|N+|S+|Server|Project
ISO/IEC 20000 and 27002 F
MOF V4 (Microsofts ITIL)
ITIL V3 F and Service Transition and Operational Support and Analyst
CAPM
MCTS Managing Projects in Project 2010 Pro
Microsoft Office Specialist Master (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook)

Which ones of those would you recommend removing from my resume? I don't want to look amature or throw a conglomorate of crap on my resume.

Sorry for the selfish post, but I am really interested in seeing the responses. I am struggling with this idea, I really need a 3rd party look at this.

Thanks in advance, huge appreciation!

dave330i

The only CompTIA cert worth keeping on your resume is Sec+. Others aren't really needed for the type of employment you're looking for or are covered by better certs.

sponnyroad

I would say it depends on the job you are applying for. For the jobs I see, A+ is on almost every single one or they say its bonus having it.

rwmidl

I'd drop all the CompTIA's except for Security+ and Project+. Everything else stays.

Edit: Maybe drop the Office Specialist certs unless the position calls for it. Though I doubt any PM type role will call for it.

N2IT

Sponny is that mainly for tech jobs or hybrid roles as well? I wouldn't think A+ would be required for many BA or PM positions.

N2IT

RW

That's funny you mentioned that. I was thinking the MOS was rather amature looking but wasn't sure what others thing. I don't want to influences anyones opinions.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts

rwmidl

I think the biggest thing you can do (not right away but def. in the short term, however you define that) is get your MBA and PMP. Adding those will probably be the biggest benefit you can get, IMO.

N2IT

Working on some specialized PMI certifications (Schedule and Planning) and (Risk Management Professional). I am also working on the MBA at the moment. Slowly but surely.

rwmidl

I think for a PM role, an employer isn't going to be looking for that. It is a bonus for you that you know it, but it won't be a requirement.

dave330i

rwmidl wrote: »

I'd drop all the CompTIA's except for Security+ and Project+. Everything else stays.

Edit: Maybe drop the Office Specialist certs unless the position calls for it. Though I doubt any PM type role will call for it.

I would rate CAPM higher than Project+. Agree on Office Specialist certs.

sponnyroad

N2IT wrote: »

Sponny is that mainly for tech jobs or hybrid roles as well? I wouldn't think A+ would be required for many BA or PM positions.

Mainly tech jobs yea, some IT specialist jobs or entry level network ones. Mainly the entry level jobs want it I guess.

rwmidl

One thing you may want to consider (down the road) is looking in to some of SANS management certifications. Especially if you get in to a PM role that deals with Information Security.

rwmidl

Agree with Dave. The more you gain, you can start removing some (ex: get PMP or one of the PMI specializations you can probably drop the Proj+). It all depends on the position requirement.

N2IT

Hows this for certifications

CAPM
MCTS Managing Projects
Security + (Maybe Project +)
ITIL V3, ST, and OSA
ISO/IEC 20000 Service Management
ISO/IEC 27002 Information Security Management Systems

**** MOF V4, MOS, CompTIA besides Security + (Project +)

dave330i

N2IT wrote: »

Hows this for certifications

CAPM
MCTS Managing Projects
Security + (Maybe Project +)
ITIL V3, ST, and OSA
ISO/IEC 20000 Service Management
ISO/IEC 27002 Information Security Management Systems

**** MOF V4, MOS, CompTIA besides Security + (Project +)

Didn't notice ISO/IEC 27002 Information Security Management Systems. You could drop all your comptia certs. Move the MCTS to the bottom of your list. If you have the room, keep the sec+ & project+ to help with keyword search/screening, but list them at the bottom.

the_hutch

N2IT wrote: »

I am also working on the MBA at the moment. Slowly but surely.

I thought about doing an MBA, but I'm just not that self-loathing.

Have you thought about just reducing the emphasis on certain certs? Instead of making a big deal about them, just make a single bullet for the less significant certs under Miscellaneous Accomplishments or something similar?

paul78

I actually would recommend leaving all the certs on the resume. My view of a resume is that it provides a prospective employer with a synopsis of your past experience and accomplishments. These certifications show related IT accomplishments and a pattern of successful career progression. Even though it may be unrelated, it can demonstrate to the prospective eemployer that you have a drive for continous improvement. Just my 2 cents.

