"One disclaimer; I have received certifications in the past and hold some now. However, I have never paid for a certification or intended to get one."
They fall on ya? You fell in a pit of them? :) My take is much like Matts, I've seen people who cram just to get the cert to say they are certified and couldn't code their way out of a paper sack. I have had interviewers mention that (among other things usually) my certification helped me get to the interview. Some haven't cared and some have wanted me to take a brainbench exam on the spot. A degree or cert really says that you wanted to quantify what you know. I got my CF Cert for that reason. I knew I knew my stuff and a certificate helps prove that. Does it mean those who aren't certified know less than me? Not even close. I've met plenty who were more advanced than I am and had no interest in becoming certified. I think in the end a certification, a degree, a (Fill in the blank with appropriate resume fodder) is what you make of it. I don't introduce myself to people or interviewers, "Hi, I'm John Wilker. Macromedia Certified ColdFusion Developer." mostly because it's too long :) but also because it's only one aspect of who I am and what I can bring to an employer. (but it is in my sig LOL) J. John Wilker Web Applications Consultant, Writer Macromedia Certified ColdFusion Developer Founder/President IE CFUG www.red-omega.com Whatever is wrong it is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. Unless of course you just got poked in the eye with a sharp stick. -----Original Message----- From: Matt Liotta [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, January 06, 2003 5:37 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: RE: certification experiences/plans? I have generally only hired people who were either very green or gurus. I like to hire inexperienced people who seem to have talent because then I can teach them without trying to undo the mistakes they picked up elsewhere. I like to hire gurus simply for obvious reasons. What is interesting is that I find very few people in either group tend to get certifications. For people with little to no experience this makes sense. Why gurus tend to avoid certification is an open question. With all of the above being said, I have been involved with interviewing people of average experience that may or may not have had certifications. I feel I am able to evaluate everyone equally whether or not they have certifications or degrees for that matter. However, I would say that I expect more precise technical knowledge out of certified candidates. Often this leads to trouble during the interview because many people obtain their certifications by simply cramming for the test and thus forget much of the information. One disclaimer; I have received certifications in the past and hold some now. However, I have never paid for a certification or intended to get one. Matt Liotta President & CEO Montara Software, Inc. http://www.montarasoftware.com/ 888-408-0900 x901 > -----Original Message----- > From: Rob Rohan [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Monday, January 06, 2003 8:17 PM > To: CF-Talk > Subject: RE: certification experiences/plans? > > I am a bit of a cynic - actually I am a total cynic - so instead of > voicing my opinion on certifications I'll ask some questions. > > Has anyone gotten a job / contract / promotion because they were > certified? Hard to say specifically, but I mean where you were pretty > sure that was > the > deciding factor. > > And, more importantly, to the hiring people on this list - what weight do > you place on a certification - opposed to a degree, experience... and... > ahem... attitude? :) > > in a newbe? > a senior position? > a general lackey? > > Just curious. > > Rob > > -----Original Message----- > From: Jeffry Houser [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Monday, January 06, 2003 4:48 PM > To: CF-Talk > Subject: RE: certification experiences/plans? > > > I definitely recommend that everyone get some form of computer degree if > you want to do programming in aspect. > I wouldn't completely ignore certifications, though. All else being > equal, it shows that you are trying your best to better yourself. It also > might be something that can help you get a foot in the door. > > Back when I was working with Lotus Notes / Domino ( >4 years ago ), > Lotus had some articles about how certified developer's had higher > salaries. I > know the Brainbench newsletter will routinely tout similar stories. Of > course, it could be argued that both reports are tainted because of the > nature of the resource. > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/index.cfm?forumid=4 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/index.cfm?method=subscribe&forumid=4 FAQ: http://www.thenetprofits.co.uk/coldfusion/faq Structure your ColdFusion code with Fusebox. Get the official book at http://www.fusionauthority.com/bkinfo.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.4
