The only places I've ever seen certificates be an issue is government and government contractors. Maybe there are some big companies that also require them. But

The only places I've ever seen certificates be an issue is government and government contractors. Maybe there are some big companies that also require them. But they are outsourcing there IT departments more and more so who has them isn't there problem anymore. I do notice a dogfood pattern for places that require certificates they will pay for their employees to acquire them. One company I temped at wanted a bond to pay for you to get them (work for us for 3 years after getting your MCSE). A lot of the older guys were really excited about this (job security I guess), but the younger ones just shrugged at the offer. We were resume building so being tied to one company for 3 years was definitely not something to look forward to.