You’ll learn how to troubleshoot a wide range of devices, from computers to smartphones and mobile devices. Download the exam objectives for free to see what’s on the CompTIA A+ exams. … The chances of getting an entry level job with a starting salary north of $35K is about the best you can hope for holding the 3 certifications. Even within a single organization, you are still competing for job openings- both with candidates from outside the company and the colleagues you work with every day. Learn why IT certifications are worth it. Try a sample of a performance-based question. It provides the foundational knowledge for … CompTIA A+ will get you that initial desktop gig, or at least make you eligible for it. How can we be so sure? It is undoubtedly an entry-level certification, and there will be a point where taking the time to obtain it stops being worth it. Is the CompTIA A+ Certification Worth It? As a manager, I always find myself most impressed with the staff who are willing to take time out of their busy lives to advance their own careers. That said, you will likely not learn much useful information from the A+ that you haven’t already acquired through experience, and your energy would be better spent on more focused certifications such as the CCNA, or MCSA to name a couple of common options that are often required for more senior positions. Of course the same can be said for most any other certification out there, but the A+ has benefits in that it is widely known to everyone in this business, the time commitment to achieve it is not extreme, and it is a great starting point for understanding technical certifications and the process by which you achieve them. If you have no degree and no experience, then a CompTIA certificates are probably the only way to get experience and job. When it comes to what you put in versus what you get out, the CompTIA A+ certification is most definitely worth it – just ask the people who hold the almost 1.2 million CompTIA A+ certifications issued to date. Demonstrate baseline security skills for IT support professionals, Configure device operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS, Android and iOS, Administer client-based as well as cloud-based (SaaS) software, Troubleshoot and problem solve core service and support challenges while applying best practices for documentation, change management and scripting, Support basic IT infrastructure and networking, Configure and support PC, mobile and IoT device hardware, Implement basic data backup and recovery methods and apply data storage and management best practices, Copyright © CompTIA, Inc. All Rights Reserved. It’s the industry standard for launching IT careers. Is the CompTIA CASP+ worth it? It must be approved before appearing on the website. What are your goals? Do certifications matter? This means the pressure is on them not only to get you onboard their team but to keep you there for as long as possible. Is a CompTIA Certification Worth It? This post is only my opinion amongst the rest, but instead of it coming from someone who is on the candidate side of the equation, I have experienced both hiring and being hired for technical roles. Keep reading to find out. Employees in the information technology (IT) industry often wonder if pursuing a CompTIA A+ certification is worth their time and effort. (Part 2), Where to find IT jobs- thoughts from a Hiring Manager. A more complete answer is: It depends . This all factors into a better work–life balance. It is always great to land at a company that values continued education, and even better if they will bankroll those efforts. The Security+ certification, offered by CompTIA, is compliant with ISO 17024 standards. Our hypothetical technician spends her lunches working her way through the A+ study guide and taking a few practice tests. CompTIA A+ Certification Is a Proof of Your Knowledge of IT Fundamentals A+ critics believe that this certification is a good IT competency check. The reality is, no matter what, these three CompTIA certifications are so “over sold” in the current market that the true value from a salary perspective is severely diminished. Yes, but don’t stop there. According to CompTIA, 96 percent of managers look for certifications when screening candidates or include certifications as part of the job requirements. These skills and many others you’ll gain will serve as the perfect starting point for a career as an IT support specialist. When compared to a college degree, you can earn CompTIA A+ faster and gain the hands-on skills you need to dive right into tech support and start your IT career. The largest factor in determining if the A+ is the right certification for you to invest your finite time and hard-earned money in is your current experience level. The CompTIA CASP+ is an advanced-level cybersecurity certification intended for experienced security architects and engineers. CompTIA Security+ certification is a vendor neutral IT security certification that develops your skills and expertise in computer and network security domains like cybersecurity, network security and IT risk management. CompTIA A+ certification holders have formed a strong community you can learn from, interact with, ask for advice from and give back to. I would not recommend any other certificate over CompTIA for a beginner. What about the CompTIA A+ certification? So no, CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ won't get you to the CIO on their own. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. Within a couple of years of working on a help desk or as a junior admin, you will likely have learned most any of the useful material contained in the CompTIA A+ certification. Job hunting is a competition, and your competitors are a hugely diverse community of people with all sorts of backgrounds and qualifications. However, if you’ve never touched Linux before, wait a few months. The short answer is: Yes, the CompTIA A+ is worth it. Here’s what you need to know about the CompTIA A+ exams. For employers, having an employee with a CompTIA Linux+ certification is valuable as it gives them a reliable professional who is able to work within the Linux system. "Workplace technology continues to change, sometimes radically,” CompTIA Chief Technology Evangelist James Stanger said. Having CompTIA A+ certification is worth it when it comes to getting entry-level jobs. CompTIA has kept the majority of their certification