Hello Folks, I am bit confused with this Microsoft certifications. Here is my scenario: I have got 1+ year of tier1 helpdesk experience with one of the internet service provider. I have earned my CCNA last year. With my current employer I am not getting opportunity to get into some networking/IT administration work so I am going to change job probably soon. Now in this new year I want to earn more certification and not sure what should I do? For networking job here I really need 1year+ experience in core networking field which I dont have. So CCNP is not in the list at the moment. Either MCSE or MCSA? Can I just start with one of the core exams in MCSA? and then later gain MCSE? I have heard Microsoft certification combined with CCNA makes good combo! I am confused so please advise. Networkid

No one in their right mind will hire you based on your certifications. That doesn't mean there aren't some idiots out there though. You really need experience and demonstrated skills. I've seen plenty of certified people who know NOTHING. It seriously devalues the certifications. I will grant you that certifications CAN get you in the door, but you better know what you're talking about and not rely on them. Look at the two MCSA/E tracks - there is MUCH overlap, but the E has more to it. So you can get the A and work towards the E.

I agree. The experience is much more important than the Certifications. Certifications are just a way to inflate your email signature with letters. :) Work towards obtaining the experience. Then, if you choose to spend the outrageous amounts of money on obtaining certifications, go for it. :) Life's more painless for the brainless.

Experience is usually the defining factor in most instances. But, that's not always the case. A lot depends on the company in question. Experience combined with education/certifications will most definately get you the better jobs. Just keep in mind, whether you have a diploma, degree or industry standard cert's (like CompTIA certs) if you have limited experience, you'll be starting with a low-end job for low-end pay. As you gain experience, you'll be able to get better jobs that pay more. It's worth noting that most companies advertisments for jobs list a minimum level of education and experience. The closer you match their criteria, the better chance you have getting a job. Experience alone isn't enough to get a good job in today's world except in some rare cases. For instance, I work for a university. If the job advertised states you must have a degree or a diploma and equivalent experience, then you MUST have one or the other (as well as 2 yr minimum of experience working in industry) or you simply will not get the job. Not even if you have 20 years experience. A lot more of the bigger businesses are going this way. Things aren't like they were 10 to 15 years ago where you could get a decent job without any training/education as long as you could do the job. Computers have been around long enough now that education is almost always a requirement to get a position in the IT field.

If you can even get the MCSE cert, you're probably qualified.