[TriLUG] Red Hat Certification

[Tommy Becker]

Mike Mueller wrote:

>On Tuesday 09 September 2003 17:33, Tommy Becker wrote:
>  
>
>>One of the reasons I've been so
>>loathe to make a lateral career move is fear of taking a substantial pay
>>cut.
>>    
>>
>
>I always thought of a lateral move as being same job, same resposibility, 
>same pay.
>
In case it wasn't obvious, my definition of lateral move is one where 
I'm not moving up or down on the totem pole, but rather to the same spot 
on a different totem pole.  Like in app support to sys admin. 

>
>I've been down this road and decided to forego the certs. I say get the certs 
>because you want them but be careful - better yet, skeptical - about spending 
>your hard earned dollars.  There is a RHCE study group associated with 
>TriLUG. Now is not the time to shop for a new tech job in RTP unless you know 
>biotech at the PhD level.
>
>Here's an idea that's flat out dishonest and stupid and nobody should ever 
>consider trying it:  Send out some imaginary resume's that have all sorts of 
>certs. on them that you would like to have but don't actually have.  If you 
>get an uptick in responses then you can conclude that the certs are a 
>worthwhile pursuit.  If not, then get the certs because you really like 
>technology and want to prove something to yourself.  A word of caution on 
>interpreting results.  If you send out 300 resume's without certs and get no 
>responses, and then you send out 300 resume's with certs included and you get 
>1 response, I don't think you should interpret this as 100% improvement.
>
>Good luck.
>  
>
Hmm, I'll have to keep that in mind. . . just kidding.  I don't have any 
delusions about employers beating down my door after getting a RHCT, but 
I hope they would at least be significantly more likely to choose me for 
an interview, at which point, I think I could sell myself.  Hopefully, 
that would be enough.