The Growing Need for A+ Certification
Posted by: Kathy Yale
The IT field is incredibly competitive and there are thousands of very skilled people doing their best to get an IT career. If you want to stand a chance against the competition, then you need certification. There are many certifications available, but many IT professionals say that the CompTIA A+ Certification is the best. Certification is becoming mandatory if you desire a career in the IT field.
Required for Careers
The CompTIA A+ Certification used to be required only for advanced careers and promotions. While this is still true, there are many entry-level careers that also require applicants to have this certification. This is because the company doesn’t want to waste time on applicants and employees that cannot operate certain technology.
You might know a lot about technology, and you might be able to easily complete your daily tasks without being certified. At the same time, you need to remember that your resume is the employers point of reference until they meet you. If you don’t have a CompTIA certification, then your chances of ever meeting an employer will significantly decrease.
Vendor Neutral
Another great benefit of the CompTIA certification is that it’s neutral. For example, a Windows certification only teaches you about Windows technology. This limits your prospects because many companies use Linux and other operating systems. While these certifications are great if you want to specialize in a certain area, the CompTIA is completely neutral.
The certification process will teach you how to work with technology as a whole. This is highly prized because the company might switch from one type of technology to another.
Better Salary
While getting an IT job is difficult without certification, it is possible. You might have the opportunity to show that you have enough skill to become an employee, or you might find a new company that isn’t very discerning. Even though you can get a job without certification, you should still become certified.
IT professionals with a CompTIA certification tend to make more than others in a similar position without certification. These professionals also tend to be promoted quicker.
Business Benefits
Companies don’t just want to hire skilled employees. They recognize that there are many benefits to hiring certified employees, and they want to use these advantages as much as possible. IT companies that hire certified applicants will spend less training new employees. Certification ensures that the new employees are both competent and serious about their careers.
Personal Benefits
Certification is useful because it will help you get a job, but it will also help your self-esteem. Many people don’t think that they are ready to pursue an IT career. Obtaining a certification shows that you are capable of performing the necessary tasks, and that you have the skills required to become an IT professional.
While it is possible to get an IT career without CompTIA certification, you will find that it is much easier if you are certified. Companies are looking for certified professionals as it is a sign of competence and companies have to pay very little to train certified people. If you are serious about having an IT career, then you need CompTIA certification.
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Jump-Start Your Lucrative Tech Career with an A+ Certification
Posted by: Kathy Yale
Information technology, the field encompassing computers, networks, software, applications, and the internet, is growing exponentially. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an entry-level help-desk position is expected to grow 18% between 2010 and 2010, which is as fast, if not faster, than average. In other words, a career in technology will not disappear anytime soon. The average starting pay for a basic I.T. job is over $46,000 a year. In fact, an entry-level tech job, on average, pays more than the average salary for Licensed Practical Nurses, truck drivers, licensed teachers, and plumbers. And the pay only increases from there in information technology; many workers earn an average of between $60,000 and over $100,000 per year depending on the specialization, degree level, and experience. Many prospective information technology job seekers are beginning to see the value in obtaining an A+ Certification to boost their credentials in this ever-expanding field.
Unlike other careers, an entry-level I.T. position does not require years of training in order to obtain a lucrative job. There are no clinical rotations to complete or extensive background checks to process in information technology. Tech positions can be found in nearly every business in every location. While many individuals do choose to get a degree in technology, the best way to obtain a career in I.T. is to start with an A+ Certification. Certifications are inexpensive and quick, which makes them ideal for those who want to get started in a technology job quickly.
Obtaining a Certification
The CompTIA A+ certification is considered by many to be the gold standard for breaking into a tech job. The A+ certification is recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Defense and is vendor neutral. Some employers like Dell, Intel, and Lenovo require the CompTIA A+ certification. Other employers do not require it of their techs but will give preferential hiring or increased starting pay to applicants who have the certification. The cost of the certification is relatively low at under a few hundred dollars for both the Practical and the Essentials exams. Many libraries carry a wide selection of CompTIA A+ study guides that individuals can use for free to prepare to take the exams.
What CompTIA A+ Certification Entails
The CompTIA A+ certification covers the field of information technology broadly. The Essentials exam covers hardware, computer troubleshooting and maintenance, operating systems and software, networking, and security. The Practical exam covers troubleshooting, installation, and maintenance steps relating to hardware, operating systems, and networks.
More lucrative technical positions do require advanced certifications or a degree, but these are not needed to get started on a well-paying tech career. Many individuals start in a type of help-desk position and advance as they gain experience, more certifications, or a degree. Other certifications include those offered by CompTIA like the Network+ and the Security+ certifications. Cisco certifications are especially popular among those already in the IT field, as pay for those certifications is easily over $60,000 a year. Unfortunately, these advanced certifications can be much more costly to obtain and are not a good start for those just wanting to break into technology quickly.
A career in technology is perfect for most people, as there are many avenues someone can take within technology. An individual who prefers customer service can focus on a computer support role. Those who like to be hands-on can set up networks or provide help-desk support. Entrepreneurial-minded individuals can create their own computer consulting and repair company. There are many avenues for success within the field of information technology and getting started is as easy as deciding to begin.
