On Sun, 15 Jan 2017, Chuck Hast wrote: > In my field service work, I have machines that have routers and switches on > them, and in many cases I end up working with the customer IT people to get > the things on line. Now I am back looking for a job again and many of them > indicate that IT certs are "good to have".
Chuck, I'm not a computer professional (hardware, software, networking, etc. as my posts here consistently demonstrate), but I have run a sole-practitioner consultancy for more than two decades and suggest that my perspective might have value for you, Mike, and others in the same position. The bottom line in job seeking (whether as employee or consultant) is what value you bring to the company. They don't care about us, only what we can do for them. For someone starting out various computer certifications might be useful, but when HR (or a potential boss) suggests that canned IT certs are "good to have" it should be a red flag that they are not the company for you. My analogy is that teaching someone how to use a word processor does not make her a writer. Having a cert does not provide any useful information on what you can do with it. A very powerful job seeking approach is to make a bulleted list of your major achievements. For example, as you write above you've provided the expertise and knowledge to get things on line when the IT folks could not do it without you. That has nothing to do with having passed a course and received a certificate. I'm sure that all of you with more than 5 years experience can make an impressive list of the value you've achieved for employers, customers, clients, whomever. If you can obtain testimonials from those you've helped to climb out of the hole they were in, get them and provide a few to prospective employers. Or, tell them testimonials will be provided upon request. You also want a customized resume for each company you're investigating. Tailor your achievements and accomplishments to the type of work they'd want you to do. If you've ever used Angie's List you know that word of mouth (or printed) recommendations count for much more than any degrees, certificates, or other educational documentation. That works for us when seeking jobs (as employees or external consultants) and is much more powerful than anything but a direct referral. HTH, Rich _______________________________________________ PLUG mailing list [email protected] http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
