Is A+ certification going to land me a simple tech job?

Question

I currently going to college to get a degree in IT but I want to just get a simple tech job now like at best buy or compusa. Will A+ certification help me with this. Im only 19 so not looking for a career with just A+. I am looking to get my Network+ Security+, MCSE and CCNA certifications. AM i on the right track to the IT world?

Answer 1

You don;t need a cert to get into Best Buy or CompUSA, if you already have some Geek Street knowledge about computers.
Can you break/fix your own computer system? Do you troubleshoot your friends' PC's. Are you the family Geek Squad? You then already have the skills to get you in the door to those stores to get behind the counter for sales or Customer Service.

That said, A+ cert will get you in the next level Tech Support door, yes indeed. But don't stop there. Also look at Help Desk, Desktop Technician, and Network Technician types of entry level positions.

Certs are not the be all end all of Technical education. Don't forget the degree, once you land that position. Once you establish what your career goal is to be, begin obtaining your certs toward that goal. Tuition reimbursement is usually one os the employee benefits for most of these Certification programs if it is directly job related.

But wait. Just what it is that you want to do in Information Systems? Or do you not know yet? This field is very broad even for a "simple tech job"

Do you enjoy working with people? Building and repairing computers? Like troubleshooting problems? Writing computer programs, creating databases, build, design and support networks, telephony and VoIP? Or would you rather build web pages, design and create multimedia projects.

The sky's the limit! Go For IT!

Answer 2

Personally, I've worked with both Dell's and Comcast's tier 2 support and I never passed the A+. IMO, the A+ is filled with garbage you never use in real situations to fix consumer's problems. Best buy forces you to work a cheap job as a sales agent selling the computer parts before you're even considered for a tech position. Compusa I'm not sure about but I know they require A+.

I can fix any computer and yet I never passed the A+ so. My advice is, if you can pass it, more power to you. But don't waste a bunch of money on the worthless training for the test. Get on with Dell or somewhere.

Answer 3

The test is pretty bogus - it is what a lot of Managers hiring will look for - it will make you stand out from someone else who doesnt have it - even though it isn't a test of practical everyday PC knowledge - I would recommend getting it though - there are webpages that will help you a LOT with studying - do a search for 'braindump' and A+ - a braindump is a site where peoiple who have taken the test post the questions that were on it. I paid for access to one (most are free) and 95% of the questions that were on the brain dump were on the test. WELL worth it. They have braindumps for almost any certification you can think of

Answer 4

Can't go anywhere without A+ really. You need to learn the basics before you can move on. Good luck your head is in the right place. BestBuy takes just about anyone, but it'll help you get an edge if you have that certification.

Answer 5

A+ cert will help but the entry level job is low paid.
experience will also be important. you should start fixing
computers and working on them at home and for friends.
you should get experience in the field, or get a small job
doing it. education is the right track, but start getting experience too.

Answer 6

A+ is a good certification to have, it lets everyone know that you are competant in troubleshooting basic hardware and software problems. I got my A+ as my first cert and it has worked to my advantage.

Answer 7

It will get you into the door to interview with the 10,000 other guys who have the same thing. Then again, maybe not...