exam prices lower, usually in the $350 range total needed to earn the certification. That something is both the skill they have today and the potential for skills to be learned in the future. Prove that you not only have the skills to do the job you are applying for, but also the capacity to learn and grow, and you will find success in the IT field. If you have not yet been hired for your first job in Information Technology, either because you are still in school, are working in another field, or have simply struggled to get hired, then you absolutely should get the A+. Clearly, those who have achieved CompTIA certifications are … That’s where CompTIA A+ becomes valuable. Where to find IT jobs- thoughts from a Hiring Manager. Others state that it is an outright requisite for any One benefit of the A+ is that it provides a framework for learning a very broad segment of this field, while not going extremely deep into any single facet. The CompTIA A+ Core Series requires candidates to pass two certification exams: Each of the two exams has no more than 90 questions. CompTIA A+ prepares candidate for the following job roles: Budding IT professionals looking to get their foot in the door may also be looking at the value of other IT certifications like Microsoft MCSA, Microsoft MTA Infrast and Cisco CCENT, or maybe you're already looking forward to the next step of your CompTIA certification journey with CompTIA Network+. So, is the CompTIA Network+ certification worth it? The answer is a resounding YES! Best Buy's Geek Squad). Well, CompTIA certifications are built and continuously updated by a group of IT industry experts in various industries and professions. First of all, this is a senior or expert level CompTIA cybersecurity analyst certification that is highly recommended by the professionals. IT is a huge field with many specialties, and as a result of this variety, it can be difficult to just pick up a book and start learning, or acquire old gear and build a home lab on your own. Sometimes value is measured by return on investment, or ROI. If you are new to IT and looking for an infrastructure networking certification to help you get your first job or advance up the IT career ladder then Network+ will be worth the time, effort, and cost. Is it valuable? CompTIA A+ Salary in the United States How will CompTIA A+ impact your salary in the United States?. CompTIA A+ holds ISO/ANSI accreditation status, which means they meet or exceed the global benchmarks set forth by ISO – the worldwide organization that sets the standard for certifications, processes and products – and ANSI – the U.S. representative to ISO. Other times value takes on a more elusive quality. Whether a candidate is selected when up against another candidate may very well come down to something as trivial as having a single certification on her resume rather than none. “CompTIA A+ captures the critical skills that IT professionals need to support and secure today's end points, from traditional and mobile platforms to cloud-enabled IoT devices. It is certainly a starting point, but i's not worth a whole lot. And when you’re trying to win your first IT job, that’s a big deal. That is not to say that it will take zero time investment, it is two tests after all, but it will be much less daunting than more challenges certifications. Certainly, but those are often the edge cases. It is accredited by ANSI. The fact that Linux is so broad that if you used a few diff… It not only validates your foundational knowledge, but it also shows employers that you are willing to learn and advance your career, and you have ability to study and pass an exam. The CompTIA A+ certification is known as one of the very first certifications that could earn many benefits to IT experts. The overwhelming response from the community was that CompTIA certifications are not only worth it, they "look good on your resume," "give you an edge when applying for jobs," and "are a prerequisite to apply for many jobs." CompTIA explains what the different types, costs and benefits of IT certifications. The CompTIA A+ IT certification is widely recognized by employers. Being CompTIA A+ certified means that you understand the cutting-edge fundamentals of computer hardware and software. CompTIA A+ is widely recognized as one of the very first IT certifications that prospective IT professionals should obtain. The CompTIA Linux+test can be easy if you have been working on Linux for years. The release of every new CompTIA A+ version starts a whole new discussion about the worth of the certification. CompTIA A+ sets you on a path of lifelong learning and experience that will give you the opportunity to thrive in your career and achieve your income goals. Home » Blogs » admin's blog » Is CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst Certification Worth it in 2019 Is CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst Certification Worth it in 2019 Cybersecurity has become more and more significant by the day, as the number of cyber attacks escalates accompanied by the continuous sprawling of connected internet devices the world over. The CompTIA Network+ certification can help launch or contribute to a career in networking, cyber security, Linux administration, or related fields. But everybody has to start somewhere. What Renewal Options Are Available to You? CompTIA A+ is a starting point for a career in IT that often come with manageable stress levels, a sense of accomplishment, ways to improve your mental and physical health, and opportunities for promotion. Some professionals state that it isn’t worth the time and cost. So what is the benefit of the A+ to this crowd? Unlike some other certifications, the A+ does have diminishing returns as you move farther up the IT Department ladder, but it is certainly not a detriment to anyone with it on their resume. Since CompTIA A+ does not focus on vendor-specific hardware and software, it allows you to focus on building a very general foundation of tech knowledge that will apply no matter which career path you choose. Before long she has passed the tests and can now use this achievement as leverage to advance her position within the same company, or bolster her resume during a search for a position elsewhere. Employers are setting for their it staff today the chart below compares these partner certifications to CompTIA, 96 of... 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