3 ms·

I've always said that certifications are a base level of competence for a job, not a proof of expertise. When a senior dev rants about how they don't need a ce

by synnik 17y ago

I've always said that certifications are a base level of competence for a job, not a proof of expertise. When a senior dev rants about how they don't need a certificate, I agree, but counter them with the question: If certificates are so easy to get and meaningless, why haven't you bothered to get them? Note: I can think of a number of reasonable answers why not... but their response to that question is often enlightening as to exactly what kind of dev they are.

HeyLaughingBoy 17y ago
and meaningless Aren't you answering your own question here?
cschneid 17y ago
In my opinion, they signal different things to different hiring entities. To a big corp, it signals that you play by the rules, and that a 3rd party has vouched for you. To a small company, it signals that you don't learn by yourself, and expect things spoonfed. I'm not saying either is wrong, but they are different mindsets, large companies have more need to order than small companies.
- timwiseman 17y ago
  To a small company, it signals that you don't learn by yourself, and expect things spoonfed. I don't think they say that at all. Now, I do get that impression about some people that list tons of training classes on their resume (especially the ones that list training classes without an accompanying certification). Personally, I hold an MCBDA, MCITP, and A+ certifications. I pepared for the MCDBA and MCITP on my own through a combination of books, websites, and hands on toying with the systems. I prepared for the A+ in a peer group. I have had a mentor that taught me a tremendous amount, but I never took formal classes for any of it, or expected any of it to be spoonfed.
zmimon 17y ago
> certifications are a base level of competence for a job Unfortunately some of the certified people I've met have been so genuinely awful that I don't think you can even claim that. I tend to be with the article author on this one - people tend to get certified because they are unable to compete in other ways and want to bolster their resume.
wildjim 17y ago
Non-Education Board certificates are not a baseline for anything besides having read the book and paid the money. They are essentially meaningless, these days -- more a way for a Com to fleece you -- and seeing them on a CV, I tend to view them as noise; nice to have, I guess, but proving absolutely nothing useful. A "Preferred Reading List" might mean more to me on a CV, but that's easy to fake. The biggest problem is cert's would almost never pass the same standards as the equivalent from most govt's Education Exam board. If they did, perhaps they would be more useful. Education Exam standards can also vary significantly between countries, and these com's sadly can't be bothered in expending the effort internationally.

by synnik 17y ago

HeyLaughingBoy 17y ago

and meaningless Aren't you answering your own question here?

cschneid 17y ago

In my opinion, they signal different things to different hiring entities. To a big corp, it signals that you play by the rules, and that a 3rd party has vouched for you. To a small company, it signals that you don't learn by yourself, and expect things spoonfed. I'm not saying either is wrong, but they are different mindsets, large companies have more need to order than small companies.

timwiseman 17y ago
To a small company, it signals that you don't learn by yourself, and expect things spoonfed. I don't think they say that at all. Now, I do get that impression about some people that list tons of training classes on their resume (especially the ones that list training classes without an accompanying certification). Personally, I hold an MCBDA, MCITP, and A+ certifications. I pepared for the MCDBA and MCITP on my own through a combination of books, websites, and hands on toying with the systems. I prepared for the A+ in a peer group. I have had a mentor that taught me a tremendous amount, but I never took formal classes for any of it, or expected any of it to be spoonfed.

zmimon 17y ago

> certifications are a base level of competence for a job Unfortunately some of the certified people I've met have been so genuinely awful that I don't think you can even claim that. I tend to be with the article author on this one - people tend to get certified because they are unable to compete in other ways and want to bolster their resume.

wildjim 17y ago

Non-Education Board certificates are not a baseline for anything besides having read the book and paid the money. They are essentially meaningless, these days -- more a way for a Com to fleece you -- and seeing them on a CV, I tend to view them as noise; nice to have, I guess, but proving absolutely nothing useful. A "Preferred Reading List" might mean more to me on a CV, but that's easy to fake. The biggest problem is cert's would almost never pass the same standards as the equivalent from most govt's Education Exam board. If they did, perhaps they would be more useful. Education Exam standards can also vary significantly between countries, and these com's sadly can't be bothered in expending the effort internationally.