Comments on: I need to speak to my boss…

By: Jesse (SanGod)

Jesse (SanGod) — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 02:43:11 +0000

it’s funny – I have my EMC Proven professional cert, was required by my last contractor because they wanted the ASN status that went along with having X number of certified engineers.

IT managers can’t handle the fact that salaries are going up. My employer just handed me a whopping 3.5% “cost of living” adjustment along with doubling the cost of our healthcare. They don’t realize that IT people, and ESPECIALLY storage people, won’t stay unemployed for long. My last involuntary termination was in the middle of 2001, at the height of the crash, and it was only 21 days off payroll (I had the new job locked in 12), with a nice sign-on bonus that more than made up for the missing paycheck.

I have the great privledge of going into my employer tomorrow and letting them know that if they don’t do better they are going to be blowing a heck-of-a-lot-more than a few points on my salary on Consulting services, most consultants up here get 3x what I’m making now hourly.

By: c2olen

c2olen — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 22:36:13 +0000

Nigel,
You are so right. The other benefits indeed outweigh most of the extra bucks you could earn. As far I was able to determine in my home-country, is that the consultants’ pay isn’t that much higher than my normal salary. Not even including the benefits.
Having a company car sounds nice, and is appealing, but the extra tax on your income, kind of evens out this bonus, to my opinion.

Having a certification in my case is really based on my personal dedication. I have an urge to test my own knowledge by taking the certification tests. Doing online assessment tests doesn’t satisfy this urge. I know, it’s a bit over the top

As we moved over from Brocade to McData last year, the chance of doing new/additional Brocade certifications was very little. The recent acquisition of McData, shed a whole new light on this matter.

Now, I am preparing for Linux certification (LPIC), because I want to. Not because my job requires me to. My company asked me to pursue a bachelor’s degree. So this will keep me busy for a while. That should look good on my resume.

By: Nigel (mackem)

Nigel (mackem) — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 21:35:48 +0000

Hi Ilja,

This survey could be slightly distorted by contractors. At least in the UK contractors get paid a lot more than perm staff. But…… obviously normal “staff” get other benefits that contractors dont such as private medical insurance for you and your family, company backed pension schemes, paid training courses, company car etc…..

On another note, I have all three (may be they have more now) Brocade certifications – BCFP, BCSM and BCSD….. I would suggest that if you know your Brocade stuff and have passed one of the exams then you should take the rest as there is a lot of overlap on the content (at least there was when I took them).

Personally I dont really think certifications are all that important/relevant, even though I do have some, but I know that agencies and HR departments like to see them on resumes.