alt.certification.a-plus - TestVouchers/Certifications (try#2)

Author

TestVouchers/Certifications (try#2)

Con-cert-o

2004-02-23, 4:24 pm

Hi boys and girls,

I have never posted here before.

Question 1 Introduction) As far as certifications go,
all the sites that I have seen have the same price for vouchers. That
is, an A+ exam voucher might go for $90USD. Maybe for $100. But you
never see it for $75USD or $65USD. Even the last minute deals - Yeah,
you got 2 weeks before this voucher expires... We'll knock $10 off the
voucher price. Good deal, eh?!?

Question 1) I am just wondering if anyone has seen it
cheaper than the four or five sites I have seen offering test vouchers?

Question 2 Introduction) I have worked in various
helpdesk positions in the past 10+ years (I am 35 now) and I am
currently looking for a job in Toronto or Vancouver. I have been
looking for a couple months now with almost no interviews/feedback from
my resume/cover letters. Anyway, I am opting to A+ certify myself
because some jobs require it or some jobs state various certifications
would be an asset. I have a pretty good idea what's going on with PC
OS/hardware (enough to sell my services to people who have never heard
of me). I have been doing it for six or seven years now but only
started trying to sell my services recently. I can't make a living from
it because I feel I haven't marketed myself enough. Also, I don't want
to market myself here (in my small town), I want to market myself in
Toronto or Vancouver. However, I need a real full-time job to actually
live! Anyway, I bought the Mike Meyers A+ All-In-One Exam Guide 5th
edition anyway (just for fun). Let's say I get the A+, and then I want
to continue and get others but preferably in a minimal amount of time.

Question 2) So, does anyone have recommendations on
certifications that are not extremely difficult to achieve? Obviously,
this may vary from person to person...

In other words, time is not on my side - I need a job
and don't have time to certify myself over several months or years
before hopefully getting a job. Personally, I don't care which way my
career goes but my background is split about 50/50 UNIX/Windows along
with Oracle/Sybase. I also have experience with Novell and Banyan LANs
(but not from an Administrative side). I think Mike Meyers recommended
grabbing an intro Cisco certification. I know a lot of networking
concepts but really I have no formal training.

Question 3) Anyone have contacts in Toronto or
Vancouver in IT companies or companies with IT that need a Technical
Support/Help Desk Analyst? OR know of other news groups or
computer/tech clubs I could join that I might be able to network
through?

Con-cert-o

PS: I have read all kinds of postings here and keeping track of
the tech sites posted for future reference when solving problems.
That's great. Everyone seems pretty helpful and certainly encouraging
when it comes to getting certifications. Good to have some mentors.
Everyone needs them. By the way, sorry I am so .... long winded.

Steve

2004-02-24, 12:25 pm

To answer your questions:

1) It sounds like you've seen about the cheapest vouchers out there
2) I'd say go for your CCNA & MCSE if you want to get into networking.
For helpdesk jobs, the A+, network+ and optionally the MCSE are good
I've seen.

Good luck,
Steve

"Con-cert-o" <myemail@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:<Xns94989BD7B727Con.cert.o@206.172.150.14>...
> Hi boys and girls,
>
> I have never posted here before.
>
>
> Question 1 Introduction) As far as certifications go,
> all the sites that I have seen have the same price for vouchers. That
> is, an A+ exam voucher might go for $90USD. Maybe for $100. But you
> never see it for $75USD or $65USD. Even the last minute deals - Yeah,
> you got 2 weeks before this voucher expires... We'll knock $10 off the
> voucher price. Good deal, eh?!?
>
> Question 1) I am just wondering if anyone has seen it
> cheaper than the four or five sites I have seen offering test vouchers?
>
> Question 2 Introduction) I have worked in various
> helpdesk positions in the past 10+ years (I am 35 now) and I am
> currently looking for a job in Toronto or Vancouver. I have been
> looking for a couple months now with almost no interviews/feedback from
> my resume/cover letters. Anyway, I am opting to A+ certify myself
> because some jobs require it or some jobs state various certifications
> would be an asset. I have a pretty good idea what's going on with PC
> OS/hardware (enough to sell my services to people who have never heard
> of me). I have been doing it for six or seven years now but only
> started trying to sell my services recently. I can't make a living from
> it because I feel I haven't marketed myself enough. Also, I don't want
> to market myself here (in my small town), I want to market myself in
> Toronto or Vancouver. However, I need a real full-time job to actually
> live! Anyway, I bought the Mike Meyers A+ All-In-One Exam Guide 5th
> edition anyway (just for fun). Let's say I get the A+, and then I want
> to continue and get others but preferably in a minimal amount of time.
>
> Question 2) So, does anyone have recommendations on
> certifications that are not extremely difficult to achieve? Obviously,
> this may vary from person to person...
>
> In other words, time is not on my side - I need a job
> and don't have time to certify myself over several months or years
> before hopefully getting a job. Personally, I don't care which way my
> career goes but my background is split about 50/50 UNIX/Windows along
> with Oracle/Sybase. I also have experience with Novell and Banyan LANs
> (but not from an Administrative side). I think Mike Meyers recommended
> grabbing an intro Cisco certification. I know a lot of networking
> concepts but really I have no formal training.
>
> Question 3) Anyone have contacts in Toronto or
> Vancouver in IT companies or companies with IT that need a Technical
> Support/Help Desk Analyst? OR know of other news groups or
> computer/tech clubs I could join that I might be able to network
> through?
>
>
> Con-cert-o
>
> PS: I have read all kinds of postings here and keeping track of
> the tech sites posted for future reference when solving problems.
> That's great. Everyone seems pretty helpful and certainly encouraging
> when it comes to getting certifications. Good to have some mentors.
> Everyone needs them. By the way, sorry I am so .... long winded.

