Why bother with the A+ certification?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 12:24:09 -0500

I've been in an enterprise IT environment for almost 3 years now, and I've never worked with someone that talked about the A+ certification..... or any CompTIA certification. I'm curious why people are still striving for it?

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Mar 2 at 2016 12:27 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 12:27:03 -0500

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member you are talking practical versus instructional. Instructional is for the HR people who have to decide if a candidate gets an interview. Practical is what that person can actually do. If you can't prove it on paper first, not likely to get the chance to prove it. I was fortunate that my boss took a chance after I completed the Microsoft XP certification, now I have been at the same company for coming up on ten years.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2016 12:28 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 12:28:16 -0500

Many government jobs use certs as prereqs (ie. USAJobs and Sec + for many roles). For others, it's a decent buffer in lieu of actual experience.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Mar 2 at 2016 12:28 PM

SSG Ed Mikus — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 12:28:26 -0500

A+ is a beginners cert, it is good for places like best buy or bottom tier service desk. If it presents a challenge to you and you want to learn it then do it, if it is a silly requirement placed on a job you want by people who cannot power on a computer, do it. otherwise i wouldn't waste my time. Personally i don't like to let people know i have that one.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2016 12:34 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 12:34:24 -0500

It can be a stepping stone for those who are new in the IT environment i.e. Signal soldier who have been raised in the tactical comms life

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Mar 2 at 2016 12:35 PM

Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 12:35:51 -0500

If it's free and you have time, do it. It's good for staying current and as you move up in the certifications, it can help ensure you don't forget those areas when you see them again on future tests. I'm actually looking at attending a Network+ course as a refresher. I don't plan to take the test as I already have the higher level certs. CompTIA has been revising their certifications to make them much more challenging I recently heard. I took Security+ several years ago and it was a joke then. I've heard that's changed. Still, the bottom line is, if you're able to take and pass the higher level DOD 8570 certs, go ahead and get them squared away for your job's sake.

Response by SSG Eddye Royal made Mar 2 at 2016 12:42 PM

SSG Eddye Royal — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 12:42:34 -0500

SPC Bernardy; I have a dual role both in IT Military, govt, and Corp 500. A little known fact is CompTIA once you take it does not go away . It I just not talked about a higher level and it gets you job INTERVIEWS to PEOPLE LIKE ME ON THE OUTSIDE of the military.

Response by PFC Alexander Oliveira made Mar 2 at 2016 12:45 PM

PFC Alexander Oliveira — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 12:45:19 -0500

I see no point in it. I thought it would be a great thing to get, until I found out its 2 separate 200$+ tests for one cert. I would definitely say its for those just trying to get in IT if they don't have a lot of experience. CompTIA is good for reputable certs, all DoD recognized, don't get me wrong. A+ just seems dumb to me. I think of it like, if im Net+,CASP,Server+ etc certified, don't you think I have an understanding of computers by now? whether I have 1 or all certs.

Response by SSG Glen Krinsky made Mar 2 at 2016 1:15 PM

SSG Glen Krinsky — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 13:15:58 -0500

It's a requirement to work with the government. Security+ in particular.

Response by Cpl Tou Lee Yang made Mar 2 at 2016 2:01 PM

Cpl Tou Lee Yang — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 14:01:10 -0500

Most employer want people with certification while others don't. I had a friend who applied for a position with an A+ certification, however, the employer wanted the newer A+ (CE) certification. For what, I don't know but I thought it was the silliest requirement I have ever heard of.