| One question I often hear asked by people wanting | | | | There are also instance of people cheating to get |
| to get an IT job is "how much will I earn if I get | | | | these certifications using "brain dumps", this is where |
| certification X", another is "What type of job can I | | | | people get hold of copies of the actual test |
| get with certification X". | | | | questions and answers. This allows them to |
| They are under the belief that achieving one of | | | | memorise the correct answers to pass the test. |
| these certifications will get them a particular job role, | | | | These people would quickly be found out in a job |
| or an increase in salary. Many assume that if they can | | | | scenario and promptly fired. |
| pass an MCSA then they will be able to walk in to | | | | Certification should not be perceived as a method to |
| systems administrator role, or if they get a CCNA | | | | get a job, it should be used as method to validate |
| they will be able to easily get a role as a Cisco | | | | existing experience. Interviewers will quickly be able |
| network admin. If these people have the necessary | | | | to see whether you have the experience required |
| experience to backup these qualifications then I wish | | | | for a role, and if you have the necessary knowledge |
| them all the best. However the people who usually | | | | to go with your qualifications. |
| ask these questions are the ones with no experience. | | | | Using certification to validate your existing experience |
| Quite often you will see adverts from training | | | | and skills will certainly help when applying for a new |
| providers offering a training course for people | | | | role as the potential employer will be able to look at |
| wanting to get into IT with the promise of a | | | | these certifications along with your previous job |
| £30K+ at the end of it. The sad truth is that | | | | history to get a better picture of your talents. |
| unless you are extremely lucky the chances of this | | | | I will cover the subject of how to best get your first |
| happening are very slim. | | | | job in IT in a future article. |