Con-cert-o

2004-02-24, 12:25 pm

Did I choose the wrong nickname or are these questions too
complicated for the group to answer?? Probably because half you guys
out there work for the voucher companies and are embarrassed that you
can't offer people a better deal. Where is the competition? C'mon
people, I am looking for answers!! (If I seem a bit ticked, it is
disappointing to see so many people have their problems addressed but
the first time I have EVER posted in ANY newsgroup, I don't get a single
response) Not even... "Way ta go, Con-cert-o, good luck on your A+
exams" or "No, we have never seen any prices lower for the A+ vouchers
than $90USD". Anyway, I posted this long message because I am a guy out
of work, looking for the best deal on getting certified for A+ (or
anything else) in the least amount of time. Also, I probably mentioned
- "I'm out of work!" Anyone got a job for me in Toronto or Vancouver?
Heck, I just built my PC from scratch including installing the
motherboard, processor, case wiring and I have SCSI drives being
hardware mirrored, SATA drives being hardware mirrored and all that good
stuff. If I have time between looking for jobs and doing A+ studying, I
will try to help people out in this group (since it seems that this is
the group to get your PC fixed as well as talk about A+ certification
info). I am willing to help out because I am a hell of a nice guy.
That's my nature!

- Con-cert-o
(certified for nothing but experienced with many things...)

"Con-cert-o" <myemail@nowhere.com> wrote in
news:Xns94989BD7B727Con.cert.o@206.172.150.14:

> Hi boys and girls,
>
> I have never posted here before.
>
>
> Question 1 Introduction) As far as certifications go,
> all the sites that I have seen have the same price for vouchers. That
> is, an A+ exam voucher might go for $90USD. Maybe for $100. But you
> never see it for $75USD or $65USD. Even the last minute deals - Yeah,
> you got 2 weeks before this voucher expires... We'll knock $10 off the
> voucher price. Good deal, eh?!?
>
> Question 1) I am just wondering if anyone has seen it
> cheaper than the four or five sites I have seen offering test
vouchers?
>
> Question 2 Introduction) I have worked in various
> helpdesk positions in the past 10+ years (I am 35 now) and I am
> currently looking for a job in Toronto or Vancouver. I have been
> looking for a couple months now with almost no interviews/feedback
from
> my resume/cover letters. Anyway, I am opting to A+ certify myself
> because some jobs require it or some jobs state various certifications
> would be an asset. I have a pretty good idea what's going on with PC
> OS/hardware (enough to sell my services to people who have never heard
> of me). I have been doing it for six or seven years now but only
> started trying to sell my services recently. I can't make a living
from
> it because I feel I haven't marketed myself enough. Also, I don't
want
> to market myself here (in my small town), I want to market myself in
> Toronto or Vancouver. However, I need a real full-time job to
actually
> live! Anyway, I bought the Mike Meyers A+ All-In-One Exam Guide 5th
> edition anyway (just for fun). Let's say I get the A+, and then I
want
> to continue and get others but preferably in a minimal amount of time.
>
> Question 2) So, does anyone have recommendations on
> certifications that are not extremely difficult to achieve?
Obviously,
> this may vary from person to person...
>
> In other words, time is not on my side - I need a job
> and don't have time to certify myself over several months or years
> before hopefully getting a job. Personally, I don't care which way my
> career goes but my background is split about 50/50 UNIX/Windows along
> with Oracle/Sybase. I also have experience with Novell and Banyan
LANs
> (but not from an Administrative side). I think Mike Meyers
recommended
> grabbing an intro Cisco certification. I know a lot of networking
> concepts but really I have no formal training.
>
> Question 3) Anyone have contacts in Toronto or
> Vancouver in IT companies or companies with IT that need a Technical
> Support/Help Desk Analyst? OR know of other news groups or
> computer/tech clubs I could join that I might be able to network
> through?
>
>
> Con-cert-o
>
> PS: I have read all kinds of postings here and keeping track
of
> the tech sites posted for future reference when solving problems.
> That's great. Everyone seems pretty helpful and certainly encouraging
> when it comes to getting certifications. Good to have some mentors.
> Everyone needs them. By the way, sorry I am so .... long winded.

Con-cert-o

2004-02-24, 12:25 pm

Thanks, Steve for your valuable input!

Any preference on which site to get the vouchers? One I saw offered a
book and another offered a few books/exam testing stuff.

