Certification Benefits

[babu kumar]

This site has been of great help for certification. Thanks a lot guys.But how is life after certification ?
I think there are lot of guys with several certification hang out in this group. So I thought I will post the question.
I work for a consulting company and they really supported people writing these certification. Also I am quite convinced about the learning part that comes out of these certifications. I certainly learnt something new in every certification I did.
However, when I appeared for interviews recently and mentioned about my certification, I got mixed reactions.
On the positive side, I did see few people recognize the certification and its values. but here are some misconceptions that I came across.
- Certification does not have any value.
- Only people who do not have experience appear for certifications.
- Certification is a waste of time & money, Certification is a joke.
- Certification just involves memorizing something and dumping it on the day of exam.
- Certification ???. Grow up guys. We are no longer in school. This is IT industry.

Looks like there are bunch of people with "Well. I don't have certification so let me not recognize any one who has one" kind of attitude.
I wish I could change their opinion on certification but you know it is really waste of time trying to change theirs. I really like the punch line I read somewhere in this forum "Certification has no value is just another way of saying that I don't have certification".
So I would rather categorize this as a problem that needs to be managed and cannot be solved . We all are likely to come across these things so what is the effective way to manage these things guys?.

I don't believe that certification alone can fetch someone a job. but it can be a way of differentiating yourself from other. So my expectations are
- It should help me get an interview by differentiating me from others applying for the job.
- It should contribute to at least 5% to the overall evaluation of an candidate.
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so here comes my question.
1) Is this reasonable expectation ?. If not what else is an reasonable expectation.
2) From your experience where does SCJP, SCWCD, SCJD stand with respect to these expectations.
3) Here is the quote from Sun on benefits of certification.

The Benefits of Certification FOR THE INDIVIDUAL
Becoming certified in Java technology can help you improve your career potential, gain more respect, and increase job security. With certification, you have hard evidence that you're qualified for the tasks that lie ahead, helping you increase your opportunities for professional advancement, such as salary increase, job role modifications, or promotions.

From your experience, what are your comments with respect to these benefits ?.

4) Currently, these java certifications seem to be grossly under-valued. Why can't we guys do something about it ?.
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[Laudney Ren]

I'm really impressed by your article. You have clearly outlined the problem.
But it seems that what we need is a "social movement". What you think we can do about it?

[Mark Spritzler]

OK, here comes an answer from someone who has interviewed some people and also from someone who has two of the Java Certs.
From an interviewer perspective, if I don't know what it takes to get that certification then I can only judge on experience and how they answer technical questions. We had had a consulting group come in, and they had 2 SCJP, when asked what Java projects they had worked on, they said, OH! none, just took a class and passed the SCJP. When asked some simple Java questions they couldn't answer. So we laughed.
Knowing what it takes to get the SCJP and SCJD, I would commend the person with the SCJP, but not take that into consideration for hiring, unless it was a junior assistant Java programmer position with a good Mentor as the lead. But if they had SCJD I would definitely use that as an plus to possibly hiring that person. and of course for a position of Architect, I would look at the SCJA as even more positive influence.
The SCJWD might have a little impact on hiring, because it is not a difficult test, but that with good experience is a plus.
OK, now as me as a SCJP and SCJD, I think of the SCJD as a foot in the door, and will have a better impact for possibly getting an interview, but showing experience in the end will get me the job.

Mark That was fun