[SunRescue] OT: Advice on Certification

[Bill Bradford]

On Fri, May 04, 2001 at 08:18:21PM -0700, Brian Dunbar wrote:
> <Brian> Hi, my name is Brian, and I'm an . . . NT Administrator <choke>.
> <Room> Hi Brian!

No, that second like should be like the old Pace Picante commercials:

"Get a rope." 8-)

> The company I used to work for (pre-Layoff) sent me to Solaris Admin I and
> II.  I flubbed the Admin I test, then was laid off . . and found a much
> better job (this one) handling a mixed network of NT and Solaris systems ..
> and somehow it's most of a year later and I'll loose the voucher unless I
> take the test in the next few months.
> I _want_ my next job to be much more involved with 'unix' so my question is
> .. how important ARE credentials to the people doing hiring for unix admins?
> I'm going to take the tests (but I don't *like* tests) I'm just looking for
> .. encouragement?  Someone to give me a kind word? (did I say I don't like
> tests?)

Honestly, real-world experience counts more than "class or book work"; 
I've got both certifications (I, II, and Network, plus Workgroup Computing
certified), but my experience "in the field" counted more on a resume.

Who would companies rather hire?  Fresh college grad with certifications
and no hands-on experience, or someone who has pulled his share of
all-nighters?

Go for the certs, but dont rely on them solely.

Bill

-- 
Bill Bradford
mrbill at mrbill.net
Austin, TX