- Con-cert-o

steveindfw@yahoo.com (Steve) wrote in
news:180ac350.0402240817.6bcf774e@posting.google.com:

> To answer your questions:
>
> 1) It sounds like you've seen about the cheapest vouchers out there
> 2) I'd say go for your CCNA & MCSE if you want to get into networking.
> For helpdesk jobs, the A+, network+ and optionally the MCSE are good
> I've seen.
>
> Good luck,
> Steve
>
> "Con-cert-o" <myemail@nowhere.com> wrote in message
> news:<Xns94989BD7B727Con.cert.o@206.172.150.14>...
>

Creative Door

2004-02-24, 1:24 pm

Its pretty tough to get a job in Canada even with your a+. I'm sure your
experience is great, and personaly don't think the certification is worth
too much. I went to NAIT, and was told by many instructors, they did not
like MSCE's. Sure the people knew how to answer the questions from the
book, but things don't always work like the book says. The best thing you
can do is get more experience. I have no certifications, and have a network
admin postion for a local company.

Thats just my 2 cents

"Con-cert-o" <myemail@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9499756A4E79CCon.cert.o@207.35.177.135...
> Did I choose the wrong nickname or are these questions too
> complicated for the group to answer?? Probably because half you guys
> out there work for the voucher companies and are embarrassed that you
> can't offer people a better deal. Where is the competition? C'mon
> people, I am looking for answers!! (If I seem a bit ticked, it is
> disappointing to see so many people have their problems addressed but
> the first time I have EVER posted in ANY newsgroup, I don't get a single
> response) Not even... "Way ta go, Con-cert-o, good luck on your A+
> exams" or "No, we have never seen any prices lower for the A+ vouchers
> than $90USD". Anyway, I posted this long message because I am a guy out
> of work, looking for the best deal on getting certified for A+ (or
> anything else) in the least amount of time. Also, I probably mentioned
> - "I'm out of work!" Anyone got a job for me in Toronto or Vancouver?
> Heck, I just built my PC from scratch including installing the
> motherboard, processor, case wiring and I have SCSI drives being
> hardware mirrored, SATA drives being hardware mirrored and all that good
> stuff. If I have time between looking for jobs and doing A+ studying, I
> will try to help people out in this group (since it seems that this is
> the group to get your PC fixed as well as talk about A+ certification
> info). I am willing to help out because I am a hell of a nice guy.
> That's my nature!

>
> - Con-cert-o
> (certified for nothing but experienced with many things...)
>
>
> "Con-cert-o" <myemail@nowhere.com> wrote in
> news:Xns94989BD7B727Con.cert.o@206.172.150.14:
>
> vouchers?
> from
> from
> want
> actually
> want
> Obviously,
> LANs
> recommended
> of
>

Con-cert-o

2004-02-24, 3:24 pm

Always interested in listening to people's input.

I am just
trying to figure out ways to put my application to the top of the pile.
Some places prefer certifications even though I know I could easily do
the job if I had the opportunity. But probably they will hire some guy
with very little real-world experience and a couple of certifications.
So, I am hoping to show the employers that I have ten years of
experience AND I also can get certifications too. These would be just
adding to my own experience. But I know what you mean though... A
majority of my experience comes from on-the-job learning and the
problem-solving certainly isn't always by the book. By the way, your
company is local to where?
- Con-cert-o

"Creative Door" <Private@email.com> wrote in
news:Z7M_b.39250$D_5.4828@edtnps84:

> Its pretty tough to get a job in Canada even with your a+. I'm sure
> your experience is great, and personaly don't think the certification
> is worth too much. I went to NAIT, and was told by many instructors,
> they did not like MSCE's. Sure the people knew how to answer the
> questions from the book, but things don't always work like the book
> says. The best thing you can do is get more experience. I have no
> certifications, and have a network admin postion for a local company.
>
> Thats just my 2 cents
>
> "Con-cert-o" <myemail@nowhere.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns9499756A4E79CCon.cert.o@207.35.177.135...
>
>
>

James

2004-02-24, 4:24 pm

its in Edmonton, Alberta
"Con-cert-o" <myemail@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:Xns94999493B1557Con.cert.o@206.172.150.14...
> Always interested in listening to people's input.

I am just
> trying to figure out ways to put my application to the top of the pile.
> Some places prefer certifications even though I know I could easily do
> the job if I had the opportunity. But probably they will hire some guy
> with very little real-world experience and a couple of certifications.
> So, I am hoping to show the employers that I have ten years of
> experience AND I also can get certifications too. These would be just
> adding to my own experience. But I know what you mean though... A
> majority of my experience comes from on-the-job learning and the
> problem-solving certainly isn't always by the book. By the way, your
> company is local to where?
> - Con-cert-o
>
> "Creative Door" <Private@email.com> wrote in
> news:Z7M_b.39250$D_5.4828@edtnps84:
>
>

James

2004-02-24, 6:24 pm

I worked at Convergys with a lot of people with many cerfitications. All
they could find was a crappy $10 an hour job. But add 10 years of
experience and you should be getting up there on the pile.

Good luck

"Con-cert-o" <myemail@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:Xns94999493B1557Con.cert.o@206.172.150.14...
> Always interested in listening to people's input.

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