[TriLUG] Cert Question

[Z-man]

Thanks all - my question comes from not only a hiring process stance but
also from the simple, "xyz cert is worth while."  When I post a position
requesting a Linux advanced person, is it worth stating they need to have a
cert to back it up?  Or if requested, should it be used as a criteria for
setting up interviews?  See once they are being interviewed, I will ask the
necessary "geek" questions to sift out any posers but I just want to cut
down on interview time and was kinda hoping that a certification (if good)
would help.


On Thu, Sep 12, 2013 at 10:11 AM, Scott Chilcote <scottchilcote at att.net>wrote:

>  On 09/12/2013 07:38 AM, Z-man wrote:
>
> Hi All,
> Long time reader, rarely post -
>
> I have a pseudo management question (sorry) - which Linux certification do
> you respect if you see it on a resume?  Or have the Linux certs gone the
> way of many others and just become papers for people without skills?
>
>
>
> Z-man:
>
> I took the Comptia Linux+ test(s) for one reason: I was working on a DOD
> contract that required it.  The gov requires hurdles to be jumped before
> you can work on their servers.
>
> The Comptia test was tougher than it looked.  Yes it is extremely broad,
> and yes it does not test ability beyond rote memorization.  And yes,
> everything it requires you to have in your head can easily be looked up -
> if you have access to a working system.  But there's nothing wrong with
> having that knowledge, especially if you are visiting a work site where you
> may not have web access (or even a functioning computer).
>
> None of the test questions were difficult for a person who has a solid
> grounding in maintaining a Linux system on a small network, as long as you
> come prepared.  Most of them were very carefully worded to sift out the
> pretenders.
>
> A side benefit of the Comptia cert is that once you have passed it, you
> automatically qualify for two other certifications: LPIC-1 and Novell
> Certified Network Administrator.  So you get three pretty papers for the
> price of one.
>
> Like others have said, the RHCE is much more comprehensive and requires
> demonstrated ability, not just memorization.  But it is also very Redhat
> specific.  If you need to support Debian it's not as helpful.  If you like
> the certification route, I'd take a close look at the higher level LPIC
> certifications <http://www.lpi.org/linux-certifications/programs> levels
> 2 & 3.  These require hands-on capability and are not as distribution
> specific.
>
> I think that these certs will provide an edge on your resume, as long as
> they validate the kinds of skills that you want to pursue.
>
>    Scott C.
>
> --
> Scott Chilcote
> Cary, NC USAscottchilcote at att.net
>
>


-- 
Craig Zimmer
***********
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