Prepare For Your Technology Certification Exams With A+ Practice Test Materials
Posted by: Kathy Yale
In today’s world, certification is crucial. In competitive markets, it can be difficult as an aspiring professional to set yourself apart from others. This problem is exemplified when trying to separate your skills from others in the world that is the booming technology industry. Passing a certification exam is a sure way to convey professionalism, trustworthiness, and competence to potential employers. Certificates carry an enormous added weight in showcasing one’s technological skill and building one’s resume for the eyes of employers, and the best way to prepare for various exams, such as the CompTIA A+ Certification, is by studying with A+ Practice Test materials from Total Seminars.
There are numerous reasons for utilizing A+ Practice Test materials to pass your exam, and the benefit of standing out among others isn’t the only reason to obtain a certificate. The salary differentiation among professionals can be huge depending on the scope of their certifications. You could even negotiate for a raise on those terms alone. Whether you are a networking specialist, a data analyst, a software developer, or a tech support specialist, a relevant certificate is available to prove one’s qualifications in the desired area and to help lay the foundation for a solid career.
Preparing for a Certification Exam
The act of actually obtaining a certificate can be an intimidating process. There are a number of ways to prepare for certification tests, and the most straightforward way to prepare for an exam is to simply be familiar with the material. People from across the globe browse the Internet to find free tutorials and learn about technology every day. Both paid and free classes relevant to all areas of technology are available in the form of professional training and technical coaching.
A more reliable way to prepare for a certification exam, however, is through taking practice tests. Taking practice exams instead of reading endless books without being sure what will actually help prove your knowledge is a much more reliable method of preparing for technology certification exams. The reason for this is simple: only a very specific selection of topics will be featured on the test. Practice exams from testing companies are carefully designed in order to only deliver the more relevant studying material for your success. The test makers want to work with you to qualify you as an effective technologist and to help you achieve great scores for employers to view. They are interactive, affordable, and closely follow the content that one should expect on a real test.
A+ Practice Tests
For the technology professional, A+ practice tests are a highly valuable option when preparing to enter the world of IT infrastructure. The A+ exam features traditional, situational, and identification questions. The questions are all multiple choice with only one answer for each question. It is open for anybody to take, but having at least six months of experience is recommended.
Dedication and discipline employed through using A+ practice tests can bring validation of the knowledge level of the professional. Doing well through A+ practice tests can yield great results in the form of coveted raises and unrestricted attention from potential employers. They can help you at every stage of the game by assisting in building your stamina, identifying common pitfalls, and working to focus your attention in the most important subjects you’ll be tested on.
The path of each professional is different, but adequate testing through certification exams assures potential employers that the technical knowledge of the professional is current, relevant and competitive. Whether you’re taking tests for certificates from Microsoft, Adobe, or Oracle, your scores will count globally and will carry more weight than many college titles that are not valued from country to country.
Becoming a Network+ Administrator
Posted by: Kathy Yale
Future information technology (IT) professionals develop talent with education. Network+ administration is an advanced, specialized focus of IT. Writing, mathematics, and computer programming skills form the foundation; knowledge of project management, database theory, and network administration specialize the professional. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the median pay for network and computer systems administrators is $69,160 per year.
Network+ Certification
It is important to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in order to meet the full requirements of becoming a network administration. When considering employment in this position, it is crucial to achieve credentialing through a Network+ certification. This will not only give you pertinent information regarding your specialization in IT, but it will communicate to your employer that you are accomplished in your field. In addition to monitoring network software and hardware, a network administrator is also responsible for either performing or overseeing a variety of roles.
The Network+, A+ and Security+ certification programs offer an entry level technical background. Basic networking includes Ethernet, wireless access points and network design. Junior professionals also learn the technical specifications of computer hardware. Junior network administrators begin with networking and information security training. Obtaining a certification in Network+ is a recommended step for becoming a key player in your specialized field.
Why Network Administration is in Demand
With the continued advancement of information technology, more companies are in need of network administrators to oversee the performance of their communications departments by installing and maintaining their computer systems. As more and more companies upgrade to meet the growing requirements of the digital era, the need will continue to grow along with it. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the projected average growth rate for all occupations in network and computer systems administration is 14% for 2010-2020.
Building talent for network administration is not an easy process. It requires a broad understanding of writing, mathematics, business, and computer science. Future professionals will gain experience by obtaining certification credentialing. If you enjoy solving problems and desire a job that is currently in high demand, than consider becoming a network administrator or any related IT profession that suits the area you would like to specialize in.
Network Technician
A network technician maintains the operating link between computer software and hardware. If there is an issue with wiring or the transferring of data due to a hardware malfunction, it is the job of the network technician to troubleshoot and resolve the problem.
Network Installer
This position is responsible for installing and maintaining data communication systems. A network installer will also to continue to oversee the progress of the network security, usage, and general infrastructure.
Help Desk Technician
A Help Desk technician offers support regarding a company’s products or services. This position is responsible for providing visitors with assistance relating to inquiries they may have about IT support.
IT Cable Installer
This particular position requires a technician who can navigate the wiring necessary to operate both the software and hardware of a company.