N2IT

I appreciate all the thoughts and ideas. I'm just trying to maximize my chances. Sometimes I can over think things and this maybe one of those instances.

My main concern is looking to much like a rookie with amature certs. That might just be me though.

NinjaBoy

I used to drop certain certifications, keep my CV to 2 pages, etc...

However now a days I tend to base my CV on alot of application forms; which can be 3-4 pages and ask for all training, all certifications, all education, experience, etc...

There seems to be a shift, at least over here, where because of the recent recession employers can be more picky, they seem to want to see certain things (along with technical knowledge, business acumen and soft skills), want to see that the candidate particates in continuing professional develop (CPD).

It may be different over there in the US though, or it could be the jobs that I'm applying for: other IT manager posts/IT Director posts

the_Grinch

I'd argue that you should keep the MOS on your resume. What job doesn't require knowledge of the Office Suite? Seeing someone has a certification tells me that they have good knowledge of the project and that they should be able to craft very nice spreadsheets/word documents/powerpoints etc. That's my two cents anyway...

N2IT

Thanks for all the great feedback.

TLeTourneau

I'm a fan of listing all of my certifications and letting the potential employer decide what applies for the position. I generally don't worry about the perception the employer may have of certain certifications as, in my opinion, any certification I have achieved indicates a validation of knowledge in the particular subject showing that I have a wide range of skills to bring to a position. With that skillset I am able to communicate intelligently with a diverse array of teams in their language which makes things more efficient.

amcnow

Keeping all of your certs on your resume is the best bet. If you're dead set on dropping some, I recommend the following:

CompTIA: You can drop all of these because your other certs cover them. A+, Net+, and Security+ are still useful if you're looking at government positions.

MOFv4: I actually studied for this cert. However, I never pursued the exam. Like ITIL, this cert is useful when pursuing organizations that implement it. Unlike ITIL, most organizations (from what I've seen) don't seem to do so. It won't hurt too much to drop MOF.

ChooseLife

Without reading anyone else's responses, as to not get influenced, here's what I'd leave on the resume (and in this order):

N2IT wrote: »

Education:
Bachelors of Science Mgmt
(in progress) MBA

Certifications:
ISO/IEC 20000 and 27002 F
ITIL V3 F and Service Transition and Operational Support and Analyst
CAPM
CompTIA Project
MCTS Managing Projects in Project 2010 Pro

Mstavridis

As my hiring manager stated to me the other day, leaving any credentials you have of your resume is the stupidest thing you can do. Showing that you have earned something to help your career shows that them that you are willing to go the extra mile. If a hiring manager see's all your certs as a negative, be glad as that company probably a POS and doesn't give there employees the respect they deserve.

NinjaBoy

Mstavridis wrote: »

As my hiring manager stated to me the other day, leaving any credentials you have of your resume is the stupidest thing you can do...

As an IT manager myself who sits on interview panels, goes through CV's and has a majority say on IT hires - I disagree with that hiring manager. But, tbh, it just shows that different organisations/people have different views on what information they want.

Mstavridis

Whats wrong with showing your achievements?

dave330i

Mstavridis wrote: »

Whats wrong with showing your achievements?

Clutter and redundancy.

Mstavridis

Maybe I am just being ignorant and stubborn but I feel like you guys are saying too much education is bad.

N2IT

The positions I am applying for extends much farther than certifications. I don't want them taking away from my real world experience which I feel captures my career and gives me a greater chance of landing a job than my certs.

Usually if a job states they look favorably on PMI certifications for example I make sure to capture the CAPM or if they mention Project 2010 experience I will throw my MCT on the application. I just don't want to throw at them a bunch of nonsense that will take away from the true value they are seeking.

Iristheangel

I would say take out the A+ and Server+ unless a job advertises for it. Those are very hardware specific and IMO entry-level concepts. I don't see a lot of mid- or high-level positions requiring a A+.

You want to direct your resume towards the ideal audience and position that you want to go for. If you want to be in network security, get rid of any hardware certifications and put the security ones on top. If you want to go for a networking position, keep the N+, S+, Server+ and any network-related ones on top and take off most of the rest.