certifications & job dilemma

I applied to a help desk position with a large medical facility with great pay and benefits. The position requires A+, Network + and MCP certificates within 90 days of employment. If i don’t get the certifications, its 2 weeks suspension, then termination.

I currently work as a Bench tech (3 yrs) with no certs. Is it realistic for me to obtain the required certs within 90days? 3 certs seems like overkill for helpdesk.. Should I risk it, leaving my current job, and accept the position (if offered) and hope I get certified?

Anyone ever been in this dilemma?

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Comments

Essendon

Those certs are easily achievable in 90 days. Does the other job have more money?

Helpdesk is where most of us started off at and it can be good experience. What do you do now as a bench tech and where do you want to go in your career?

JCGee

Might not be overkill for your spot, all depends on the scope of what the HD actually covers. Where I am, we cover quite a bit. Depending on the shift, responsibilities can extend into the level 2 area of desktop support, working with vendors, and so on.

This is actually a really good thing. I wish that my job would pay for me to get certs AND get everyone on, somewhat, the same level. Or, at least give them the opportunity to be on the same level.

Did they say which MS exam they want you to take to get the MCP title? If its a desktop exam, with your background as a bench tech, I think that and the A+ should be a breeze for you and you can focus more on the Net+.

Michael2

You should review the job description for the job at the medical facility and consider whether you would actually enjoy doing that more than bench testing. If you wouldn't, or you don't care, then stick with your current job. Of course, if you don't mind the work and you need the money and the benefits from working at the medical facility, then take that job.

Getting certified is always good no matter what, but I can't understand why this new place wants you to get your MCP in 90 days. That's going to require almost constant studying.

22cloud9

I would hate to leave my current job for the medical facility and having the possible of not having a job in 90 days because I fail to get 3 certifications. I’m going to talk to HR and see if they’ll consider work experience plus 1 out of the 3 certifications. They'll probably say no, but i'll feel better about not wasting time with a face to face second interview.

ADandridge

Personally, unless you had a plan to ensure you got those certs in 90 days, and plan for less than 90 days just in case. Then I wouldn't "risk" it. That's just my opinion. Jobs aren't given away, they are earned. In the end it's up to you. If you have time though, I would look into getting those certs and having a plan of attack before really considering leaving your current STABLE workplace.

eansdad

The A+ and Net+ can be done with in 30 days, expecially for someone who has been in IT for 3 years. The MCP I guess depends on which one. The 680 from what I hear is a bear but doable if you devote the time to it.

My question is do they expect you to pay for these exams (about $700 for the 4 at cost) or are they paying for them? Not that they aren't good certs to get but that is a lot of money to spend withing 90 days for someone on help desk pay.

sratakhin

I agree, A+ and Network+ can be done in a month if you are willing to study and have some experience. For MCP, I would recommend 70-290. I found it pretty easy, although it's the only MS exam I have passed to this date. 70-270 might be even easier, but studying for 290 will help you at the job because it covers things like user accounts, permissions and printers.

UniqueAgEnT

I passed A+ with about 2 weeks of studying and network+ with 3 weeks of studying with about a year of helpdesk work. Those are not hard to pass and I wouldn't stress out about those. I wasn't under any time pressure and was not studying intensely.

MCP might be a little more difficult. As mentioned earlier, taking a windows 7 test could be good. 270/290 work also.

These certs would all be very good to have. A company that values certifications would be loved by most people on this forum. It would depend what the company is offering whether or not you should take it.

22cloud9

UniqueAgEnT wrote: »

I passed A+ with about 2 weeks of studying and network+ with 3 weeks of studying with about a year of helpdesk work. Those are not hard to pass and I wouldn't stress out about those. I wasn't under any time pressure and was not studying intensely.

MCP might be a little more difficult. As mentioned earlier, taking a windows 7 test could be good. 270/290 work also.

These certs would all be very good to have. A company that values certifications would be loved by most people on this forum. It would depend what the company is offering whether or not you should take it.

Which study material did you use for the A+ and Newtork +?

higherho

I'm curious does this motivate you to get the certs? I mean the huge pay and better company should push you a bit more to get those. Is your hesitation solely one job security? I would take the risk, ask yourself if your smart enough to take these exams (I'm sure you are, remember ALOT of people and some not IT ppl have these certs and I'm sure you can get them to) and go get them. I took a few risks in my career and they paid off very well but if you’re not confident in yourself, then you better not take the position.

Akaricloud

Seems completely reasonable to me. You have experience and these are 3 very entry level certifications. It's not like they're asking you to get a MCITP and CCNP.

One per month is very realistic for someone with experience. Take the chance, gain some knowledge and advance your career.

Paperlantern

Akaricloud wrote: »

Seems completely reasonable to me. You have experience and these are 3 very entry level certifications. It's not like they're asking you to get a MCITP and CCNP.

One per month is very realistic for someone with experience. Take the chance, gain some knowledge and advance your career.

I agree here, especially if they will pick up the tab, worst case, the job sucks and now you have a few credentials to try and get in somewhere else (probably after a certain amount of time spent on the job where you got them paid for of course, a lot of places will want the money back if you get a cert then immediately leave).

I accomplished Net+ and Sec+ in the span of about 5 weeks, so I think that A+ and Net+ together in a month is very feasible, leaving a solid 2 months for the final cert.

I would probably go for it if I was in your position.

22cloud9

I plan on getting my certs regardless. I got a bad vibe from the helpdesk manager during the phone interview.

1. The manager says the position that I applied to is a little off and not accurate. They post a job description that’s not accurate? Granted the start time is about 2 hrs off but still.

2. I couldn’t hear her clearly because she was sick but then she goes on to say something like “I’m not feeling well, I told them I didn’t want to do the interview”. Is this a sign of upper management issues?

3. When I asked why the position was open, her answer made me feel funny.

4. I notice that this position and several others are repeatedly open.

5. AT my current job, we have openings available and at lease 2 people that work at the medical facility interviewed with my current boss.

Overall I don’t think I’ll enjoy working there and having this person as my manager. This is strictly helpdek no deskside. Frequent sitting.

All companies have their problems; I don’t think i'll enjoy help desk (considering i left a ISP call center job over 3 years ago).

neilperry

Go with your gut. I think you just talked yourself out of it.

Drovor

neilperry wrote: »

Go with your gut. I think you just talked yourself out of it.

Agreed. Seems like it would be best to look at other opportunities.

Drovor

22cloud9 wrote: »

Which study material did you use for the A+ and Newtork +?

Just to chime in here.. you can't go wrong with Michael Myers' books.

UniqueAgEnT

I read the A+/network+ books by Michael Meyers I believe. They were enough for me to brush up on the concepts for the test and pass.