Experience Is What Counts

Experience, rather than certification, is key to success
At this point, I have chosen not to become certified by Microsoft. No, I'm not a rebel, I just believe that experience is more beneficial than Microsoft certification.

One problem with Microsoft certification is that the exams don't truly test a person's knowledge of Windows NT. Accurately testing a person's knowledge of NT is impossible because NT knowledge encompasses so many technologies, tools, techniques, and concepts. As a result, Microsoft has set a benchmark that basically says, "If you know this much, we'll give you the certification."

Another problem is that Microsoft certification is too easy to get. Many certification factories--companies that promise their students they will pass the certification exams by the time they finish the program--have popped up. All you must do to become certified is pay these certification factories a few thousand dollars. This ease of attainment has greatly diminished the value of Microsoft certification. (Can Microsoft improve its certification program? See the sidebar "How to Make Certification More Valuable," page 138.)

Until the value of Microsoft certification rises, I will continue to rely on my experience in the NT field to help me get and keep jobs. You can rely on your experience, too. Here's how.

How to Get a Job Without Certification
Despite the diminishing value of Microsoft certification, it sometimes gets the attention of potential employers. But before you wave your wallet in front of a certification factory, you need to realize that other ways exist to get the attention of potential employers.

Document all experience on your résumé, and get more experience, if needed. Concisely document all relevant experience on your résumé. If your résumé is a little light in the experience section, consider volunteering your services. Many not-for-profit and for-profit organizations can greatly benefit from extra help in managing their operating systems.

You, too, will benefit from volunteering. Because you'll likely be working with suboptimal systems, you'll hone your skills and become a more creative problem solver. You'll also gain contacts--a definite advantage considering that companies fill most jobs through word of mouth. Plus, you'll get a tremendous amount of personal satisfaction.

Work your way up. Most companies prefer to fill job vacancies with internal candidates, so consider accepting a position that might not be your dream job but can lead to it. Before you knock on an employer's door, get all the information you can about that company. Talk to current and past employees and do research to make sure that the company promotes from within, has an internal MIS department (some companies contract out MIS services), and is an organization that you want to work for.

Once you become an employee, make the MIS staff members your ally. If you're already a member of that department, go the extra mile by volunteering to take on extra responsibilities. If you don't work in the MIS department, communicate your career goals and offer your assistance to the MIS staff. MIS departments often have much more work than available staff, so if you are responsible and efficient, you'll become an important asset. However, help the department only when asked. If you charge in and start doing your thing, they might consider you a loose cannon.

Whether you work in MIS or another department, remember to work within your limitations. If you make a mistake, you might lose a powerful ally. In addition, always keep the MIS staff informed of your extra activities. The key is to communicate.

Be radical. Imagine that you are interviewing a job candidate who says, "I am so convinced that you will like my work that I will do it for free. Put me on probation for 30 days with no salary. If you don't like my work, get rid of me at any time and owe me nothing. But if you like my work, keep me and pay me back wages from the day I started. You have nothing to lose." You'd be certain about one trait of this job candidate: This person has a lot of confidence in his or her abilities.

This radical approach probably won't work in a large organization because of the costs involved with bringing on new staff. But it might work extremely well in small and midsized organizations.

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